It is incredible the variety of flowers we have come across while traveling through this beautiful country of ours.  I adore flowers, and often stopping to take pictures of them has made our hikes longer than necessary.  But isn’t that what it’s all about?  Enjoying and immersing yourself in the environment that one is exploring.

As they say, “Take time to smell the roses.”.  I hope you enjoy the wide varieties I am sharing with you today.

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We’ve been in Florida for 40 years and never even seen a kumquat.  We thought we would venture out and see what this festival is about.  It’s free, so why not?

Kumquats are part of the citrus family and are about one inch in diameter and originally came from China.  They are the only citrus fruit that can be eaten, skin and all.  They are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.  Kumquats can be made into marmalades, salsas, vinaigrettes and of course – Kumquat pie.

In the 1900s, the Gude family began growing the kumquats as the sandy soils in Pasco County produced fruits larger and juicier than the average kumquat.  His efforts and future generations earned the county the title: Kumquat Capital of the World.  Today, this area has the largest concentration of kumquat growers.  So why not celebrate with a festival?

The festival had over 300 vendors and a car show to boot.  It was amazing to see the number of people who came to stroll through the street and those who waited in line for some kumquat pie.  If you have never been, it’s worth the trip.  We will be back next year!

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Let’s be clear.  Mitch and I have no interest in winter camping in our RV.  Attending school in Buffalo, NY, we quickly decided to move south after graduation.  However, we still enjoy the coziness of a glowing fireplace, the beauty in a new fallen snowfall, and the activities one can only enjoy when it snows.  Each year, for one week only, we seek a location to enjoy winter’s wonders.

With its majestic mountains, beautiful lake, and of course, its casinos – Lake Tahoe was the destination!  We met my daughter and husband there, so for one week, we escaped to enjoy the snow.  While it did not snow during our visit, there was no shortage of it.  The week prior had dumped more snow than had been seen in quite a while.  This was favorable for us as the roads had been plowed, and it was an easy ride from the airport.  If our arrival had been a week earlier, we may not have either gotten to our destination or would have gotten stuck at the airport, delaying our departure.

We decided to take a ride to the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics – Palisades Tahoe.  Too bad we didn’t go skiing since that day was one where the slopes weren’t crowded.  The sun was shining, and the temperature was in the low 40s, perfect for skiing without heavy jackets.  We watched a slalom tournament and afterward enjoyed an outdoor wine tasting.  While sipping our wine, we were entertained as skiers were leisurely traversing the mountain slope.  They make it look so easy. We also pondered next year’s destination.  Any suggestions.?????

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No, we aren’t in the market for a new RV. Mitch’s sister is new to RV life, and we wanted to show her the many available options. The two-building expo has a multitude of vendors, ranging from RV supplies, campgrounds touting their amenities to habitat for humanity. (which is something we plan to do at some point.)  The expo also offers seminars on various topics to help you navigate RV Life.  There are so many individuals who have been RVing for so long and who love talking about their adventures and helping those just starting out.

It’s amazing how many different types of RVs are available. From Class A motorhomes to the tiny A-frame options. It would take a few days to see them all. We checked out some of the new 5th wheels to see if there were any new modifications Mitch could incorporate, but we walked away, agreeing that we still love the one we have.

If you have never been, it’s worthwhile to visit at least once. We went on a Thursday, which is ideal, rather than dealing with many visitors roaming on the weekend. Be prepared to spend the day knowing that unless you take pictures, you won’t remember all the vehicles viewed. 

We didn’t walk out empty-handed.  We purchased a new handrail. His sister purchased a foldable outdoor chair and a subscription to RV life.  I think she will love traveling the US as much as we do.

Email: movebeyondordinary@gmail.com    Instagram: movebeyondordinary and Youtube