Crystal River, Florida

We arrived at our winter home in Rolling Ridge RV park on January 4th - finally saw the sun in Ocala! It is always nice to come back to parks where we have friends!

Judy, Mel and Ray had nasty weather driving from Dallas to Michigan and then Judy and Marilou had nasty weather driving from Michigan to Florida! But, they arrived safely and are thawing out!

We spent three days in Crystal River with our Alfa club friends, Mike & Lorraine, seeing the manatees. The manatees come into the rivers and springs in this area to winter in warmer water. We  took a bus tour out to Three Sisters Springs on Sunday afternoon and then we went kayaking at the springs the next morning. The water is so clear and you just float over them. Many people were wearing wet suits and snorkeling with them. The only problem was the number of people - a popular activity! What fun!

Three Sisters Spring

Manatees "wintering"

They are very docile and spend most of their time sleeping under water. They come up for air about every 10 minutes and just stick their nostrils above the water line.

Mike and Lorraine navigating the traffic!


 

Mama and her newborn calf

Time for air!



 

New Years Family Reunion

We spent the week between Christmas and New Years in the Dallas area with the Eddy family. Heather, Kyle and the girls - even Jack the dog came! - and Megan and Carlos joined us too. Judy was not planning on coming, since she was leaving for Florida the first of January, but she came to Mel and Ray's rescue when Ray had a stent inserted on December 22nd and couldn't drive for 2 weeks! We told Ray it was a pretty dramatic way to get her to join us! We are all so glad he is doing well. I remember Judy came to my rescue in Phoenix years ago when Roger had his airplane accident.
It was cold and windy but we had a great time just being together, playing cards and games and of course, eating and drinking!
Joel and Rachel's little girl Charlotte is about 19 months and such a cutie - we all had fun with her!
Ray, Kirt, Nicole and Judy went to the Cotton Bowl and watched a great game - Michigan State beat Baylor by one point right at the end!