Where’s Ol’ Moe?

March 15 – 17, 2015

When we left the Phoenix area we knew we wanted to go through Parker Arizona again with one primary goal, to try and catch Ol’ Moe in the Colorado River.

Some of you may remember the story from two years ago when we spent some time along the river in late March. We had gone fishing one evening and my fishing rod bent over, line reeling out at a rapid pace setting off the drag, and eventually flying through the air landing in the river. Needless to say we didn’t get the fish or the pole back.

So why not stop on our travels home and try and find him??  We knew that we wouldn’t but we did enjoy a couple of days on the river. Izzy certainly doesn’t mind the cold water and had fun swimming and chasing her floating stick. Funny how Steve didn’t go in any further!

 

I'm Ready Daddy

Go Swimming with me Daddy?

Throw it again please?

 

We did spend one evening fishing for catfish. It was pretty slow so I was able to get a picture of the sunset. About two hours into fishing I finally had a nibble and was successful in landing the fish this time. Kept the pole too! He wasn’t quite Ol’ Moe but it was fun to get one. We hung onto him as we continued to fish for a while longer but didn’t get any more bites. Mini-Moe got to swim away!

Our Sunset

Success

 

We enjoyed the river once again but continued on our path home via Joshua Tree National Park! As always, more to come from SIT.

Family and Friends Along The Road

March 1 – March 14, 2015

Last time I shared what was happening with SIT, we were heading out of Florida and working our way across country heading home.

We spent a few days in Lake Charles Louisiana to wait out some storms. Our next holding pattern spot happened to be Palmetto State Park in Gonzales Texas. We stayed there a few days but were able to take advantage of the hiking trails throughout the park between the rainstorms and the cold temperatures.

There is an original building that was built by the CCC in 1935. It is quite the accomplishment and gets used today. The view from behind the building is of the San Marcos River which was pretty popular with locals.

Built in 1935

Concession Building Built by 74 CCC "Boys"

San Marcos River 

Our next destination for a few days was Tucson Arizona. We stopped there so we could visit family and friends. The RV Park we stayed at had hiking trails leaving from the park and going into the Saguaro National Park. We were able to take advantage!

 

We were able to see Steve’s Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill. We even talked Uncle Bill into playing golf with us. We were glad he did as we teamed up on the course and collectively didn’t do too badly. Regardless of how we played, we had a great time visiting with them.

 

Uncle Bill has Success

 

Steve Hoping He Misses the Water

Enjoying Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill's Company

 

I also finally got to play a round of golf with Jennifer. We have known each other for over thirty years and she started playing golf a couple of years ago. We were treated to great views, a beautiful and challenging course, and great company.

Jennie and Tory

 

Afterwards we spent time at her house and more friends that I worked with came over for dinner. It was fun and made it a mini-Malheur National Forest Reunion. Steve was our photographer since I haven't quite taught Izzy how to take pictures.

From Tucson we ventured to the Phoenix area. No sense stressing over driving long distances in one shot! We actually had ulterior motives for going here too, more family and friends to see.

We enjoyed catching up with more folks that I worked with on the forest and visiting with my cousins. We also got to see Jon and Janette again who just happened to come see us when we were hanging out close to the Grand Canyon in 2013!

 

Peggy, Nicole and Matt

 Overall, the time in the desert was much fun and it is always wonderful to see great friends and family. Next stop is Parker Arizona. I just have to try and catch Ol' Mole – you remember the one that got away with my rod and reel!

 

 

 

My How Time Flies

March 6, 2013 – March 6, 2015

Steve, Izzy and Tory left Meridian Idaho on March 6, 2013 with 25,978 miles on Big Red. We had our bikes, motorcycle, fishing gear, and the other essentials to begin our adventure. Thus, The Life and Times of SIT started. Our first stop was actually just about 3 miles from our house as we hit a tremendous hail and wind storm. So, we pulled off the road and had lunch!

 

 

Our first stop on the adventure was to visit family and friends in southern California. We spent a couple of weeks seeing everybody and enjoying some warmer weather. From there we headed to Joshua Tree National Park. This was probably the most southern point on the western side of the country we hit.

 

The northwestern point of our adventure landed us in Port Hardy British Columbia on Vancouver Island. Here we spent a month enjoying the fishing, exploring, and golfing. Izzy had fun too since she could run pretty free from our spot at the golf course.

 

 

 

 

 

The southeastern most point of our adventure was the Florida Keys. We did make it to Key West so from Port Hardy to Key West I think we covered some territory. Most of our time was spent in Marathon Florida which provided us with great winter weather and plenty of fishing. We also made some great new friends there too.

 

The northeastern point for our adventure was in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. This part of Canada is quite beautiful and offers a lot of scenery, as well as crabs!

 

 

 

 

From point-to-point, we have traveled a total of 45, 329 miles. I am glad we had two years to accomplish this and we aren’t quite done as we are working our way home now.

Besides the miles, we have called “home” on the road in 119 cities, 33 States, two countries, four provinces, and one lake. It surely does not seem possible but as I look back through the blog I guess SIT has been quite mobile!

 

There are many things we could highlight and talk about on our adventure, but I think most of all we have been blessed with safe travels, meeting great people, making new friends, seeing family and friends along the way. Thanks to all of you for keeping track of us and for helping us realize this dream!

Hugs, love and licks -- SIT

Swamp People

February 25 – 28, 2015

Florida offers a variety of ecosystems which SIT was fortunate enough to explore. Our last stop before we work our way west was in the panhandle. That brings us to more swamp country as well!

We spent a few days in Milton Florida so we could see John and Mary Ann again and Izzy could hang with her buddies Lily and Smokey.

The weather wasn’t the best but it didn’t discourage us from spending a bit of time taking a swamp tour from John and Mary Ann’s place. The day before we did the tour, John and Steve went fishing on the river. They caught enough fish during their outing to keep them entertained.

Meanwhile Mary Ann and I went into Pensacola to see what the downtown area was doing. They have been working on establishing the historic district and providing people an opportunity to tour some of the old places.

Colorful Pelican

Keeping Time in Pensacola

 



In 1698 the Spanish established a presidio in the area, from which Pensacola gradually developed. Prior to that an expedition in August 1559 led by Tristan de Luna y Arellano arrived in Pensacola Bay to establish Santa Maria de Ochuse, a settlement that predated the founding of Jamestown by half-century and St. Augustine by half-dozen years. The settlement failed in 1561 although it was the longest-lasting colonial settlement up to that date in the current United States. Pretty cool!

As we walked around we found this church that was first established in 1763. There are quite a few restaurants in the area and one even has its own fire truck!

Christ Church 1763 Beginnings

Protecting Rosie O'Grady's

We left the downtown area and headed to a fish market to buy some shrimp for dinner. Mary Ann found a new friend while we were there. Too bad he wouldn’t fit in the car as he would probably like living at the swamp!

 

Mary Ann's Friend

Now back to our swamp tour. The pontoon boat has plenty of room for all of us to go. I think Izzy had more fun than us watching the water and the scenery. Smokey and Lily have been on the tour a few times so they knew where the spot was to land and walk around a bit.

 

Shoving Off

Set Sail For a Three Hour Tour!

Smokey Front and Center

 

Enjoying the Ride

 

Nest Tower

 Can We Go Over There? 

We Know Where We Are  

What Was That?

The pictures don’t do justice to what you get to see and especially since it was a cloudy day. The only thing we didn’t have was banjo music, maybe next time.

 



 

We enjoyed seeing John and Mary Ann again and the next time we will get to see them will be in Idaho! SIT is heading west from here so watch for updates as we trek back home.