John Pennekamp State Park

On January 28 Richard and I headed to Key Largo, John Pennekamp State Park. We have many pamphlets on what do around the Miami and The Florida Keys and we are taking one thing at a time to do on our days off.

Before we arrived at the State Park, we stopped by this little place called Harriets. It is a little place off of US Rt. 1 around Mile Marker (MM) 96. If you weren't looking for it, you would miss it. We were told about this place by a couple who goes there a lot. The omelets were big and delicious and the biscuits that came with the omelet was huge and very good.

This is how the park is outlined. As you come in to the park you stop and pay the fee of $6 for 2 people. Follow the road to the first parking lot and turn left. Park anywhere you can find a spot. The Visitor Center is to the right of the parking lot and the John Pennekamp Store and Tours is to the right of the Visitor Center. In the store is where you buy the Tours tickets for snorkeling, scuba diving and the glassbottom boat tours. We purchased the Glassbottom Boat Tour at $24 each for the 12:15pm tour. We had a little bit of time to kill so we went in to the Visitor Center.

In the Visitor Center is various information, shells of all sorts and fish tanks. There is a slide show in a room that tells you about the reef fish and corals. In the Visitor Center we signed our names to the Guest Book and then proceeded to take some pictures of the corals, shells and fish in the tanks.

Care to see some crab shells.

This fish (don't know the type) is pretty cool.

There was a spiney lobster in one tank. A moray eel in another tank which is to the right. Other fishes that I could not get a picture of cause of the glare of the tanks.

After visiting the Visitor Center for about 10 minutes, it was time to head over to the line for the Tour. The boat was being boarded about 12:10pm. All rules were told to us and on the boat we went. There were places that we couldn't go yet until we have been on the water for about 20 minutes. It took about 30 minutes to get to the Atlantic Ocean and then more time to get to the area, which I thought was called Molasses Reef. The channel that we were traveling was very pretty. The trees along the channel are called Mangrove Trees. When we told that we could go to the front or back of the boat, we headed to the front. It felt so good to stand there and feel the breeze and take pictures. Richard headed up to the top deck to take his pictures.

This is the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean.

When we arrived out to the Atlantic Ocean, and was on our way to the reef, some of us got to see a stingray come out of the water and go back in the water. That was so cool to see and none of us had time to take a picture of it.

When we arrived at Molasses Reef, everyone was asked to come indoors and find a spot at the railing to the glassbottom sections, of which there were 2 areas. Richard and I found our spot and then while waiting to be told that we could go down the next level and sit with our feet dangling took off my shoes. They said that no loose shoes could be worn where the glassbottoms where. Richard and I sat down and after about 5 minutes, we both felt sweaty, warm, and sick. At this point, the speaker was saying how if anyone felt sweaty, warm, or sick to please go to the top of the boat and get a mint. To sit and watch the horizon and suck on the mint to feel better. Both of us got up and headed upstairs. As time was going by, more and more people were coming up to the top deck. I think that if the area was more air conditioned than it might have been better but I think they turned off the air cause most of the people who came upstairs to the top deck said that it was very warm in the area where we could see the reefs. But I did get a few pictures on my camera before leaving. The pictures you may see are "others" pictures to show you what we could have taken pictures of.

The picture to the right is where the Glassbottom Boat was moving around at Molasses Reef. By this time I was sitting on the top deck with Richard having a mint to help with the seasickness.

After about 30 minutes of being out at the reef, the Captain said that we were heading back to the marina. The ride back wasn't too bad but we both were still feeling pretty bad. So bad that no pictures were taken until we arrived near the marina. Then I took a few pictures of the marina area.

We got off the boat and Richard went to the Visitor Center to go to the dark slide show room to be in the coolness and the darkness. He was really feeling bad. I was slowly feeling better. I went in to the store and walked around and took pictures of some of the merchandise that said Key Largo or other stuff. I got a sprite to sip on and got some magnets since we collect magnets of places that we go. Then I went to get Richard and we sat outside on a bench to enjoy the fresh air. After a little bit, I walked over to the beach area and took pictures of coral and people in the water snorkeling. When I felt better to drive, we headed home. It took Richard a while to feel a lot better. It was a shame that we could not enjoy the reef and all the fish and coral that are out there.

Miami Metro Zoo

On Jan. 23, Friday, Richard and I decided that we wanted to go to the Miami Metro Zoo...The weather was going to be very nice, about 72 degrees for the high....So we got ready, had our breakfast and headed out for the day...

Our day began around 10am with us heading to Walgreens to pick up my prescription that has been ready for almost a week...After the pick up, we headed up to the Miami Metro Zoo (MMZ)...It was an easy drive and the zoo was easy to find...The MMZ is on 124th Avenue off of 152nd Street near the Florida Turnpike...The road leading in to the MMZ is about 3/4 mile long and leads cars to the parking lots...Parking is free, which was amazing...We found a parking space for our truck, or should I say 2 spaces...*S* There weren't many cars there so it looked like it wasn't going to be crowded but we did see school kids...We purchased our one day ticket and asked some questions...Then we thought that we were going to return to the MMZ at least one more time so we bought a second day pass for only $7 more each person...

As we entered the park, our cameras were out and we were taking pictures...While taking pictures I got pecked at the back of the knee and I thought Richard was swiping something off...Come to find out it was an Ibis that was pecking at the back of my knee...We started our slow walk towards the new Amazon & Beyond, which opened up in December 2008...Along the pathway, there is a place to rent Surrey Bikes...For 2 hours and $22 you can rent a bike and bike along the pathway and around the MMZ...You can rent strollers and electric wheel chairs...

The MMZ has several areas of interest and we only saw 2 areas in 6 hours...The main thing that Richard and I do is take lots of pictures of anything and everything...The flowers, shrubs and trees were unusual...All the animals...from Flamingos, Ducks, Tigers, Birds, different Safari type animals...The Amazon & Beyond area was amazing...We missed the Hummingbird Encounter which I would have loved to have done...We didn't see any Bats...and Snakes galore...The MMZ is a very nice zoo...After all day of walking, we realized why the guests rent the Surrey Bikes...*S*

At lunch time we did take a break...At the beginning of the Amazon & Beyond, there is an area where you can sit and buy some lunch...It isn't much to choose from but we got a big salad that had eggs, ham, lettuce & cheese...We got a lemonade to share too...The salad was really good and even one of the employees went and got Richard some honey mustard for his part of the salad...I got Ranch for mine...There was plenty of salad for the both of us and we both felt full...For dinner we stopped at the Oasis and shared some chicken tenders/fries and a lemonade...

At 4:45pm, we grabbed the monorail which takes you around the park...There are 4 stops with the monorail...We took the monorail to Stop 1, the beginning of the park...From there we had to go through the gift shop and walk around to the building where you can join the Miami Zoological Society for an annual pass...The cost of that was very nice, $64/couple for a year...You can't beat that, huh! The only thing that the Society couldnt' do was put the second day fee that we paid towards the annual cost...So we now have the second day tickets on sale for $10 each...We hope that someone will buy them from us...We do plan on returning back to the MMZ at least 3 more times so it will pay off for us...and with the Zoological costs it will get us 10% off on merchandise and food in the park and we will also get 20% off of entrance fees at other Florida attractions like the Miami Seaquarium and Theater of the Sea...After we got done signing the papers for the new fees for the year, we walked to our truck and headed home...

It was a fabulous day..The weather was about 72 degrees..The sun was out for most of the day...We could not have asked for a better day to visit the MMZ...We look forward to going back there and taking lots more pictures of all the other areas that we did not get to see as of yet...

Looking for Michaels (crafts)

It was Thursday, Jan. 22, and we decided to go exploring...It is so boring during our hours of working when there is nothing going on...So I thought that I would like to find a Michaels and go see what they had in cross stitch crafts...I thought I would do another cross stitch blanket for our 3rd granddaughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie)...In the past, I did a blanket for Kayla and a blanket for Brianna but Lizzie wasn't suppose to happen...so when she did come in to this world, at the time I couldn't do another blanket...but now time is all I have...So why not!

We left our rv around 10:30am and headed up Krome Ave. towards SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive or Route 94)...This will be main street of business in Miami...So we drove and saw Home Depot, Best Buy, a Walmart (not a SuperWalmart, darn it), a few restaurants, some strip malls and other buildings of interest...Then we came across Michaels, next door to Barnes and Noble...We parked and went in to Michaels...Richard and I walked around and saw an area where there were some xmas stuff on sale for at least 80% off...Well, because we are Activity Directors up at Lake Ridge RV Resort in Hillsville, VA. and needed some crafts for the Themed Weekends, I saw little xmas ornament ceramics that were on sale for 80% off...Richard went to see how much they were, no prices were on them, and he came back and said that the ceramic pieces were 11 cents each...So we gathered up a bucket that was behind us and put pretty much all the ceramic ornaments to be painted in to our bucket...Then I got a xmas flag (small one) for $2 and a few little other items on sale...We bought 2 candles, White Magnolia and Honeysuckle, and a cross stitch blanket for Lizzi and a latch hook rug, Lucky CareBear, for our newest addition, Laurianna...We got a good deal on everything...Awesome buying day....

After shopping, we decided to travel east some more on SW 88th Street...We were heading towards Route 1 or S. Dixie Hwy....After driving a while, we decided that it was lunch time...But where to eat...We passed up Chilis...Red Lobster sounded good...but we turned on to Route 1, going south...We drove and looked around...We were on the outskirts of Downtown Miami...So south on Route 1 we headed....We came across a sign for Red Lobster and turned on to the road heading to it...Across the street was a MALL...and a MOVIE THEATER...We parked our truck (in 2 spaces as always) and walked over to Red Lobster...

Red Lobster service - The service from the time we walked in to the restaurant to the time we left was superb...The Host did a fine job of seating us...The Waitress did an excellent job of taking our order, keeping up with our drinks and asking us how we were doing...To the Manager in getting to us so we could tell him what a fine establishment and service he had...Usually when I order Ice Tea, it always tastes bitter...Like it has sat for days...but not this day...It was SOOOO GOOD...I even drank 2 glasses...The Lobster Fondue was excellent as always...Richard ordered a Hawaiian crusted Salmon with Coconut Shrimp and a side order of Scallops...A House Salad came with the meal (or a Caesar Salad) but he got the house salad...The Cheddar biscuits are always great and delicious...I ordered some concoction of rum sauce with my Shrimp & Scallops with Broccoli and Baked Potato...Richard also got a Baked Potato...I got a Caesar Salad which I haven't had before...and that was delicious...The whole meal was fabulous...The meal was more than we wanted to spend but it was a celebration of our new granddaughter or so we surmised for spending so much for lunch...*S*

After our luncheon, we drove home still heading down Route 1 to the mall...Southland Mall...a real indoor mall...one with stores that we recognize...We walked around the mall, got my engagement checked at Kays Jewelers and saw where the movie theater was...It looked like they had a really nice Regal Cinemas theater...Finally, we had enough of walking around and got back to the truck and headed home...

We got home and Richard laid down for a nap...I knew I couldn't go to sleep cause my daughter, Brandi, was going to call me very soon to talk to me on her way home, which is fine with me..I did try to lay down on the couch to cat nap but it didn't work...After talking with her for a while, I realized that I had to go to the store to get a few things like MILK...but while I went to the store, I also got my hair cut and tried to pick up my presciption at Walgreens...Wow! What a laugh...The line was so long that I just went to Publix instead to get my groceries...

And that was our day of exploring...

New President - Barack Obama

Jan. 20, 2009

It's a new day for a new president...At 12:06pm Barack H. Obama became the 44th President of the United States and his wife Michelle Obama, became the First Lady...
Since about 8am this morning, we have been watching ABC to see all the hopla of the new president to be...Tonight is the Inaugural Neighborhood Ball...and President Obama is attending all 10 balls tonight...He will be one tired President tomorrow...*S*
Today is a day in History...A new Afro-American president...

but really he's just more all American...He is a United States of America citizen...
Washington, DC was packed with almost 2 million people...

The weather was about 26 degrees during the day and towards evening it got a lot colder...but all the people prevailed and hung around for the festivities...Bands from all over America marched down PA. Avenue...Even the marching band from his Hawaii school where he grew up...The Military Bands were there in the parade as well...
I'm not very good at saying things about what is going on but today was awesome...
I didn't vote but I knew that Barack Obama would have been the man I would have voted for...I like him and his speeches ever since he started...I certainly hope that this new man will do what he said...
The parade was good to see along with seeing the new President of the United States to walk Pennsylvania Avenue...

May the following 4 years be as he says and make things right with all of the United States...

Laurianna Sylvani Jorges

Today is a very special day for us...Today our daughter, Misti and her husband, Chad became the proud parents of a little baby girl...So we are the proud grandparents of a new granddaughter, Laurianna (lor e ah na) Sylvani Jorges...

Lorianna was born at 5:18am (Sicily time) on today, 1.20.09...She weighed in at 6 pounds 1 ounce and was 18.5 inches long...

Misti was admitted around 12:30am, 1.20.09 (Sicily time)...She gave me a call and was having contractions while we were on the phone...She was doing well and hanging on...Chad had gone home to pick up some things that were left behind...Hopefully the camera wasn't one of the things that got left behind...*S* *L* but in the end, the camera was there and pictures were taken...

Misti's dad, Bruce, was on his way over to Sicily to witness the birth but his granddaughter came too soon...Hopefully he made it their safely...

Last night, early morning, I had a very good dream that I was there with her and helping her out with her delivery...I was telling her to breath and to push...and making sure the nurses were taking care of her...Then about 7:50am, Misti called my cell phone to give Richard and I the good news...Richard and I are glad that she is doing well and so is Laurianna...

So now we have 4 granddaughters - Kayla, Brianna, Elizabeth & Laurianna...and we love them all very much...

Richard and I are hoping to visit Sicily in April 2010...and to see our new grandbaby...

Brianna Lin - Our Granddaughter

On or about Dec. 2, 2007, our middle granddaughter, Brianna, flew back to where we were staying...Richard and I had agreed to take Brianna for 4 months to help out with daycare costs...It was her first flight on a plane and she did really well...It was a bit tough to get her to sleep on the plane but it worked out...Brianna was very good while travelling...We went from Dulles International Airport, DC to Houston, TX and then on to Fort Walton Airport in Florida...


At the time we were staying at Sunset King Lake Resort in DeFuniak Springs, FL,
located in the panhandle of Florida...It's a great place to stay put for a while and enjoy the campground's company...The company who stay at Sunset King are snowbirds and stay there for about 6 months or less...It was going to be a great place to help raise Brianna for those 4 months...


Brianna became the "granddaughter" of everyone who missed their grandkids...
All the older folks just loved having her there...She made everyone laugh...




During her 4 months stay, we had a blast...We got to watch many cartoons and even sang the themes to most of them...I'm not sure if she had a favorite cartoon or not but she did like to watch Go, Diego, Go and Dora...Brianna was potty trained while she was with us...It is amazing how Gummy Bugs worked...I just couldn't believe it...Brianna did really well and she even had a step stool that was her's to use when she needed to go potty...Another favorite thing that she enjoyed doing was riding in "Poppy's" golf cart when he had to go around and announce what was going on that day, for activities...See during this time, Richard was Activities Director...Brianna even like to go for walks and pick up rocks...She like to skim rocks in to the lake as best as she could...It was very cute on how she would just "drop" the rocks in to the lake edge...At Sunset King there is a putt putt course and on this course is a small bridge...It was perfect for her to run across on...During our walks with her, she knew exactly what RV had what food or drink...On one of our walks, she stopped by an RV and asked for a drink of water...I did not know this person but she got Brianna a drink of water...Our friends, Wendell & Sally, were on route of our walk...
One day we stopped by their RV to visit for a few...The first thing Brianna asked for was a piece of cheese...Then she would ask for a banana...Then she would ask for a drink...Of course, Sally would give her everything that he asked for...So when we went on our walks, guess where we stopped by...Guess what she ate...Yep, she always got what she asked for...Even on one of our walks, Brianna even stopped by the one RV where she got a drink of water from and asked for a drink of water, again....and she got it...She was very smart!!



Parties!!! Well, let me tell you about her party days...She made everyone laugh...
The things that this girl would do...She enjoyed her parties too...She went to a Christmas Party, a New Year's Eve Party, a Valentine Party, a Mardi Gras Party and a St. Patty's Day Party...She loved her music and her dancing...The parties would start at 7pm and end at 10pm...and during that whole time music would be playing and she would dancing...Brianna may have taken a break for drink or for a bit of food but all the while still dancing...Even at one of these parties, she even danced a "table leg" dance...It was so funny...and we have no idea where she got the idea to do it but she had everyone laughing...Even while the ladies did some line dancing, she was in front and it looked like she was showing them how to do it...Brianna was always the highlight of every party...At the New Year's Eve Party, she even had a "partner"...He was about 18 months old but she didn't care...They were doing their own dancing...This girl is going to love the clubs when she gets older...

While she was with us, I also had the extreme pleasure of POTTY TRAINING her...Well! I did find out what worked...Gummy bugs....Yep! Gummy bugs...Every time she told me she had to go, she got gummy bugs...Brandi couldn't believe it...Even when she was in the clubhouse, she would yell, Potty, Mommom...We were so proud of her...

Another treat was when she would learn new things...Like "I can't hear you" with you hand up to her ears...Or "Come here Mommom and sit, I've got to talk to you"...Or "Poppy, speak clearly and slowly"...She also learned who she could get food from...Or get chips from when she didn't eat her regular dinner...and she love her ice cream on Monday nights...with sprinkles on the vanilla ice cream...


Brianna had her first trip to Destin, Fl...We went to the Santa Rosa Beach...As you can tell, she had a blast...She even ran to the water a little faster than we wanted and got all wet...We didn't have a harness to help hold her back from getting soaked...She went in face first in to the water...Brianna also collected shells which are here at our RV for safe keeping...She liked it so much that we took her back to the beach this time with her swimsuit on...








Brianna was such an extreme joy to have and spend time with...We look forward to doing it again as she gets older...We also look forward to having her sisters, Kayla (4 yrs. old) and Lizzi (1.5 yrs. old) as well...Kayla we will have very soon and I are very sure it will be an extreme joy to have her...Brianna and Kayla are different...but what fun it will be...

G'night to my girls...Poppy and I miss you all very very much...All our love to our girls...

Threat Level of PURPLE!!!

vs

This Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, the Threat Level is raised to PURPLE! I am ready...I've got my PURPLE TOWEL, PURPLE Ravens Socks, Ray Lewis PURPLE Jersey, PURPLE capris...The Level of PURPLE has been raised in our household...

This Sunday, JOE FLACCO goes against Ben Roethlisberger....

A Rookie vs a Pro

Will Joe Cool be able to take care of Big Ben? Will Ray Lewis, the leader of the DEFENSE, take care of BIG BEN? Will ED REED takeaway some of Big Ben's throws to his receivers? That is the PURPLE THREAT for this Sunday...

So everyone be aware...PURPLE is going to rule Sunday...Cheer and root on the PURPLE DEFENSE...Cheer and root on the PURPLE OFFENSE...We've come this far...Show the world that the Baltimore Ravens are the best in the AFC...Let's go all the way...to the SUPER BOWL in Tampa....

GO RAVENS!!!