Friday, January 30, 2009
In transit to St. George Island, Florida
Our stay at Cedar Key was marred by a few days of cold, windy and wet weather. We got out and about in between squalls but were starting to feel "cabin feverish" by the second day. Wierdly, we completely lost our cellular connection to the outside world for 24-36 hours, only getting a signal once again the morning of our departure. Internet access was also limited so what could have been a few productive planning days were sharply curtailed. Sun is shining on a cool day today as we stop for groceries at the Chiefland Winn-Dixie store. Onward to the Florida panhandle area soon...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Crystal River, Florida
Our stay at Manatee Springs was remarkable in that we did not see any Manatees while we were there. However, we did get to enjoy the incredibly crystal clear springs for a swim.
Millions of gallons of fresh water fill the headwaters of the springs from an ancient, underground aquifer at a constant 72F. At the headwaters is a deep "pool" -- approximately 25-30 feet deep and 40-50 feet around. The water oozes out from a crevace at the bottom of the hole and slips away downstream to join the major river system. On the first morning of our stay we took our snorkeling gear and splashed around. Doug enjoyed diving to the bottom of the springs while the girls paddled around on top marveling at all the fish. If manatees had been in the area we would not have been able to swim in the pool.
We also tried our hand at fishing off the pier. Ruth hooked her largest fish yet! Unfortunately, it got away. It bent her rod perilously when it bit onto the hook then broke her line when we lifted it out of the water. Another fish story for the reportoire. (And, no, we don't know what type of fish it was).
As a pleasant side trip we then headed south 70 miles from Manatee Springs to Crystal River where we are visiting with grandparents of friends. The girls have been captivated by the quantity, size and variety of turtles and tortoises the couple keeps on their property. There is also a horse and 3 dogs but it's the shell-backed critters that have caught their interest.
Tomorrow we head for Cedar Key, about 50 miles north of here, for two nights RV camping. We've been told its like a smaller, less rowdy Key West so elected to get a site right on the water so we can enjoy a few sunsets.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Leaving Alachua, Florida (again)
We left St Augustine on Tuesday Jan 20th, after watching the Presidential Inauguration (swearing in and speech). It was in celebratory spirits that we headed back to our friends farm, Nigel and Ruthie, to visit them again. Doug had to attend a few work meetings in Boston, leaving Wednesday and returning Friday, so the girls set up "camp" in their welcoming home while he was gone.
As Saturday has rolled around, it's time to move on. We're heading for Manatee Springs today.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
St Augustine, Florida
Today we visited the old part of St Augustine and had a memorable tour of the fort, including a demonstration of a cannon firing. Very loud. And quite an amazing set of steps and rules followed before firing. (As Denise and Ruth later realized, there was no cannon ball included with the firing).
As America's oldest city, St Augustine has kept much of the charm from its (Spainish) settlement in 1565 with an old part of the town proudly kept alive as a tourist mecca. We're hoping we can get to see the old town at night as January is part of the St Augustine light festival where white lights are festooned over trees and shops around the historic district.
We're staying in the beautiful home of some friends here in St. Augustine -- enjoying their hospitality as well as spending time with their twin 4 year old children, Luke and Libby. The nights are cool and the days are cooler than they were in the St Petersburg but still bright and sunny. Still great for winter weather!
We've decided to extend our stay an extra night here so we can watch Obama's Inauguration on Tuesday live on television.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A long week in Central Florida
We're in a hotel in Orlando tonight. Denise and Ruth checked out of Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground this morning after spending 4 nights there. It was planned to be a whole family affair -- and Tuesday was the big family day at the Magic Kingdom inside Disney World -- but very early on Wednesday morning, Rose and Doug caught a flight back to Seattle for a brief visit before returning to Orlando late afternoon today.
Our time at Fort De Soto Campground was exceptional. We extended our stay a few extra nights before moving to Disney World because this jewel of a campground was providing an exceptionally great stay! Hopefully future photo's added to this blog (and some extra narrative) will properly capture what was one of the best campsite we've stayed at on our journey to date.
Tomorrow we head to St. Augustine in Florida where we will stay with friends and visit America's oldest city.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Fort De Soto County Park, near Tampa, FL
A lot of folks told us we'd like this place. We can see why!
We arrived just at sunset and enjoyed a magnificent orange-tinged sky from our campsite looking across the water. Fish were jumping. The waters were smooth and inviting.
Tomorrow we'll do a more thorough reconnaisance of the park that includes 3 separate campgrounds.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Sanibel Island, Florida - last night
Much to our delight we were able to extend our stay at Periwinkle RV Park on Sanibel Island after our initial 2 reserved nights. Checking daily at the office, we managed to get a spot right near the entrance to the RV Park for an additional 4 nights. That meant we could spend New Year’s here as well as having a few days on the other side before moving on. On the downside we are right out near the main road and, except for the very early hours of the morning, the traffic has been quite consistent.
With a longer visit we set up our 12’ x 9’ tent. It opens directly outside our van awning so it feels like we have a huge camping area. We also have set up an outside kitchen to enjoy the evening outdoors as much as possible.
Our days have been marked with many visits to the beach. Doug and Denise have enjoyed some long beach walks while the girls have concentrated on making wonderful sand structures and collecting shells. Meals have been simple and wholesome. The warmer weather makes us all feel less hungry and we’ve enjoyed simple salads and grills. On New Years Day breakfast we celebrated with Chocolate-Banana pancakes, which were a real hit!
We visited the Sanibel Island Wildlife Refuge one day and were delighted to see a flock of roseate spoonbills. Their colors make them appear like flamingos but their distinctive spoon-shaped bill gives them away.
The other day, while Doug and Ruth went fishing in the river that passes through the RV park, Ruth hooked a huge (as in, much larger than a dinner plate) turtle. The poor animal had been gently sucking on her bait but ended up on our line. We pulled it out of the water – very heavy – then had to fight it onto its back so it would stop kicking and potentially biting while Doug got the pliers to remove the hook. The operation went well and the turtle was safely released back into the river. On that same fishing trip a river otter scampered across the bridge right next to where Doug and Ruth were fishing. It looked up, had eye contact, and then slithered into the safe dark waters on the other side of the low-lying bridge. Finally, a small ‘gator was spotted watching the whole scene from the safety of the river.
On other fishing outings, the pickings were not as good. At the Fishing Pier Ruth managed to hook a small grunt that was then returned to the ocean but we had little success fishing from the main beach shoreline.
Rose has officially been admitted to “Hogwarts” (of Harry Potter fame). Santa gave her the whole series of Harry Potter books and she has been relishing her time reading them – in one sitting if possible. On New Year’s Day she was allowed a full day of uninterrupted reading and completed The Goblet of Fire. She is eager to read more while her parents are equally eager for her to enjoy the beach and local experiences. It is agreed that she will return to Hogwarts one day next week.
The weather has been near perfect - warm, sunny days around 72-78F and cool evenings that make for easier sleeping. The RV Park is in a constant state of flux as new arrivals come for their brief vacation and others move on after concluding theirs. There is a wonderful bird rescue center that concentrates on parrots – from all around the world – and puts on a daily show of feeding and education for anyone visiting. The birds are in cages near the main walkway so that visitors can easily see them during the day.
The girls have taken a particular shine to “Peaches”. She is not a talker but has a wonderful knack of coming up to the edge of her cage – just within finger-scratch reach – to lounge as young children rub her about her head and body with their small fingers, usually in the places she directs. She is always receptive to a friendly scratch. Ruth has taken delight to the interaction and has learned that she can get Peaches to turn around by twirling her finger.
Our many beach visits are punctuated by sea shell collecting. There is a marvelous number and variety of shells that wash ashore during the winter period and low tide is an especially rich time to look around. Meanwhile, a pod of dolphins can often be seen – morning and evening – heading along the shoreline doing their own fishing. There is a small sand bar about 30 yards from the main beach that runs parallel to the beach. It creates a small shell-catching channel. Waves wash over the sand bar to fill the channel. Dolphin activity is just outside the sand bar.
Doug and Denise have taken the opportunity to do some short swims in the ocean. While Rose and Ruth continue to resist ocean swimming they have enjoyed a cooling paddle in the channel in the middle of the day.
Mostly we’ve been getting around on our bikes. Florida is notoriously flat and makes for good bike riding though it can be hazardous mingling vacationers on bikes with vacationers in cars. There are no injuries or accidents to report but we’ve heard the sound of some near misses!
Tomorrow we move on to Fort De Soto Park. We’ve been told by many people that Fort De Soto Park is one of the crown jewels in the Florida beach camping scene. We’ve secured 5 nights and are looking forward to extending our beach living for a while longer.
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