Dog Days of Summer, Happy Campers, & Fluffy Butts…

Day 2: Monday, September 4th, 2023.
I woke up this morning to the fantastic aroma of Justin’s freshly brewed espresso—and the noise of it, too (make sure you read that last part with my sarcastic undertone). Then, a little Quigley love to say, “Get up, Mom, we’re in this beautiful new place, and I want to explore.” That place is the Ocala North RV Resort in Ocala, Florida. Flush with abundant natural beauty, from the mossy live oaks to the ducks playing on one of the ponds. Friendly campers strolled about with their children and pets, and a sense of peace reigned over this beautiful resort; it almost made me forget that we were still in the 90+ degree sweltering summer Florida heat, with the sun raining down so intensely that it seemed like it could burn a hole in a two-inch steel pipe. Still, we know these days are ending soon enough, and these brutally hot days help us appreciate the cool, crisp days to come.

WI Like Fluffy Butts and I cannot lie.

A Quest for Love…

Quigley was in heaven with all the different dog parks and smells; I think he was on the prowl for a new girlfriend, but we only have time for a one-night stand, and there’s no walk of shame allowed in our house. Despite having his sweet boy face, bowtie, and debonair ways, Quigley is drawn to a larger, wilder lady. He likes to follow in Sir Mix A Lot’s footsteps, Quigley likes fluffy butts and cannot lie. He also has a secret affinity for love from the furry, pretentious French dames with hair resembling Weird Al Yankovic. I’m embarrassed for him, but the heart wants what the heart wants. We must be vigilant as Justin won his man-protest to save “Quigley’s Down Under,” and his jewels remain intact. Bob Barker would be so disappointed.

We didn’t have time to enjoy many of the park’s amenities, and Quigley remains unattached. We stayed longer than planned and left in the early afternoon. It’s friendly campers and the people we meet on our travels that renew our faith in humanity, and one of the reasons we love journeying across the vast and everchanging lands that make up our country.

New lessons remind us how often we repeat history.

So, today was mostly a driving day. We try to drive no more than 6-7 hours daily and stop at interesting places when possible. While driving, we listened to a new Travel App. It was a unique educational app that was great for someone like me who loves learning. The App is called Autio, and it finds your location, or you can enter an area, and a professional narrator tells a 2-5 minute short history lesson of unique things, places, people, or events that happened in the area. I think it would be great for people with kids. We learned a lot about Northern Florida; one thing that stuck out is how many steamboats are sunk in the Suwanee River, so many so that they have become part of the Suwanee ecosystem.

The App reminded us that our country and its people have gone through very dark times and lived to tell another day. Recent times seem eerily similar, and once again, history repeats itself. We allow the corrupt, power-hungry to control and fundamentally change our country and its people, most often not for the better.

Bama Bison and it’s Patriotic Owner

Despite the objectionable direction the country and world are heading, we are still blessed beyond measure to live in the greatest nation on earth with majestic lands that only the hand of God could have created. Those lands are kept free by the brave men and women who serve our country. Women like Amy, an Army veteran whom we met this evening. Amy graciously allowed us to stay on her beautiful 50-acre Grass-fed free-range Bison farm (Bama Bison) and offered to show us around in the morning. We arrived at Bama Bison as the golden peach sky gave way to whispy cotton candy clouds, and just before complete darkness with the only light coming from a campfire in the distance, the faint glow of the waning gibbous moon, and the flicker of faraway stars that seemed to be gracefully waltzing in the night sky; it was bewitching and peaceful; I can’t wait to see what morning brings.