Let the Good Times Roll!: Stone Harbor, Oceanville, NJ

Let the Good Times ROLL!

NATIONAL PARKS ACROSS USA -
Since September 28, 06, we have seen the following National Parks:
Badlands National Park – South Dakota
Big Bend National Park - Texas
Crater Lake National Park – Oregon
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – North Carolina
Mount Rainier - Washington
Mount Rushmore National Memorial – South Dakota
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Washington
Redwoods National Park - California
Saguaro National Park - Arizona
Sequoia National Park - California
Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming
Yosemite National Park – California
National Parks and/or Monuments seen on previous vacations:
Jefferson Expansion National Memorial – St. Louis, Missouri
Lincoln Memorial & Washington Monument - DC
Everglades National Park – Florida
Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona
Haleakala National Park - Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Hawaii
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial – Hawaii
National Parks we hope to see:
Death Valley National Park - California
Mesa Verde National Park – Colorado
Carlsbad Caverns National Park – New Mexico
Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah
Arches National Park – Utah
Canyonlands National Park – Utah
Zion National Park - Utah
Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
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Friday, July 17, 2009 - We decided to visit the Wetlands Institute for Education, Research, and Conservation at Stone Harbor NJ.
It is geared towards children as they are out of school. But we were still able to learn a few things during the presentation on facts about Horseshoe Crabs. The Terrapin Station is the first exhibit in the world that is dedicated to the life history of the diamondback terrapin (turtle). I was not familiar with the Terrapin. I was looking forward to walking the boardwalk into the marsh where unparalleled views of migratory birds, fiddler crabs and other creatures are up close and personal. We also wanted to take a walk up the spiral stairs of their Observation Tower. The most recognizable feature of The Wetlands Institute, the tower stretches forty feet above the building to provide a view of the surrounding wetlands area, and, on a good day, the Jersey Shore from Sea Isle City to Wildwood. The Osprey differs in several respects from other diurnal birds of prey. Its toes are of equal length, its tarsi are reticulate, and its talons are rounded, rather than grooved. The Osprey is the only raptor whose outer toe is reversible, allowing it to grasp its prey with two toes in front and two behind. The Osprey is unusual insofar as it is a single species that occurs nearly worldwide.
Walter Cronkite died at 92. What an amazing career and family man. "the most trusted man in America" because of his professional experience and kindly demeanor. He also liked to have a good time, according to Tom Brokaw.
Saturday, July 18 - Ray took the Wing for a ride 140 miles roundtrip. He ran into traffic from all the New Jersey folks going out to the beaches. We have 38% humidity and it is 81 degrees. So beautiful here with the trees dappled with sunlight peaking through the leaves. Everywhere we drive you can see beautiful daylilies in lavender, peach, gold, burgundy, apricot, rose, pink, purple, red, yellow, orange, and near-white.
Sunday, July 19 – We wanted to visit the natural wildlife preserve, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge at Oceanville and protects more than 40,000 acres of southern New Jersey Coastal Habitats and tidal wetlands. We enjoyed the Wildlife Drive. It is a one way, unpaved, eight mile drive. The flies were out in major numbers and wanted to get inside the truck whenever we wanted to take pictures. We were constantly killing or driving them back out of the truck.

There are hiking trails for the more able-minded. We saw cars and trucks stopped along the way taking pictures with very expensive cameras.
We continued to drive along Rt. 9 to visit Historic Smithville. Nothing but shops and closed on Sunday morning. Then on to see Tuckerton Seaport, a working maritime village. It was disappointing. You have to pay a fee and then browse the shops.b:if cond='data:blog.pageType !="item"> >

FULL TIMING

FULL TIMING? Our first thoughts on such a monumental change of direction in our lives started with the purchase of a 32' Toy Hauler-KZ 5th Wheel early 2006. We took a vacation in May and traveled the mountains of North Carolina. We liked the fact we had our own bed to sleep in and could see surrounding areas either on our Honda Gold Wing or GMC truck. However, during the vacation, we found that the KZ 32' 5th-wheel was entirely too small, even for a long weekend. We wanted to trade up. One thing led to another and we started to question the next three years before Marsha was scheduled to retire.After much soul-searching, prayer, and financial calculations, Marsha requested early retirement for personal and physical reasons.Full timing meant we were saying "goodbye" to all that is familiar. Everything happened so quickly we didn't have time to contemplate that aspect much. We research everything thoroughly before we purchase. This would be our new home and we wanted all the "bells & whistles" within our budget. Lazy Days in Seffner, Florida had a new National, 2006 Tradewinds motorhome available at the right price. It has a 400-HP Turbo diesel engine and many amenities. We did get the "cart before the horse" purchasing the RV before selling our home. It was the worst time of year to sell a home in Florida. We sold with only a month before closing! Thankfully, we had our new "home on wheels" in our back yard for preparation.

It became clear that our personal craving for travel and adventure overcame our requirement for a traditional home with all the things that seemed so important.Getting rid of clutter can be liberating. We did not want to pay for storage. Collectibles such as our Fenton glass, sets of crystal glass, or ceramic pieces were handed over to family members or close friends for their enjoyment. We had a two-day garage sale and anything remaining went to charity. We feel the flexibility and comfort of RV travel far outweighs any pinch felt at the fuel pump. Let the Good Times Roll!