My daughter, Tanya, text me the other day and asked if I had not posted since February, or if she had missed getting the blog notifications. I told her that I had not posted.
Life has a way of getting in the way.
At my job as a Fuel Tanker Driver, I work long, hard hours. Then, with having a house to take care of, there is always something that needs to be done. Top it off with being in a FANTASTIC relationship with a FANTASTIC Lady, well, when there is available time, I'd rather spend it with her than doing much of anything else! As I have said, I waited 35 years to find her, and she has been worth the wait.
So let me update all y'all with what happened today, and work my way backwards.
This time of year is great, what with being harvest time, et al. The local apple trees are shedding their fruit, and I, being a Professional Scavenger, look for the opportunity to gather the apples for cooking and eating. Now I digress a bit.
My Lady didn't have much of a childhood, and you can read about her melodrama in her book:
FATLASH! Food Police & the Fear of Thin So when I told her about taking my kids, Tanya & Terence, when they were young, out to the parks and gathering apples with them, she was intrigued. The kids were small and nimble enough to be able to climb most trees without hurting themselves. But there were many apples that they couldn't reach. And besides, other kids had the same idea. So I had made an apple picker with two pieces of aluminum tubing so that one slid down inside the other for easy transport, but had a reach of about 15 feet. Add that to my height, and there were a lot of apples that we could get. When I unhooked the apple and it fell, the kids would try to catch them. Great eye-hand coordination exercise! If you didn't catch the apple, you got bonked on the head. Hmmmmm, that explains a lot..... So I made another one on Tuesday, and My Lady and I went out apple gathering. I have apple butter simmering in a crock pot as I write this!
For a couple of years now, Gray Oil Company has been wanting me to go to work for them, but I've declined. They run bobtails, or as we call them, "short trucks". As the joke goes, I used to have to ride the short bus to school, so why would I want to drive a short truck for work? Well, they merged with Rex Oil in May and had a transport, or tractor-trailer combo, come available, so they asked me to go to work for them. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse! So I put in my two weeks notice with Brad, and started working for them.
I took a week off before starting with Gray Oil to build a shed that we desperately needed for storage. Since I had built the "chicken coop from hell" at the ranch, I had a good idea what to do. We had checked in to buying a kit from the big box stores, but then you had additions such as paint, shingles, floor, etc. For what we would pay for a kit, I built ours from scratch using steel siding, such as they use on big industrial buildings. There was/is a concrete slab which I built upon. It's a combination quonset hut and conventional steel building.
I decided to take my years and miles of driving experience and put them to good use, so I joined a coalition called Drive Smart Weld County Just click on the link and it will take you there. We go to schools and give presentations to the Freshmen about the dangers and pratfalls they will encounter when they get their Drivers License. Since I am the Professional Truck Driver, I get to tell them about the etiquette of driving around big rigs.
Then, before all this came down, I acquired a '98 Jeep Wranger!!! I missed my Jeep of yore.
Back in February, My Lady & I went to Florida to visit my Sister, my Nephew and his wife, and to thaw out. While there I was able to eliminate one of the items on my "bucket list"; we went deep sea fishing. Caught lots of fish and had a great time! Had a wonderful visit. Always too short.
I have pictures of most of what I've told you about, but for some reason they don't want to download. If I can get it done, I'll update the blog. Or E-mail me and I'll do what I can to send them to you.
In the meantime, keep the rubber side down and your head up!
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Friday, June 8, 2012
Florida Vacation, June 2012, Part 1
I had scheduled my vacation WAaaayyyy back in February, to be in Florida for Mom's Birthday June 9th. And of course while there visit my Sister Connie, Nephew Neil, and his wife Marisol. When Mom passed away on May 16th, since she didn't want a funeral or memorial, we decided not to change the plans.
I got into Florida Saturday afternoon and was met at the Sarosota/Bradenton Airport by Connie and Marisol. From there we went to Neil's and Marisol's new place, where we had a barbeque and chatted about family and what we were going to do Sunday.
Sunday we got started somewhat early, and head down towards the Everglades. Along the way we detoured to a back road that led us into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. From what I understand, it is the longest and widest Cypress forest in the United States. Neil and Marisol had been on a hiking path that led way back into the olde forest and persuaded us to take a hike. It was Beautiful! Lots of animal life and heavy growth. The path at a couple of points had boards laid over cinderblocks to traverse marshy areas, which made for a fun obstacle course. We used a full container of OFF mosquito repellent!
From there we went down to the Everglades where we went on an airboat ride at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours. What a kick! Captain Scott is obviously somebody who really enjoys his job! It was only half an hour, and I say "only" because it went too fast. Pun intended. Next time I'll opt for the hour tour. We had gotten a package deal that also included a (?) swamp buggy tour of the Cypress swamp. It was interesting, in that our guide knew his stuff, but slow. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe it was a let down after the excitement of the airboat ride?
While waiting for the airboat ride, a very LARGE alligator came up to the airboat docks side, and just laid there in the water glaring at us. I was thinking about tossing Marisol in to see who could swim faster, but she was being nice to me so I didn't. On the other side of the ticket office was another inlet where we were feeding some fish. Some of the fish were over three feet long! Big Fish! All of a sudden an alligator came splashing up out of the water towards us! Scared us! Then he just sat there glaring at us. We were told that since we were feeding the fish, he wanted fed also. Just so you know, it's 'legal' to feed the fish, since they have a dispenser there where you can buy fish food (cat food) to throw to them. It's like a candy machine at a grocery store, where you put in 50 cents, turn the knob, and the food falls out. It was fun.
From there we went to the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk. It is what the name implies: a boardwalk into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. There were signs along the way explaining some of the various things that you can see. From one end to the other it's 3/4 of a mile long! Nice walk. Big Trees!
After we got back to the car, my sister had to wait for another tourist to move his car out of our way. She then said, "Look Scotty, an alligator!" I looked out on the road thinking it was a Colorado 'gator', that being a tire tread from a truck. I didn't see anything. She then mentioned that it was behind us. Duh me! I was wondering why there was a tire tread behind us! Then she told Neil and I to get out and take a look. I noticed she didn't invite Marisol to go...! So Neil and I got out, and Lo and Behold, ther WAS an alligator about ten feet behind the car! He was about eight feet long. Too big for me to want to go and wrastle with, but Michael might... After a couple of minutes the gator moved up and slowly worked his way into the water alongside the road.
I cannot figure out the fascination about alligators. Is it because they're living dinosaurs? They're deadly nature? They make great boots and handbags?
We then head back towards home, found a Chinese buffet, got stuffed, and waddled our way home. After a shower to get the bug spray and sunscreen off, I slept good.
I got into Florida Saturday afternoon and was met at the Sarosota/Bradenton Airport by Connie and Marisol. From there we went to Neil's and Marisol's new place, where we had a barbeque and chatted about family and what we were going to do Sunday.
Sunday we got started somewhat early, and head down towards the Everglades. Along the way we detoured to a back road that led us into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. From what I understand, it is the longest and widest Cypress forest in the United States. Neil and Marisol had been on a hiking path that led way back into the olde forest and persuaded us to take a hike. It was Beautiful! Lots of animal life and heavy growth. The path at a couple of points had boards laid over cinderblocks to traverse marshy areas, which made for a fun obstacle course. We used a full container of OFF mosquito repellent!
From there we went down to the Everglades where we went on an airboat ride at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours. What a kick! Captain Scott is obviously somebody who really enjoys his job! It was only half an hour, and I say "only" because it went too fast. Pun intended. Next time I'll opt for the hour tour. We had gotten a package deal that also included a (?) swamp buggy tour of the Cypress swamp. It was interesting, in that our guide knew his stuff, but slow. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe it was a let down after the excitement of the airboat ride?
While waiting for the airboat ride, a very LARGE alligator came up to the airboat docks side, and just laid there in the water glaring at us. I was thinking about tossing Marisol in to see who could swim faster, but she was being nice to me so I didn't. On the other side of the ticket office was another inlet where we were feeding some fish. Some of the fish were over three feet long! Big Fish! All of a sudden an alligator came splashing up out of the water towards us! Scared us! Then he just sat there glaring at us. We were told that since we were feeding the fish, he wanted fed also. Just so you know, it's 'legal' to feed the fish, since they have a dispenser there where you can buy fish food (cat food) to throw to them. It's like a candy machine at a grocery store, where you put in 50 cents, turn the knob, and the food falls out. It was fun.
From there we went to the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk. It is what the name implies: a boardwalk into the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. There were signs along the way explaining some of the various things that you can see. From one end to the other it's 3/4 of a mile long! Nice walk. Big Trees!
After we got back to the car, my sister had to wait for another tourist to move his car out of our way. She then said, "Look Scotty, an alligator!" I looked out on the road thinking it was a Colorado 'gator', that being a tire tread from a truck. I didn't see anything. She then mentioned that it was behind us. Duh me! I was wondering why there was a tire tread behind us! Then she told Neil and I to get out and take a look. I noticed she didn't invite Marisol to go...! So Neil and I got out, and Lo and Behold, ther WAS an alligator about ten feet behind the car! He was about eight feet long. Too big for me to want to go and wrastle with, but Michael might... After a couple of minutes the gator moved up and slowly worked his way into the water alongside the road.
I cannot figure out the fascination about alligators. Is it because they're living dinosaurs? They're deadly nature? They make great boots and handbags?
We then head back towards home, found a Chinese buffet, got stuffed, and waddled our way home. After a shower to get the bug spray and sunscreen off, I slept good.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Florida Vacation, 2011
I was able, by the Grace of God, go to Florida for a short vacation. This was precipitated by the news that my nephew, Neil, was going to be graduating from college. It was also a welcomed respite from the Colorado cold and snow!
Neil graduated from the University of Southern Florida with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I told him if he needed a job I'd teach him how to drive a truck.
His lovely (and especially rambunctios) wife, Marisol, is expected to graduate in May from USF as an RN.
Of course, while in Florida, I got to see my dear olde Mother. Nursing home living does not do a person well. She has dropped in weight to under 100#! It's no wonder that my Lady friend took care of her Mother at home for the last few years of her life. But, it was good to see Mom again.
My other nephew, Stephen, was in from Columbus, Ohio, along with his lady friend. And the boy's dad and his wife were there also. At the graduation party there were about 20 family members and close friends of Neil's. It was nice. The balloons sucked.
The weather was warm, in the 70's all week, down in the 50's at night. Got to go down to the Gulf, had lots of great food, and went swimming. All-in-all it was a great week.
On the way home I got to see, from the air, Anna Maria Island, Rotten Ralph's restaurant, the pier, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, Tampa, and St.Pete. The airplane back to Denver circled around downtown Atlanta, so we got to see it from the south, east and north. There was some turbulence coming into Colorado, but nothing the pilots couldn't handle.
Now I get to go back to work. Goodie.
Neil graduated from the University of Southern Florida with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I told him if he needed a job I'd teach him how to drive a truck.
His lovely (and especially rambunctios) wife, Marisol, is expected to graduate in May from USF as an RN.
Of course, while in Florida, I got to see my dear olde Mother. Nursing home living does not do a person well. She has dropped in weight to under 100#! It's no wonder that my Lady friend took care of her Mother at home for the last few years of her life. But, it was good to see Mom again.
My other nephew, Stephen, was in from Columbus, Ohio, along with his lady friend. And the boy's dad and his wife were there also. At the graduation party there were about 20 family members and close friends of Neil's. It was nice. The balloons sucked.
The weather was warm, in the 70's all week, down in the 50's at night. Got to go down to the Gulf, had lots of great food, and went swimming. All-in-all it was a great week.
On the way home I got to see, from the air, Anna Maria Island, Rotten Ralph's restaurant, the pier, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, Tampa, and St.Pete. The airplane back to Denver circled around downtown Atlanta, so we got to see it from the south, east and north. There was some turbulence coming into Colorado, but nothing the pilots couldn't handle.
Now I get to go back to work. Goodie.
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