The Snowbirds including us are heading North

As we checked out of our Dade Countycampground, we followed a long line of RVs, trailers, and 5th wheels heading north.  Spring is in the air, and it's time to get home.

First, though, we needed to get back to Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne.  Great memories of Morey and Ruthie going to this awesome beach among the pines...the smell always brought back this place in our minds.  Hurricane Andrew in 1992 leveled the place, not a palm nor a pine tree left (the lighthouse did survive); but after a number of years of rebuilding, the park has reopened.  Same nice beach with the sand and the water calling us to jump in, but none of those pines and those old smells. 

Camped for two days at Jonathan Dickenson State Park, just north of Jupiter.  Biked the 5 miles to the Loxahatchee River, where we rented a 2-person Kayak and paddled up the river.  We turned into a smaller stream and soon discovered that we were not alone!!  As we paddled by, a number of friendly alligators sunning themselves on the banks, smiled.... and one did jump in and head toward us.  We knew that alligators can run up to 30 mph on land, but how fast can they swim?!

Surviving our kayak trip, we then headed up to Leesburg to see Ruthie's cousin, Marlene and her husband, Bill.  And they surprised Ruthie with a birthday cake!  How nice to see them and their lovely surroundings.  We couldn't believe the new downtowns and the special roads just for the golf carts.  For all you 55+ers, take a look at Lady Lake and the Villages.