Florida

Let's start with the surprise that Florida is NOT a boondocking friendly place.  Walmarts won't let you overnight and they want you to pay to stay so we had to adjust things.  We got here and had a timeshare to use as our first non-RV break ...Mom loved the tub and washer/dryer and I liked the space and pool.  We swam 2-3 hours every day some days twice a day! It was heaven!

We got to go pin trading in Disney World's four parks Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magical Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  I traded junk pins for good new ones and limited editions and had a blast meeting people and having conversations all while trading pins.  You buy the pins cheap on ebay and then go throughout the park trading with employees and guests for new and better ones.  It's my favorite thing to do in Disney parks and I'm good at finding them.  The stroller area has a stroller covered in pins, information desks have boards-  they are everywhere! Mom got me a pick holder pin for my guitar strap. They have pins that glow, move, remind you of fun things you did in the park and are a great collection.  I once did a report in fourth grade about pin trading.  Some people collect baseball cards, stamps or beanie babies...me? Disney pins.

It's weird being here in sunny palm tree Florida at Christmas.  People have their RV's decked for the holidays with trees, lights, stocking hung and inflatable scenes.  It's very festive park.  We went swimming after a long bike ride on Christmas eve and Santa visited the pool and gave us a gift! We were able to attend a special guest party at Epcot too and they gave us gingerbread men, cider and an ornament for our very tiny tree (12 inches) and we found a few ornaments along the way so our RV had christmas cheer too.  Manny sent us a musical mouse and when I got up Mom had a few gifts out for me like pins, donuts, Spam dice game, things from our trip and the best...the National Geographic on DVD...all issues since 1888 in one collection!!! I loved it.

My aunt and uncle and their families pitched in to get me a Martin backpacker guitar which I LOVE! It's small and easier to lug around on the trip.  I can play it while sitting in front seat too.  I have played it every day and plan on it every day of the trip.  THANK YOU!!

We got invited to the RV park dinner today and had ham, sweet potato casserole and best cheesecakes... choc peanut butter and white choc raspberry.  I tried sweet tea for the first time, the super sweet drink they all drink in the south with every meal..too sweet for me!  The people were very nice but it was very quiet and not at all like holidays at home with noise and people.  We miss everyone but are trying to enjoy this unique experience.

Today we just hung out and didn't do much of anything which was nice.  We need to get planning our trip across the last 12 states.  Big worries ...the weather! We will be trying to get a plan for after Benny & Boo leave...they join us the 28th and leave on Jan 2nd.   It's been nice having people visit us and if you want to join in on part of the trip we would LOVE to have you.  Arkansas Crystal Bridges art museum or diamond digging park...Grand Canyon...California... just email us and we'll find a good time for you to come along on the adventure.  Until then, Happy Trails!  Merry Christmas!  Jack and Mom