We have settled in for 2 months at Crystal Lake RV park in Mims, Florida, where we stayed last year.  It is a small, no frills park right off of I-95, conveniently located south of New Smyrna Beach (where Dan’s parents rent a condo for a few months), North of Cocoa Beach, and about 70 miles East of Orlando.  The best part is the price, $400/month plus electric.  And many of the folks from last year have returned, so we have been busy with activities.

The RV lifestyle can be as social as you want it to be.  In talking with people who are not full-time RV’ers, many cite the fear they would miss their family and friends too much, or the fellowship they have at their church.  For us, we are more active now, than when we had a regular sticks and bricks house.  But we also make it a point to swing “back home” to Wisconsin in between our workcamping jobs to visit family and friends.

When we were listening to the February podcast from the RV Navigators (free on ITunes), we discovered they were ‘parked at a campground nearby’, so we sent Ken and Martha an e-mail to see if we could meet up with them, and they were happy to do so.  They have an excellent monthly podcast about the RV lifestyle which we have listened to for several years, and we were excited to finally meet up with them.  We had an excellent lunch, and then made plans to golf nine holes, at the RV resort they were staying at.  Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera, and left the phones in the truck while we were golfing.  On the first hole, we encountered a large bird, a large turtle and a small alligator, all sitting together by the cart path.  You will just have to take my word for it!  They were very interested in hearing about our workcamping jobs, and how we are making a living doing this.  We agreed to do a short interview, which will be broadcast on a future episode of their show.  We look forward to meeting up with them again.

There is an excellent farmers/flea market in Deland on Wednesdays, and we picked up Dan’s mom and headed over for a few hours a couple of weeks ago.  While we were there, we heard a woman’s voice yell “Wisconsin”.  We turned around and I yelled “Seattle” back!  It was Marilyn and David, whom we worked with at Amazon in 2013 in Kentucky.  Marilyn was a “stower” at Amazon, so we saw her on a regular basis.  She would always great us with “Hello Wisconsin”, and we would always say “Goodnight Seattle” when she left for the day.  Depending on your age, you may or may not get those two television references!  As it turns out, they have a house in Titusville, about 12 miles south of our campground, and they invited us over for a wonderful shrimp pasta dinner.  If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know how much I like to emphasize the “family” atmosphere of the workcampers.  Thanks again “Seattle” for your hospitality!

beautiful table setting

David, Dan, Marilyn

We also got together with Dick and Cheryl, whom we worked with at Crazy Horse Memorial this past summer.  They have a home in Cocoa Beach.  Cheryl had been having some problems with her back, and went in for surgery last fall when they arrived back in Florida for the winter.  After surgery, Cheryl had no feeling her extremities.  It was a very life changing experience for her and Dick.  After very intense physical therapy, she is slowing gaining movement, but still faces a long road ahead.  When we first met up for lunch, she was able to walk without her walker, but needed some assistance.  A few weeks later, when we met up to golf with Dick (Cheryl road along in the cart), she was able to walk gingerly, without assistance, for short distances.  She continues physical therapy, and is just taking one day at a time.  You just never know what life will bring you, so be grateful for every day you have!

Dick, Cheryl & I

This time I remembered to bring my camera while golfing.  We did not see any alligators, but did see this unique soft shell turtle, with sort of a pig stout for a nose.

Soft shell turtle

unique nose

This week we made another trip back to Epcot, to visit with a former co-worker of mine, who was escaping the cold of Wisconsin!  It was also the start of the annual Epcot International Flower and Garden, which is held every spring.  We were amazed at how “alive” the park seemed to be, since our last visit, with all the beautiful flowers and topiaries.  It was a perfect day, and we had a lot of fun with Katie and her husband Sam.  Thanks for letting us crash a day of your vacation!

Katie, Sam and I

Katie is an avid pin collector (I need to hook her up with Karen!), and I have learned that the Disney Cast Members are required to trade pins when anyone asks.  Katie scored a nice Buzz Lightyear pin from one of the employees.

I’ll take that one!

And here are just a few of the topiaries located throughout Epcot.

Flower Festival

Butterflies

Monsters Inc

Woody

Captain Jack

colorful animals

Lion King

Quote for the day:  “A friend is like a good bra….hard to find…supportive…comfortable…always lifts you up…makes you look better…and always close to your heart.” – Maxine