Steinhatchee on the Coast

Posted on March 6, 2011 by larry

We received a call from Judy and Stoney. There were picking us up in the morning and we should plan to spend the day in Steinhatchee. I had the fishing gear and my passengers ready to go by 9 and an hour later, Stoney drove into the driveway of our day’s hosts. Bill and Jackie are retired school administrators that Judy had previously worked with in the school system. We learned they house themselves both in Gainesville and Steinhatchee. The former to entertain their penchant for ‘Gator’ sports, the latter to fish and relax along the riverbanks and Gulf. Bill, Stoney and I spent the morning practicing casting off the docks. I was interrupted once with a catfish but my other two compatriots had more luck in their practice. They weren’t interrupted at all. The ladies spent some time walking the side-roads and alleys of the fishing village taking in the sun, wind, and each other’s stories.  Steinhatchee at one time provided a perfect outlet for incoming bales of marijuana in the ’70’s, only to find a product transfer to the ‘nose candy’ of the 80’s. Private trucks would align in parallel in the dark, sparking their headlights to provide makeshift runways. Once the incoming plane slowed enough, out would fall the bales, to be whisked away by the pick ups and turning madly about in a spray of directions. Times have since changed and the village is more of a laid back fishing and vacation destination now. I was informed that it is the ‘scalloping’ capital of the state, a practice that takes place beginning each May.  However, the economic downturn has left plenty of pastel casitas vacant and dotted with realty signs. There seems to be no strong middle class here with housing bookending the spending spectrum, from what I could afford I would never want and what I want I could never afford.  After spinning stories, nipping at hors de oeuvres, we headed out for dinner at Roy’s, on the wharf. I tried my first ‘mullet dip’ there and was pleasantly surprised with the pasty appetizer. After dinner we returned back to Bill and Jackie’s for some homemade Key Lime pie. I had never had the decadent dessert and found this won’t be the last time, either. It was one of the best tasting things I’ve put to my palette. We’ll return to Steinhatchee once again in the future and use the day to explore even more out of the way niches. We returned home by eight and began packing for a business trip north.

Categories: Full Time RVing, Fun Things To Do, People | 2 Comments

A Memorable Sunday Afternoon

Posted on March 1, 2011 by larry

We thought a good time would be for a group of us to take a pontoon ride up the Suwanee to Fanning Springs. Nine of us hopped aboard after lunch and set sail for the twelve mile journey north. The weather was sublime, mother natured cooperated beyond all expectations, and the camaraderie proved entertaining. We were privy to four alligators at varioius points along the shore, taking advatange of UV rays baking their hides. A plethora of turtles seemed to be aligned along fallen timbers, with each bend in the river. When no wildlife was in view, the flora provided the eye candy to keep every mile a memory. The ride out against the current took two hours until we began the trek back. That proved exciting. The wind had picked up by late afternoon, waves were coming in volume due to increased river traffic, and the load limit were testing my mettle. In a split second, a large wake caromed off the side, my throttle had decelerated too quickly and the human girth wasn’t distributed properly……the bow went under. We were taking on water. Holy shit! I never prepared for this situation. Dozens of thoughts pierced my mind in less than the blink of an eye. You get it. You know what I mean. When all emotions, senses, and instincts fire their respective synapses at the same time. My first inclination was to cover my neck. The trache stoma is of constant concern. My worst nightmare, from the onset of memorable dreams was that of drowning.  All at the same time, I was able to bank into the wake, throw the throttle into reverse, and suggesting bodies moving about in distribution. Disaster flashed in my mind’s eye. But more often than not, some unexplained power takes over my mental processes and bails me out once again. After the collective screams of panic, we were only worse by a couple pairs of wet shoes. But the lessons learned were once again priceless. Back on terra firma, many of us headed to the pool, others went home to do one thing or another, and some of us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Full Time RVing, Fun Things To Do | 4 Comments

Just an Average Day

Posted on February 27, 2011 by larry

We have friends, relatives and acquaintences that voice envy in this lifestyle of ours. This one of fulltiming. They believe in an ethereal vision of utopic proportions. Ah!! To be able to “live the dream”. My retort is that one finds it not altogether different than the previous life choice. If you tend to eat out a lot, you’re going to continue that practice while fulltiming. If you arise early each day, that won’t change. We’re creatures of habit. If your evenings are spent waching television, sitcoms will continue to be your nocturnal highlight. This lifestyle is not the glamorous wishing globe that Madison Avenue has imaged so neatly for us. A full moon does not hover over each evening’s horizon. Campfires, reflecting off the sides of new RV’s, as they’re presented to us on the television, are not permitted in every park to provide the catalyst for a bevy of smores. And there are bugs, or some kind of critter in every state, regardless of the season. And sometimes it rains, and once in a while the sun doesn’t shine all day long. But although not glamorous, there is an arrested euphora to each spin of this terrestrial sphere.  Take today for instance. Here’s an average day for you. Get up and turn on the coffee. While watching the sun crest the eastern treetops, I pour a pint of the French Roast and head out the door for a few hours on the Suwanee. I’m in pursuit of anthing with fins. I have no luck but it matters not. Watching fog lift off the water, raised by the beams of the sun, has made striking out meaningless. By nine I’m back for breakfast and then it’s off for our morning walk. The next three hours was spent teetering between lying poolside and trading lies with friends and acquaintences while bobbing in the human aquarium. Three was plenty, as was evidenced by the reddening shoulders. By late afternoon, it was the bi-weekly run to Walmart. Robin saved a baby sand turtle yesterday. It was nearing disaster with an all season radial.  We now have another addition to the ‘Rev’.  And America’s major retailer held the only turtle food available. Back from town it’s now nearing sundown. Time enough for just one more shot at those lily pads along the shore. Fire up the boat and head down river. Five minutes out found I landing a nice catfish.  That was enough of a fix to head to the dock. Now it’s tiime to fire up the grill and remove the chicken breasts from the marinade. Rice and chicken and homemade biscuits. Is that enough white or what?  Throw in another dash of bullshitting with the locals and it’s time for the evening fire. When the embers burn from white to ash, we’ll head inside and be entertained by the networks. So you see, the only difference in lifestyles is the fact that my backyard is chosen- on a daily basis.

Categories: Full Time RVing, Lifestyles, RV | 5 Comments