Olympics in Okeechobee, Fl

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Ancient Oaks RV Resort in Okeechobee, Florida held its second annual Olympics for seniors called the Oldlympics.  There was no highly trained athletes, no herd of sports writers, and no terrorist threats.  But, there was a lot of fun for all that were watching and participating in the ten events.  There were twenty teams consisting of four people and each person had to participate in each event. The events included; basketball shoot, washer toss, cup stacking, ping pong bounce, Frisbee toss, corn bag toss,ladder golf,  marshmallow golf, shuffle board, and casting contest.

If this sounds a little wimpy to you, keep in mind the participants ranged in age from late 50's to well into their 80's.   There was no practice opportunity, and some events required a steady hand (like stacking plastic cups) and few of us have steady hands anymore!

After a brief opening ceremony, the games began.  One could clearly hear the sounds of trash talking, bones popping, dentures sticking and occasional grunts and farts as the participants put on their game faces and got down to the business of winning gold medals!

It was a hoot participate in the Oldlympics.  But, it was even more fun seeing some of the creative and hilarious uniforms these folks wore.  Take a look at this small, but amusing sample.

These gals are all from our street.  They call themselves 'The Whiners" and have grapes in their hair and a wine glass fastened to their chest.

L to R: Barb, Pat, Joan, and Carol

This is the team Kitty was on.  I don't remember the name of this team, but they sure are a sexy bunch!

L to R: Norma, Kitty, Barb, and Carol

But, this one is my favorite one of all.  I call it the "Breast of the bunch." 

Check out them hooters!  What a hoot!

The Oldlympics was a lot of fun.  Everything ran smoothly and efficiently.  The social committee deserves a lot of credit for making this years Oldlympics even better than last year, and we are all training hard for next years event!.

Gators Galore in Taylor Creek Water Treatment Area, Okeechobee, Fl.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

While enjoying the winter in Okeechobee, Florida, we had a surprise visit from Kitty's cousin, Freda and her husband Dewey.  They live in Kentucky, but decided to spend some time in Florida to see some family and visit some of the places they had enjoyed in this area many years ago.

One of our favorite local places to show visitors is the Taylor Creek Storm Water treatment area

because it is teeming with wild life, especially gators.  When we told Freda about all the gators in this area that lay along the walking path without any protective barriers, she immediately made it clear she wasn't going anywhere near this place. She broke into a cold sweat when I told her that a gator grabbing her leg would make great blog material!  It took a lot of arm twisting to get her to agree to visit this place.  But, after a few days of  begging, she finally agreed.  We quickly loaded her into the car before she could change her mind.

Taylor Creek Storm Water Treatment area is a natural way to clean some of the storm water runoff in Taylor Creek.  It also makes an ideal wild life preserve where you can see many different types of birds, gators, and many other animals in a natural setting with no fences or barriers.  Walk the path at your own risk and do not bring your dog here.  They make great gator bait!

Here we are before walking the path.  Notice, we still have all of our arms and legs!

L to R: Freda, Dewey, Kitty, and me.

Our first encounter was with these wood storks.  No, these are not the kind that deliver babies!

This Egret has no regrets!

"Lets get your ducks in a row!"

The Great Blue Heron is on the left.

The great blue Kitty is on the right!

Two Double Breasted Cormorants are keeping an eye on us. (does that add up to four breast?)

This place would keep the Gators Boys busy for awhile!

This guy didn't see the "No Swimming sign!"

Ah...I don't think you are suppose to lay on that.  Would someone tell him to get off that thing?!!

 

 I risked life and limb to get this picture and he never took his eye off me, and I was thankful he didn't take a leg off me!

"Here gator gator!"

 Get ready to run.  He looks a little agitated!

I hope he's not looking for his next meal!

This Anhinga just dove under water for his lunch and is drying his feathers.  Either that, or he just put on his deodorant!

A Blue Heron.

We all had a really fun day!  We counted 27 gators and no one lost an arm or leg. We could all hear a large sigh of relief from Freda as we returned to the car!  I think she might even come back to Taylor Creek Storm Water Treatment area some day.

On The Mend in Okeechobee, Florida

Thursday, January 9, 2014

You may have noticed the lack of blog activity in recent weeks, and that's because we haven't been able to do much in the way of travel activities.  It all started just before Thanksgiving when I came down with a cold.  In a few days I unwillingly passed it on to Kitty.  Neither of us could shake this stubborn bug, and despite three trips to the doctor and several shots in the back side, our conditions worsened.

Kitty's cold turned into bronchitis and mine turned into pneumonia requiring a short stay in the Okeechobee hospital.  During this time we were trying to avoid being around folks so they wouldn't get this nasty bug, and certainly didn't feel like getting out and about.

But, I am happy to say we are on the mend now and will be venturing out soon.  So, stay tuned.  We will be venturing out for some exploration in the sunshine state.

65th Avenue Gang Heads to Vero, Beach, Fl.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Today, twelve hungry and fun loving seniors headed to Vero Beach, Florida, for a day of laughs and food.  Since all twelve of us live on 65th avenue in Ancient Oaks RV resort, let's just call us the 65th Avenue Gang.  Kinda of a catchy name, don't you think?

We managed to slip into three vehicles and headed our caravan towards Florida's Treasure coast.  After riding the back roads about an hour, we finally arrived at our first stop, the outlet mall in Vero Beach.  Some of the serious shoppers enjoyed going through dozens of stores looking for their sought after items, while others simply enjoyed some window shopping and the beautiful Florida weather.

After all that shopping, everyone had worked up an appetite.  So, the next stop had to be for lunch.  The 65th Avenue Gang chose the Ocean Grill.  It's located right on the Atlantic Ocean in Vero Beach.  We didn't have a reservation, but managed to get a table for twelve in just a  few short minutes.  The food is always good, and our waitress added to the fun by giving us great service.

The Ocean Grill also has a gift shop, and Barb was in there before most of could get out of our cars!

Our waitress was kind enough to take a picture of the 65th Avenue Gang.

Starting in the front left and going around the back of the table: Pat & Ted, Debbie & Randy, Susan & Barry, Barb & Henry, Joan & Tom, Craig & Kitty.

After lunch, a few of the girls decided to "strut their stuff" right in front of the Ocean Grill entrance!  Fortunately, no one was arrested!!

L to R: Susan, Pat, Debbie, Kitty, and Joan 

  After lunch, the girls headed off for some girl stops, and the guys headed off for some guy stops.  Somehow, we all managed to stop and get ice cream at the same store.  When it comes to ice cream, we all have the ability to sniff out a great place to stop!

It was just too much fun for one day, and, somehow, I have a feeling the 65th Avenue Gang will ride again!

Sunset in Okeechobee, Fl.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

One of the many things we enjoy is watching the sun set, especially when it is setting over water, and Lake Okeechobee gives us that opportunity every evening.  Some nights are more spectacular than others.  But, the setting sun always brings another day in paradise to a close, and that is always cause for a celebration!

In Key West, there is a sun setting party every night of the week, and it is always quite a celebration.  Here in Okeechobee it's a little different.  There's plenty of folks watching the sun set here, but they are not always partying while the sun is setting.  Some folks here are partying before the sun sets, while others are partying after the sun sets.  Since this is a +55 an older park, the parties after the sun set are usually rather short in duration due to our early bed time! Ha!

You may want to get one of your favorite toddies to drink before watching the sun set on this blog.  So, go ahead and get yourself some friendly spirits, then sit back and relax while you enjoy this colorful sun set!

I hope you enjoyed the sun set as much as your toddy!  Now that you have had a taste of paradise, we'll be looking for you real soon in Okeechobee!

Benihana's in Stuart, Florida

Saturday, November 16, 2013

It's Saturday morning and Kitty and I are relaxing at Ancient Oaks RV Resort talking with Ted (aka, Eagle Eye) and Pat (aka, Lead Foot).  Somehow we got on the subject of food and someone mentioned eating Japanese hibachi style food.  You know...where they cook at your table and entertain you with tossing knives and things while they cook.  It just so happens that the four of us really like this type of cooking.

My Google Queen wife, Kitty, is instantly on her phone searching for the nearest hibachi style restaurant.  "It's Benihana's on Ocean Blvd. in Stuart", she says.  The next thing I know the four of us are heading to Stuart, and I find myself driving.  Ted is co-pilot, and Kitty and Pat are in the back seat.  After driving for several minutes, I ask if anyone knows where Ocean Blvd. is in Stuart.  Since none of us seniors have been in this area since last spring, no one could remember.  So, we resorted to cheating and consulted the GPS.

It turns out Ocean Blvd is the same as highway A1A.  Oh yea, I remember now!  But, this means we have to cross a couple of bridges to get there and Kitty has a severe case of bridge phobia!  I had visions of Kitty trying to claw her way out of the back seat.  But, the ever alert Pat kept her talking and the bridges seemed to pass without notice, or it may have had something to do with the fact that Kitty was so hungry no little ole bridge would stand in the way of a great meal!  I guess we'll never know for sure.

We all agreed, that going to Benihana's for lunch was a great idea.  It wasn't crowded and we could pick our table.  So, we picked one with a great view of the St Lucie River.  Plus, the lunch menu is less expensive than the dinner menu, and just as good!  If you have special diet considerations, like a low salt diet, they are glad to accommodate you and you can watch the cook to be sure he doesn't forget.  Our cook was very entertaining, and the food was great!  That's a combination that will certainly bring us back here again!

Benihana's in Stuart, Fl.

After our meal, we enjoyed walking along the landscaped path to the St Lucie River.

Pat is on the left, and Kitty is on the right.

The next two shots are the St Lucie River

L to R:  Eagle Eye Ted, Lead Foot Pat, and Google Queen Kitty!

When we left Benihana's, we headed up the coast on A1A.  It's a beautiful drive and we stopped to enjoy the beach at Fort Pierce.

We made another stop in Fort Pierce near the marina to see if we could spot some manatees.  We couldn't get an up close mug shot of one, so Eagle Eye lets out a screeching manatee call that got the attention of the folks for several blocks around!  "Here manatee, here Manatee," he screeched!  Still no up close mug shot, but we did see the water swirl and could tell they were just below surface.  Probably afraid to come up for air after that manatee call!

It was a fantastic day and we decided to make it even more fantastic by stopping at Traditions Mall on the way home and getting some of that heavenly tasting ice cream!  Getting back in the car, we noticed the seat belts were a little tighter!  It will probably be a few days before any of us eat again!  Ha!

Ancient Oaks RV Resort, Okeechobee, Florida

We arrived in Ancient Oaks RV Resort on Sunday, November 3rd.  It took some jockeying back forth in order to get into our spot which is located on a narrow one way street.  There are park models with car ports extending almost to the street on both sides leaving very little wiggle room to back our 5th into the site.  But, with the help of a couple of neighbors, we finally had the fifth wheel spotted where we wanted it, and we didn't hit anything in the process!  Whew, glad that's over with!

Since we've been here, most of our time has been spent visiting with our friends in the park.  It's nice to see everyone made it through the summer months and we are all ready to enjoy the Florida weather, beaches, and attractions this winter.  Speaking of the weather, did I mention it has been great since we arrived?  Warning, if you are located up North, you may not want to read the rest of this paragraph!  Daytime temperatures have been in the low to mid eighties and the lows at night have been in the mid to upper sixties. Best of all, there's no snow in the forecast here!

We will be staying here for the next several months and have a few day trips in mind to some local points of interest.  So, we will continue to post our adventures this winter, just like we did last winter.  It promises to be tons of fun, plenty of laughs, and way too much food!