RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride

(Photo album links are above right, or, for archived pictures click on the "Places Visited" button above left)
(Blog entires are from the March 1, 2009 entry below up to the most recent entry)
This page has been archived. Click on the "Home" button above and then the
"Freedom Ride 20XX" button at the top of the home page for current
adventures.

March 30-31, 2009

Well, we've been at camp Punta Gorda for about 10 weeks now. The time here has been fantastically enjoyable and
comfortable thanks to the weather and our hosts. But, alas, the days and nights are heating up, 90ish days and
70ish nights, and the dreaded humidity is rising to uncomfortable levels. So, like this time last year, it's time to raise
the anchor, hoist the sails and make our way to somewhere with cooler temperatures. The ability to follow weather
that is comfortable for full-time RVers is what the freedom of living on the trail is all about.

I checked out the weather for the next ten days and it looks like our choice at this point is hot and humid in South
Florida or cooler and rainy in North Florida, Georgia, etc. So, we plan on visiting family located in various places
around Southeast Florida one more time and then the Tampa area before heading further north, with hopes of
encountering less rain by then.

March 21-29, 2009

What do you do on a perfect South Florida winter day? How about a car rally? Especially when Corvettes and Thunderbirds that are so
dear to our hearts are the star attraction. We left camp Punta Gorda and headed to Rick Treworg's Muscle Car City Car Museum located
in an old Walmart store on US41 on the south end of Punta Gorda. If you want to see an incredible car collection, stop by the museum,
pay the $10 per person fee and let your imagination run wild. But, this rally was held in the museum's parking lot.

We inspected the Birds first. Sandra found hers...a sweet looking turquoise '56. WOW!!!! Buy one get one free?

Now me on the other hand owned 5 old Vettes in my day. The first was a all white '58, the second a red with white inserts '59 and the
third an all British Racing Green '58 similar to those pictured below.

1958 1958 1958
Then, I bought a red with white inserts '60, and finally a black '57.

1960 1957 1957

After we left the antique car rally, we headed west toward the Charlotte County Airport to try to get a glimpse of the Navy's Blue Angels
that were performing in an air show held Saturday and Sunday. We got close but the traffic was so backed up we headed back to camp
Punta Gorda with a detour to some dirt roads that run on the other side of the airport. The spot we found was quite good and several
other folks had set up sun screen tents and/or tail gate seating. Others were setting up grills to cook hamburgers and hot dogs. Quite a
sight in the middle of nowhere on a one lane dirt road. We watched a lone jet and a small single engine plane doing tricks and stunts
for a while, but, alas, we had just stopped at the grocery store and had fresh supplies in the trunk. The open spot with the sun bearing
down on us dictated we head back to camp. On the way out, I asked one of the air show party goers when the Angels performed. He
said they put their show on from about 2 to 4 both days, so we will give it another shot tomorrow. I would love to get a video from our
vantage point..we shall see what happens tomorrow. Folly welcomed us home and offered up baked ziti for supper. A very sweet end to
a very wonderful day.

March 16-20, 2009

We wanted to do something special for St. Patrick's Day, so, since we haven't gone there yet, we decided on a day trip to Sanibel and
Captiva Islands off the Ft. Myers coast. Got up early and left Camp Punta Gorda about 8 am. Headed down I75 to US 41 to Fort Myers.
Crossed the big bridge and headed west on Highway 867, aka McGregor Blvd., that traverses along the Caloosahatchee River, across
San Carlos Bay and on to Sanibel Island. Just over the big bridge is found the Ft. Myers Historic District and the Edison Estate.
McGregor Blvd. in this area is a good example of why Ft. Myers is called the City of Palms with miles of Royal Palms that grow along
both sides of the Boulevard. We headed west off the main thoroughfare several times to look at the different neighborhoods along the
Caloosahatchee River. Near downtown were stately old houses that were probably built between the 20's and 60's. Further along the
houses were common to those built in the 70's and 80's and so on. On the east side of McGregor were mostly modest homes and a
couple of very nice mobile home neighborhoods .... a very interesting mix of wealth and culture.

Eventually we came to the Sanibel Causway and a toll booth that collects $6 a car to get to the island. The view from the bridge is
spectacular, and, I suppose, one reason for all the traffic. Thank goodness we arrived about 9:30 AM. as Sanibel and Captiva became
clogged with traffic by the time we headed off the island about 1:00 PM. There were traffic cops at the local grocery store and the four
way stop at the entrance to Sanibel. We wondered where the steady line of slow moving cars would find a place to park. If you weren't
staying at a motel or condo, or eating at a restaurant, you would have quite a time. No parking signs are everywhere and even the beach
parking lots were clogged where one had to pay $2 an hour for a spot. I had been to Sanibel and Captiva in 1973 during the days when
parking was everywhere, most folks visiting the beach were looking for shells, and commercial ventures were about nil. I am glad I got
to experience this beautiful island environment before it became so crowded and expensive as it is today.

Of course we visited the J.N. Ding Daring National Wildlife Preserve. When I was here in 73, there was only a dirt/gravel road running
through the preserve. Now, there is a visitor center, a fee kiosk, bus tours, bicycle rentals, and loads of car traffic. Considering the
crowds, it appears the preserve is well managed and one can still enjoy all the birds and wildlife found at times along the way. The
number of birds were minimal this day but the no-see-ums were EXTREMELY plentiful and we forgot to bring bug spray. But, at long as
we kept rolling, we were OK.

Then, it was on to the north end of Captiva, a mostly beautiful and quant area, except for a couple of huge, pillared mansions that
looked like government buildings found in the downtown area of big cities. What these behemoths are doing here is interesting to
ponder. The view from the highway along Captiva is wonderful and the beaches pristine.....but, of course, parking anywhere was
prohibited. Eventually, we worked our way back to the southern most point of Sanibel to find a lighthouse and many blocks of
residential development.

We stopped along the causeway on the way off the island to test the sand and water a bit. Then it was time to head back to Camp Punta
Gorda. After almost being whacked a couple of times by very impatient drivers erratically weaving in and out of traffic to gain a car length
or two, we spotted an old gal dressed to the hilt in green with purty green hair riding along on the sidewalk on a three-wheeler bicycle
with a huge basket on the back.....and, low and behold, sitting on an edge of the basket was a large white Cockatoo that had a crown of
green as well. What a sight but we couldn't react fast enough to get a picture. Rats! We decided to get a bite to eat at Crabby Joe's that's
just south of the big bridge in the Ft. Myers downtown area and on the river. The food was excellent and the view gorgeous. Right
outside the window were several boats parked under a now, threatening sky. Many had for sale signs with most asking for any offers.
One 32 footer, had a sign asking for $45K that was crossed out and $24K written under that and make any offer written under that. Our
waitress new many of the owners and said they never used the boats and can't sell them either. So, they are paying docking fees,
maintenance, etc. waiting for a buyer.

All in all, we had a great day and returned to Folly where Sandra prepared a brisket and fresh asparagus. Yummy!

March 15, 2009

We have been in Camp Punta Gorda now for about 8 weeks with lots of relaxing and needed maintenance completed on Folly and our
Kinetic TFR USA Mopeds. The only drawback was having to spend some our precious time devoted to our freedoms working on taxes.
Sigh! But, with all the comforts of home, our camp has been a truly enjoyable. How can such a simple life offer so much toward a
healthy mind, heart, and soul? I guess it's what RVing full-time is all about.

Sandra has been working on her water color paintings. Her studio is under the sky just outside Folly's entrance door and shares a spot
in our living room and outdoor kitchen. A lot of our time is spent reading, listening to books on CD, watching DVDs and a few of our
favorite TV shows, surfing the web, and taking a ride on the peds now and then. It's amazing relaxing taking a bike ride can be, even at
30 mph or less....lol.

March 5-14, 2009

How time flies, especially when you're having fun .... how very true that statement is! Sandra and I ask ourselves now and then why we
deserve to be so happy ... and all the while living on the cheap in an old 27 foot RV. It all boils down to KISS, I guess.

Many folks would never leave their stationary "home" to wander around and enjoy new adventures, sights, sounds and the good 'ol
outdoors. Maybe for them, familiarity of home and job lends security. Not for us though. We moved past the fear of the unknown about
17 months ago and have never looked back. We discovered that there is so much peace in freedom. We do have issues now and then,
but they are different than our former "slave to the man" life issues in that they are simple, easily fixed or remedied, and not scary.

People ask us, how can you just up and leave what you've known all your lives. Actually, it's easy....you just do it. Anyone can do it. And,
usually, that question is followed by we wish we could do the same, or, it's been our lifelong dream to pull up stakes and see the
country. Wishes and dreams can come true .... if one really wants them to. So there's the rub, do these folks really mean what they say
or are they happy with just a brief moment of wondering bliss. Or maybe, the wondrous bliss turns to fear when they turn on the TV to
watch, what we now call, the evening news comedy hour. Not that there is much that is funny but rather how totally ridiculous and out of
control the world of today is. And, it appears that the present situation is due mostly to years of unbridled fear, greed, and
fundamentalism.

Sandra and I left all that behind and found freedom .... adventure .... happiness .... love .... peace .... aka a really enjoyable life. How many
other folks throughout history have left everything behind to start new lives and discover again what freedom meant to them at the time?

March 3-4, 2009

Spent the last couple of days working on our Kinetic TFR USA Mopeds. We haven't driven them since we were staying near Boone, NC
last summer. In Boone, I had a heck of a time getting them running due to mud wasps having plugged the small exhaust ports. After a
lot of frustration and trial and error, I finally got them running. Howerver, they wouldn't idle well and we also found out the bikes weren't
worth a hoot getting up the mountain hills. So back on Folly they went.

Since the land here in Punta Gorda is flat, we decided to give them another try. But first I rebuilt the carbs, oiled and greased everything
that needed attention, and gave them both a bath. They still wouldn't idle. Searching the web for clues, I learned there is little info on
trouble shooting and my owners manual is helpful but much too general. So, I ordered parts that were needed for maintenance and a
service manual from Comos located in Philadelphia. They are the Kinetic importers I bought the bikes from. The service manual they
sent was better than the owners manual but still limited in information.

I did notice in the diagram detail of the carb that there are two jets, one in the float bowl and another that screwed into the side. They
both appeared unadjustable. But, as it turned out, the jet on the side is. I backed out the side, screw in jet about 1/16" and voilà, the bike
idled perfectly. However the screw, since no longer turned in all the way, would wander a bit causing the bike to idle erratically. So, I
adjusted the screw to the sweet spot and dribbled some Locktite around the head of the screw. Both bikes have run perfectly since. I
wonder how many other folks have had the same problem as the Kinetic TFR blogs are full of questions about why the bike will not idle.
And, there is not one answer suggesting adjusting the side jet screw. No mention in the service manual either. Hmmmmm.

Sandra and I are presently recovering from colds/flu. Seems everyone in this neck of the woods has some kind of bug. And, the weather
here is still well below normal ... 30's nights and 60's days for the last couple of days. The forecast is for 80's days by the end of the
week .... sweet! Maybe by then our colds/flu will have run their course and we can get back to doing some serious relaxing under clear
skies and warm breezes.

March 1-2, 2009

Well, we made our way to Ft.. Myers Saturday afternoon under sunny skies and temperature in the 70's. Finding the City of Palms
Stadium, home for the Boston Red Sox spring training games, was a breeze and we parked across the street in one of their parking
lots for $7. Took a walk around the outside of the stadium just to get a feel for the place and then went through the gate on the 3rd.
base side. Vendors and memorabilia stores dotted the corridor landscape. I bought a bottle of water for $4.75 and figured Sandra and I
could fill it at one of the many drinking fountains if we needed to get more. Turned out, with the game being played under the lights, we
didn't even finish the first bottle. And, of course, there is plenty of beer, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, etc. if one
has the need.

We eventually went up into the stadium to find our seats and ended up right behind the visitors dugout about 40 to 50 feet from 1st
base. WOW! It had been years since I had attended a ball game with seats so close.....back in the late 70's at the then Texas Rangers
spring training park in Pompano Beach, Florida. We enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Reds warm up in front of us and almost got
whacked a couple of times with balls getting by the 1st baseman....lol.

City of Palms is a nice facility and it appeared any seat in the place has a great view of the game. There is even a grassy area along the
right field line where a lot of folks sat on blankets and chased all the foul balls hit their way. Even so, the City of Ft. Myers is planning to
build a new facility for the Red Sox in the near future. Still a lot of money around to spend it seems. Boston won the game 16-5
......yawn..... but it was fun to see Ortiz, Lugo, Drew, Varitek, Buchholz up close and personal. There was also plenty of new or newer
Boston talent to watch as well and from what we saw we think Boston will have another great year.