Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Sanibel Island, FL

Shell collectors out at low tide along the Gulf of Mexico facing beach.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Sanibel Island, Florida

We're spending the next 2 nights at Periwinkle RV Park on beautiful Sanibel Island. It was 80F today and we're expecting the same again tomorrow. We managed to ride the half-mile to the beach soon after arriving and spent a good few hours there until sunset. The beach was long and sandy and full of lazing Sunday afternoon vacationers. Us included. Denise did a long beach walk while Doug sat with the girls as they built alligators out of sand. Last night we stopped in at Collier-Seminole State Park and were surprised to see that it was completely full upon our arrival. Fortunately we had made a booking. It was fun to see a colorful and eclectic tent and RV city packed with families and bikes. We arrived there late in the afternoon because we'd taken time to stop at Shark Valley on the north end of Everglades National Park to enjoy a very close-to-nature bike ride along the path that is festooned with all sizes of alligators. Doug did a longer ride to the viewing tower as the girls turned their bikes around part way to head back. The girls lucked out on their return ride by seeing a clutch of 10-15 small 'gators with their mother. It was very cool to be so close to such large alligators in their natural habitat! The mosquitoes seemed to have retreated a little since the Flamingo Campground onslaught. We're all much relieved and planning to eat outside again this evening. It is homemade Sushi night.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Near Everglades NP

We pulled out of our 2nd night camping at Flamingo campground in Everglades National Park due to mosquitoes. A bug-free hotel room sure was pleasant!

Heading northwest today toward Naples, Florida.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Key Largo, Florida

We're at John Pennekamp State Park at the top of the Florida Keys, on Key Largo. A small storm has blown in -- lots of wind, some rain -- and it has "cooled off" to below 70F. We're hoping to get out to the reef on a glass bottom boat tour but it was too windy this morning. We'll try again tomorrow (Xmas Eve day) but the current weather report suggests it will still be windy. Hopefully the weather will blow itself out tonight...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Bahia Honda State Park - end of stay

Our last night at Bahia Honda State Park before we move to John Pennekamp State Park, also on the Florida Keys, for another 4 nights. We’ve hit some great weather (or perhaps it’s just “normal” for around here). The days are warm and sunny at around 75F then cool off a little in the evening to high 60’s. We have split our time between two campsites within the park to make for a longer stay here. Our van’s water pump that proved faulty on the first night ended up being an easy fix – much to our relief – so that the Key West return visit (about 30 miles from here) we had planned a few days into our stay turned into a fun one and was not ambushed with a van water pump search-and-replace mission. We took time to set up our big tent for the longer stay and it’s been great as a place for the girls to hang out during the day. Doug and Rose have also taken to sleeping out there where it is cooler, if a bit noisier as the sound of traffic on Highway 1 drifts across the Park. We’ve enjoyed the beautiful sandy beaches and the few Ranger programs we’ve attended. A surprise has been the Park’s increasing population of non-native Iguana lizards. The largest is very impressive, measuring some 4 feet in the main body length before her equally long tail. There are a ton of smaller ones as well – all apparently thriving due to the absence of any natural predators and a park with abundant greenery on which to feed. They are a pest to the Park but there is no current plan for their removal or extermination. Meanwhile, we’ve been enjoying the South American accent they have brought to our visit. Our second campsite (Site #12) backs onto a small lagoon and one large Iguana lazes in the sun on the mangrove trees across from our site. Also resident are some large parrot fish, fast moving pipe fish and thousands of small bait fish. At night the waters churn and splash with the sound of the food chain in full operation. Ruth got a new fishing line for early-Xmas and once we figured out that frozen shrimp was the best bait the girls have enjoyed their first dock-side catch-and-release fishing. As chief hook baiter, Doug was having relatively less fun fighting off an ever persistent swarm of No-See-Um’s and mosquitoes while working with head down in the pungent odor of rotting shrimp guts. Also in the mangrove trees are large Pelicans who come to rest for the day. We even spotted a shy Night Heron who roosts during the day before taking flight at sundown for her night of hunting. Of course the sundowns are magnificent. Within the park there is a lack of some of the raucous party atmosphere to be found at Key West but this is replaced with a quiet, respectful celebration each evening – in reverence of the vast painted sky that occurs as the giant orange orb of the sun drops into the ocean. It is quite a majestic marking for the end of a day and foreshadowing of the change to night ahead. Although we’d hoped to do snorkeling together as a family it has not really happened. There has been some attempts but not everyone out at the same time. In fact, Ruth has yet to go out. We think the girls might have over-imagined the perils of spending time in the ocean water after all the warnings and stories we’ve been told of what lives in and around these warm Florida Keys. They do not seem to appreciate that the stingray or poisonous jellyfish is not waiting just off shore to get them when they enter the water. We’ll continue to work on dispelling this notion for them. That said, it did not help that Rose lost the tip of her thumb today to an over-sized and overly aggressive Hermit Crab. Denise had found the magnificent Hermit Crab sample and brought it back to camp to share. When Rose was holding it, the angry crab apparently reached out and clamped a large pincer onto her thumb. The only release was to pry off the crab who took a large skin chunk trophy with it, much to Rose’s pain and horror. She still can’t believe she has lost the tip of her thumb (though her skin will certainly grow back). On the bright side, we’ve also seen some great live nature shows. At dusk one evening we checked out the local marina from the bridge and spotted three small squid. At first we weren’t sure what they were but while we were looking a predator fish came darting in from below to try and grab them. The reaction of one was to squirt the inky blue dye in defense before all three began rapid pulsing of luminescence near the waters surface. You don’t get to see that every day and it was a treat to witness up close and in the wild. As we’ve read and listened to weather reports throughout the country telling of extreme icy, snowy and freezing conditions we feel lucky to be camped out here in the Florida Keys in our shorts and tee-shirts. After our upcoming 4 nights at John Pennekamp State Park we have 2 nights at Flamingo in the Everglades National Park before heading further north up the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida. We’re thinking that our plan to spend all of January in Florida sounds just about right!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Key West (again)

For sunset. A perfect afternoon.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys

We pulled in mid afternoon and set up camp before scurrying off to check out the beach and surrounds. A beautiful spot though we're getting a sense of the Florida bugs in the evening. As a special event, we purchased some fish to grill for dinner along with the famous Key Lime Pie. Our evening took a small hit when we discovered that our water pump was no longer working in the van. With daylight gone we decided to tackle it in the morning but it made dinner preparation and clean-up a little more challenging than we're used to. However, the fish and accompanying homemade sauce turned out great. And the Key Lime Pie was delicious. Tomorrow we'll get the water situation figured out.

Key West, Florida

Pool swimming.

The girls were in the pool from 4:30 - 6:30pm yesterday, dragged "ashore" only for dinner. Today we did a morning bike cruise around Key West township while the girls complained of being "too hot". Meanwhile, Denise and Doug are loving the very warm, balmy weather that, at 75F, feels a lot like living in Hawaii or Brisbane.

Later today we head for a long stay at Bahia Honda State Park but have greatly enjoyed the day spent with a very welcoming family resident here in Key West. We're parked in their driveway and the pool has been the center of our visit. After the bike ride this morning the girls went back to the pool... and again straight after lunch. In fact they are swimming as this blog gets updated.

The good news is that Ruth has become very comfortable with her snorkeling gear. As a still cautious swimmer, we weren't sure how she'd go. Our concerns have been put aside. After just a few hours in the pool wearing her mask, snorkel and fins she is now swimming like a little fish. As a more confident swimmer, Rose (pictured above) is enjoying the pool lounging experience.

Hopefully the weather will hold so we can experience some reef snorkeling together!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Long Key, FL

Stopping for lunch on our way to Key West after a night at John Pennekamp State Park.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Outside Miami, FL

On the Florida Turnpike, heading to Key Largo area. Cheapest diesel fuel to date!! Just $2.35/gal. Highest has been $4.85. Onward to the Keys...

Friday, December 12, 2008

Lake Worth, Florida

We're spending a night at John Prince Park Campground -- about an hour south of Jensen Beach. The person we were planning to stay with tonight called to let us know she was feeling ill. We're hoping to meet her tomorrow for breakfast, then we'll begin our trip south to Florida Keys.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Jensen Beach, Florida

Two great nights visiting with (little) Werner and family. Weather has been stormy but the hospitality excellent. Moving on to West Palm Beach tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Cape Canaveral, FL

It's hard to leave when you are camped beside a beach and it's 75F outside... so we stayed a second night. Moving on to Jensen Beach south of here today.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Cape Canaveral, Florida

A warm and balmy 70F today after a pleasantly warm evening last night.

Dinner and breakfast both enjoyed outside since we pulled in here yesterday afternoon. We have some time planned for the beach today - after the girls get back from chasing lizards and feeding the stray cats abundant here at this beachside RV park.

Later today we head for Jensen Beach and a few nights at the home of (little) Werner and his family's place.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Alachua, Florida

Staying a 2nd night with Nigel Watson, an old school friend of Doug's, and his partner Ruthie, on their 6 acre farm here in Alachua. It has been a great visit for the sunny weather, good company and hours of "horsey" entertainment for the girls -- especially Rose -- as they enjoy the two horses here on the property under (big) Ruthie's professional and watchful eye. We're about 30 minutes north of Gainesville and plan to head for Jensen Beach tomorrow with a night's stay in between (at a place we've yet to select but likely near Orlando).

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, Florida

We made it to Florida! The last two nights we were camped at Skidaway Island Park near beautiful Savannah where we experienced amazing southern cuisine (again) at Mrs Wilkes Boarding House. Denise and Doug ate there 12 years ago. The food seems only to have gotten better!! Today we cruised across the Georgia/Florida border just after 2pm during a balmy (69F) and sunny day. At our tree canopied campground we quickly parked then went for a 2 hour family walk along the long, white sandy beaches that wrap around the park. On our walk we saw two armadillo's in the woods, three jelly fish and a one puffer fish washed up on the beach, and dozens of huge dragon flies chasing mosquitos. We arrived back at our campsite for an evening outside around the camp fire. It's the first time in ages since we've been able to sit comfortably outside. Thank you, Florida.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Charleston, South Carolina

We pulled into Charleston on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon and found ourselves at a very pleasant campground on James Island at a fortuitous time of the year. The county run park has the Holiday Festival of Lights -- an annual event where millions of sparkling lights and hundreds of displays are available on a three-mile driving tour! All this is just adjacent to our campground and our camping fee includes price of admission to the show. Early on Sunday evening we did the driving tour with windscreen wipers on intermittent. The whole family was in awe of the wonderful light show we experienced as we drove around the park. It is a wonderful display of lighting and artistry where your head turns left and right to catch all the clever displays (many having an animated effect such as the circling shark that then jumps out of the water or Santa hitting a golf ball that then flies a hundred feet across an open space to "land" a hole in one at the flag or the falling autumn leaves as you pass through a small wooded canopy of trees). There are dinosaurs, christmas themes, underwater themes, deers and elves, bridges, flags and wildlife... the list is endless. It's all done so tastefully that we went out again tonight for a second viewing -- this time by foot since the rain had cleared. A $3/person train ride took us for a 15 minute tour of a "magic forest" that was particularly geared for kids. All in all, good wholesome family fun! We also spent some time today in historical Charleston and marvel at how attractive the town is. We splurged on lunch at a fancy restaurant to delve into the "low country" southern cuisine. All agreed that Fried Green Tomatoes was our favorite. Tomorrow we'll pack up and head to Savannah, Georgia. The rain has mostly cleared but the evenings remain cold. We're told it is unseasonably cold. Irrespective, we've had enough of cold nights and gladly await some (hopefully) warmer Florida evenings.