Southwest Florida, our first time in exploration mode

Having only zipped through southwest Florida in the past, it was time to stop,  kick the tires (at Edison's and Ford's winter estates), smell the flowers (at the Naples Botanical Garden),and do a little fishing (eating that is).  And while exploring, our friends Ronnie and Stu joined us for much of this time.

Stopped first at the Edison and Ford winter estates in Ft. Myers, where when we arrived with our RV, we were escorted to the RV/bus parking area, and then shuttled to the entrance.  What service!  Then we checked out the museum which houses many of Edison's inventions, showcases Ford and his development of Ford Motor Company, and finally Edison's search for a rubber substitute that he could grow in the United States.  Then off to see the two winter residences.

Our next stop was at Koreshan State Historical Park, where we checked out the early 20th Century Koreshan Unity Settlement.  Dr. Teed purchased the land in 1894 and brought to Florida his believers.  They built a commune which was self sufficient with gardens, a bakery, a sawmill, and housing for the settlers.  They built the Planetary Court, a large residence which housed the seven female managers of the commune.  All of this they called the Home Grounds; the beginnings of the planned New Jerusalem which they hoped to build.  This Unity Settlement was based on Teed's belief that the Earth was a hollow convex sphere with the sun, planets, and stars at its core.  At the largest, there were 300 believers, but as years continued, the settlement declined, with the final member donating the land and buildings to the state of Florida.


We camped at the adjacent state park campground and walked the 1/2 mile trail to the commune's grounds.  In addition to touring the buildings, there were also some bridges and gardens to view.

Next we motored down to Collier-Seminole State Park, which became our base for the next week.  Thanks to Ronnie & Stu, we traveled to many parts of southwest Florida.  We drove to downtown Naples and checked out the classy houses.  We did the same at Marco Island. 





Spent a day at the Botanical Gardens with the incredible orchids, and a special exhibit of Origami inspired sculptures.  Also had a great lunch at the garden café.  Pictures tell a thousand words!

Our last day with our friends, we first drove to the Big Cypress Swamp boardwalk.  It was a good thing we all paid the $3 admittance fee, as the 6 foot alligator was checking tickets at the beginning of the boardwalk.

 
Next onto Everglades City and a boat ride through the 10,000 Islands.  The culmination was our dinner at Triad, which specializes in Stone Crab claws.  Right off of their boats and to our table.  We even met the owner, Orlo, who told us he was the first supplier to Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach.  "Joe paid me in cash on delivery!"

After all of this exploring, and our friends departing, it was time to relax....or so we thought.  So we packed lunch and biked to Marco Island Beach from the campground.  Twelve miles each way isn't so bad....but it was 86 degrees .  And the road....no shoulder.  So tomorrow we really RELAX !!

Sarasota & Oscar Scherer State Park

When we were here two years ago, we said we had to come back.  What a great campground, along the South Creek in the town of Osprey.  Great campsites, lots of activities, and the best part is the Legacy Bike Trail which is accessed at the back of the park.  The Legacy is an 11 mile rail to trail ride that took us up to the Walmart for shopping, but better....south down to Venice.

But first we rented a car for a few days to check out downtown Sarasota and the barrier island in the Gulf.  First stop the Saturday Farmers Market; plus a bonus of a nice art show to wander.  Morey loved the food from the Empanada stand for a breakfast supplement!  And then of course we bought some veggies, and lunch at a deli.

Then off to Longboat key, checking out the beaches, then dinner at the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill where we enjoyed fresh Grouper and Stone Crabs.  Oh, and down here in Florida instead of remote controlled Seagulls, they have remote controlled Pelicans.  Push the correct button, and they land on the dock piling.....WOW.   

Biking on the Legacy Trail become a daily activity for us.  Especially when our friends, the Zamostnys joined us.  Trips included a ride down to the town of Venice, and of course, a stop in town for a raspberry soda! Then there were a number of bike rides down to different beaches, and exploration of the barrier islands.

Two rides to Casey Key Fish House, and Morey had to order a Tom Collins for old times sake.  And we passed the Venice Train Station many times, and stopped for a tour -  Built 80 years ago, recently restored, and for 30 years the winter home of the Barnum & Bailey Circus....Unloaded the rail cars right at the station; even the elephants!

Can't forget an unforgettable stop at Walts Fish Market, a fun and great eating fish place.  All in all, a great couple of weeks here.

Cinnamon Bay 2017 !!!

We first hit this beach in 1977, and now 40 years later we're back for the sixteenth time (we think).  For many years, not much changed....except everything got older (like us).  But now with a new concessionaire, changes are happening. 

We slept the first night in the cottages, so that we could wake up in the bright morning sun, stake out our campsite claim, and get settled for this three week trip.  This year with the ECO tents going up at all of our favorite bare sites, we had to wait until Mary could find us a place to hammer in our tent stakes.  Actually, no hammering this year, as we were given a pre-setup tent in the Group Site area where we camped on our very first trip.  Among neighbors who have been coming every January for years, it was like "back-to-home" for us.

Settled in, we checked out the new ECO tents, the expanded pavilion with the huge bar..


...but then we snorkeled at Cinnamon, Maho, and some new places including Brown Bay and the south side of Haul Over Bay.....nice and less destroyed coral. 




We took a 7 mile guided kayak paddle leaving from Cruz Bay, followed the north shore to Caneel Bay, then across to some islands.  Snorkeled at some much less disturbed areas; nice!

Another day we did some volunteer work for Friends of St. John at a former sugar plantation home.  With loppers and gloves we cleared jungle growth and learned all about Catch-N-Keep; the nasty little vines that grab hold of your skin, and don't let go.

Other highlights:  Many visits to the Joe's Rum Hut for happy hour, brunch at Miss Lucy's, Salt Pond and our first (finally) hike to Rams Head.  But mostly, we snorkeled, seeing some great fish, coral, turtles, and rays....and enjoyed this wonderful St. John island.

TRADITION !

We say goodbye to 2016

This was a big year!  Lots of great stuff happening, and we renewed our motorhoming commitment with the purchase of Blowin-in-the-Wind 2.  Another Winnebago 30ft RV; this time with a third slideout for our bedroom, and a more homey feel with a dining table and chairs......and Morey's favorite option, the television that lowers into the dining buffet. 

So we say goodbye to BIW. 

And we welcome BIW2! 

The big question.....Do we start our "States Visited" quest from the beginning, or do we build on our current 47 states visited??  Which would mean we only have to travel to Rhode Island and Alaska.  (Hawaii doesn't look too doable.) 

Fort Desoto County Park

Recommended by our RV friends, we pulled into our campsite here at Fort Desoto, just south of St. Petersburg.  Nice sites; all very private with Florida vegetation between us and all of the RVs; and then the water views from the back of our site.  Nice place to spend a week!





Lots of great stuff to do here....  paved, wide bike trails to the ends of the key, a great snack bar and beach shop with 16 flavors of ice cream, a nice beach on the gulf with sugar sand, and two forts from the Spanish American War to explore.  We DID have to be careful at the forts......

   

Captain Toe steering us to Egmont Key

Another day we took the ferry to Egmont Key, snorkeled around some of the ruins of Fort Dade, then walked the key where we saw a Gopher Tortoise, moving slow.........

Tomorrow we clean up BIW and get it ready to sleep here in Tampa, while we fly home for the holidays.  We'll be back in February with all of our camping gear from another trip to Cinnamon Bay in the USVI.

We found...Low Key Hideaway !!!

After 6 days of extreme activity at Disney, it was time to find a quiet quirky place where we could watch the sunset drop below the marshes here on Cedar Key.  On the "Nature Coast", a couple of hours north of Tampa is this very historical key.  We pulled our RV into Low Key Hideaway which has 3 RV spots with full hookups, and a small motel with 8 rooms.

Before doing some biking and checking out the history and the eateries, we first made a stop at the on-premises Tiki Bar where Ruthie ordered the Hideaway Special...she definitely enjoyed it with the three shots of rum in a slurry of pink juice. 

Of course we didn't start imbibing until we had parked BIW facing the marshes with a primo view out of our windshield.  Relax we did.

Over the next few days, we biked around Cedar Key.  We discovered that Yulee's railroad terminated here, coming from the east coast at Fernandina Beach (another of our favorite Florida spots).  Cedar Key was a major port for shipments to Cuba and Central America in the late 1800s.  Cedar Key was also the manufacturing source for Faber pencils (until all of the Cedars were cut down).  It wasn't until Yellow Fever, Malaria, and the horrible heat of south Florida was conquered, that this area lost its worth, and population.

Today, Cedar Key is a low budget vacation spot.  Getting clobbered by hurricanes every 10 to 20 years has caused for newer buildings to start at the 12 foot level.  There was a recent hurricane this August 31st with a 12 foot storm surge which shut down the Low Key Hideaway; just now getting back in business. 

We did get to Tony's for its world class clam chowder and a great gulf shrimp sandwich.  So good, we bought a case of this chowder to take home.

And couldn't miss the butterflies just outside our window

Another Magical Trip to the Magic Kingdom

For a very magical birthday present for Jordan's fifth birthday, we booked 6 days at Walt Disney World. 



Michael, Jess, & Jordan stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, while we set up BIW at Fort Wilderness.  Disney did not disappoint! 

Arriving on Halloween, we were amazed at all of the incredible decorations at the campground.  And all we had were some pink flamingo lights.........oops, we left them at home.  After setting up camp, we took a short walk over the docks and watched the 9pm fireworks and then the electrical light show on the lake (hasn't changed since our first trip in 1972). 

Next day at the Magic Kingdom, just a short boat ride away.  Met Jordan and his parents at the main gate and we then set out for a dynamite day at the MK.  First stop, the Flying Carpets, then the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc, etc.  Saw two great parades too.

Then a day of leisure, hanging at the pools; before the following day at the Animal Kingdom.  Took the Safari ride where the animals are REAL, and on to a number of shows and more rides.  Pretty worn out, but there is more!

Back to the Magic Kingdom to spend time in Fantasy Land.  Getting pretty good at Fast Passing too.
Stayed for the awesome fireworks initiated by Tinker Bell flying directly over our heads!!

What a great way to celebrate Jordan's fifth!