Thursday, February 11, 2010
Fort Myers Area
Wow – how long has it been?? February 10th – we are the furthest south as we will get this winter. The “mobile motel” has been parked at the WP Franklin Lock and Dam Corp of Engr’s Campground on the Caloosahatchee River just east of Fort Myers. One of our favorite campgrounds, this park is on an island in the middle of the river and has only 29 sites, each facing the water. Last year we were on the lock side of the island and this year we face a small cove. Across the water is a huge big live oak tree and 2 eagles roost there every morning and evening!
The weather has been cool (COLD), windy (VERY) and more rain than we would have liked to have endured. Thankfully when it rains – the winds die down some. But – when we watch the national news on TV and see ALL the blizzards and snow and bad weather up across the states – we realize “it ain’t so bad down here”. The “mobile motel” just gets a bit small after awhile tho!
I did get to have my “Girlfriend Fix”! H took me up to Punta Gorda and Em came down from Port Charlotte and we had a delightful day of shopping, eating and girl talking! The only frustrating part of the day was trying to reach H via his new cell phone that was to have kept the original number - - and didn’t.
B & C came down from Lake Placid to spend a day and we hit the flea market before using up our tickets to the Edison/Ford Estates that we toured last year. Since the Ford winter home was closed then, we were all issued return tickets to visit the estates again. We were looking forward to enjoying the antique car show of over 100 Fords that was to be held on the property. HOWEVER - - when we arrived, all of the beautiful old vehicles were preparing to leave because they too had had enough of the cold and wind! It was even too cold to walk the estate grounds because the strong winds were coming right off the Gulf.
Sunday, February 7th was H’s birthday and his brother R and wife N came over from their parking spot in LaBelle to celebrate the day. Again – cool and breezy. The Fleamaster Flea Market is the biggest in the area and N and I made it thru 3/4th of it before the “boys” called! We sang Happy Birthday to both boys (R’s big day is the 11th!) and then enjoyed another great BBQ dinner at Rib City.
In the 2 months that we’ve been gone the canoe had only been off the roof of the Jeep twice. Now the count has risen to 3! And the tiny craft has made it into this brackish water twice – one venture was uphill and INTO the wind BOTH ways!! It was close but we made it back!
My sewing machine has managed to make it out of its case on a couple of the warmer and less windy days. Up in Highland Hammock State Park I sold a few of my heart shaped potholders and a purse. While here I’ve even sold a few more potholders! I’m working on another purse and a whole bunch more potholders but the weather is not looking to promising to be sewing outdoors.
Today we went exploring over near LaBelle and Ortona and on the way back we passed this pasture with cows and horses - and a huge shaggy camel! H had to turn around so we could take a picture of it! This area is all grazing and groves - - - grazing cows and horses and groves of oranges! One pasture even has llamas! But a camel?!!
Saturday, the 13th we are moving east for 2 days at the St Lucie Lock and Dam campground, just southwest of Stuart. From there we’ll start working our way north to Moss Park.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE!
The weather has been cool (COLD), windy (VERY) and more rain than we would have liked to have endured. Thankfully when it rains – the winds die down some. But – when we watch the national news on TV and see ALL the blizzards and snow and bad weather up across the states – we realize “it ain’t so bad down here”. The “mobile motel” just gets a bit small after awhile tho!
I did get to have my “Girlfriend Fix”! H took me up to Punta Gorda and Em came down from Port Charlotte and we had a delightful day of shopping, eating and girl talking! The only frustrating part of the day was trying to reach H via his new cell phone that was to have kept the original number - - and didn’t.
B & C came down from Lake Placid to spend a day and we hit the flea market before using up our tickets to the Edison/Ford Estates that we toured last year. Since the Ford winter home was closed then, we were all issued return tickets to visit the estates again. We were looking forward to enjoying the antique car show of over 100 Fords that was to be held on the property. HOWEVER - - when we arrived, all of the beautiful old vehicles were preparing to leave because they too had had enough of the cold and wind! It was even too cold to walk the estate grounds because the strong winds were coming right off the Gulf.
Sunday, February 7th was H’s birthday and his brother R and wife N came over from their parking spot in LaBelle to celebrate the day. Again – cool and breezy. The Fleamaster Flea Market is the biggest in the area and N and I made it thru 3/4th of it before the “boys” called! We sang Happy Birthday to both boys (R’s big day is the 11th!) and then enjoyed another great BBQ dinner at Rib City.
In the 2 months that we’ve been gone the canoe had only been off the roof of the Jeep twice. Now the count has risen to 3! And the tiny craft has made it into this brackish water twice – one venture was uphill and INTO the wind BOTH ways!! It was close but we made it back!
My sewing machine has managed to make it out of its case on a couple of the warmer and less windy days. Up in Highland Hammock State Park I sold a few of my heart shaped potholders and a purse. While here I’ve even sold a few more potholders! I’m working on another purse and a whole bunch more potholders but the weather is not looking to promising to be sewing outdoors.
Today we went exploring over near LaBelle and Ortona and on the way back we passed this pasture with cows and horses - and a huge shaggy camel! H had to turn around so we could take a picture of it! This area is all grazing and groves - - - grazing cows and horses and groves of oranges! One pasture even has llamas! But a camel?!!
Saturday, the 13th we are moving east for 2 days at the St Lucie Lock and Dam campground, just southwest of Stuart. From there we’ll start working our way north to Moss Park.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Southwest Florida
Two busy weeks in EG Simmons has come and gone. If you want to see pictures – see last year’s blog! Although, I could not resist snapping this beautiful, mellow sunset from our campsite this year! One day, B&C came “up” to visit us and even tho it was too cool of a day to ride bikes, we drove them on a tour of “our” park and then up to Apollo Beach Power Plant to share the amazing sight of all the manatees that were squeezed into the canal. Both cars then traveled down to Ellenton to run errands and enjoy a front row table at the Roaring Twenties Pizza Place. (again – see last year’s blog when we were treated to the Roaring Twenties Theater Wurlitzer Organ with D&S!) Yes, The Phantom was played and it was better than last year! Another trip back down to Ellenton came on Sunday when we met D&S, and Nancy from up home, for dinner at our other favorite – Oyster Bar! One warm day we did make it to the Big Red Barn Flea Market, then Joann’s for supplies and on out to Holmes Beach on Anna Marie Island.
From EG Simmons, our next move was further east and south to Sebring and a few days in Highland Hammock State Park – one of, if not the oldest state park in Florida. Since this park is only 20 miles north of Lake Placid where B&C are staying, they came up for a day and all 4 of us climbed on board the tram ride for a back woods tour provided by the very knowledgeable park ranger. As Kevin, drove and repeatedly stopped, he explained about the diverse ecological areas and the animals that we might (and did) see! He pointed out ALL the big mama alligators and the clutches of last July’s babies that were not too far away. We startled several mammoth turtles, two of which had been nestled within inches of the snout of one of the “mama’s”! We saw deer, herons, egrets, buzzards AND a beautiful soaring bald eagle. Last year while camped up in Moss Park, we met Bobbie and Gene from Georgia and it was a joy for me to renew our long distance friendship since they were camped right down the row from us! A special treat for me was to get to enjoy a girl’s only lunch and a bit of shopping with her! Then, Thursday evening there was a Sunset Tram ride that I did not get to sign up for because of a communication glitch in the front office. Thanks to B&G, the ranger who was leading this ride was actually going to drive to our campsite to get me!! Luckily, H had told me to go see if there was any room on the tram for me and I was on my way when I heard them call to me and hollar: “RUN!!” What a lovely sunset ride thru a different portion of the hammock (forest) it was. Again, this ranger would stop and explain the types of trees and why they grow where, along with the types of animals we might see. An eagle’s nest was pointed out and we were advised that we might see bats. He said we might see deer but it was very observant lady in front of me who spotted the big eyes and broad pointed rack on the buck white tail deer standing just on the other side of a clump of tall broom grasses! The truck was slowly angled towards the deer so the headlights shone on him and the rest of the passengers enjoyed the special view also.
Friday, January 29th, I said goodbye again to B&G and we pulled out to meet B&C for breakfast on our way south. Now, I must tell you that we never double-checked our reservations for WP Franklin until last night. All this time, we thought we were to move there today! Nope! Tomorrow!! We were homeless! Not to fear – H knew that there were several campgrounds between Sebring and Ft Myers. But, Bud had a coupon for 3 “free” camping nights at a RV resort in LaBelle! For tonight we are nestled in next to a nice couple from northern Indiana and a 5th wheel from Illinois. The Jeep has even been washed without being unhooked from the trailer. Whispering Creeks has minimal trees, full hookups, cable, really friendly people and - - - fire ants.
H’s ankle is swollen and itchy but he’ll survive. Now, for sure – tomorrow we’ll be in WP Franklin!
From EG Simmons, our next move was further east and south to Sebring and a few days in Highland Hammock State Park – one of, if not the oldest state park in Florida. Since this park is only 20 miles north of Lake Placid where B&C are staying, they came up for a day and all 4 of us climbed on board the tram ride for a back woods tour provided by the very knowledgeable park ranger. As Kevin, drove and repeatedly stopped, he explained about the diverse ecological areas and the animals that we might (and did) see! He pointed out ALL the big mama alligators and the clutches of last July’s babies that were not too far away. We startled several mammoth turtles, two of which had been nestled within inches of the snout of one of the “mama’s”! We saw deer, herons, egrets, buzzards AND a beautiful soaring bald eagle. Last year while camped up in Moss Park, we met Bobbie and Gene from Georgia and it was a joy for me to renew our long distance friendship since they were camped right down the row from us! A special treat for me was to get to enjoy a girl’s only lunch and a bit of shopping with her! Then, Thursday evening there was a Sunset Tram ride that I did not get to sign up for because of a communication glitch in the front office. Thanks to B&G, the ranger who was leading this ride was actually going to drive to our campsite to get me!! Luckily, H had told me to go see if there was any room on the tram for me and I was on my way when I heard them call to me and hollar: “RUN!!” What a lovely sunset ride thru a different portion of the hammock (forest) it was. Again, this ranger would stop and explain the types of trees and why they grow where, along with the types of animals we might see. An eagle’s nest was pointed out and we were advised that we might see bats. He said we might see deer but it was very observant lady in front of me who spotted the big eyes and broad pointed rack on the buck white tail deer standing just on the other side of a clump of tall broom grasses! The truck was slowly angled towards the deer so the headlights shone on him and the rest of the passengers enjoyed the special view also.
Friday, January 29th, I said goodbye again to B&G and we pulled out to meet B&C for breakfast on our way south. Now, I must tell you that we never double-checked our reservations for WP Franklin until last night. All this time, we thought we were to move there today! Nope! Tomorrow!! We were homeless! Not to fear – H knew that there were several campgrounds between Sebring and Ft Myers. But, Bud had a coupon for 3 “free” camping nights at a RV resort in LaBelle! For tonight we are nestled in next to a nice couple from northern Indiana and a 5th wheel from Illinois. The Jeep has even been washed without being unhooked from the trailer. Whispering Creeks has minimal trees, full hookups, cable, really friendly people and - - - fire ants.
H’s ankle is swollen and itchy but he’ll survive. Now, for sure – tomorrow we’ll be in WP Franklin!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tampa Bay Area
Lithia Springs County Park SE of Brandon and now EG Simmons County Park in Ruskin on Tampa Bay. 25-degree weather and now 70-degree weather. Just like Michigan – give it time- it all changes.
While parked in Lithia Springs, a “must do” was to enjoy our annual strawberry shortcake lunch from the Brandon Farms Roadside Market. Surprisingly the cost has not gone up, in spite of the cold weather devastation they have endured in the last 2 weeks. The portions were still good and the taste was still DELICIOUS. For almost 2 weeks, the temperatures have dropped below 30 degrees each night and to save the acres and acres of half ripened berries and the blossoms for the coming promise of berries, the farmers turned on the sprinklers and literally covered the entire field with frozen water. Then - the aftermath of all that constant, county wide irrigation – the water levels fell, both in neighboring household wells and in the ground “levels” causing monstrous sinkholes in front yards, driveways and even in the middle of I 4, the cross state highway. The radio reports said that one sinkhole took 400 cubic yards – 80 truckloads - of cement to fill in just that one void.
Tampa Bay and EG Simmon’s wildlife has suffered from the cold also. As we walked the beach, the fishing areas, the sandy peninsulas and the boat areas, the other day, the shorelines were mottled with all sorts of dead fish from 2-inch fingerlings to large catfish that were over a foot long, porcupine fish and several cownosed rays. The resident raccoons have dined in style each night after a fresh batch of seafood is washed ashore when the tide comes in.
Not all the wildlife is lifeless tho! In Lithia Springs we were visited one chilly afternoon by this Red-shouldered Hawk that perched right above our campsite. The other day we checked in on the power plant that is 5 miles north of here in Apollo Beach. The canal and lagoon are fed with the heated water from the plant and were “mammal to mammal” full of various sizes of manatees and even some rays that were leaping out of the water. Today, Saturday, January 17th we visited the Mote Aquarium and Marine Laboratory out on Longboat Key, just west of Sarasota. Rays, different kinds and sizes of sharks, and several kinds of large sea fish occupied the outside tanks and inside were many more unique displays of interesting sea creatures including a preserved 37 ft long squid. Across the way in a second large structure of more large tanks were the bottlenose dolphins, the green sea turtles and another large sea turtle that came right up to face H thru the thick window. We stood for a long time, watching Hugh and Buffet the resident manatees. Several times they would swim right across their very large, temperature controlled, water filled enclosure and face H on the other side of the 3-inch thick clear acrylic window. Here’s lookin’ at you!
We’ve driven down to Ellenton and met Bud and Carol and their friends at the Ellenton Outlet Mall. The guys spent a boring afternoon waiting for their female shoppers, but were rewarded with a wonderful seafood dinner at another area favorite – Anna Marie’s Oyster Bar. Monday, B and C are coming up to visit us here in the campground and then we plan on taking them out to the beaches and another yummy seafood lunch!
While parked in Lithia Springs, a “must do” was to enjoy our annual strawberry shortcake lunch from the Brandon Farms Roadside Market. Surprisingly the cost has not gone up, in spite of the cold weather devastation they have endured in the last 2 weeks. The portions were still good and the taste was still DELICIOUS. For almost 2 weeks, the temperatures have dropped below 30 degrees each night and to save the acres and acres of half ripened berries and the blossoms for the coming promise of berries, the farmers turned on the sprinklers and literally covered the entire field with frozen water. Then - the aftermath of all that constant, county wide irrigation – the water levels fell, both in neighboring household wells and in the ground “levels” causing monstrous sinkholes in front yards, driveways and even in the middle of I 4, the cross state highway. The radio reports said that one sinkhole took 400 cubic yards – 80 truckloads - of cement to fill in just that one void.
Tampa Bay and EG Simmon’s wildlife has suffered from the cold also. As we walked the beach, the fishing areas, the sandy peninsulas and the boat areas, the other day, the shorelines were mottled with all sorts of dead fish from 2-inch fingerlings to large catfish that were over a foot long, porcupine fish and several cownosed rays. The resident raccoons have dined in style each night after a fresh batch of seafood is washed ashore when the tide comes in.
Not all the wildlife is lifeless tho! In Lithia Springs we were visited one chilly afternoon by this Red-shouldered Hawk that perched right above our campsite. The other day we checked in on the power plant that is 5 miles north of here in Apollo Beach. The canal and lagoon are fed with the heated water from the plant and were “mammal to mammal” full of various sizes of manatees and even some rays that were leaping out of the water. Today, Saturday, January 17th we visited the Mote Aquarium and Marine Laboratory out on Longboat Key, just west of Sarasota. Rays, different kinds and sizes of sharks, and several kinds of large sea fish occupied the outside tanks and inside were many more unique displays of interesting sea creatures including a preserved 37 ft long squid. Across the way in a second large structure of more large tanks were the bottlenose dolphins, the green sea turtles and another large sea turtle that came right up to face H thru the thick window. We stood for a long time, watching Hugh and Buffet the resident manatees. Several times they would swim right across their very large, temperature controlled, water filled enclosure and face H on the other side of the 3-inch thick clear acrylic window. Here’s lookin’ at you!
We’ve driven down to Ellenton and met Bud and Carol and their friends at the Ellenton Outlet Mall. The guys spent a boring afternoon waiting for their female shoppers, but were rewarded with a wonderful seafood dinner at another area favorite – Anna Marie’s Oyster Bar. Monday, B and C are coming up to visit us here in the campground and then we plan on taking them out to the beaches and another yummy seafood lunch!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
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