South Florida

Moving day has come and gone.  We said our goodbyes to the eagles and the new folks we’ve met in the park.  Out onto I75 and pointed our lengthy tan train and it’s mighty blue engine, south, past Ft Myers and even farther south, past Naples and the exit for Marco Island.  Collier Seminole State Park is at the western edge of the Great Cypress National Park and the Everglades National Park; right where Rt 41 turns and heads east across the swamps and Cypress forests.  

Collier Seminole is one of the older state parks and is in need of updating which are thankfully planned for this summer.  Maybe next winter the campsites won’t be snuggled so closely and MAYBE we won’t have a group of too many tenters perched 4ft from our back window and making joyous noises at 7am!  While the kayaks did not make it out of the truck, we did take the time to go explore the park again and hiked the trail out thru the Royal Palm Hammock where majestic trees grow naturally.  Thru the openings to the swamp we could see (and hear) the groups of storks, herons, spoonbills and egrets squawking at us for disturbing their peace!    Out near the entrance to the park, the dark black hulk of the Walking Dredge that was built in Battle Creek Michigan in the early 1920’s still stands guard.  It made it possible for the Tamiami Trail to be dug/built across the bug-infested swamps of the Glades.  Barron Collier bought the land for the county that bares his name and for the state park that still honors him.

Marco Island is how the “other folks” live but as we drove around the “well bred”, wealthy mansion neighborhoods we found some of the original smaller stucco ranch style homes still!   Real estate prices on the island range from the high 20 million, down to a measly 500 thousand.   Behind most of the homes were channels lined with boat docks and lifts with large white boats resting in them.  Each channel led to another and then led out to the gulf.  Public beaches are placed on the ends of the island with parking starting at $8.

Marco Island Cottage

Birds on the beach

On the upscale boulevard that runs past the elegant condos, hotels and mansions we pulled into one of the “resort” hotels and parked at their restaurant/beachside bar called Stilts.  It was Happy Hour and drinks were fairly reasonable!   $6 for two drinks and parking there!  It was way better than $8 at a public parking lot.  And – we were free to walk the white sandy beach!  Shells were to be found and I brought back a pocketful of pretty ones to share with the grandkids!   The soft white sand was dotted with the usual colorful beach umbrellas - each different color designated which resort they belonged to.  Flocks of resting black and white terns and various gulls were not afraid of all the curious folks walking by.

Last year when we stayed at Collier Seminole, we planned on staying at Midway Campground – half way across the Glades, between Naples and Miami.  SPFB – it rained for 3 days from the time we left Collier Seminole to when we left South Bay Campground near Belle Glade. This year, H made reservations at Midway – the only National Park in the Glades with electricity!  We were going to ride our bikes at Shark Valley!    7 1/2 miles – up hill (felt like it!) and into the wind!!  But we did it!   The long, fairly level, one lane black top road led thru open grasslands, swamps and clusters of palms and jungle growth with a narrow grass lined creek that followed right along.   On the way out to the tower and in the waterways that surrounded it, we counted 86 gators!  Some were in the water, some sleeping in the grass on the OTHER side of the creek and SOME right next to the roadway!   

The tall imposing observation tower had a circular approach that wrapped around the entire structure and gave a 360-degree view of the Glades and the narrow ribbon of road that we had to ride back on.  Thankfully the return 7 1/2 miles were a breeze, with the wind being at our backs and helping us along.   According to H’s GPS – we averaged 8mph on the way out and 11mph on the way back!

Speed bumps

When we parked at Midway in the morning, we met our neighbors who were just moving out.  The gentleman was from Waterville Ohio and he said he was the former mayor!!   When we got back from our ride, there was a huge black and gray motorhome from Delaware.  We could hear a strange noise emitting from within – not a bark, not a whine and not quite a howl.  Was it a beagle?  Or maybe a Bloodhound?   The owner arrived shortly and we got to meet Harry, the retired Judge and his Black Russian Terrier!  Now, when one thinks of a “terrier” one thinks of a Jack Russell maybe or Chihuahua.  This HUGE, extremely shaggy, black dog was bigger than an English Sheepdog and as hairy as a Komondor, without the dreadlocks!  Jowls like a Mastiff and as friendly as a Golden!  Strong willed and powerful but as gentle as could be!   I wanted to learn more but it was time for the Super Bowl and we needed to pull out early in the morning. 

Our winter trip is now half over and we’ll be heading north once more.   Two months to get here  - - Two months more to get back home!

Fort Myers part 2

It’s Saturday morning.  I’ve been up early because a “cold” front, complete with wind and rain, has come thru during the night.  The flag has been whipping around, the tarp covered bikes have blown over, the vent over the kitchen stove has been rattling, and the palmetto bushes right outside the window have been thrashing against each other, trying to get out of the way of the strong winds.  But at least there was not as much banging of rain pellets on the roof as loud as in our last 2 trailers. This “condo” has a well-insulated, rounded roof and the rain does not sound like so many miniature explosions when they crash!

 

They have been letting more and more water out of Lake Okeechobee because the depths are getting too deep and the spring rains are not here yet. We’ve noticed in the last day or so that when the tide comes in from the west, the water in our little cove is higher and higher on the grassy banks.  Last evening and more so this morning – the water is even higher over the green edges on the other side of our little area. The roots and lower branches of the nearby bushes are now standing knee deep in the water!  I’ll admit - In the gray before dawn - it looked a bit eerie!

Before this morning, our weather has been wonderful – cool during the night and warming up to a very sunny low to mid 80’s during the day!  And we took full advantage of each day!  Last weekend was a 4-day holiday for the folks that still have to work or go to school and they also were taking advantage of the beautiful weather.  H found the trolley stop from our last stay in Ft Myers and we rode the bright blue trolley out to Ft Myers Beach.  The .35 ride bounced along, up and over all the bridges on the boat lined causeway and out along the condo lined Estero Beach Blvd to the north end of the island at Bowditch Park and the beginning of the snow-white sand beaches that the island is famous for!  The shoreline was speckled with tiny white shells that had washed up.  Covering the wide, soft sand between the gulf and the palmetto-lined condos were side-by-side batches of bodies and wildly colorful beach umbrellas!  From the long fishing pier, all you could see was a vibrant rainbow of every hue imaginable!

 On our 2^nd trip out to the beach we rode the trolley out to Bowditch Park again and walked the much quieter but still very populated beach.  While waiting for the sunset, we played tourist and shopped all the shops with all their “Made in China” items. We strolled from the busy “Times Square” park to the mainland side of that long skinny stretch of land.  With the sun starting to slip low, the last of the bright glow hit the side of the shops and lit them up brightly.  The 3 bubbling fountains in that restaurant’s little park area sparkled.  Back out on the pier, H discovered how to take “selfies” with his camera and now everyone can see our new hats!  Once the sun had set, we climbed aboard the returning trolley and headed back over the long string of bridges to the patiently waiting blue truck.

We’ve been to Ft Myer’s Fleamaster Flea Market and came home with a bag of the most deliciously sweet Indian River Oranges. Strawberries came along, too!  One day trip ended up in the sister campground at Ortona Lock and Dam on the other side of LaBelle.   On another day we headed towards Cape Coral with several “stop to shop” pauses!   On the opposite side of the Caloosahatchee River, right across from the tall condo skyline of busy Ft Myers, was Redfish Point Marina and the municipal beach and fishing pier.  The wind was strong already and the river and canals had quite a hefty chop. In the adjoining canal that branched and divided neighborhoods were boats bouncing and straining against their strong securing ropes. One pontoon boat had TWO brand new 200 horsepower Evinrude outboard motors bolted down on it’s stern!   We’ve had the kayaks in the water and since H brought the right controller – his little sailboat also got to slide across the waves more than once! 

We’ve settled into our routine – drain the coffee pot and watch the morning news.  Take out the trash and walk the campground loop before heading off to do some shopping or exploring with maybe some lunch out – which messes up our supper in – but - Oh Well!   If we’re home in time - H reads a bit and takes his nap.  After the evening news is BIG BANG THEORY and then H gets another nap.  Later, it’s off to bed, hopefully to stay awake long enough to catch the 11 o’clock news!  Old People have to watch the news!

Then it all begins again – until this Thursday - - Moving Day!

Fort Myers area

2010 was the last time we were able to get a spot in WP Franklin Corp of Engr Lock and Dam Campground on the island in the middle of the Caloosahatchee River that connects Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico.  We feel very fortunate to be back now!  There are only 29 campsites and all face the water – either on the busier lock and dam side or on the quieter back side of the island.  On some days, the lock is busy with all size of boats/vessels that pass thru on their way up or down the dark tannic colored river.

On ALL days, there is an abundant amount of feathered wildlife that strolls past each site at the waters edge, scouring the shallow edges looking for small shells that contain lunch - Limpins, Egrets, Little blue herons, other little shorebirds and ducks.  In the trees and on the fences, you’ll find Mockingbirds and finches!

 BUT – our side of the island has the privilege each day of seeing the bald eagle that roosts in the tall tree right across the channel!  Yesterday that regal bird had an immature eagle that flew with him and roosted on the other side of the tree!  Bud and Carol were here having lunch and enjoying the experience with us when a crow perched near the dark colored youngster and repeatedly taunted him!  The big kid persevered and the pesky intruder finally gave up and flew away!   If you double click on the picture showing our view – you can see both eagles in the top of the tree! 

And you’ve already viewed our phenomenal sunsets!   The above sunset was taken from the causeway that joins the island to the “mainland”.   Our site is on the left, almost to the end of the island, just across from the farthest set of pylons.

 

A great spot to launch H’s sweet little radio controlled sailboat!  The large pylons make a great slalom course.  The neighbors even enjoyed seeing the bright pink sails “zip” by!  And the bright orange kayaks are always nearby incase of an emergency and a rescue needed!

And here is our new winter home – a 2015 Hemisphere!  It is a bit longer and heavier than our Rockwood was but it is what was available closest to the size of and what we had in the Rockwood.  Neither of us wanted to go bigger but this “condo” is beautiful!  LOTS of windows, LOTS of kitchen counter space, LOTS of oak cabinetry and a comfy leather couch and recliners!  H has claimed his spot in the recliner so he can put his feet up and gaze out even more big windows than before!  Me?  I am a woman – who wouldn’t be thrilled with more counter space AND a pantry??!!

 

Our days of exploring and adventures have begun – we’ll tell you more about those next time!

TAMPA BAY AREA

Lake Louisa State Park would remind you of the Irish Hills up in lower central Michigan with it’s rolling hills and beautiful lakes. The well-groomed roadsides held back the thick foliage but still gave peeks of the lakes nestled down in the valleys.  This is a campground I will be happy to revisit in the future!  The real reason we stopped for the night at this park is because our beloved Rockwood has been traded in for a new trailer.  Since the Rockwood’s problem was not going to get solved, H bit the bullet and chose to replace it.   This park was the closest to the dealership.  That and we’d not been to this state park before - - so there is a new patch for my jacket!  We took advantage of the afternoon to get boxes emptied and things semi settled in our new winter home.

EG Simmons means Ospreys!  Their penthouse nests, made of sticks and moss, are even higher than all the utility poles that line each roadway.  Almost every one had at least one large black and white bird taking up residence and glaring down at us each time we passed below.  EG Simmons is one of our “must do” campgrounds on our annual rounds of Florida.  Since the new trailer also has a large picture window in the back, we still could look out thru the mangroves and the dark salty water that hid behind them.  Each morning a pair of Yellow Crowned Night Herons stalked along the edges looking for tiny little crabs that hid in the muck and sand.   Our bike rides took us from one view of beautiful Tampa Bay to another.    Along the way were open areas where fishermen dotted the shore.  Thru one opening you could see one of the white sand lined peninsulas where horseshoe crab shells end up and across the way, one of the many fishing docks. 

 

On this stay in Ruskin, we ventured up the coast to Tarpon Springs again.  The last time involved the Greek Ceremony of Epiphany where the priest throws a gold cross out into the water and the hoard of teen boys dive in and grab for the sunken cross.  This time we went hunting for the famed sponge docks!  The streets bordering the docks were lined with small shops that sold souvenirs and local sponges.  The docks were lined with colorful boats laden with strings of drying sponges and across the way, large commercial fishing boats.  We even ate at the same Bayou Café that we ate at on our last visit.  On our way back home we drove all the way down Alt 19 to the Skyway Bridge, which is Florida’s version of the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge that connects the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  The wind was strong as we approached and H noticed all the brightly colored kite board sails flying back and forth across the open water.  Of course we HAD to stop and watch.  Those kites that were not flying were lined up on the beach like a field of bright tulips in a flowerbed.

One of H’s high school classmates, (another) Bud and his wife Nancy, live in a lovely gated community about a mile from the campground so we spent some fun time with them.  The Red Barn Flea Market down in Bradenton was one day’s venture.  Nancy and I even got to spend a girl’s day out for lunch and shopping!  One afternoon, the four of us climbed into B’s truck and drove up around the bay thru Tampa and Clearwater and out over the causeway bridge to Clearwater Beach to watch the sunset from the fishing pier there.  Each afternoon, vendors lined the pier with their booths of crafts and trinkets.  The sea wind was strong so large multi colored patio umbrellas hugged the backside of the railing to protect the folks and their wares.  Out on the pier was a large dolphin that was painted with a mermaid.  (Ocala has horses – and Clearwater Beach has dolphins!)   In the park at the base of the pier was a plethora of various street entertainers – a juggler with a stunt dog, acrobats, a magician and even a pirate who chatted with all the kids and allowed the parents to take pictures.  This guy really looked like Capt Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean! 

As the sun started to spread its golden glow across the horizon, a pirate ship (an evening dinner cruise) appeared and crossed in front of the sinking orb, slowly cruising back and forth until that bright orb finally sank into the sea.  Gold changed to coral and then pink and bounced off the lingering clouds and jet streams that formed a tic tac toe grid in the sky.

The week has passed quickly. Anna Marie’s Oyster Bar has been visited and coconut shrimp has been sampled at Crabby Bill’s.  We’ve had fresh, deep red, juicy strawberries!  We may as well move on!  WP Franklin Lock and Dam Campground is the next place we’ll call home for awhile.

Apopka and Winter Garden

Rock Spring  Kelly Park

Apopka is a growing and expanding town.  It is still surrounded by all the various greenhouses that advertise orchids or other exotic foliage or plants. Where there are no greenhouses is Wekiwa Springs State Park and her adjoining county park – Kelly Springs 

Rock spring run under water

(Yep – SPFB!).  According
 to the staff at Kelly Park, the mosquitoes were especially bad this winter because there has been no killing frost.  The campground is in the middle of the woods and the bugs were thriving!  There was no sitting outside without bug spray on the warm sunny days.  Thankfully down at the spring area it was wide open with a great cooling breeze, hence no biting bugs.  The turkeys were still wandering thru the park – just not thru our campsite – and the gopher tortoise had dug her burrow under a palmetto palm about 20 feet behind our condo.  Some days it was just easier to climb in the truck and use the excuse of “exploring” to escape the hungry bugs and go revisit our favorite areas - Sanford, Winter Garden with her still beautifully decorated downtown boulevard and Christmas tree and Mt Dora with her quaint shops and sprawling old flea market.  We even bravely ventured down to Orlando!  And of course we made our annual trek to The Catfish Place in downtown Apopka for scallops!

Winter Garden

Last year my nephew Rich from Indiana, wife Susan and son Brady drove from Lakeland to Ocala to visit with us while we were at Ross Prairie.  Last time we took them to Rainbow Springs.  This year we were happy to show them another one of Florida’s hidden treasure – the crystal clear waters of Rock Springs.  H took the first float down the run with R&B while Susan and I manned the stash of shoes, shirts and glasses!  She just had more surgery in October and was still wearing a bulky air cast on her right foot and calf so she was confined to a wheelchair.  While the boys were out playing “salmon”, I wheeled her along the wide cement sidewalks that lined the swimming areas and over the arched steel bridges that allowed a great view of the entire area including any bobbing bodies floating down the winding clear stream.  My camera was still laying on the table in the condo so I was depending on S to snap some good shots with her cell phone!   Next it was my turn to jump in the cold refreshing water with R&B and “bob” on down the run along with all the others trying to cool off on a hot Sunday afternoon.  We chatted the entire way down and then chatted some more while we stood in the waist deep waters of the open area.  H even came over to the edge to see if we were all right!  It was decided that we should “bob” further down the stream and then walk back up – against the currant.  That job was easier said than done – but we did it and it was an excellent workout for my flabby old thighs!  Of course R & B made it look like a walk in the park instead of a push uphill in a swift currant!   Back in the air-conditioned condo, we visited until way after dark.  They climbed into their SUV and left our campsite, heading for the exit.  Then returned  - - they had seen a bear in the campground!  All these years that we’ve camped here and THEY see the bear?!   Go figure.

Monday was moving day once more.  Down thru Winter Garden for breakfast and on to Lake Louisa State Park for more of this winter’s adventure.

Late Christmas Post

Ocala was dressed up for Christmas!

 Dick and Sharon’s home was no exception!  The tall tree in the living room was beautifully covered with a kazillion bright colored poinsettias and miles of gold mesh garlands and icicles.  Yes, in the beginning, the bottom was full of gaily-wrapped gifts of all sizes.  When D&S, D’s son Rick, and his daughter Terri and her husband John started opening gifts, the pile soon dwindled and all that was left was the gold lame under the tree.  The giant boxes disappeared and the stack of gift cards began piling up!  R manned the large black trash bag and we each had to quickly hone our basketball skills with our spent gift-wrapping and tissue paper wads!  Somebody walked in front of me as I was preparing my pitch from across the room.  I deftly arched the angle higher and applause soon erupted as my sphere found the depths of the black bag – with “nothing but net”!  Not even a single hair was disturbed on the unsuspecting passerby’s head!

Downtown Ocala has a lovely green square, complete with a white-railed gazebo and a stately tall Christmas tree that was adorned with bright lights and big red bows.  Christmas music was floating out from some hidden source.  The next block over was the “ice” skating rink decorated with different Disney characters.   But seeing a pretty young lady dressed as the littlest mermaid and a plastic “ice” rink didn’t quite make our day!

 

On several downtown corners and on several commercial properties were almost full sized fiberglass horses all painted brightly to represent a particular aspect of Ocala – the thoroughbred capital of Florida.   The one on the downtown square represented the Ocala National Forest and had a cougar and a deer painted on it’s sides and flanks.

The horse at the Central Florida College depicted founders of that institution.  We had gone to the college to see the miniature train set up that had been advertised for the Christmas Season.  It was a very nice setup but could not hold a candle to the display that the Swanton Ohio model train club puts together.

We’ve been to flea markets, done a little shopping, visited with dear friends from home and renewed past friendships here in the campground.  The trailer problem, however, once more reared its ugly overheating wheel on our way in from Salt Springs and has been fixed again.  The tire that was replaced last winter in Mt Dora has now been replaced.   

We will get to spend  Saturday evening out to dinner with D&S and then prepare to move on to Apopka and Kelly Park.

Salt Springs Area

December weather in North Central Florida means heaters on at night and shirt sleeve temps during the afternoon so by the time the morning news is over and the coffee pot is empty it’s either time to ride the little wheels up to the office for emails or climb in the big blue wheels and head off for a day of sightseeing (aka exploring!).   H was determined that we should head up thru Palatka and over to the coast in the St Augustine area.

Ravine Gardens

Those of you who have seen my “jacket of many patches”, know that I am missing at least 6 already visited Florida state park patches.  Ravine Gardens in Palatka is one of them.  On our third attempt for a patch, we finally were able to purchase one.  It was quite an ordeal for just a one inch by three-inch patch – at first the ladies in the office could not find them, then didn’t know the price and then were unable to break a $5.  H finally put the amount on his credit card – the entire $1.65.  The ladies were left with the dilemma of how to account for that enormous sale on their records!  

Ravine Gardens

We were finally able to meander down the asphalt drive and stop to gaze over the side of the deep grotto that was lined with mature oaks, magnolias and azaleas.  Down the middle was a small winding ribbon of water that extended from one end to the other.  High over the gorge were several  long narrow suspension bridges and steep wooden steps leading up out of the deep cut.   As we approached the backside of the main building we passed thru the formal garden areas that were outlined with low block walls that were build in the WPA era.   Pools, fountains, arches and brick paths completed the scene.   Then we climbed in the truck and drove the entire 1.8 mile drive around the ravine, past where we had just walked and saw even more of the park!

Fort Matansas

Fort Matansas

On the southern edge of St Augustine, the beach access was open and the truck steering wheel involuntarily made the left turn and we ended up out on the swishy sand once again.   The end of the beach trail puts you on A1A and the entrance to Fort Matansas.  With a 30 minute wait for the pontoon boat ride up the river to the 16^th century, small stone structure, we watched the introductory movie and then walked the small beach and noted how far out the tide had gone, leaving smelly damp rocks and crustaceans behind.  Our boat captain was very knowledgeable and explained the French and Spanish interest in the fort and the river leading to St Augustine that it protected.   On our last visit, the day was gray, cold and windy but today the sun was shining and from up on the fort, still guarded by big black cannons, you could see St Augustine to the north and A1A and the ocean that lay beyond to the south.

Heading back home thru Palatka, our stomachs began to complain about being ignored for so long.  Someone had recommended Corky Bell’s Seafood Restaurant and so we put it in the GPS.  We found it right by the bridge on the wide lumbering St Johns River.  Our meal was good but the view from the sprawling outside terraced patio was the highlight.  The sun was setting and its golden light glowed on the wooden docks with their tall pylons and the over grown jungle that clung to the rivers edge.  The reflections on the calm still water made it hard to tell where the water ended and the real docks began.  

View from Corky Bell's

On Saturday Santa and Mrs. Claus came to visit all the little and big kids at the campground!  What a jolly couple they were as they rode thru the park, greeting everyone and inviting all to come and say Hello at the holiday setting the camp hosts had prepared.   Santa chatted with each small child for a few moments before letting them select a gift out of his big gift box.  Just like any old married couple – they bantered back and forth and the jovial old gentleman chortled and Ho-Ho Ho”d between each banter!   The office staff acted as his assistants in their green shirts and big green hats complete with large pointed elf ears!

Merry Christmas

On to Ocala we trudge!   By the looks of Dick and Sharon’s brightly lit tree, Santa has beaten us there!   

May your Christmas find you with family and friends, remembering that Jesus IS the reason for this season!