Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge



Hi All,

On Friday we drove to Crystal River and met up with friends Sharon and Richard from Ft Myers, to visit Ranger Monica who previously worked at Ding Darling. 

The manatee were there but not photogenic in the crystal clear spring water.

Monica gave us a tour of the Three Sisters Springs area

and pointed out the barred owl close to the boardwalk.

This sign apparently works much better than "Keep Out" except for ten year old boys!

Turtle pile-up

This firethorn is beautiful but non- native.

Back in the coach, Sanibelle defies the belief that cats don't like water.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Honeymoon Island State Park



Hi All,

Most of the barrier island that protects Dunedin from the open Gulf is Honeymoon Island State Park.

Today we hiked along the beach enjoying the shells

and the Shell trees that folks create.

This willet and sanderling were feeding in the surf line.

Here' what a barrier island looks like when it is protected 

Here's what unprotected growth on Clearwater Beach looks like.

In downtown Dunedin we caught this sunset reflected in a shop window.

Back in the coach, Sanibelle was keeping an eye on a neighbor's cat.

The first step of Carl's treatment is on the 30th. We are waiting patiently-sort of!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Red Team Saves the Launch

Hi All,

We all understand that fire fighters, police and members of the military at times risk their lives in doing their jobs. We now have new heros to add to the list.

Imagine this if you can. With the Artemis 1 rocket almost fully fueled, a leak is detected. NASA sends a three man "Red Team" to try to stop the leak. They go under the rocket, six million pounds of creaking groaning metal straining to contain the super chilled propellant, with vent valves randomly  popping off. It's a struggle to focus but they find and fix the leak so we can witness this.

You can read more about these heros here.

https://www.space.com/artemis-1-rocket-red-crew-daring-launch-pad-repair

Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Artemis Launch Success

Hi All,

It is 2:05 AM and I just watched an awesome and historic rocket launch.

The NASA Space Launch System's first flight lifted off after months of technical (helium leaks) and meteorological (2 hurricanes) delays.

The pointy end was up

and the flamy end was down.

This is what 8,000,000 pounds of thrust looks like in the night sky. More powerful than the Saturn 5 of the Apollo program.

As the rocket speeds away, the two spent solid rocket boosters detach.

Soon after, NASA reported a successful orbit insertion.

 Congratulations to everyone on the NASA and Contractor teams.

Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

We Have Plan

Hi All,

We  had a very successful session with the PA and doctor today. We agreed with their recommendation for a Y-90 procedure which involves injecting micro-spheres of radioactive  Yttrium 90 directly into the tumor. It is very effective at killing tumors yet far less invasive than surgery and an easier recuperation than even the microwave ablation Carl had in 2021. It is a two step procedure with some preliminary "mapping" of the blood vessels followed a week later by injection of the radioactive micro-spheres. It should all be over within a month.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We'll keep you posted.  We are relieved and optimistic.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Moccasin Lake Park

Hi All,

We found this beautiful city park in south Clearwater.

In addition to lovely hiking trails they have a raptor rehabilitation center with about 30 birds including a barn owl,

a bald eagle,

several peregrine falcons

and this striking swallowtail kite.

A turtle pond featured lots of Florida cooters.

This is the biggest bat house we have ever seen.

We are not the only ones enjoying birds. Sanibelle was transfixed watching a PBS Nature program.

Carl's next appointment is tomorrow when we hope to learn about the recommended treatment plan. Meanwhile we have kept busy looking at condos.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502