Tag: Florida

2 min read

Port Charlotte, Florida

Jenn

2 min read

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2 min read

Who needs a campground when you can park in a yard. We spent over two weeks at my parent’s house in Port Charlotte. This is what we will remember. Visiting…

Who needs a campground when you can park in a yard.

We spent over two weeks at my parent’s house in Port Charlotte. This is what we will remember.

Visiting with my Junebug and Papaw (my grandma and grandpa) for four days. We were so grateful to have that time with them.

Going thrifting with my Junebug. What a hoot!

A boat ride across Charlotte Harbor.

Canoeing in the canals. Ooooh there’s a string ray!

Searching for shark teeth at Venice Beach, Nakomis Beach, and Blind Pass on Manasota Key. Blind Pass was the best beach for shark teeth by a long shot. Nakomis was a close second. Venice gets an F. Thing Two found over 500 teeth. I think we better start panning for gold!

Sunsets at Blind Pass Beach on Manasota Key. Majestic.

Thing Two and I had a special date. We searched for shark teeth and got a table for two at a Greek dive. Love.

A farmer’s market date with my love.

Idling on the boat through the Charlotte Harbor canals at sunset and watching the milky reflection of a tiring sky on the water.

Visiting my great grandma Nell’s home. It was where my family stayed when I was a kid. The current owner even let us in. Amazing how much bigger things seem when you’re a kid. Brought back memories of sunburns, bathing caps, and morning walks on the beach with my dad.

Nakomis Groves where you get tiny cups of orange juice and large cones of ice cream. Backwards and worth it. I also used to visit this Nakomis Groves as a child.

Spending time with my parents. Thank you Papaw and Weewah. <=== Cutest grandma name ever!

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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3 min read

Pets & Animals

The Magic of Swimming with Manatees

Jenn

3 min read

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3 min read

This was the conversation that followed our purchase of snorkeling gear in relation to my fear of sea creatures. Me- “Now I feel like I have to go snorkeling when…

This was the conversation that followed our purchase of snorkeling gear in relation to my fear of sea creatures.

Me- “Now I feel like I have to go snorkeling when we get to the keys. (pause) My brother saw a barracuda there once.”

Brent- “Do barracudas attack people?”

Me- “Yes, they are very aggressive. That’s why there is a song called “barracuda”.”

Totally rational.

Thankfully, my first snorkeling experience as an adult was with manatees and not barracudas. We rented a boat with three other families and headed to Three Sisters Springs where manatees congregate in the warm spring waters. Despite their appearance manatees don’t have a lot of fat and during the winter they seek out the warmer waters of springs and power plants to survive.

We drove down the river our eyes squinting for signs of manatees. A ripple in the water, a large dark shadow, or a “floating rock” could be manatee. While we passed a few on our way to the springs, we weren’t prepared for what awaited us near the spring’s outlet. At least 50 manatees, probably many more, were lolling about under the turquoise waters.

We put on our snorkeling gear and slipped into the chilly clear water. Slowly we headed over to their sanctuary, a roped off area where the manatees can rest, to swim along its edges. Once near the sanctuary a ranger told us if we stay still a curious manatee was likely to approach us. Not far from us, a group of patient young girls stood with a manatee who had decided to rest in between their feet. So we waited and sure enough it wasn’t long before a manatee found us. He swam right next to Thing One rubbing against his legs like a very large aquatic cat with elephant skin. It was both exhilarating and nerve wracking to watch what I guessed to be a thousand pound giant get friendly with my hundred pound son. Another manatee even seemed to enjoy the boy’s attention rolling onto its back as if wanting a belly rub. Thing One and Two were happy to oblige.

It was magical.

They may be one of the most beautiful and odd creatures I’ve ever seen with their large paddle fan-like tails, small flippers, rotund bodies, square short snouts, itty bitty eyes, rough skin, and quiet nature. Time with these gentle giants passed much too quickly and stepping backing up onto the boat deck, I felt like I was was waking up from a dream. A wonderful dream filled with nonchalance, dancing beams of light, and creatures peaceful beyond my imagination.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

Homeschooling

Valentine’s Day in Orlando, Florida

Jenn

1 min read

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2 Comments

1 min read

If there is one thing our kids miss about school, it would be sugar class parties. If there is one thing our kids miss about living in Ventura, it would…

If there is one thing our kids miss about school, it would be ~~sugar~~ class parties.

If there is one thing our kids miss about living in Ventura, it would be friends.

Spending ten days in Orlando with other fulltime RVing families gave my kids the opportunity to hang out with new friends. Since Valentine’s Day fell in the middle of our stay, I thought why not have a little party ~~and some sugar~~ with our new friends. We made Valentine’s Day cards and ice cream sundaes. However, Margie Lundy had the best idea of the party. When we were done with the cards, we passed them out around our the “neighborhood”. I think it made everyone smile.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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2 min read

Family on the Road

The Amusement Park Grinch

Jenn

2 min read

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2 min read

I’ll just say it. I don’t like amusement parks. There is just not much “magic” in the Magic Kingdom unless you count how quickly your money magically disappears. I’m an amusement park Grinch. However,…

I’ll just say it. I don’t like amusement parks. There is just not much “magic” in the Magic Kingdom unless you count how quickly your money magically disappears.

I’m an amusement park Grinch.

However, like most kids, our kids love visiting theme parks. When we left on our trip we weren’t sure if Disney World was going to be in the budget. As it turns out it wasn’t but we were fortunate to find out a friend of a friend of a relative could get three of us free tickets. Oh joy. I mean YIPPEEEEEEE! For the kid’s sake, I’m grateful.

So we went to Disney Hollywood Studios. And The Animal Kingdom. And Epcot Center. And The Magic Kindom.

All in the same day.

ALL. IN. THE. SAME DAY.

Insanity.

But believe it or not this amusement park Grinch had a blast even though it rained and our feet felt like we had been tap dancing barefoot on rocks for about three days nonstop.

↑ Look how much fun we’re having. ↑

How could you not have fun with these guys.

Brent’s and my favorite park was Animal Kingdom. Thing Two liked Hollywood Studios. Thing One liked Magic Kingdom. He’s a purist. We all loved Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

Over 15 hours later, we headed out to the last car in the parking lot. Not bad for an amusement park Grinch!

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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2 min read

On the Road

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Camp

Jenn

2 min read

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3 Comments

2 min read

You might be surprised, as I was, to learn that there are quite a few families who live fulltime in RVs. We’ve met a number of them already by coincidence….

You might be surprised, as I was, to learn that there are quite a few families who live fulltime in RVs. We’ve met a number of them already by coincidence.

Our weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Camp was our first planned event with other families on the road. Being a family four with three of us being introverts, joining large groups is not exactly easy for us. Although, we usually end up having fun.

Unfortunately, our one extrovert got sick and spent the majority of the weekend on the couch.

Thankfully, he did get to enjoy his first day.

Thing One loved playing the violin. In fact, a few days later he bought a used one of his own that was for sale at a different campground. It’s a sweet story. During morning prayers he prayed to find a used violin for sale and later that same morning came across one posted on a campground community board. He was excited. Until he broke his E string. Then…

Anyway….at the end of the weekend, the kids put on a little concert.

Here is our whole group!

Most of the weekend, I was feeling shy and I wrapped up in taking care of a sick little boy so I didn’t get any pictures of our new friends. I did get this picture of me putting a sticker on Artist Jema’s RV. She is doing a public art project called Inspire to Inspire.

Speaking of inspiration, I think that is how we could best sum up the weekend. The boys left inspired to play more music and we left inspired to keep on our journey!

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

National Parks

Escaping Reality at Fort Pickens, Florida

Jenn

1 min read

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5 Comments

1 min read

Our visit to the Gulf Islands National Seashore was brief. So brief it must have been a dream. It is only in dreams you can convince a grumpy-die-by-the-rules ranger to let…

Our visit to the Gulf Islands National Seashore was brief. So brief it must have been a dream. It is only in dreams you can convince a grumpy-die-by-the-rules ranger to let you in the campground without reservations after the gate has closed at dusk.

It is only in dreams you see turbulent clouds dancing with shadows on white sand beaches. It is only in dreams you hear driftwood silently whistling to the tune of time.

We explored Fort Pickens early morning discovering history in her shadows and mystery in her corridors. Thing Two was on the lookout for approaching enemies. Thing One considered the structural elements and their uses. By the time the sun had made her full ascent, we were piling into the truck and heading east.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

If you enjoyed this post you can follow one of three ways! 1. Subscribe to the RSS Feed 2. “like” Newschool Nomads on Facebook, or 3. Sign up to have posts emailed to your inbox. Simple dimple!

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