Of Submarines and Monkeys

Still hanging out in north central Florida where the weather isn't the same as Key West but warm enough for dog walking and kayaking between the rainy days and those days that might have been too chilly for water sports.

Walking around town gives us a chance to check out the antique shops. This would look great in my daughter's back yard.  It was made by someone locally about 2000.  Without reading the entire article, which I didn't do, I don't know if it was ever water worthy.   But it is definitely yard worthy.   There were too many 0000's after the number on the price tag or I am sure it would have followed me home or at least to Charlotte, NC.

Just realized that the blue hat at the top is Liz's. She is standing on the other side.

There might have been one cold morning here in Florida.  

"I don't care if the bed gets made or not," says Remi. "I think this is a wonderful morning to sleep in. You go ahead and do whatever."

Liz took our friend Gloria for a tour of some of the lakes nearby.  We also, coincidentally, got to check out some kayak launch possibilities. 

Some folks snorkeling in the spring.   Personally, I need more flashy fish to tempt me into my wet suit and gear.

About flashy things.....  There was a nice family out picnicking at the spring.  Really it wasn't that warm but then again if you are a kid and can play in the water and sand why worry about itchy sand in the swim suit.

And while in Florida, there are the exciting  laundry days sitting at the truck stop.  Gloria was smart enough to take the fancy chair instead of the hard metal bench.  Yes, Liz and I were sitting on the metal bench, duh.

Liz had to go for another doctor appointment so two of our neighbors went kayaking out on Orange lake with me.  Watching them take the kayaks off the roof, reminded me why I have an inflatable.

Heading out from the boat ramp. 

I was suppose to take them out through the plants to the trail that Liz and I paddled down last week all the way out to the open water on the other side of the lake.  Really, the handsome Air-boat ranger showed us the way. Unfortunately around here when the rains come and the winds blow across the lake the trails get closed off. Liz said that some kayakers got out on the lake and had to call 911 when the trail closed behind them before they could turn around and get back to their launch site.   We didn't get very far down the straight track. Maybe next week when Nan gets here it will be cleared again and ready for kayaking again.  We did get to travel down a few other trails in the water.

Yesterday, we played the car and truck shuttle so that we all could put in at the head water of the Sliver River at the springs  and take the long paddle down to the public access 5.5 miles down river.

And he was to be called the river monster but it never worked out. He smiled too much and no one was frightened.

Cameras here, binoculars there. There was a lot to see.

He was hiding and sunning all at the same time. I still wouldn't take bets on how fast he could back out of there if he wanted to.

And about the monkeys.   The monkeys are descendents from the early Tarzan films of years ago.  They escaped long, long ago and now live wild  along the river.

A little grooming time. Several of the babies were playing in the undergrowth around one of the trees. They were hard to see and didn't hold still but you could hear them crashing against the fronds and see them chasing each other.  

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About half way down the river we realized that we might have to paddle if we wanted to get off the water and back to camp before dark.  So we floated for two miles and paddled with the current for the last 2.5 miles.   Next time, if we start earlier in the morning we could float more and paddle even less.  I am the best at kayaking down stream with the current doing most of the work while I can watch the scenery.

Occasionally, one even needs to do household chores while traveling. The dog rugs catch most of the sand and twigs. But when we shake them out, aren't we glad that we don't have carpeting in rigs.

So now, the puppers and I are parked at the Ocala Dog Show Ground along with another 150 plus RVs and hundreds of dogs waiting for tomorrow and the start of four days of shows.  Audrey is all clean and sleek and wearing her "blanket" to make her back look extra smooth. Not that she cares.  She does like to play and visit people at shows, so she gets her fun time.  Stuart insists that I take him to visit the vendors.