Lily

Back to Orlando

The slides are pulled in, the electrical cord unplugged and the water hose put away. We are ready to hit the road again. It is a sunny breezy day in south Florida - it's already 80F at 10am. But first we have to take Derek's cat Lily, to Alice and Ed's. They will take care of her for us when we go to Ontario on Thursday for Derek's check up by the orthopedic surgeon. Their daughter Karen arrived last evening so we got a chance to see her too. They all love cats and we know Lily will be in good hands at their home.
As we traveled north, the clouds got thicker and the rain started just outside Orlando with the temperatures falling to below 70 by 4pm. South Florida weather is definately warmer than in the central part of the state. We will stay at the Lake Whipporwill KOA until we put the RV in their storage area on Thursday morning, Feb 4 and fly home for 12 days.

Ocean Ridge Beach

Ahhhhhhh! A day at the beach - one of the best reasons for being in Florida in January!

We have to be careful of the Portugese Men O' War when we go for our long beach walks. They have been stranded by the low tide.

A day at Gumbo Limbo

This is a gumbo limbo tree

A Visit to the Gumbo Limbo Refuge Center

On Wednesday, we drove across the intercoastal waterway to the barrier islands east of Palm Beach. Gumbo Limbo is a sea life refuge center. They have been very busy the past 2 weeks since the extreme cold snap that Florida experienced. Not only are plants and animals on the mainland affected by extremely low temperatures, sea creatures also are hurt by ocean temps that go below 60F. Large sea turtles float to the top at these temperatures and they need to be rescued or they will die. This center at Gumbo Limbo normally takes care of 2-3 turtles each week but over that past week, they have had to rescue 51 of these creatures. With the cold water, their immune systems are weakened and bacteria and viruses cause unusual growths especially around their eyes. Several operations were done at the center in the past few days on these tumors to save their eyesight.
Sea turtles hatch on the nearby beaches and swim to the sea. They spend the next 15 -20 years across the Atlantic feeding and growing near the shores of Africa, and the Azores. Then the urge hits them and they must return to their natal beach to lay and fertilize eggs for the next generation. The sex of the new baby turtles is determined by the temperature of the sand.
They have 4 large tanks at the center and 2pm is feeding time. Mmmmm! The volunteer feeds shrimp and chum to the turtles, moray eel, two large 20 pound lobsters named "Butter" and "Garlic" as well as bonnet and nurse sharks and dozens of colourful fish. There is also a boardwalk through the mangrove swamp between the intercoastal and the ocean. They have a 40' tower that gives a good view of both sides of the barrier island.

This four foot moray eel was the most ugly thing we saw - but he spent most of his time hiding in a hole in the reef area of the tank

Alice and Ed in their home in Boynton Beach, Florida. They arrived here in November and will stay until May. We will go to church with them on Sunday and explore the area together next week.

On the boardwalk at Ocean Ridge Beach

Alice and Ed Hekman

An afternoon around the pool - reading and swimming - suits everyone. Derek does well with the brace off and walking in the pool gaining strengh in his weak knee.

From Orlando to Lake Worth

On Friday, January 22, we left Orlando on a warm humid day and chased showers for 150 miles as we drove south to Lake Worth near Palm Beach. Jack's sister Alice and her husband Ed have a winter home here and we will visit with them for the next week or so. We are booked into John Prince County Park and find it a lovely place to stay. We got a site right on the lake and this park has miles of bike trails, jogging and fitness trails and lots of birds around the water. Also we have seveal French Canadian neighbors with which to practice our skills in "lingua Quebecque"

Our campsite - right on Lake Osborne

The work at Wycliffe Bible Translators

As we prepare to move on, let me explain something about Wycliffe. We have been here for 3 weeks in an RV park for the people who volunteer their time and energies to support the work of the Bible translators. Wycliffe sends hundreds of people to many foreign countries who do not have Scriptures in their native languages - the speech of their heart. There are still over 2000 dialects to be translated! The goal is to begin work in all of these by 2025. That is huge undertaking.

But not everyone is gifted to go to other countries do this work. Many would like to help and that's how Wycliffe Associates fits into the picture. Volunteers come to the campus in Orlando - most are retired people - and do things here so missionaries are freed to do what they do best. Many of these "Assoicates" also volunteer in other countries for short term building projects for the work of the Bible translators.

They have graciously allowed us to stay here though we are not volunteers. There have been empty sites but these have been filling up as more volunteers arrive. Derek has been able to walk easily around here and is now not even using his cane. We have enjoyed learning more about Wycliffe but now we move on. We plan to head further south - to the Lake Worth area - and visit with Jack's sister Alice and her husband Ed Hekman for a week or so.

Mary at her desk organizing the upcoming auction as well as preparing the music for the morning chapels before the work day begins and the Sunday evening worship service for all the volunteers.

Dia TerHaar is working in the Stamp Room - thousands of stamps are collected and sorted and Wycliffe gets paid for them. Last year they raised $5000 to support the work of Bible translation

Gerry is laying carpet in the almost completed extention to the Wycliffe Associates Building

Wednesday, January 20 - Harry P. Leu Gardens

Today was a gorgeous sunny and warm day. When Jack asked what we would do today, my response was - "Let's so and see some beautiful things" Today, I celebrate an anniversery - 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. These have been years of challenges, disappointments and , yes, some wonderful times as I learn to control a disease that is not always easy to figure out.
So we packed a lunch and went to the Harry Leu Gardens in downtown Orlando. This man gave his property to the city when he died - 50 acres of camellias, roses, palm and bamboo, and other semi-tropical plants. Though we saw extensive damage from the recent frost, we also saw wonderful flowers, especially the camellias - and the scent from them hung over the gardens. As well, the home of Mr Leu and his wife Mary Jane was open for guided tours. After walking around the property, Jack and I spent some time in rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the lake and had an nice rest in the warm Florida sun.

In the Rose Garden

Leu Gardens has the largest collection of camellias in North America - hundreds of bushes from four feet high to trees 15 feet high. There is also an extensive rose garden wtih many old rose varieties with the beautiful scent.

A peaceful place for Jack to rest while Mary takes more pictures of the beautiful camellias

Leu Gardens is on the shores of Lake Rowena

Every lake has an alligater

After many days of cold temperatures, this fellow has come out of the water to warm up in the sun.

Derek goes to Disney

Brain and Sheila (Derek's cousin) and their children Tyler and Ashley are in Orlando for a week during semester break at King's Collegiate. They took Derek to the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. Because of Derek's mobility problems, he rented an electric cart. The line ups were not long and the the weather was perfect for walking around and going on rides - they all had a GREAT day!

Cinderella's Castle

Walt Disney's legacy and his creation - the Mighty - Mickey Mouse!