Greece trip preparations

In a little over a week, the old lady will be off on new adventures again.  This time may hold more challenges than any of the past.  I am flying from Miami to Athens via Madrid Spain.  Today I learned the air space over Spain is being affected by the Volanic ash dust.  Before the ash dust arrived in Spain, the air space over Spain was over crowded with re routed flights trying to avoid the ash.  Of course everyone has seen the protests occuring in Athens and learned of the tragic deaths of the 3 bank workers there.  Travel websites have on the ground reports from tourists who say it is very limited and not in the tourist areas.  One comment I saw said cruise ship passengers were kept from disembarking and therefore did not spend money contrary to what Greece needs.

All that said I am looking forward to visiting a country that has been on my radar screen for a very long time. The unbelieveable thing is that I have the opportunity to join a sailing charter on a 51 ft. Benateau with a group of people who are members of the Lake Michigan Hunter Sailing Association.  Les and I sailed a Hunter Passage 42 which gives me somewhat of an in to the group.  My daughter Emily will be coming as well and it will be a special treat to share the experience with her.

I'm trying to link the blog http://www.sailingingreece2010.blogspot.com/ on which we hope to report our progress. I will also post on this blog as wifi opportunities are available. Initially I'll have 2 nights in Athens, and Emily 1.  We then will fly to the island of Kos which is very close to Turkey.  We are chartering from the Moorings a US company based there.  I am hoping to post a map with our Itinerary shown.  We'll be leaving the boat for 2 nights stay on Santorini (Thira).  Emily will fly back from Rhodes.  When we return to Kos I hope to spend a couple of nights on the island of Naxos before returning to Athens for an early morning flight on June 8.

On my return to Miami I will head for 4 nights at a hotel in Miami Beach to meet up with some friends attending the American Institute of Architects (AIA) convention. I look forward to any who will be traveling along via the blog! Kalimera! (Good Morning)

Easter Parade

Easter Parade

Katherine was quite the center of attention at the family Easter gathering.  She was very good with lots of interaction with the great uncles, aunts and cousins at the Rock City festivities.  Cool rainy weather kept the Easter Egg hunt short.

My child care duties have come to an end.  My back will appreciate the rest but the rest of me will be sad to say goodbye to this bundle of energy and affection. I have witnessed development in just the short time I have been here and her parents seconded that she had grown up more.  It's an amazing age (29 months) and I'm happy to have a small part in it.

I've enjoyed spring weather in Illinois which though short lived surpassed Florida at times in temperatures and brought out leaves on the trees and flowering plants and trees are showing their beauty. I'll be leaving a landscape quite different the dull gray barrenness of my arrival just two weeks ago.  However there could be snow tonight.  Illinois weather is as fickle as ever!

Fullersberg Forest Preserve

Grandma Time

Katherine Reading to her babies

I am filling in for son Michael and his wife while they celebrate their first wedding anniversary with a 10 day trip.  I am finding how out of shape I'm in by chasing an active 29 Month old.  She goes to daycare (though more reluctantly each day) and I take that time to run errands but am also able to visit a few friends in the area.  Mostly though I try to revive my self.  I'm really enjoying having her all to myself.  We are playing with her toys and reading books.  The weather is finally starting to warm enough and with the long days we are staying out until 5:30 the last couple of days.  She's a very independent young lady "I do it myself" "I want to help".  She's probably getting away with more than she should under Grandma's watch.This hat was knit by her great aunt Karen.

We'll head to Rock City Sunday for a family Easter celebration.  Happy Easter and Happy Spring.

Central Florida Adventures

Photos:  HITS Horse Jumping Ocala; Flamingoes at Silver Springs; Sunday Gospel Sing; Rigs at campground; Susan and Sandy at dulcimer workshop.

The past week I have been camping with Big Mama in the area known as Central Florida.  First stop was Seratoma Youth Ranch outside Dade City to attend Willfest an annual celebration of Florida singers and songs.  The previous two days had major rainfall totals but fortunately the sandy soil drains fairly quickly.  My friend Susan arrived first and secured a spot close to one of the performance venues and next to Roadtrek friends and festival volunteers, Dean and Anita.
The weekend is filled with music and good feelings.  Friend Ginny drove in her own car but stayed Saturday night in Big Mama. Susan and I stayed overnight on Sunday before we left for Silver River State Park on Monday to join a Roadtrek rally beginning on Tuesday.  The park is east of Ocala but we were able to drive local roads including a quick stop in the area of the Villages known for all the golf carts that drive everywhere.
Our Rroadtrek group had wonderful catered dinners and breakfasts, a day at Silver Springs, Florida's first tourist attraction going back to the 1800's and a day at HITS, a horse event that was concluding after several months.  We watched 36 horses and riders as they did a series of jumps in the quest of a $25,000 prize.
Temps in the 40's and 50's were the only negatives but we all dressed in layers.  My long underwear has been getting lots of use lately. Susan and I "jammed" with our dulcimers which was lots of fun.

Jonathon Dickenson State Park

On the road with music

Last Thursday Big Mama and I hit the road for the first time since the Christmas adventure. First stop was Haines City where I met Roadtrek friend Susan and enjoyed listening to the practice session of her bell choir.  It was very impressive and I hope someday to hear a performance.  We then hopped in her friend Mickey's car together with Carolyn, Susan's dulcimer teacher and made a fast trip to ensure seats at a house concert.  This was a first for me but Susan and Mickey have been attending this folk oriented venue in a private home.  This night's performers, a husband and wife team Elwood and Aubrey, were from Rhoade Island.  Aubrey does an American clog that is quite amazing as well as playing multiple instruments.  They are very entertaining and superb musicians.  I'll try to insert their website so you can check for a concert in your area.
I stayed at Susan's for the night while Big Mama was parked in the community lot.  Friday we started off in the rain with the two Roadtreks and 2 GPS's that didn't always agree.  We were going to the Mt. Dora 5th annual dulcimer festival.  There are workshops Friday afternoon and all day Saturday in Mountain (lap style) and hammered dulcimers as well as autoharps.  People attending though seem to play a number of instruments including the Dobro drum, bowed psalter, steel drums, double bass to name a few. 
The instructors were terrific and classes were divided into Beginning, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.  Two of my Stuart dulcimer group were also attending and we sat together for several meals and compared notes.  Both evenings the instructors and vendors performed for 3 1/2 hours.  It was awesome.  Susan and I then drove our Roadtreks to a nearby Walmart for the night.  She had cleared it with the manager previously but other festival attendees looked a bit ascant when we replied "Walmart" when they asked where we stayed.
Now my challenge is to practice what I learned.  Somehow it was easier when the instructor was there guiding us.  With 200 in attendance and about 1/2 playing mountain dulcimer, I have a lot of company and hopefully sources on which I can call.

Shuttle Lift Off

For the second morning I was awake at 4 a.m. monitoring NASA TV feed for the status of the countdown.  The second time worked and two of my neighbors and I watched a spectacular night launch.  Photos aren't that great but I wanted to post this one.