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.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
East Central Florida
No moss under our feet this past week! Saturday, February 13th we pulled out of WP Franklin and the winds were STILL blowing strong. All across the state of Florida we fought the winds. Since the Lake Okeechobee area has always been one of H’s favorite camping areas in the past, we pulled thru several and then drove up on the high ridge of the lake in the town of Pahokee to see what the lake was doing. Its water was dark and the winds were antagonizing the waves that were crashing into the few boats that were trying to stay secured in the small harbor. In the surrounding farmlands the winds were causing the sugarcane field fires to darken up the highways that crossed their path. Talk about pollution! It sure would not be allowed to happen up North, would it? We had lucked out and had secured a spot in Port St Lucie Lock and Dam Campground for 2 nights so our day’s journey ended early.
The winds were still blowing on Sunday and it was still “cool” but we found a big flea market to wander thru. We found the beach but – yep – too windy and cold to even enjoy a beach walk. Monday we moved again - up the outer barrier island on A1A and parked again - in Sebastian State Park. It was a sunny day and we walked out on the fisherman-lined jetties on both sides of the inlet and watched all the pelicans diving for food over and over again. Tuesday we moved again!
Moss Park is an Orange County Park that is just SE of Orlando. It is one of our favorites because it’s in the middle of a tall piney woods and surrounded by two pretty lakes – Lake Mary Jane and Hart Lake. A small channel that is lined on one side by park and the other side by thick jungle joins the two lakes together. This is the park where I caught those huge crappie last year! Yeah – check last year’s blog!
The greeting committee was there to see us within 5 minutes of our arrival! Sandhill Cranes are all over the place! According to George, the parks official photographer, there is a pair that is sitting on eggs again this year. I am hoping to go see her before we leave! The winds have settled down finally and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the afternoon. Yet another Sandhill Crane came to say Welcome Back! Each morning, deer wander just outside our campsite perimeter looking for some morsel to browse on! The trees are often full of unseen birds calling to each other. Crumbs spread on the ground draw down the chickadees and other small birds. This morning a strange looking squirrel came to say Hi by climbing on top of the picnic table that is only 6 feet from our door. Around here, the squirrels are huge creatures almost the size of a cat – bushy long gray tails and dark black heads. I put out a few crackers to lure him back but the only thing the crackers “lured” back was another Sandhill Crane! Oh well. I must ask George what those squirrels are called.
The weather is warming. Imagine – 60’s today and up into the 70’s in just 2 more days. Hopefully the canoe will be taken off the roof of the Jeep again and the fishing lures can be cast into the water – finally.
The winds were still blowing on Sunday and it was still “cool” but we found a big flea market to wander thru. We found the beach but – yep – too windy and cold to even enjoy a beach walk. Monday we moved again - up the outer barrier island on A1A and parked again - in Sebastian State Park. It was a sunny day and we walked out on the fisherman-lined jetties on both sides of the inlet and watched all the pelicans diving for food over and over again. Tuesday we moved again!
Moss Park is an Orange County Park that is just SE of Orlando. It is one of our favorites because it’s in the middle of a tall piney woods and surrounded by two pretty lakes – Lake Mary Jane and Hart Lake. A small channel that is lined on one side by park and the other side by thick jungle joins the two lakes together. This is the park where I caught those huge crappie last year! Yeah – check last year’s blog!
The greeting committee was there to see us within 5 minutes of our arrival! Sandhill Cranes are all over the place! According to George, the parks official photographer, there is a pair that is sitting on eggs again this year. I am hoping to go see her before we leave! The winds have settled down finally and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the afternoon. Yet another Sandhill Crane came to say Welcome Back! Each morning, deer wander just outside our campsite perimeter looking for some morsel to browse on! The trees are often full of unseen birds calling to each other. Crumbs spread on the ground draw down the chickadees and other small birds. This morning a strange looking squirrel came to say Hi by climbing on top of the picnic table that is only 6 feet from our door. Around here, the squirrels are huge creatures almost the size of a cat – bushy long gray tails and dark black heads. I put out a few crackers to lure him back but the only thing the crackers “lured” back was another Sandhill Crane! Oh well. I must ask George what those squirrels are called.
The weather is warming. Imagine – 60’s today and up into the 70’s in just 2 more days. Hopefully the canoe will be taken off the roof of the Jeep again and the fishing lures can be cast into the water – finally.
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!
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