January in Jacksonville, Florida

January 1st, 2019

We decided to go out for a road trip.  We chose Amelia Island and were hoping to go to Kingsley Plantation, but it was closed due to the government shutdown.  We still enjoyed our day out though.

We started by taking the car ferry over to the island.  You can get there by road but Ryan, Christina and Trystan hadn't been on the ferry, so we thought it would be a fun ride.  It's a very short ride but we got out and took some pictures.

It's not a bad drive.

We drove to Kingsley Plantation in case it was open, but unfortunately our fears were correct and it was closed. The road is kind of spooky though.

This is an old church that we passed.

Some tabby ruins.  Tabby is the process used to build, and originated in Spain.  It is based from shells.

We stopped at the Sandollar Restaurant, which was near to the ferry, for lunch.  It was delicious and the weather was nice enough to sit out on the deck.

The ferry dock on the other side of the river.

We got the ferry back across the river and returned home.  It was a nice day out and a good way to start the new year.

January 7th, 2019

We see quite a lot of birds and squirrels here at the campground.  I managed to get a picture of this red cardinal in the trees behind us.  What a beauty.

One day we babysat Peace, so her family could stay overnight at Disneyworld in Orlando.  She is such a good girl.

January 11th, 2019
We decided to get annual passes for Jacksonville Zoo.  We both love this zoo, and we will be back next winter to camp host at the base RV park, so thought it would be a good investment.  It is also a good way for Bryan to get some exercise for his new knee.  Today though, we rented an electric scooter to help him get around.  We didn't want him to overdo it.  I think Trystan liked the idea, as he hitched a ride and helped Papa drive for quite a way.

Love this picture of the lion with the elephant in the background

We caused an incident at the monkey enclosure.  In the picture below you can see us looking through the glass at the monkeys.  Trystan had been holding the furry toy animal, as he watched the monkeys.  All of a sudden one of them came charging, and hit the glass.  We think it thought the toy was a real monkey.  It made us all jump back, but was quite funny after the initial shock.

or maybe it was the horns on his hoodie?????

 Another day, while we were visiting, Trystan gave Peace a ride in his jeep.

January 20th, 2019
We got pictures of the total solar eclipse of the moon tonight.

January 21st, 2019
I (Sue) had cataract surgery today on my right eye.  I looked like a pirate, with the patch over my eye.
Unfortunately, it didn't work, and my eye has worse sight than before.  At the follow up appointment the next day, she told me it was normal, and should correct itself within a few days.  I was scheduled to have the left eye done on the 28th but I told them I will not get it done until the right eye is ok.  I don't want both my eyes being blurry.

January 25th, 2019
We decided to go and get Bryan's free lifetime State Park Pass that he is entitled to as a resident and disabled veteran.  It entitles us to free entry to the parks.  I am entitled to 50% off camping in the parks because I'm "old".  Ha!!Ha!!  Quite a good deal though.  We had a look around the park while we were there.  On the way back, we stopped in Sanddollar again for lunch on the patio.

and got the ferry back.

Bryan has started to do his models again.  It keeps him out of trouble.

That's it for January.  My eye is a continuing saga, I am not a happy camper, it is quite stressful trying to decide what to do, and I am going back and forth.  The eye doctor is suggesting a lens exchange, but she's only done two of these before, and I don't have any confidence in her anymore.  I have tried to get a second opinion but they won't see me until after a 90 day post op period.  The problems have apparently occurred because of the PRK surgery I had years ago, and whenever they do cataract surgery there is always an increased risk when they don't know what your eyes were like before the PRK(Laser) surgery.  Normally, there isn't a problem, but I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones. In the meantime I am limiting my computer work as it strains my eyes too much. I wish she had fully explained the risks before the surgery but, oh well!!!!  Note to anyone who has, or has had Laser or PRK surgery, get a copy of your records showing before and after history, in case in years to come you need cataract surgery.  There is less risk if they know the history.  My records have long gone from back then, as the place has closed.  

 Our six month stay here is going very quickly.  We only have two months left.