Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Louisiana into Texas - January 25 & 26, 2010
It's been 2 very long but exciting days. We've covered a lot of new territory for both of us. We've seen lots of great places and are really enjoying ourselves. I took so many pictures today they are taking a while to upload but I'm tired tonite, from driving (now over 3,500), and from a bad nights sleep last night, time changes, and too much BBQ. So, I'm off to sleep tonite after the pictures load but will fill in the details tomorrow while Frank is driving.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou
We spent about 3 hours gawking at the scenery, tourists, colors, galleries, musicians, transexual freaks, clowns, police, Saint's fans, magicians and then after absorbing as much creativity as possible, then we left. When I went into St. Louis Cathedral last winter there was a beautiful wedding in progress. Today the Cathedral was celebrating Mass. So, ever wanting to experience everythig presented I ducked into the standing room only afternoon mass. I joined in saying the Lord's Prayer and by the end the incense had totally overtaken me, my eyes were running, I started to wheeze and had to leave. It must have been a sign, this wasn't my kind of religion.
We went next door and went to the Mardi Gras Historical Exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum. It was a nice exhibit, albeit a confusing blend of cultures and beliefs - quite large, expansive.
The pulse of the city was building. The Saint's fans were quickly taking over the streets and starting to party. Lines were building at the better restuarants and we decided we had had enough of NOLA. We headed south into the Bayou.
We were so far south that even the church was in a trailer. We could easily spot which trailers were new and probably the result of FEMA help vs. those that got patched probably because they lacked insurance. Frank dubbed them a singlewide on a stick.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Traveling through Alabama, Missisippi and Louisiana - January 2010
Finally - we've had a fun couple of days doing what we have so needed in our lives. A break doing something fun and life fullfilling. Yesterday we started our day at the great mecca of all things weird and wonderful. The Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Panama City Beach, Florda. WOW! This is the fourth time I've visited one of these museums. It was expensive ($35) but so worth it. We took 3 hours reading every single thing we could
This is what the Panama City Beach looks like before Spring Break. It's beautiful! We ate in a diner in Panama City Beach and enjoyed dipping our toes in the sand and ocean.We woke in Alabama today. In my last post I wrote I could get from Florida to Louisiana but Alabama and Mississippi were in the way. We jumped on Route 10 because of the fog and just boogied through those states. A few interesting things we noticed was seeing a dead armidillo and then a bit later seeing a live armidillo - that was fun! Probably like seeing a Moose in New Hampshire.
We did see 4 dead dogs in a just span - maybe 5 miles or less. Another thing we saw was one of those giant, giant flags you can see for miles but it was a Rebel flag. We noticed the bill-boards have taken over the South. We did see some great red-neck humor written on the back window of a car, in white shoe polish. It said "Baby on Board - Stay off my Ass!"
We liked the spin put on the general area by the State of Louisiana = "American's Wetlands". No Kidding! Another thing we noticed were several of the billboards referred to insisting on local shrimp vs. imported shrimp. Wasn't a problem I had ever thought about but must be an issue here.
We had hoped to see far more road-side flea markets but I haven't had too much finding any. We did stop at one today where I bought a pair of sunglasses. This was the first day I even realized I had forgotten mine in NH. The weather has been rotten.
Our first official folk art stop of the day was at the UCM Museum. (Say it quick - U-see-em) It was inspirational. This guy was definately obsessed. More tomorrow.
We were searching for Dr. Charles Smith of Abita Springs, Florida. I had heard about this attraction on the http://www.narrowlarry.com/ website. Anyways, we feed the address to our Droid which we've now named Agnus. We landed in Abita Springs which was a sweet little village. We stopped to ask if anyone knew this fellow and couldn't find anyone who had even heard of him. This town had a wonderful brew pub with a quirky, friendly waitress, a well maintained museum in the RR depot, a bandstand with a striking bronze statue of an Indian and a nice large park with all sorts of families hanging around.
Noone knew this fellow tho so I dragged out the laptop and did my research finding my target - Dr. Charles Smith's house on East Louisiana Road. We found him! Here he is.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Crawfordville to Panama City Florida
We stayed in a Best Western last night which had a beautiful HUGE whirlpool bath so I took my time this morning, enjoying living in the present drinking my morning tea in the tub. It was pouring down, hard, driving rain so there was no rush for us to get going. When we finally did we covered aout 100 miles today, ending the day in Panama City, Florida. We had fun stopping in shops along Route 98. Frank and I were both very impressed with this area of Florida. Lots of forests, beaches, shoreline, state parks, and small fishing or tourists towns. It was fun but I wish it wasn't raining I would have liked to enjoy the beaches more.
We enjoyed this small Maratime Museum in Aalachicola, FL They were working on a 85 ft Hereshof 3 masted Schooner.
Fish Chairs $299 ea
Surfboards $165 ea
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
On the road again . . . the Florida Panhandle
University of Florida in Gainesville Florida
It was a low key travel day today. We left our friends Cheryl & Tom May in Interlachen and then moved slowly west crossing through lots of small towns. I was surprised to see Gainsville, Florida. For some reason I had always pictured it different in my mind. Funny how that happens. Gainsville reminded me of Concord or Keene New Hampshire with nice wide, clean streets, nice old county buildings, a small, civil city with a beautiful, well manicured college campus.
My friends recommened a small, fishing village on the southern coast of the Panhandle called Steinhatchee, Florida. It was indeed quite quanit with working fishing boats and marinas. It also had interesting houses up on stilts. Some were great architectural feats and some were no more then a shack. I traveled through lots of forest land today. Florida does a very good job managing their forests, burning the underbrush. They are really beautiful to drive along miles of pine standing tall with nothing below but their dark burn marks which rise about 10 feet high. Our friends son and daughter-in-law do this kind of RX burn work for the State so it was interesting talking with them about it.
My friends recommened a small, fishing village on the southern coast of the Panhandle called Steinhatchee, Florida. It was indeed quite quanit with working fishing boats and marinas. It also had interesting houses up on stilts. Some were great architectural feats and some were no more then a shack. I traveled through lots of forest land today. Florida does a very good job managing their forests, burning the underbrush. They are really beautiful to drive along miles of pine standing tall with nothing below but their dark burn marks which rise about 10 feet high. Our friends son and daughter-in-law do this kind of RX burn work for the State so it was interesting talking with them about it.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Visiting Antique Dealer Friends January17, 18, 19, 2010
With Renninger's Antique Market behind us we went on to visit our friends Cheryl and Tom May from Moultonboro, NH and Interlachn, FL. We all have different kinds of friends but to tell you about these friends is probably best summed up in their initial greeting to us. "Hi! Did you bring your laundry?" My answer - Well of course we did! We came for a day and ended up spending three. And you know what people say about fish and company after 3 days. Well we're leaving tomorrow.
The first day we arrived mid day and had the pleasure of re-acquainting with Cheryl's children and grandchildren over a big spagetti dinner, all of whom are from Florida, except for Tommy who still lives and is in business with Cheryl at Antiques of Moultonboro in NH. This is a serious Scrabble family and they put us to shame. I finally came in 2nd today. Cheryl continued to cook, cook, cook for all of us. It was great fun.
Monday we all slept late until 9:30 and again Cheryl was at the ready with a hearty bacon and egg breakfast. For the next 5 hours we discussed the Antiques business. It was fascinating to hear the honest, open discussion of 4 antique dealers who've been at it for more then 100 if we combine all our service to this industry. We discussed auction houses - the good ones and the bad ones. We discussed things like taking credit cards, and also Auctioneers who take credit cards and those who don't. Some Auctioneers charge a 13% Buyers Premium and then discount the BP 3% for cash meaning they really only charge 10%. We discussed they why's and wherefores of the Buyers Premium even talked about the ones who now charge 13% across the board. Or worse yet, the big auction houses like Sothebys and Christies who charge 20% to 30% as Buyers Premium so they can be more competitive with the sellers who now demand the auction houses to be more competitive.
The big auction houses also have higher minimums and often won't take things valued under $1,000 or $2,500 or whatever their ridiculous minimum is. We talked about NH's highest end auctioneer Ron Bourgerault of Northeast and how we both had an experience of trying to consign with his employees and had been turned away but then when Ron had realized the mistake quickly made up with our friend Tom. We took our table to the Heart of Country Antques Show in Nashville TN and sold it for many times more then the estimate given to us at Northeast Auctions. The value of an antique is so nebulous and is quite often based on the knowledge or the appeal to the person doing the valuation. So if a person has less knowledge they'll quite often suggest a lower value. It pays to get different opinions on value!
Our disucssions revolved around what our each of our respective shops grossed. We also discussed what we used to gross 5 and 10 years ago. We discussed demographics of the past and also what and whom we anticipate the collectors will be in the future. We discussed the wholesale portion of the business which has virtually disappeared. Our shops are more retail now then ever before. We had a spirited discussion of the finer physcological details of a hoarder vs. a collector vs. a dealer. We only live 15 miles from our friends in NH but we talked more today then we do all year. At home in NH when we see each other at auctions we're all too focused on buying and selling but today was quite enjoyable....again we were working but it was thoroughly enjoyable. I learned so much.
After we talked and laughed exhaustivly, we finally got motivated to go out for a drive around 3:00 in the afternoon. We checked out this mini town which took about 1/2 hour. We adored the peace and quiet as much as the old fashioned Victorian cottages which used to surround the Orange plantation which burned so long ago.
It's Martin Luther King Day so there were no Dentists on duty but just one more day for Frank to get a tooth fixed and we'll be back on the road. We have some great things planned ahead of us. Can't wait!
The first day we arrived mid day and had the pleasure of re-acquainting with Cheryl's children and grandchildren over a big spagetti dinner, all of whom are from Florida, except for Tommy who still lives and is in business with Cheryl at Antiques of Moultonboro in NH. This is a serious Scrabble family and they put us to shame. I finally came in 2nd today. Cheryl continued to cook, cook, cook for all of us. It was great fun.
Monday we all slept late until 9:30 and again Cheryl was at the ready with a hearty bacon and egg breakfast. For the next 5 hours we discussed the Antiques business. It was fascinating to hear the honest, open discussion of 4 antique dealers who've been at it for more then 100 if we combine all our service to this industry. We discussed auction houses - the good ones and the bad ones. We discussed things like taking credit cards, and also Auctioneers who take credit cards and those who don't. Some Auctioneers charge a 13% Buyers Premium and then discount the BP 3% for cash meaning they really only charge 10%. We discussed they why's and wherefores of the Buyers Premium even talked about the ones who now charge 13% across the board. Or worse yet, the big auction houses like Sothebys and Christies who charge 20% to 30% as Buyers Premium so they can be more competitive with the sellers who now demand the auction houses to be more competitive.
The big auction houses also have higher minimums and often won't take things valued under $1,000 or $2,500 or whatever their ridiculous minimum is. We talked about NH's highest end auctioneer Ron Bourgerault of Northeast and how we both had an experience of trying to consign with his employees and had been turned away but then when Ron had realized the mistake quickly made up with our friend Tom. We took our table to the Heart of Country Antques Show in Nashville TN and sold it for many times more then the estimate given to us at Northeast Auctions. The value of an antique is so nebulous and is quite often based on the knowledge or the appeal to the person doing the valuation. So if a person has less knowledge they'll quite often suggest a lower value. It pays to get different opinions on value!
Our disucssions revolved around what our each of our respective shops grossed. We also discussed what we used to gross 5 and 10 years ago. We discussed demographics of the past and also what and whom we anticipate the collectors will be in the future. We discussed the wholesale portion of the business which has virtually disappeared. Our shops are more retail now then ever before. We had a spirited discussion of the finer physcological details of a hoarder vs. a collector vs. a dealer. We only live 15 miles from our friends in NH but we talked more today then we do all year. At home in NH when we see each other at auctions we're all too focused on buying and selling but today was quite enjoyable....again we were working but it was thoroughly enjoyable. I learned so much.
After we talked and laughed exhaustivly, we finally got motivated to go out for a drive around 3:00 in the afternoon. We checked out this mini town which took about 1/2 hour. We adored the peace and quiet as much as the old fashioned Victorian cottages which used to surround the Orange plantation which burned so long ago.
It's Martin Luther King Day so there were no Dentists on duty but just one more day for Frank to get a tooth fixed and we'll be back on the road. We have some great things planned ahead of us. Can't wait!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Renninger's Mt. Dora Flea Market and Antiques Show - January 16, 2010
Geez, I'm having trouble writing 2010. Does anyone else? I woke this morning around 7:00; Frank always rises earlier but we got going from Miami around 8:00 am and headed North on the Florida Turnpike which turned out to be an expensive proposition when we had to pay the $12.00 toll. Well we couldn't stop traffic and talk about it so we swallowed hard. I'd taken Route 95 North had we known. That's one thing I find about Mapquest or Google directions - they both send you over toll rolls where there might be an alternative.
Anyways, we arrived at the Flea Market and we're amazed at how wicked busy it was. It's what''s called Extravaganza weekend and it certainly is. We walked until our feet hurt and begged us to get off them. Two days in a row on my feet - but so worthwhile. They have these Extravaganza weekends 2 times a year in Florida and then 2 or 3 times a year in Pennyslvania.
Some people think that if you don't piss and moan then it's not work. Some people think if you don't piss and moan then it's not serious but I learned a lesson very early on when I worked at the Wolfeboro Area Children's Center (WACC). There was a prominent Alton NH women antiques dealer who would bring her child to the WACC so she could go to auctions 3 mornings a week, or go to group shops or something similar and I'd get so mad at her because I was employed as a Secretary / Bookkeeper and she was doing what I loved, which was going to auctions. The Director at the time, Edie DesMarais told me "it's not against the law to love what you do and in fact it's best if you do." It was shortly after that in the mid 1980's that I entered into the business of dealing antiques.
So please, just because I don't piss and moan doesn't mean I'm not working. I just love what I do so it doesn't seem like work, but it is. We go to museums to learn. This is our continuing education. When people ask "how do you know?" we can tell them with confidence because we've looked at acres and acres and miles and miles of shows, shops, museums, auctions, and more. We study with our hands, and eyes and yes we have fun doing it.
One issue we all face is what the word "old" means. I've been giving it considerable thought which is also a gift Paul Dewees of Certified Appraisers Guild one told me to give myself, an hour of thought each day. Not doing anything but thinking through a situation, Anyway back to the word old.
As an antiques dealer I think old is good.
As a daughter I think old is bad it means Blindness, Throat and Breast Cancer
As a daughter in law I think old is bad because it means Alzheimers & Parkinsons
As a wife, I look at my husband after 23 years and ask how we got adult children
As a mother, I ask myself if my children are old enough to make decisions on their own?
As a women looking forward I see my own mortality. What will my legacy be?
It's something which effects every one of our lives. If we ain't getting older then we ain't breathing.
But just because I don't piss and moan about it doesn't mean I don't think about it, or deal with it, or let it wash through my life. My grandmother once told me that old age chips away at you little by little. I guess she was right. I'm so blessed to have all the wisdom and beauty of the ages surround me all the time in this business. I'm so lucky to love what I do every day of my life because I therefore love my life. Enough of my rants and raves.
Frank and I both felt at home when we arrived at Renninger's Flea Market in Mt. Dora. It was our tribe, we immediately found friends and dealers we knew but I lost my new water bottle in the first booth I stooped to buy something in and then couldn't find the booth again. Damn!
So on we trudged; it was a beautiful day for a flea market. Overcast, 70, nice breeze although we did hear some crashing glass - these dealers should know by now. Renninger's is big! They claim to have 1,000 dealers and I can't really be sure or not. It's not as big as it used to be, but I still think it's one of the larger shows on the East Coast. Definately worth the few hours it took us to get here.
We bought a rug; a dozen large colored balls almost like bocce balls and a circa 1900's photo of a fellow on a beautiful sailboat and mahogany name plate that said Capt. Melanson because we have a lot of Melansons in Wolfeboro who I can probably sell it to. We also found a hooked rug that was red plaid with a fisherman in the center with big vines on it. We'll offer these things this summer in our shop in NH. We stay open every day in the summer and work the road in the winter. It's a great life we lead and we know it.
My computer is warning me I'm down to 14 minutes so I must go for now. I took a bunch of pictures today which I'll post tomorrow with captions and dealers websites when I could get them. We had a great day today, albeit long. We started at 7:00 am and here it is at 7:00 pm. Met some interesting, quirky people, bought some stuff for resale, and now we're camping out tonite in Mt. Dora Florida. Yes ineed - it was a work day. They have $2.00 showers here - yeha!
Anyways, we arrived at the Flea Market and we're amazed at how wicked busy it was. It's what''s called Extravaganza weekend and it certainly is. We walked until our feet hurt and begged us to get off them. Two days in a row on my feet - but so worthwhile. They have these Extravaganza weekends 2 times a year in Florida and then 2 or 3 times a year in Pennyslvania.
Some people think that if you don't piss and moan then it's not work. Some people think if you don't piss and moan then it's not serious but I learned a lesson very early on when I worked at the Wolfeboro Area Children's Center (WACC). There was a prominent Alton NH women antiques dealer who would bring her child to the WACC so she could go to auctions 3 mornings a week, or go to group shops or something similar and I'd get so mad at her because I was employed as a Secretary / Bookkeeper and she was doing what I loved, which was going to auctions. The Director at the time, Edie DesMarais told me "it's not against the law to love what you do and in fact it's best if you do." It was shortly after that in the mid 1980's that I entered into the business of dealing antiques.
So please, just because I don't piss and moan doesn't mean I'm not working. I just love what I do so it doesn't seem like work, but it is. We go to museums to learn. This is our continuing education. When people ask "how do you know?" we can tell them with confidence because we've looked at acres and acres and miles and miles of shows, shops, museums, auctions, and more. We study with our hands, and eyes and yes we have fun doing it.
One issue we all face is what the word "old" means. I've been giving it considerable thought which is also a gift Paul Dewees of Certified Appraisers Guild one told me to give myself, an hour of thought each day. Not doing anything but thinking through a situation, Anyway back to the word old.
As an antiques dealer I think old is good.
As a daughter I think old is bad it means Blindness, Throat and Breast Cancer
As a daughter in law I think old is bad because it means Alzheimers & Parkinsons
As a wife, I look at my husband after 23 years and ask how we got adult children
As a mother, I ask myself if my children are old enough to make decisions on their own?
As a women looking forward I see my own mortality. What will my legacy be?
It's something which effects every one of our lives. If we ain't getting older then we ain't breathing.
But just because I don't piss and moan about it doesn't mean I don't think about it, or deal with it, or let it wash through my life. My grandmother once told me that old age chips away at you little by little. I guess she was right. I'm so blessed to have all the wisdom and beauty of the ages surround me all the time in this business. I'm so lucky to love what I do every day of my life because I therefore love my life. Enough of my rants and raves.
Frank and I both felt at home when we arrived at Renninger's Flea Market in Mt. Dora. It was our tribe, we immediately found friends and dealers we knew but I lost my new water bottle in the first booth I stooped to buy something in and then couldn't find the booth again. Damn!
So on we trudged; it was a beautiful day for a flea market. Overcast, 70, nice breeze although we did hear some crashing glass - these dealers should know by now. Renninger's is big! They claim to have 1,000 dealers and I can't really be sure or not. It's not as big as it used to be, but I still think it's one of the larger shows on the East Coast. Definately worth the few hours it took us to get here.
We bought a rug; a dozen large colored balls almost like bocce balls and a circa 1900's photo of a fellow on a beautiful sailboat and mahogany name plate that said Capt. Melanson because we have a lot of Melansons in Wolfeboro who I can probably sell it to. We also found a hooked rug that was red plaid with a fisherman in the center with big vines on it. We'll offer these things this summer in our shop in NH. We stay open every day in the summer and work the road in the winter. It's a great life we lead and we know it.
My computer is warning me I'm down to 14 minutes so I must go for now. I took a bunch of pictures today which I'll post tomorrow with captions and dealers websites when I could get them. We had a great day today, albeit long. We started at 7:00 am and here it is at 7:00 pm. Met some interesting, quirky people, bought some stuff for resale, and now we're camping out tonite in Mt. Dora Florida. Yes ineed - it was a work day. They have $2.00 showers here - yeha!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Finally some warm sunshine in Miami!
Greetings from Miami
THE SUN HAD FINALLY COME OUT
South Beach is the heart of the Art Deco Preservation League and as such has a nice show on Ocean Drive. It's primarily food vendors and dealers with new merchandise. It's actually kind of depressing there isn't more emphasis on the old stuff, but with booths starting at $750 plus 4 grueling days it's no wonder they get lots of dealers selling nostalgia. We had a few favorites I'll mention tomorrow.
We also visited Dolphin Promotions Antiques Show at the Sheraton DoubleTree Hotel. It was quite large featuring 250 exhibitors. More on that tomorrow too. We had a splendid day but I'm tired and ready to hit the hay.
Peace! Cathy
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Keys continued . . . Jamuary 13, 2010
So we got an interesting lesson on several different houseboats yesterday exploring a dream that's come and gone for me throughout the years. The Florida Keys has a great, sub-culture environment consisting of about 5 rows of Boat houses. Of course the neatest, cleanest, most desirable view belonged to the US Coast Guard and was a Sherrifs Office, but the remainder represented all sorts of different egos, spirits, karma, and different personalities.
The one I fell in love with was folk painted by the owner who had it for 10 + years. He told us his monthly docking fee which included sewer was $525.00. He wanted the higest bid over $45,000 and had it listed on http://www.craigslist.com/
Another fellow we spoke with tried to sell us SOS. He tried his best to convince us his boat was worth $190,000. There did seem to be a huge disparaity in prices in Key West. Cute go behometh - there were about 25 or 30 boats.
One thing we noticed was that a campsite was $112 + tax per night, whereas a Queen size room in the Southern Cross Hotel directly in the middle of Duval Street was $95.00 per night and we found a houseboat for $60. per night. Business was off as it was way too cold even if it was the warmest spot in the United States, I was still wearing a long leave shirt, heavy sweater and scarf. Still no sandels or shorts for this girl.
So I spent the day in bed on a houseboat in the Florida Keys learning how to load photos from my Motorola Droid to my Picasa photo account which are bot Google based to my Microsoft accounts. I think I'm getting the hang of it and hope to do shorter blogs with fewer pictures at any one shot.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
So we woke up in Key West this morning - Tuesday, January 12th
There's only one thing to do when you wake up unexpectedly in Key West Florida and that's to have Key Lime Pie for breakfast. It was only in the low 40's yesterday in Southern Florida so I told Frank to keep driving unil we could get down to at least just one layer and that's how we ended up in Key West.
It was really strange to see everyone bundled up in layers and scarves. The wind was making it seem much cooler then it was and there was little solace knowing we were still in the warmest spot in the US yesterday. I heard Ankorage Alaska was 26 degrees and Tampa Florida was 25 on Monday. Go figure!
We took the advice of our friend Chris Kempton and spent some time kicking around Everglade City, Florida yesterday. We followed Route 41 south all the way from Englewood to Miami on the Tamiami Trail. Everglade City is a small town with high priced, very modest houses. I'm not sure why it was so high priced but we had a Realtor chase us down and follow us all through town. It was kind of creepy but I guess it's a tough business right now. We love looking at Real Estate as well as antiques and folk art.
Yesterday and today have blended together with so many cool things to look at, smell, taste, and experience. It was cold so we didn't get out of the van too much, although we did stop at the Everglade National Park and enjoyed the natural history exhibits. There were some hearty souls from Alaska or Michigan or someplace who though 40 degrees was warm enough for an airboat ride thru the Everglades. Not us!
Another very cool thing we saw yesterday was the Smallwood Country Store. A bit out of the way, but very authentic exhibits showcased by-gone days. It was a beautiful spot with some talkative old guy signing books and an environment still fairly untouch by by modern times. After Smallwood Country Store and Museum we happened upon a great diner decorated with a nice collection of automobilia. All sorts of store, advertisng and antique auto stuff. Lots of eye candy for us to look at over lunch. We've only been having one meal a day out, eating from our cooler and still recovering from staying with Mom for a week of mashed potatoes.
We spent the better part of the day wide-eyed going in and out of the shops and galleries on Duval Street. I started taking cool pictures here and there throughout Key West of every cool thing but I soon founed I was constantly taking pictures. Everywhere you look there are fun things to delight. Murals, mosaics, giagantic crabs, 20 feet high Conch sheels, humongous sharks, and mixed up under the watchful eye of the United Stats Coast Guard and US Naval Station. It was a fascinating day to say the least. We're still trying to figure out the Adult Entertainment House with a lilly white picket fence, purple trim, and a red ligh / menu board outside offering: One on One, Fantasies, Fetishes, Escort Services 24/7, Role Playing. Mmmm!
More tomorrow on the houseboat saga.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
We're in the Deep Freeze in Southern Florida - Our first day touring!
We're in the deep freeze in Florida. It's only about 40 tonite where we are. We've passed the 2,100 mile mark.
I knew it was time to leave my in-laws when my dear husband starting enjoyng the view out of Unit #19 or Unit #20 both of which looked over a man-made pond in the center of the mobile home park. He even went so far as to say he'd like to have a Chihuahua!!! OMG - what would Oscar think? Spare me! Frank is such a chameleon.
Heading down 41 south looking for a night in Everglades City, FL. We're in a Borders Bookstore right now updating my travel adventures after spending an afternoon on Sanibel and Captiva Island. It was close to freezing especially with the wind chill. We've been in Engelwood this past week and have had 2 and 3 layers on at all times. We're heading south until our feet thaw out. It's interesting sitting in Borders watching young foriegn (Russian?) women Skyping. Even more interesting to see all these people in winter clothes.
Our first day was quite fun. We've been stopping at Goodwill Stores throughout Florida. They are PLENTIFUL and offer beautiful clothes. It's amazing what 1/2 hour will yeild. If I had knownI would have left all my clothes at home and bought a whole new wardrobe down here. Oh well. We've having fun. These Goodwill outlets; Goodwill Book Stores; Salvation Army; Thrift Stores etc are BIG business down here. We are saturated with goods as a nation and they just keep pumping them out.
Our afternoon was spent on Sanibel and Captiva Island. We went to the Bubble Room Resturant which is something I had picked up on from the website RoadsideAmerica.com. It was definately worth the $6.00 toll onto the Island and the long drive out there. Unfortunately my camera battery died but you can check it out at http://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/.
When we arrived at the Island, the first thing we noticed was that there was an antiques show. It was great - 30 exbitors with a fun mix of pretty good quality things, from McCoy pottery, a beautiful stein depicting Rugby we really enjoyed it and was able to pick up a few things. We're going to be loaded to the hilt by the time we ever see New Hampshire again.
As we left the Bubble Rest. we happened to spy a sweet looking antiques shop across the street. Of course we couldn't resist - with all the time in the world and not a care to spare. I walked in and immediately recogzned the store owner. He was a frequent visiter at our antiques shop in New Hampshire when he is at his summer home in Maine.
Albert Meadow Antiques is filled with turn-of-the-century romance and charm, this antique-lover’s paradise on Captiva Island boasts one of the largest selections of very high quality antique and period jewelry. I was easily tempted by all the magnificent offerings.
I knew it was time to leave my in-laws when my dear husband starting enjoyng the view out of Unit #19 or Unit #20 both of which looked over a man-made pond in the center of the mobile home park. He even went so far as to say he'd like to have a Chihuahua!!! OMG - what would Oscar think? Spare me! Frank is such a chameleon.
Heading down 41 south looking for a night in Everglades City, FL. We're in a Borders Bookstore right now updating my travel adventures after spending an afternoon on Sanibel and Captiva Island. It was close to freezing especially with the wind chill. We've been in Engelwood this past week and have had 2 and 3 layers on at all times. We're heading south until our feet thaw out. It's interesting sitting in Borders watching young foriegn (Russian?) women Skyping. Even more interesting to see all these people in winter clothes.
Our first day was quite fun. We've been stopping at Goodwill Stores throughout Florida. They are PLENTIFUL and offer beautiful clothes. It's amazing what 1/2 hour will yeild. If I had knownI would have left all my clothes at home and bought a whole new wardrobe down here. Oh well. We've having fun. These Goodwill outlets; Goodwill Book Stores; Salvation Army; Thrift Stores etc are BIG business down here. We are saturated with goods as a nation and they just keep pumping them out.
Our afternoon was spent on Sanibel and Captiva Island. We went to the Bubble Room Resturant which is something I had picked up on from the website RoadsideAmerica.com. It was definately worth the $6.00 toll onto the Island and the long drive out there. Unfortunately my camera battery died but you can check it out at http://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/.
When we arrived at the Island, the first thing we noticed was that there was an antiques show. It was great - 30 exbitors with a fun mix of pretty good quality things, from McCoy pottery, a beautiful stein depicting Rugby we really enjoyed it and was able to pick up a few things. We're going to be loaded to the hilt by the time we ever see New Hampshire again.
As we left the Bubble Rest. we happened to spy a sweet looking antiques shop across the street. Of course we couldn't resist - with all the time in the world and not a care to spare. I walked in and immediately recogzned the store owner. He was a frequent visiter at our antiques shop in New Hampshire when he is at his summer home in Maine.
Albert Meadow Antiques is filled with turn-of-the-century romance and charm, this antique-lover’s paradise on Captiva Island boasts one of the largest selections of very high quality antique and period jewelry. I was easily tempted by all the magnificent offerings.Poprietor David Doherty offers an impressive collection of diamond, gold and platinum estate pieces, including Edwardian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Victorian. American Fine Art is also featured, as well as collections of American European Art Nouveau glass from Tiffany, Daum and Galle. Located on Captiva Drive across from the Bubble Room Restaurant, open from December 18 through April 10, daily 11am-4pm; 239-472-8442.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
On to the road trip.
We'll we've been on the road for 14 days and traveled close to 1,900 miles and we haven't begun our trip yet. We started out on a negative note with Frank being violently sick the first week and moderately sick the second week until he passed his 2 remaining kidney stones.
I started bloging the first few days and then got major league side-tracked. My days have been filled with end of year bookkeepping chores as well as setting up my new Quickbooks accounts plus I'm still becoming familiar with my new computer and Droid phone. Maybe I'll understand it all by the time I return to Wolfeboro.
So tonite I'll just hit a few of the high-spots we've encountered starting with One day on our way south we happened upon a sign that said Historic District - Danville North Carolina. What a treat! We drove up to what looked like an old section of town and parked in front of Senetor Jim Webb's office which was in a rehabed tobacco industry mill building that still had wonderful old cigar advertising.
Danville was one of the richest towns in the South after the Civil War because of the Tobacco Industry. It has 3 distinct historic districts - one being the tobacco area, another featuring magnificent and huge, Victorian homes with beautiful archietctural details.
The Train Depot was another historic area too. We stopped in the Louis Antique Mall which was gigantic! We kept getting lost within the store it had so many booths and rooms.
It was a terrific small town to spend a few hours in and we were back on the road, refreshed and ready for some more miles. Still working on how to post pictures from my Droid. I may be getting closer. More tomorrow. PEACE!
I started bloging the first few days and then got major league side-tracked. My days have been filled with end of year bookkeepping chores as well as setting up my new Quickbooks accounts plus I'm still becoming familiar with my new computer and Droid phone. Maybe I'll understand it all by the time I return to Wolfeboro.
So tonite I'll just hit a few of the high-spots we've encountered starting with One day on our way south we happened upon a sign that said Historic District - Danville North Carolina. What a treat! We drove up to what looked like an old section of town and parked in front of Senetor Jim Webb's office which was in a rehabed tobacco industry mill building that still had wonderful old cigar advertising.
Danville was one of the richest towns in the South after the Civil War because of the Tobacco Industry. It has 3 distinct historic districts - one being the tobacco area, another featuring magnificent and huge, Victorian homes with beautiful archietctural details.
The Train Depot was another historic area too. We stopped in the Louis Antique Mall which was gigantic! We kept getting lost within the store it had so many booths and rooms.
It was a terrific small town to spend a few hours in and we were back on the road, refreshed and ready for some more miles. Still working on how to post pictures from my Droid. I may be getting closer. More tomorrow. PEACE!
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