Monday, March 1, 2010

Orlando Area



Orlando Area

February is almost a memory. Her last week and a half have come and gone too quickly. Moss Park is one of my favorite camp spots in Florida. This year, as last, we parked next to George the camp host/resident park photographer and he shared both his knowledge of the park and it’s wildlife and his wonderful film presentation of Moss Park’s creatures. And the Sandhill Cranes that had laid 2 eggs? Their nest was just off shore at the edge of a grassy area and they even allowed George to venture out the small watery path and keep watch over them and their soon to be hatched children. (Zoom in on that picture to see Momma sitting on the nest!) Last Monday the first baby pecked his way thru his shell and the second sibling followed thru on Tuesday. George was a VERY PROUD Grampa indeed! By Thursday the youngster’s parents had them up on shore and pecking their way thru the campground looking for little tidbits of something to eat. Whenever someone ventured too close, the babies flattened themselves down and blended right in with the brown/tan winter grasses. We lucked out and snapped a several good shots of the adorable fuzzy babies and their tall long legged folks keeping watch over them. And the big black headed squirrels that I didn’t know the name of? Per George, they are Sherman Fox Squirrels and George promises to get me a photo of one of them.

Last year when we were parked here, we also met a wonderful couple – Bobbie (!) and Gene from up Georgia way. Gene had had surgery and was confined to a wheelchair. Ofcourse, Bobbie and I clicked right off the bat and we have corresponded throughout the last year. We parked several days with them at Highland Hammock last month and the arrived at Moss Park last Monday. Gene is now MUCH better and is enjoying getting out and around and even rides his 2-wheel bike! Bobbie gave us some great pointers on playing the dulcimer, which has given us a renewed urge to learn to play it better. 2 of their grandchildren came to visit and we enjoyed meeting them.

Our Moss Park stay has ended and we’ve moved on to Melbourne and Wickham Park, which will now be our home for 2 more weeks. I am NOT going to bring up the cold, WET weather that we’ve endured yet AGAIN in this state that used to be known for its warm SUNNY wonderful weather - because this afternoon the sun was shining and the temps made it up to “take off the sweatshirt” temperature. . We are parked just down the way from Ron and Nancy so will be spending some fun time with them. The canoe never made it off the Jeep while we were in Moss Park but it sure did make it easy to find the Jeep in a parking lot whenever we went anywhere!! I should make it to the beach at least once while we are here tho.