ICE At Gaylord Palms

For the second year in a row we stopped in Orlando on our way out of Florida for a visit to the fabulous ICE sculpture show at the Gaylord Palms Resort. The gigantic arena at the facility is the scene for a display of ice sculptures created by some 40 Chinese ice carvers who are brought in each year to create a new show. So, yes, the entire show IS made BY China but not IN China. There are some similarities from year to year, the manger scene in ice, some angels, some animals, a candy cane house, a Santa or two, an ice slide- but there are certainly plenty of changes that make the show worth seeing year after year. And it really is quite awesome! The show promoters provide very warm insulated jackets for attendees- it's kept at 9 degrees inside, so it can get pretty cold pretty fast. By the time we leave, our "camera" hands are pretty close to being ice as well.

But this is Florida. It can't be entirely cold. So the tropical theme is present inside the ice show as well as out and about the Gaylord Resort. Hot chocolate for everyone in the atrium under the big Christmas Tree after the show. And in the outdoor swimming complex, the giant octopus slide/fountain that was under construction last year was in full regalia. A few of those images will show up in the slide show that follows:

If you'd like to go back in the blog to last year's ICE show, CLICK HERE.

Annual Checkup Too Complete

Well, it wasn't fun. But it is DONE! Blood work. Check. Physical. Check. Eye doctor. Check, but with a couple new issues to watch in the future. Dentist. Check. Chipped tooth fixed. No cavities! Veterinarian. Check. Abby was sick for three days (oh yuk) but better now. Stuff we don't need taken to storage. Stuff we probably do - taken from storage to the coach. Coach washed and waxed. (waxa on, waxa off, karate kid style) Van washed and waxed. Apologies to the friends we fully intended to visit with but just couldn't because of time constraints. Did have some quality time with the Waddells from next door, George, Theresa and Bea from "The Hood", and Captain Larry and Carol. We have resolved to make next years stay here an extended one so we can touch bases with all our old crowd and not have to short anyone. Besides, it's a real nice part of Florida and the more time we get elsewhere, the more we understand just what a good choice we made when we settled here for a bit some six years or so ago. No Florida Keys this year; will surely miss that. ICE show in Orlando on the way out and then.......WEST! We Go.

Eagles Roost, Georgia

A short day from Atlanta to Lake Park, GA, on the border with Florida, so tomorrow we will stop just short of "home" and pull into Punta Gorda the following day. The campground here, Eagles Roost, is on a big lake and loaded with big old trees, live oaks, pecans and some other nut types we couldn't identify. Abby and I set up camp and then scouted the nut trees out for anything good- but found the nuts bitter. Either there is a secret to ripening these nuts properly that I don't know about (quite possible) or these trees are too old to produce tasty fruits. Don't know! Nice to be back amongst the Spanish moss and sago palms and a few other species that start showing up "this far north."

Headed South

Headed south again for the annual pilgrimage to doctors, dentists, etc. - all based in Florida. The day's run through the Carolinas was beautiful and for the first time ever we saw the best Fall foliage there and not in New England. Simply beautiful! This evening finds us just south of "Hotlanta" in Georgia. Having driven much of the country, Atlanta is my new least favorite place to drive. In truth it's been at the top of that list since the first time I drove through that city towing going back a couple years. Roads too wide, lanes too narrow, traffic too fast, and road manners basically missing. But I hasten to add that that is a commentary only on driving through the place. The place itself is very nice and there is much to explore- like one of the best aquariums in the country, previously featured in this blog.

The weather deteriorated shortly after our arrival and it's raining tonight as I write this. I suppose that was overdue since it has been clear and sunny and temperate during the days for the last couple weeks. And now we will begin to research what if any impact the hurricane now headed for Cuba will mean for Florida about the time we arrive on the southwest gulf coast. Another hurricane for Florida? It never ends and I suppose I should not be surprised, but somehow a bit of shock and awe always settles in. But that is for later.

The new tires are driving like a charm (knock on wood). We got a financial jolt from having to buy two new ones, but comfort and peace of mind is worth paying for. And apparently the wear problem was a "tire issue" and not a chassis problem- always good to know. Having an issue with the coach would have been a far greater problem both financially and time wise. For now- no problem. Let's roll!

I'll leave you for tonight with one last Fall color shot from North Carolina- the Honda 4 wheeler at Vein Mountain - up the hill by the cemetery: