Fl - Roll Call

[rice paddy daddy]

I'm a 50+ year resident of the Sunshine State. Presidently residing in rural Nassau County, just south of the Georgia line.
Any other Floridians here?

[MooseToo]

moved to fl as a kid in '49 - moved out of fl for good in '99 - last place we lived was jax (in arlington) and had ten acres on black hammock island (across the ditch from amelia) -
my only regret moving out of fl is not doing it 25 years earlier (in ky now)

[T774]

I'm a 7th generation Florida Cracker. My family has been here since the 1800s.
RPD, my wife's Aunt and Uncle used to live in Fernadina Beach. Went there several times to visit them.

[rice paddy daddy]

Welcome, T774. I live on the west side of the county. Fernandina is the "big city". ;D ;D
Where are ya at? You don't need to be specific if'n ya don't want to.

[FloridaWyld]

Florida native here- as well as my husband (who is like T774- 7th generation documented, 8th suspected, but haven't found the proof yet). We're on the east coast, about middle of the state. Nice to see others from the 'sunshine' state.

[T774]

I'm in Polk County about half way between Orlando and Tampa. Where I'm at used to be rural but not so much now.

[FloridaWyld]

Yea... we used to be orange groves and cattle farms. Now we grow zer0-lot-line houses instead.

Although with the economic 'downturn' ::) we're seeing LOTS of empty houses

[T774]

Same here FW.. I grew up in cow pastures and orange groves. Alot of development from the 80's till the down turn. There are a lot of houses empty and a lot of subdivisions with just roads and vacant lots.
My wife's cousin lives over in your neck of the woods. Almost all of my family lives here in Polk County.

[FloridaWyld]

Yea- same thing here:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/3130374135_86e86b39b5_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/3131205870_9bef4af73f_m.jpg


They even left the building supplies where they sat and just walked off!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3130376099_c954b0e76a_m.jpg

But then we get this and I swear I'll never leave!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2182324737_1fef19c125_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2811314158_43051ee800_m.jpg

[snake]

Gulf County here. 10years and counting. Yes....the grass IS greener on the other side. No more NJ. Got plenty of dirt, plus access to the Gulf. No complaints here

[T774]

Snake, I hope you didn't leave your long johns in N.J. Sound like you might be needing 'em this week.

[snake]

Snake, I hope you didn't leave your long johns in N.J. Sound like you might be needing 'em this week.
Got that right "T".....looks like winter until a least friday morning. But......none of that white slippery stuff. You don't know how great Florida is until you've lived in New jersey! 8)

[T774]

Got that right "T".....looks like winter until a least friday morning. *But......none of that white slippery stuff. *You don't know how great Florida is until you've lived in New jersey! *8)

I've only seen snow twice in my life. When it snowed here in Jan of '77, there was about an inch on the ground, and in '99 when we went to Wyoming on vacation.

[rice paddy daddy]

Snake, I noticed your sig line. Welcome home, brother. My Army outfit in Nam, 1st brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) was OPCONed to the 3rd Mar Div. I guess ya'll needed some help. ;D
Quang Tri, Dong Ha, The Rockpile, Leatherneck Square, Qua Viet, Con Tien, Khe Sahn, Ben Hai River. Sound familiar?
I was there 69-70.

[T774]

RPD, whats the weather gonna be like there this week? Weather man is talking in the twenties tomorrow and thirtys on Thursday here.

[rice paddy daddy]

i live in the piney woods north west of Jacksonville, and we're always 6-10 degrees hotter in the summer, and 6-10 degrees colder in the winter.
Low tonight in Jax is supposed to be 19. This morning at 6:30 it was 31 at the homestead, and when I called the wife at lunch, it was only 33.
I'm looking for an overnite low somewhere around 12 or so. I'm going to Florida next winter! ;D

[snake]

Snake, I noticed your sig line. Welcome home, brother. My Army outfit in Nam, 1st brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) was OPCONed to the 3rd Mar Div. I guess ya'll needed some help. ;D
Quang Tri, Dong Ha, The Rockpile, Leatherneck Square, Qua Viet, Con Tien, Khe Sahn, Ben Hai River. Sound familiar?
I was there 69-70.
Yes Sir..they certainly do. Never did get into the "Square", but was at the rest of those swell places plus some. Ur welcome is appreicated...and returned Sir. I'm sure we will "speak" again. And as my buddy from the 5th Group, SF says...Go Airborne! ;D

[snake]

Just a quick one. It's a "balmy" 22 here in NW Florida @0529 (e). ..And people say we don't get the seasons? 8)

[FloridaWyld]

Breezy and 29° here - and I'm 'way down South'..lol

[rice paddy daddy]

36 miles north of Jax it was 16 at 6:30 this morning.

[T774]

It was 27 here this morning. Don't think I'll be going chunky dunkin' just yet.

[snake]

It "only" dropped to 26 this morning. Is winter over? :)

[T774]

It was 29 here this morning. But the weatherman is saying it's going to be close to 80 for the high Wednesday. It's like living in a weather yo-yo.

[FloridaWyld]

At least it'll be good weather for DH to finish working on the boat- there are some flounder out there begging to visit my frying pan!

[T774]

At least it'll be good weather for DH to finish working on the boat- there are some flounder out there begging to visit my frying pan!

Tell me when I need to be there.. I'll even bring the grits and hush puppies. ;D

[T774]

Anybody else go from the heater to the A/C in the same day??

[rAcErRicK]

Count me in too ! 7th generation cracker here too, relatives are mostly central, myself in SW. Grew up in small cow town, and last few years of my job brought me 50 miles further south due to company downsizing, and I'm still here. U.S Army vet. of the cold war era of the late 50's.

Any chance we could sneak a few mullett in that fry, for desert ? No yellow bellies, of course, just bright silvers. LOL

And yea, heater and air in the same day is hard to take, but it does happen.

Bag limit on developers ? Good one ! But it's a few years too late I fear, it brings a tear to my eye when I see all my old hunting grounds covered with concrete and asphalt, super wal-marts and such. Most beautiful place on the planet, and it's all gone, they have finally made it just like the "home" they came from. Why didn't they just stay there ?

[FloridaWyld]

LOL- did the heat/a-c thing here too. Now I have sick kids- hate that!

Mullet works- we need to have some smoked fish dip too- a requirement, I think!

Rice- I've had that bag limit comment over there for about three years now, I think- since I joined the forum. Sadly, there is no open season, so most of the great places around here are long since paved over and planted with Yankees ;D

[rice paddy daddy]

RacerRick!!! How ya been? Missed ya, buddy.

[rAcErRicK]

RacerRick!!! How ya been? Missed ya, buddy.

Howdy RPD. Survivin', been at a buddys for about a month and 1/2, he got really busted up bad and my being there allowed his wife and son to attend their work. They will need the $s. He's doin' better now and able to negotiate on his own so I'm back home again. It's good to be back, and thanks for the welcome home. Pretty good collection of Crackers ya got goin' on here too ! Man, that fish fry talk has got me goin' ! How bout some manatee too ? Did'ja ever see the bumper sticker that says "manatee, it's whats for dinner tonite" ? "Tastes jus' like chicken !" LOL. Maybe a mudbug or two ? And we gotta' have a big pot'o cabbage goin' on too ! And what about a little Chukaluskee chicken and Seminole frybread ? Cracker survival food ! Let's do it ! ;)

[FloridaWyld]

We're going camping on a spoil island for my birthday, doing an old fashioned fish fry. I can't wait! And as an odd coincidence, we were just talking about manatee steaks and turtle soup yesterday.

The only cabbage I eat is swamp cabbage, but can probably knock away my weight in it ;D

Rick- you like Cracker music? Ever listen to Jerry Mincey? He's a personal favorite of mine! http://www.jerrymincey.com/ Great guy too!

[T774]

I feel the same way about the developers. They are building strip plazas around here like theres no tomorow. Half the store fronts are empty, but they keep building 'em. Don't know what the county is thinking when they approve them.

Almost all the groves are gone in northern Polk County. Have to go south of Hwy. 60 to find any real groves. There are a few ranches left but it's only a matter of time.

You know, we're gonna have to get some smoked mullett to go with that fish fry. And maybe a mess of specks.

[T774]

RPD.. I was in your neck of the woods last week. Well, kinda, I was south of Jax, in Clay County. It got kinda chilly for a couple of days there. Two mornings it was in the 20's.

[FloridaWyld]

Anyone see this?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100824167

"Only a couple of years ago, Port St. Lucie, on Florida's Atlantic coast, was the fastest-growing city in America. A combination of cheap land and beautiful weather created a building boom. Now, the party is over.

With the collapse of the housing market and rising unemployment, the county government is considering declaring itself a disaster area."

[rAcErRicK]

Anyone see this?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100824167

"Only a couple of years ago, Port St. Lucie, on Florida's Atlantic coast, was the fastest-growing city in America. A combination of cheap land and beautiful weather created a building boom. Now, the party is over.

With the collapse of the housing market and rising unemployment, the county government is considering declaring itself a disaster area."


:D Disaster area ? For my money FlWyld, at least the whole southern half is a disaster area !! We are under an invasion !!

And yea ! Let's do this thing (fish fry). And of course the cabbage thing is of the swamp variety, is there any other kind? ;D

[snake]

No Global warming here. 29.5 F this morning.....but...it's gonna get warmer! 8)

[rice paddy daddy]

No Global warming here. *29.5 F this morning.....but...it's gonna get warmer! *8)
26 at 6:30 when I left for work. I'm going to Florida next winter! ;D

[snake]

26 at 6:30 when I left for work. I'm going to Florida next winter! ;D

Me too!....SOUTH Florida! ;D 8)

[Dave]

Good to see Florida BWH members!

I have been a reader of BWH for over a year now and I have to say I am quite addicted.

In any case, I am from Northeast Florida (Jacksonville) native to the area and will be moving to some acreage in Suwanee county hopefully in the next 12 months.

I am hoping to establish a respectable homestead over the years.

Dave

[T774]

Welcome to the forums Dave. Pull up a chair and sit awhile. I don't post a lot on here, mostly just read. You can learn alot here. Also, glad to see another poster for the Florida board. Again, welcome

[Dave]

Welcome to the forums Dave. Pull up a chair and sit awhile. I don't post a lot on here, mostly just read. You can learn alot here. Also, glad to see another poster for the Florida board. Again, welcome

Thank you for the welcome!

I can typically be more of a reader as well, unless I have something to add to the conversation or experiences to be shared. I am pleased to find people in my geographic area that are of the same mindset.

Homesteading is definitely not for the faint of heart, so moral support from similarly goaled individuals is a huge benefit!

Dave

[rice paddy daddy]

Good to see Florida BWH members!

I have been a reader of BWH for over a year now and I have to say I am quite addicted.

In any case, I am from Northeast Florida (Jacksonville) native to the area and will be moving to some acreage in Suwanee county hopefully in the next 12 months.

I am hoping to establish a respectable homestead over the years.

Dave
Welcome from Hilliard, Dave.

[T774]

That was a beautiful shuttle launch tonight, I just wish I had remembered to bring my camera to work with me. It was a really good night to see it from Polk County. I never get tired of watching 'em. :)

[rice paddy daddy]

That was a beautiful shuttle launch tonight, I just wish I had remembered to bring my camera to work with me. It was a really good night to see it from Polk County. I never get tired of watching 'em. *:)
I'm just three miles south of the Georgia border and the sky was clear enough I watched it from the front yard. :)

[Dave]

Unfortunately, I absolutely forgot to watch the shuttle launch!

Normally my family and I will go out front and watch with a laptop viewing the live stream from NASA so we know when to look. You can see it from pretty much anywhere in Florida on a clear night.

Perhaps the next one.

Dave

[snake]

Brrrrrrr! It's 50 degrees here. I'm SO spoiled! ;D

[rAcErRicK]

I'll be in your neighborhood next weekend RPD. Jax super X. I'll be with friends in their rig, or I'd *come look you up. Man, you want to see a show, that's it.

Supposed to be in the 50's here too tonight Snake, I'll have to turn the air off, and put the heater on I guess. *;D

And a hello to those I haven't spoken with yet.

[rice paddy daddy]

42 degrees at sunrise this morning. Come August I'll be praying for 42 degrees! I'm far enough from the ocean that it regularly gets over 100 in the shade in July-August. :o

[Dave]

Anyone else enjoy last night's thunderstorms in North/Northeast Florida?

I have a small travel trailer on my land in Suwanee County so I am a little concerned about the weather in that area. Here in the Jacksonville area didn't seem to be too bad.

I will have to make a run out there to make sure the trailer is secure and do a little more to reinforce it against high wind storms.

Dave

[T774]

Been getting some rain in Central Fl., but nothing near like what we need. Wildfires are still a danger. Saturday three homes burned down due to a wildfire. The KBDI is an average of 600-649 with some areas of the county in the 700 range. For those that are getting rain, more power to ya...Just send some this way. :) I know those in the Panhandle that went fom one extreme to the other would gladly send some this way.

[MooseToo]

strange, isnt it - seems like they're getting some decent rain south of the lake -

[Laughter]

Hi guys. This is my first time here and first post. We currently have a home in JAX on the market and currently live in an apartment in Brevard county. My husband's employment is in Indialantic, fl is why we are here. We have been trying to prepare for what is in our future. We want to find some acres for gardening, chickens :), etc. We would like to go off the grid. Hubby is willing to drive an hour one way if we were able to find farm land here. We would considered an area in JAX as well since we have a daughter who lives there.

We are not familiar with farm land period and not really sure how to shop for it. :( Do you guys know of any good farm land in FL that is forsale?

I am very glad to have found you guys. I wish I knew where all the other likeminded people in FL are.

Laughter

[snake]

3.16 inches of rain here, in two days, in the NW Panhandle. Most of the northern border counties got even more. Quite a bit of flooding north of me.

[Dave]

Laughter,

Welcome! I am new here myself but not new to the search for land. I can tell you, my wife and I spent almost three years looking for land. We looked all over Northeast and North Central Florida. Our primary concern was finding an area that wasn't going to grow much over the next 20 years and of course a community of like minded people.

This is the time to be shopping for land. We picked ours up for just $3k per acre and probably could have done better but we liked this particular area we found. In any case, you need to keep in mind what counties have "impact fees" which basically means you will have to pay several thousand to just start construction regardless of how big or small your structure is. The county we are in, Suwanee, has no impact fees. Additionally, it is a pretty strong long time farming community leading to a lot of local growers and local trade.

If I were you, and you don't mind the drive, look towards Live Oak, Lake City, and Branford. I personally like the Live Oak and Branford area best. Once you drive out that way you will know what I mean.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Dave

[Laughter]

Thanks for the welcome, Dave. Also, i appreciate the info. Goes to show how much I know about farming since I never heard of "impact fee". We would only be interested in having a garden, few chickens and a cow maybe, so would that be considered a real farm or a hobby farm? Of course once we get started we might would want something much larger.

Would it be foolish of us to purchase land for a farm since we live currently five hours away. My husband cant leave his employment right now to move. However, we want to prepare a bugout (for a lack of a better word) place to live wshtf. Do you think we are on the right track or have mentally lost it?

Thanks for you help in advance.

Laughter

[Dave]

Laughter,

Let me answer your questions as best as I can. To be honest, it seems you are on a similar track as my family. Over the years I have become enlightened to the dangers and dependencies of city and suburban living. I am sure you are feeling the same sense of urgency and fear for lack of better words. That being said let me answer some of your questions.

First off, impact fees have nothing to do with it being a farm but everything to do with building/developing. You could have a 1/4 acre or 14 acres, the impact fee would be the same regardless of the use, which is why I recommend counties that do not have them.

Secondly, there is nothing wrong with a "remote retreat" as long as you know the community, have good neighbors, and do routinely visit it with the idea of preparing it for an eventual permanent homestead. Obviously, you couldn't keep animals until you lived their full time. Also, I wouldn't do much more than trees (fruit, nut, etc.) until you are there full time to maintain more sensitive vegetation that would require daily attention. By the way, if you really want animals, it is not too unusual to find someone with the land that would maintain them for a cost. This would obviously allow you to establish some animals and then move them to your lands once you are ready to maintain them yourself.

There are things you can do on a remote retreat. For an example you can clear land, plant grass to help build organic matter levels and prevent erosion. Start working on things like wells, septic systems, and structures such as a shed for a secure place to keep supplies and tools. Ultimately, you want to have the idea that this will become your home.

I personally believe that bugging out to a piece of land that you don't know very well, that doesn't have all the things you need on it (like an established garden or important structures), and are not very familiar with your neighbors will be more of a liability then a benefit. It is important you take the time to address all of these concerns.

Is your husband's job transferable? You may want to consider transferring to an area that has good rural out skirts as a compromise.

Ultimately, on the end of the day you have to commit to the plan and like in anything in life unless you follow through the best laid plans will net nothing. Make sure your husband is on board before you do anything because you both need to be working towards the same goals.

I know I have covered a number of topics without significant detail so please feel free to ask more about anything I have said. From what I have read from the fellow members of this forum I am sure you will get good advice.

Warm regards,

Dave

[Laughter]

"Let me answer your questions as best as I can. To be honest, it seems you are on a similar track as my family. Over the years I have become enlightened to the dangers and dependencies of city and suburban living. I am sure you are feeling the same sense of urgency and fear for lack of better words."

Dave, this is exactly how my husband and I feel.


"I personally believe that bugging out to a piece of land that you don't know very well, that doesn't have all the things you need on it (like an established garden or important structures), and are not very familiar with your neighbors will be more of a liability then a benefit. It is important you take the time to address all of these concerns."

We agree with you 100%. What if we bought land that already has a home, shed, etc for farming and we visited once or twice a month to hopefully get to know the neighbors?

"Is your husband's job transferable? You may want to consider transferring to an area that has good rural out skirts as a compromise."

There appears to be small farm land near Melbourne, Palm Bay, etc but we are alittle concerned about the thicket of zombies coming up from the south. Too close for comfort.


"Ultimately, on the end of the day you have to commit to the plan and like in anything in life unless you follow through the best laid plans will net nothing. Make sure your husband is on board before you do anything because you both need to be working towards the same goals."

We have spent a lot of time studying the situation we all are about to experience and what it will take to survive the mess. My husband and I are shoulder to shoulder on preparing a way to live on a farm and off the grid as much as we can. We are debt free and stocked with food, guns and ammo. Sadly, he cant transfer with his employment but good news is that it is very secure.

Thanks again!

Laughter

[Dave]

Laughter,

Great, it sounds like you are considering all of the right things.

I could agree that you may have a problem with the southern portion of Florida but keep in mind, a "well positioned" retreat is as good as a very remote retreat. There are what we call natural lines of drift. These are paths the average person without knowledge of an area will take with or without support of a map or GPS. If you can find property off of the "natural lines of drift" then I think you will be in pretty good shape even down your way. You could have a rather remote rural retreat but if you are on a traveled road it is entirely possible you may get more unwarranted visits there than you would a well positioned retreat not far from a population center.

Keep this in mind when looking for land. When we found our land this was apart of our criteria. Heck, we even pass our street if we are not paying attention now let alone when we first tried to find it.

The other thing you may want to consider is to talk with a realtor. I know, you have heard from a lot of people not to do this BUT a lot of times, especially recently, realtors have a much better grasp of REAL market price. A lot of "For Sale By Owners" have a lot of pride and get offended by low offers. Find a good realtor in a rural area that understand what you are looking for and they will be worth their weight in gold. Not only will they be a wealth of local knowledge (they are proud of their little community) they may very well become your first contact in a community that could introduce you around.

When you find land that you like, you should make it a point to call the local sheriffs department and ask them about the area. Ask them what is crime like and how often do they have problem out in the area of a prospective property. The Sheriff's department will be a lot more honest than a realtor because they have nothing to lose when telling you the truth. Plus, I have found Sheriff offices in small communities are quite friendly and will tell you just about anything you want to know about the community.

Lastly and probably most importantly, meet the neighbors and get a feel for them. If you do end up with a remote retreat you will need someone to keep an eye on your land while you are gone. This may end up being the most important aspect about your retreat.

Dave

[Laughter]

Dave, tyvm. You have been very helpful. I will share this info with my husband.

Laughter

[T774]

I hope everybody has a good Easter weekend. :) :) :)

[rice paddy daddy]

Laughter, do you know how the town of Indialantic got it's name?
Back in the 50's, when the Space Center was brand new and towns were springing up to accomodate the employees, a lot of the first rockets shot off ended up in the Atlantic. That's where the name came from -"in the Atlantic." ;D ;D ;D
I can remember as a kid watching the rockets head down range at night. There was a radar tracking station at Juno Beach.
That was an exciting time to be a young boy: missile shots, new speed records being set by those new fangled jet planes, all the military convoys streaming south for the Cuban missile crisis.

[T774]

The Sun-n-Fun Fly In is this week. Lakeland Linder will become the busiest airport in the world. Lots of air traffic over the house. I really enjoy seeing all the different aircraft as they come and go, especially the old war birds. I love the sound of the radial engines as they fly over. Hopefully no crashes the year. It seems that there are always one or two every year.

[rice paddy daddy]

Every once in a while a radial will fly over the old homestead. :)
But the P51 Mustang has the sweetest sound in the world. Especially at 50 feet going 300 MPH + ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Dave]

Yep, those Mustangs are great to see/hear!

My current home is in Northeast Florida and we are fairly close to NAS Jax, which has an air show every year as well. Always quite a bit of air traffic on regular days but quite a bit more on those air show weekends.

Out on our land towards Live Oak we only see the occasional small private single engine air craft.

Dave

[T774]

Every once in a while a radial will fly over the old homestead. :)
But the P51 Mustang has the sweetest sound in the world. Especially at 50 feet going 300 MPH + ;D ;D ;D ;D

If I remember correctly, didn't the P-51 have the Rolls Royce Merlin engine?

There is a place in Polk City, about 20 minutes away, called Fantasy of Flight. Every year they have an event called Mustangs & Mustangs. It's a Ford Mustang car show, and if you enter it you can have the picture of your mustang car taken with one of their P-51s. It's really cool to see al the cars along with all the planes out there. *8)

http://www.fantasyofflight.com/mustangs-and-mustangs/

[ktlove]

Hay all,
Pinellas County here.
I have been meaning to post since Florida hit the boards here but I am more of the quite type really. Not to mention remembering my password puts a delay things. I must have 70 passwords between personal and work.
Anyhow, no land here in Florida, cant seem to afford it unless its .15 acre in a swamp. Just a little mobile in Pinellas County with veggie gardens, pellet guns and big dreams.

[Dave]

Hay all,
Pinellas County here.
I have been meaning to post since Florida hit the boards here but I am more of the quite type really. Not to mention remembering my password puts a delay things. I must have 70 passwords between personal and work.
Anyhow, no land here in Florida, cant seem to afford it unless its .15 acre in a swamp. Just a little mobile in Pinellas County with veggie gardens, pellet guns and big dreams.


Dreams is where it starts my friend. We have a little acreage but we still have a lot of work before we can live there so I can appreciate the waiting game quite a bit!

Good luck to you and your adventure.

Dave

[rice paddy daddy]

If I remember correctly, didn't the P-51 have the Rolls Royce Merlin engine?

There is a place in Polk City, about 20 minutes away, called Fantasy of Flight. Every year they have an event called Mustangs & Mustangs. It's a Ford Mustang car show, and if you enter it you can have the picture of your mustang car taken with one of their P-51s. It's really cool to see al the cars along with all the planes out there. *8)

http://www.fantasyofflight.com/mustangs-and-mustangs/


Absolutely. Rolls Royce Inline V.
When I lived in South Florida every year I went to the Valiant Air Command air show at TICO (Titusville-Cocoa airfield). Everything from Stearmans and Wacos to B-17's, P-51's, Sky Raiders, even an F-86 Saber. ;D
First (and only) time I saw a fly-by of a B-2 Stealth bomber.

[rice paddy daddy]

Yep, those Mustangs are great to see/hear!

My current home is in Northeast Florida and we are fairly close to NAS Jax, which has an air show every year as well. Always quite a bit of air traffic on regular days but quite a bit more on those air show weekends.

Out on our land towards Live Oak we only see the occasional small private single engine air craft.

Dave
I work not far from NAS Jax. I believe Jax is the only east coast base for the P-3 Orion, but I could be wrong on that. Back when Cecil Field was home to Navy fighter jets was awesome.

[Dave]

rice-paddy,

Yes, I think we were the only base for the P3, in fact the flight path was and still is right over our house!

I thought they were running the Orions somewhere out of the Northeast but there is a good chance everything has been consolidated back to NAS Jax.

There are always all sorts of planes aloft on Air Show weekends!

Thank you,

Dave

[rice paddy daddy]

rice-paddy,

Yes, I think we were the only base for the P3, in fact the flight path was and still is right over our house!

I thought they were running the Orions somewhere out of the Northeast but there is a good chance everything has been consolidated back to NAS Jax.

There are always all sorts of planes aloft on Air Show weekends!

Thank you,

Dave
In the last years of Moms life, she was in an assisted care facility in the San Jose area. P3's used to go right over practicing touch-and-gos.

[Dave]

rice,

I know the area well. Yep, NAS is directly west of South San Jose and the Mandarin peninsula. I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing.

I am a native to the area so our eventual move out to North Central Florida will be the first for me.

Have you much

[rice paddy daddy]

Dave, do you like to shoot?

[Dave]

Rice,

I love to shoot. In fact, I am working on getting a Northeast Florida Appleseeds shoot put together for this summer at the new St. Augustine range. I am not a member of the Appleseeds organization but a HUGE fan and supporter of their mission.

I attended my first Appleseeds shoot in Hernando County, North of Tampa.

I don't know if it is appropriate to post a link, but the site is: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

I am assuming by you asking the question you enjoy getting out to shoot as well?

The on thing I like most about owning a little acreage is NOT having to go to gun ranges anymore!

Dave

[rice paddy daddy]

Absolutely! I generally go to the Dixon WMA range just south of Waycross, nice and quiet, usually uncrowded. Although I haven't been there in a couple of years, Osceola National Forest has a state run range as well.
I'm a fan of mil-surps and old timey stuff like single action revolvers, lever rifles, etc.
I've heard about the Appleseed shoots. I might do OK at one of those. I qualified Expert with the M14 in '68. ;D

[Dave]

rice,

I am a big fan of military surplus, absolutely love those Mosin Nagants (I have an M44 and 91/30)!

I have been to the Lake City range a number of times with friends and family but it seems to stay pretty busy unless you go during the week.

The good thing about Appleseeds is everyone seems to take away something from the shoots regardless of their level. At the last shoot I attended, only about 3 people out of about 75 qualified as "Riflemen" and that included a good number of Vets! To be honest, I was surprised.

It sounds like you would have been in the minority that day ;)

I will let you know when we get a date for the event if your interested. Otherwise, we should try and get a time to go shooting. Being that I have four young kids and a pregnant wife at home, my kitchen passes have been limited recently so I have been loving being able to shoot at our land.

Dave

[rice paddy daddy]

At my age, if I dropped down into the kneeling position it would take a crane to get me upright again. ;D

[T774]

WOO HOO!!!!!!

My ninteen year son who got laid off from his part time job with the Florida Park Service just received word that he has been hired by the Florida Division of Forestry as a full time wildland firefighter. He has to do his physical, and paperwork yet but his start date is going to be the 29th. 8) 8) 8)

[rice paddy daddy]

Congrats. The Division Of Forestry, along with regular and volunteer fire departments from both Florida and Georgia saved our house from a wild fire back in '03. Those guys were great! The wife and I (and our neighbors) owe 'em big time.

[T774]

Everybody ready for hurricane season?

[Dave]

Technically, no. However, that is on the list. We are already eyeballing the buy-one-get-one free deals on canned goods.

I also need to address our fuel situation.

Dave

[T774]

Finally, some cooler weather. I've been waiting all summer for this.

[T774]

Just great, we finally are in the last stretch of hurricane season, and now may possibly get hit with one.

[snake]

Ida was a big rainmaker, 4+ inches, here in the Panhandle, but that's about it, i'm happy to say. In my section anyway.

[rAcErRicK]

:D We haven't gotten ours yet, so you guys please don't forget to send just a little bit down south, the rain and the cool.

[pamsabear]

I've been here in Pinellas since 1969. It was so beautiful, but now it is a mess. Was planning to move when my husband retired, but with the housing bust, it's going to be hard to sell our house.

Pam

[T774]

I'm more than ready for this Casey Anthony stuff to be over with....