This Is It!

My last post on my blog. It's been 6+ years since I began Wandering Wisconsin at the advice of a friend. And five years of posts. I stopped regaling my readers with stories of our adventures about a year ago but never stopped formally - until now.

It's been a great deal of fun but I'm hanging up my keyboard in the blogosphere and will just concentrate on writing for which I actually get paid!

Rick and I bought a place in The Villages - America's fastest growing retirement community in Central Florida - this past January. We decided we didn't want to spend any more winters in Wisconsin so we'll be driving south in October to return to Wisconsin in early May.

This is our place - two bedrooms, two baths with attached garage. We added
pavers for 2 1/2 feet alongside each side of the driveway so we could park both
a car and a golf cart there side by side. More pavers were installed in front of the door
on the left side for a patio. We also did landscaping in the front, changed out a tree
on the side, and removed lots of junk trees in the back. Our fingers are crossed
that the lawn will be lush and green now that the rains came over the summer.
We should be seeing some colorful flowers next spring as well.

Rick sold his house this summer but is holding on to his 1976 Argosy camping trailer which will be stored in Central Wisconsin while we are in Florida. Considering the investment he made in repairs and upgrades this past winter, the trailer is a keeper for many years to come. We'll still wander Wisconsin in the summer, but probably not as much as we've done in the past. 

Look for the sixth "Birds & Bovines" vintage camping trailer rally next June at Ledge Park near Horicon. It's become a tradition that rally participants are looking forward to having us continue.  

I'll be leaving Madison and my work with Dane Buy Local. However, I will continue to write stories for Madison Essentials. (Click on the link for two more of my stories in the latest issue.) While I've done most of the interviews in person for stories I've written the last two years, I'll do telephone interviews in the future. The magazine is changing from a quarterly publication to a bi-monthly one, so that means even more assignments.

Amazingly, I've come full circle. When I began my studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison I was a pre-journalism major. I ended up getting a degree from the School of Human Ecology, which at the time of my graduation was called Family Resources & Consumer Science (aka Home Economics). Granted, a feature story isn't hard straight news, but the skills required to write both kinds of stories overlap. So, after all these years, I'm back in journalism.

Writing this blog was a good way to hone my skills and a fun way to share what I love about my home state and always will. A big "THANK YOU" to everyone who subscribed to, followed me, and/or read my latest post when I put a notice on Facebook. 

And if you're ever near The Villages (a little over an hour northwest of Orlando), give us a call, maybe spend a night or two. I'd love to show you around my adopted community and introduce you to some terrific people who've become good friends.

Finished with Florida

No, this doesn't mean that we're not going back to Florida. It means that I realized I hadn't posted my final thoughts about our time in Florida. So here goes . . .

The Villages, where we stayed,  is located in a part of Florida that wasn't developed until the last part of the nineteenth century. And then it was agriculture, especially cattle-raising. One can still see a number of farms with cattle grazing peacefully in the fields close to The Villages. 

These life-sized sculptures are at the entrance to the Brownwood Paddock Town Square,
one of three town squares in The Villages. An homage to the real history of this area.

The Villages, a "census-designated area" was begun in the 1970s. Harold Schwartz, who was from Michigan, was the developer. He had been selling land tracts in the area via mail order but was put out of business by a federal law that prohibited such commerce. So what was he to do with all that land? Build a mobile home park, of course. In a few years, Schwartz brought in his son, Gary Morse, to help develop the park. Sales improved when amenities and nearby commercial development were offered to the residents. In the 1980s Schwartz began to buy large tracts of land nearby for future expansion. The name of the overall development was changed to The Villages in 1992. 

However, to read plaques at various locations in The Villages you'd think this community would have been here for several hundred years. NOT! 

I guess Schwartz and Morse had a sense of humor as there were lots of smiles to be seen on the faces of people reading these plaques. The history may be fake, but, for the most part, the people are real. We made a number of friends during our 2+ months in The Villages and are looking forward to returning next year to renew those friendships.

During our last two weeks in The Villages, Rick was determined to swim in as many of the nearly 100 pools as he could. He may have dipped his toes in at least one new pool a day during that time and on one occasion, he enjoyed at least two of them in one afternoon.

Each of the villages within The Villages has its own swimming pool and all look pretty much the same.
Some are designated as "family" pools which means children can swim there.  Others 
are adult pools (users have to be over the age of 19). A few are "sport" pools where various 
water-based exercise classes are held. Any resident of The Villages can use any of the pools.

As The Villages expands, the amenities (pools, bocci ball and tennis courts, golf courses, etc.) are installed before the homes are built so that new residents have immediate access to recreational activities when they move in. We've been told that build out will end in about two years because there is no more land available for the developer to buy. We'll wait and see how that claim turns out!

The local food in and near The Villages was great: Oakwood Smokehouse Grill, Gator Joe's (I even had alligator bites for an appetizer), Eaton's Beach Sandbar & Grill (owner is a friend of Aaron Rodgers), Koyame Asian Express, and Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill. We won't be going back to a few of the restaurants (mostly the chains) that we sampled. And there are still many, many more eateries to check out upon our return.

It seems like there is some sort of "festival" or big public gathering on the town squares just about every weekend - Mardi Gras, car shows, craft shows, and one we really enjoyed. It was the Buffalo Pride BBQ Bash. For $5 we sampled delicious pork, beef, and chicken barbecue. The event is one of the most popular during the year and benefits The Villages Charter Schools. Yes, even though it's a retirement community, The Villages has a school - for the children of anyone who works for The Villages or for any of the commercial establishments that are in The Villages. Apparently the school is one of the best in the state. 

Rick commented during our time in Florida that we hadn't seen and heard as much live music in ten years as we experienced during two months. Every town square in The Villages (there are three of them) features live music and dancing every night of the year - holidays included. The only time the squares close down is if the temperature drops below 47 degrees. Only one night was that the case. Yes, it was cool, even in Florida!

Rocky & the Rollers is a very popular band playing lots of classic 1960s and 1970s
songs. The town square was packed with people dancing to the music.

Some of the bands, like Rocky's, have a number of instrumentalists and singers. Others are what I'd call "kicked-up karaoke" where the accompaniment to the vocalists is on an iPad. 

Other music that I particularly enjoyed was a Bruce Springsteen tribute band that played in a 1000-seat sanctuary Methodist Church. Lots of liturgical dance going on that night! We also heard the Singing Servers of the Central Florida Lyric Opera at one of the 12 country clubs in The Villages. In between taking our order and bringing out our food, the waiters performed numbers from well-known operas and musicals. The singers were great, the food was not so great. 

One singer that Rick has become a fan of - someone he discovered through a vintage trailer podcast - is Antsy McClain. Antsy grew up in a trailer park and his band is the Trailer Park Troubadours. His music is a bit of rockabilly, folk, rock, and just plain fun! I thought at first he would be a great act for The Villages, but then realized that he's too original to be on the docket. Village people like to hear the same familiar songs at the town squares. Songs like "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" and "YMCA." Cover songs. That's not Antsy's style as you can hear in this video. He was warming up before his performance at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa back in March.

Well, that's it from Florida for 2015. Check back early next year for more of our adventures in the Sunshine State.

Manatees and More

This week we traveled about an hour from The Villages "compound" to Crystal River (on the Gulf side of Florida) and the Three Sisters Spring to see manatees - marine mammals. The springs were discovered in 1945 by a developer who later made them into a lake. In 2010 the property became part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is one of 29 in Florida. (We have 11 such areas in Wisconsin.) 

The springs are owned by the city of Crystal River and managed by the federal Fish & Wildlife Service. In a couple of months there will only be several manatees to see here since most of them swim out to the Gulf of Mexico once the water warms up a little more.

The manatees are on the bottom; the rocks are along the edge of the water.
When manatees are resting they'll come up for air every 15 minutes or so.
Their closest animal relative is the elephant. Manatees are also known as sea cows.

We didn't swim with these marine mammals like some folks did. Rather, we walked along a boardwalk to view about a hundred of them getting ready to start their day. Several volunteers were positioned along the way to share information about the manatees and their habits.

A wetland restoration project was in progress near the manatees. It should be interesting to come back in a few years and see what the area looks like then.

A number of other natural areas and state parks were nearby so we stopped in to take a walk through the Florida flora. One stop was the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. 

This high mound, built around 600 A.D., supported a temple for the
Native Americans who inhabited Florida at that time.

These smaller mounds reminded me of the Indian burial mounds
we see in Wisconsin.

Manatees make good mascots throughout Florida.

This guy was at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

One more park and a couple more trees.

Looks like a fire went through the park a few years ago.

Spring is coming, but the leaves are the color of fall.

Green is such a great sight in the middle of winter!

This beautiful Florida sunset was one we saw from within The Villages.

Our time in Florida is coming to an end much too soon. We are keeping our fingers crossed that when we return to Wisconsin spring will be just around the corner!

Wisconsin Connections

It was the hat!

Rick found this hat with its LED flashing Green Bay Packer logo during one of the first Market Nights we spent at Spanish Springs Village Square here in The Villages. Market Night is every Monday and Wednesday when a variety of vendors set up their wares during the same hours of the nightly entertainment. 

Given that the Green Bay Packers were still contenders in the post-season playoffs, the hat attracted quite a bit of attention. In fact, one of the first persons who asked if we were from Wisconsin turned out to be a friend of friends of ours from Menomonie. His wife also knew some of the same people I knew because of my last job. Yes, it's a small world!

The second connection we made because of the hat was with a couple from Chippewa Falls. Lisa and Zach had been here since September. She came down to help out her mother. We learned from them that the best place to see the Green Bay-Dallas game was with more Wisconsin fans at Cody's Roadhouse near another one of the village squares.

So we showed up early enough to get a seat at the bar. Lisa had alerted us to the fact that there was a special bar menu that offered $2.50 sliders - a great bargain. Also, it was 2 for 1 Happy Hour from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We cheered the Packers to victory on January 11 with about 50-60 other fans, many of whom were from Wisconsin. We came back to Cody's the following week with many of the same people from the previous week. Unfortunately, it was a loss for the Packers that day.

Many of these old bottles on display at Cody's are from Wisconsin. But that
would make sense since Wisconsin's German immigrants started many breweries
in the 1800s. In fact, one of the first large-scale breweries was Best Brewing from
Milwaukee. Frederick Pabst bought into the company following his marriage
to Best's daughter and eventually took over control of the company and
changed the name to Pabst Brewing.

During halftime we learned about another gathering of Wisconsinites - one of the Wisconsin Clubs at The Villages. 

About 160 people gathered last week to socialize. This Wisconsin Club is one
of three here in The Villages. We chose this particular one because of meeting
several of its members at the Green Bay Packer games.

It was just by chance that we happened to sit at a table and met a couple whose Wisconsin home is about a mile from Rick's. Again, a small world! The entertainment that evening was a Wisconsin trivia game - a great deal of fun. Even more fun was helping our table win the game. Some of the questions: What is the UFO capital of the world? Where is the biggest brat fest held? What year did brewing begin in Wisconsin? And where was Allen Ludden born? 

Last weekend we attended our first car show of the new year. About 250 cars were positioned around the square and on the adjoining streets. Rick said it was the best shows he's been to and I couldn't agree more. I don't like cars with "flames" and none were to be found on these cars. 

Corvettes from the 1950s are a favorite of mine, especially a convertible.  

Another Wisconsin connection - Gremlins were manufactured in Kenosha.

But the most amazing Wisconsin connection we made that evening was with George, the owner of "Whitey," this cute Volkswagen.

After a few minutes of conversation, Rick realized that he had actually met George, a retired school administrator from Kewaskum, about 20 years ago. Rick was working with the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Council to develop youth prevention programs in Washington County. George was in charge of student services for his district in the county. The world can't get any smaller than this!

We met Lisa's mother last Friday night and took Lisa out to dinner at one of the twelve country clubs here in The Villages. Any resident (or renter like us) can dine at any of these establishments. These aren't exclusive clubs.

When we first arrived in The Villages it seemed like the people we were meeting were mostly from the Northeast. However, we've discovered that many Wisconsinites are here, too, and we'll probably meet a few more before we leave. 

History in the Making at the RV Show

One of the country's largest RV shows is happening right now in Tampa. We were there on Opening Day, January 14. It was also Senior Day so we were surrounded by our own demographic.

The Expo Hall was packed with vendors selling everything
from RV furniture to the latest cleaning agent for the RV's
outside to a fancy radiant heating system that could be retrofitted
on an RV. The jewelry booths seemed to be out of place as
far as I was concerned, but then one of the attendees reminded
me that I was wearing earrings! 

We saw a number of little dogs on the grounds. Since people in RVs could stay overnight at the Florida State Fairgrounds where the show was being held, we figured the owners didn't want to leave their pets alone for an entire day. I'd never seen a dog in a stroller until last year in Florida. I saw a few of them being wheeled around at the show.

This doggie in a baby carrier was something else. This woman
was one of the vendors in the Expo Hall.

Rick was particularly interested in a Class B camper - essentially a van camper. He had read about a brand, Hymer (rhymes with roomer), from Germany and was eager to see one of the models in person.

We found the Hymer exhibit and met a couple of executives from Hymer and Spartan Motors, the company in Michigan that is assembling the campers.

Dominick on the left is from Hymer and Markus on the right
is with Spartan. 

Now for the historic moment at the RV show - the two Hymers that were exhibited were the first two built in the U.S. and this was the very first day they were being shown in this country. We can say we were there!

It's amazing what can be put in a van camper - two burner stove, sink, refrigerator,
bathroom with a toilet and shower, dinette, double bed in the back, and lots of storage.

As we wandered around the grounds, we also met the VP of Sales and Product Development from Winnebago in Forest City, Iowa. He had been brought in to the company to change the Winnebago image. 

With bright colors, like red, and no more big white boxes, this ain't your Grandfather's
Winnebago anymore. This particular van camper was a lot like the Hymer.

The VP is doing his job well because Winnebago sales continue to increase year after year.

We still prefer a vintage trailer over most of what we saw at the RV show, but a Class B camper might be a possibility in the future. 

Farmers' Markets and Craft Fairs

It's been five days and we aren't missing the snow at all! Our hearts go out to all of you who are experiencing the brutality of winter in the north. Would you believe that it's been unseasonably HOT here, at least is was on the weekend? Today the temps are much more seasonable - in the 60s.

On Saturday we went to the Farmers' Market at Brownwood Paddock Square, the newest "village square" in The Villages. 

The Christmas tree at Brownwood. This square just opened
a few months ago. Most of the homes in the surrounding area
are less than three years old. And the residents tend to be on
the younger side of 55+.

Beautiful tomatoes at the market. These might need a little more time
 to ripen, but at least we're  not eating cardboard!

I also picked up some navel oranges - the last of the season. I'm looking forward to other varieties maturing in the coming weeks. Three years ago when we were in Seminole FL we had an orange tree in our back yard and we could pick oranges from it to our hearts' content. No such luck this year, but there are two farmers' markets each week at The Villages so we won't have a shortage of fresh fruit. Strawberries are big in February - can't wait!

Sunday we were at Spanish Springs, the village square closest to where we are and an easy golf cart ride away, for its annual Arts & Crafts Festival. As I mentioned in a Facebook post, it wasn't quite like Art Fair on the Square in Madison - probably not juried - and there were booths for Direct TV and magnetic healing bracelets and plants mixed among the artists and crafters. 

It's so nice to see color and not just gray skies and white snow
even if this isn't the typical fare at an Arts & Crafts fair.

Our place is across a major highway from Spanish Springs. So how do we get there in a golf cart? Well, by using the golf cart bridge, of course. And do those carts buzz along, especially on the downhill and the hairpin turn at the end. I don't think I'll be driving that path. I'm too fearful of tipping over!

When we first encountered the golf cart bridge as we came into
The Villages last week, we were reminded of the "welcome"
that drivers see who are approaching Disney World.

Speaking of golf carts - I really should be calling them golf "cars." Some of the Villagers have tricked theirs out to look like classic cars. We've seen a few humming around the streets.

Golf cart parking protocol dictates that two carts should park side by side
in a space that an automobile would normally use. 

This sign from one of the crafters at the Art Fair does a nice job of saying why we are in Florida at this time.

1:11 on 1/1

It's a sign - we arrived in Florida at 1:11 p.m. on 1/1. An easy trip through Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia on our way to The Villages where we will be for the next two months. The highlight was about half-way to our destination when we stopped near Nashville to see my niece, Kristin, her husband, TJ, and their son, Milo. Otherwise uneventful.

No snow, no rain, mostly sunshine all the way during our 20+ hours of driving. This trip I was behind the wheel the majority of the time. 

Our place - in the oldest section of The Villages. There's a golf cart in front of my
car that we'll be using to get around in the coming days. We have two bedrooms,
an "open-concept" kitchen/dining area/living room, one bathroom, and a
 lovely sitting room (small room you can see at the front left of the house)
with a small breakfast table. So, we have room for visitors . . . if any of you
want to get out of the cold north for a few days in the next two months!

The owners of our place are from Rhode Island and have lived here in The Villages for 10 years. Meredith, our landlord, said they came here on vacation and within six months had moved here permanently. The last two couples who rented our place also bought in The Villages and that's why we were able to nail down our rental rather quickly. Will we buy? Time will tell! (Rick says if you donate to the purchase of a place here for us, we'll name a room in the house after you. And if you don't want your name on a room, he says we'll put a brick in the driveway inscribed with your name.)

We are in the Village of Silver Lake, although there's no lake to be seen! Maybe a pond or two. We have lots of exploring to do in the coming days. Our initial assessment is that we're in the land of the big boxes and national chains. But there is an Aldi's about two miles away - so all is good!

The holiday decorations in the recreation centers and town squares are supposed to be quite nice but we'll have to check them out soon as the holiday season is coming to an end quickly.

Our neighbors across the street have decorated for the season. Apparently
there are a number of permanent residents on our street. I'm sure we'll get
to know some of them soon.

The Villages is billed as the largest over-55 community in the world and calls itself "Florida's friendliest hometown" even though no one is from here. Some have called it a land-locked cruise ship because of all the activities that are available. Others have described The Villages as "Disney World for old people." Keep checking my blog for more about The Villages.

Reminders of Spring

Before we head north after a glorious month in Florida, I wanted to share some pictures that represent the hope of warmer weather we will be experiencing in the frozen tundra sooner rather than later!

We went to the beach our last two days. However, it wasn't the typical crowded beach on the Gulf coast. We found a quiet spot at the Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center. This nature-based park has nearly two miles of shoreline on the beautiful Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve and some lovely walking trails.

Our beach didn't have a lot of sand, but just enough room for us to set up our camp chairs and dangle our feet in the water.

Lots of pines and palms...

Earlier we found the Oak Farms Nursery in Englewood. Plants were displayed among the trees so looking at all those blooms and greenery felt like a walk in the park. (There's Rick in the safari hat checking out the flora.)

We had an enjoyable picnic at Indian Mound Park also in Englewood. Again, another quiet park on Lemon Bay where we could look out on the water and dream of warmer days to come. It was an overcast day (eventually we had rain that evening), but we appreciated looking at green trees rather than white snow!

I'll close with this final image. Someone has a sense of humor -- and probably comes to Florida from parts north for respite from winter...

Wheels and Deals

We ventured north about 100 miles the end of last week for car and vintage camping trailer shows.

On Friday it was the Zephyrhills Winter Auto Fest, a car auction and swap meet. This event is the first shopping and buying opportunity for collector and classic auto enthusiasts according to the promoter. Unfortunately, it wasn't like the Iola Old Car Show - no "folk art," i.e., no restored cars exhibited by people telling their stories. All the cars were there for only one purpose - to be sold. I watched and listened while a couple dozen cars were auctioned off. Lots of lookers, a few bidders, and even fewer successful bidders. Maybe one in ten cars offered met the reserve set by the seller so very few new owners drove off with the cars of their choice. Apparently this auction wasn't even that exciting. A man sitting next to me fell asleep in the midst of the auctioneer's spiel!

I wandered through the cars that were put up for sale and found a few interesting ones like this Studebaker with its jet-like front end.

I'm always pleased with myself when I recognize a 60s Chevy truck. This white flatbed is a 1964 model. Its front looks just like Rick's panel truck.

And this black one is a Suburban. Again, a front end that I recognize easily.

These 1957 Chevy "twins" are what Rick calls "belly button" cars - everyone has one!

I'm not a fan of the swap meet section of a car show. It's the junk yard as far as I see it so I didn't spend time looking at rusty bumpers, old license plates, or 14 styles of tail lights. I did score a new Florida map, that we needed, from the Triple A guy.

This method of ice cream making as well as the history of the engine that powered the process caught my eye at one of many food stands.

On Saturday we checked out vintage camping trailers at the Tin Can Tourist Winter Rally outside of Brooksville. Lots to see and many people to talk with. 

This Arrow trailer belongs to a "glamper," someone who is into glamour camping. The trailer is highly decorated, usually by a woman. This owner of this Arrow kept telling Rick and me that she wanted our flamingo patterned Hawaiian shirts (image of the pattern follows).

And now for the inside...

Can you see why our shirts fit right in with her colors?

Rick's favorite trailer was this Airfloat that had been restored by Tim Heintz from Panama City, FL. Tim and Rick had been corresponding via Facebook so Rick was excited to finally meet Tim. It's quite unusual to find a 30-something so passionate about vintage trailers, usually the pervue of the baby boomers and older set.

Another camper at the rally thought this trailer could be done as a Beatle-themed "yellow submarine." The general shape of the trailer and the porthole at the back is reminiscent of a submarine. And if it were painted yellow.....

This Spartan belongs to the guy who organizes many of the Tin Can Tourist rallies. It's a real beauty.

Here's a Casita from a couple lost in the 60s.

And an Argosy - longer than Rick's trailer but still in the Airstream family - just painted, that's all. Oh, and the big panoramic window in front (not usually found on older Airstream models).

The most unusual trailer at the rally was this Pontiac. It's HUGE and the owner pulls it with an older Buick Park Avenue sedan!

Check out the dining room. One of Rick's smaller trailers could fit in the living room!

One more vintage trailer as I close my post. This Argosy was at the Travelers Rest RV Resort, a place we checked out on Friday afternoon. The owners, a couple from Nashville, were inspired to paint their trailer with this design to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Wally Byam's (founder of Airstream) caravan in Africa.