April 25 - May 7, 2011 "Manasota Key, FL"

After a short drive of only 69 miles, we arrived at Homosassa Springs RV Park. After getting checked in and set up, we wanted to explore the area, and right down the road was the State Park, complete with mosquitoes.  I don’t think these guys and gals hardly noticed. (As usual, click on any image to enlarge)

For more information click on the following link for Homosassa State Park.

The park is also a sanctuary, caring for injured animals, as was this Bald Eagle, along with other rehabilitating manatee, owls, foxes, and deer.

While here at the RV park, CC did some laundry, and some provisioning, while I tried to catch up on our budget and finances. That part of life doesn’t change, whether your living this lifestyle or in a stix and brix. Money doesn’t grow on trees; wonder if anyone has reminded Congress of that?

Another short hop of 80 miles, and we were at our new home, the Tampa East RV Resort. These long(?) travel days are really taking their toll on us. HaHa! After check in and set up, CC reminded me that we were only a few miles from Lazy Days, the largest RV distributor in the world; soooo off we were to find our “Ultimate Rig”. Upon arrival at Lazy Days we were asked a few questions, and the receptionist then called for a sales person by the name of Moke to assist us. He was a very nice and friendly young guy, new to the industry, and really worked his tail off, trying to find us exactly what we were looking for in our “Ultimate Rig”. We narrowed it down to a 2007 Tiffin Phaeton 42 footer, with tag axle with a 350 HP Cummins diesel.

We slept on it, and kept coming back to the one thing, well actually two, that we just couldn’t live with; the TV location in the living area, and the possible misconception that I thought the 350 to be a little small for this size of rig. It drove and rode remarkably well on the test drive, but that was in flat Florida, and not in the mountains that seem to now be in our blood, after 30 years of living in Colorado. We could have done the deal for $100K plus our rig as a trade in, but we were not willing to sacrifice what we wanted AND be $$$ lighter in the wallet. We will continue looking; there has to be a rig out there with our name on it.

May 2, 2011 Our One Year Anniversary ; One year ago today, we left our home of 10 years and moved into Ms. Sol Crucero full time. We haven’t killed one another yet, so I guess we’ll keep trying; Happy FT Anniversary CC!

Travel day; a short 75 mile jaunt to the southwest, along the Florida coast, to the beach community of Englewood Beach to visit longtime friends, Kathi and Obie. (Last names withheld to protect the innocent.) The arrival ritual consisted of shots of tequila followed by biting a lime---ooops, forgot to stop and get limes---Cheers anyway! It’s been a long trip for us since leaving Weslaco on March 15. Let’s do another shot!

Bright and early (?) the next morning we walked down to their dock, and were pleasantly surprised at a couple of dolphins chasing mullet off the seawall. Pictures were hard to take, because you never knew just where the dolphins would surface, but it was fun watching them chase the fish, and play with them after they were caught, that is, until it was lunchtime---down the hatch lil’ fishy!

We trekked on down to the Lock & Key for a light lunch; calamari and nachos ala margaritas. A strange combination you say? Both were outstanding, AND we had leftovers. Time for the beach, and a few more margaritas; I think we were all ready for bed as midnight approached. Manana is a new day!

CC and I stumbled across a little neighborhood bakery in nearby North Port, FL, where the apple fritters are to die for, Abbe’s Bakery on the Tamiami Trail. (The cinnamon rolls aren’t too shabby either.) I ordered 4 of each, and off to Kathi and Obie’s we were. After making pigs out ourselves it was time for a little boating.

What a great day, just being on the water, taking in the sights and smells, watching for dolphins, soaking in the sun, sipping an ice cold margarita; aaahhhh………life is good! There was one of us in the foursome that decided that THEY were going to do some skiing, and after several (4) unsuccessful attempts, made their way back into the boat. My lips are sealed, and I’m not naming names, but they DO have at least two vowels in their name; and that’s ALL I’m saying.

Now it’s time for a great meal at The Gulf View Grill on Manasota Key. I had the Parmesan Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass, Kathi opted for Crab Colorado (a misnomer if ever there were one), and Obie and CC chose the Scallop and Shrimp Fettuccini. Great food with great friends; Life is indeed good.

While in the area we also dined at Maria’s Mexican Café, and the 776 Café, and both were very, very good, and are highly recommended along with Lock and Key and Gulf View Grill. Parting company is always a hard time for CC and I, as we have come to realize just how precious life and the gifts of life are, but the time has come to say our good bys. The week has gone by much too fast, and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit, your company and your hospitality. Hasta luego, mi amigos!

Another travel day again? Wow, where have the last two weeks gone? This is the gypsy lifestyle we have chosen, and so it is, with a heavy heart, we now head northward, up the Eastern seaboard, in search of “The Ultimate………” Until next time, take care and stay well

April 17 - 24, 2011 "Florida Coastal Highway 98"

Emerald Coast RV Resort is a top rated resort by Woodall’s and Trailer Life, and we can see why. This place is gorgeous; landscaped to the 10’s and impeccably well maintained. While our nightly rate of $66 is steep, spaces here for the winter average about $600 per month, with a four month commitment. (As always, click on any image to enlarge)

Our trip across the Gulf of Mexico has enabled us to survey the beaches as we travel. Hands down, Panama City Beach is the best so far; powdery soft off white sand, with the clearest water we have seen since leaving South Padre Island, TX. It has been almost one year since the Gulf oil spill, and I can honestly say you wouldn’t imagine the beaches could be so clean. We saw no indication at all, of any remnants of the spill; our rating for Panama City Beach, an astounding 10.

Another travel day; it sure is hard to leave such a beautiful resort and beach, BUT, like Pee Wee, we are on to the next big adventure, with Carrabelle, FL in our sights. We have followed Highway 98 along the coast for most of our Florida “vacation”, and it does not disappoint the visual appetite, especially having lived in Colorado for the past 30 years. As we pull into Carrabelle Beach, we noticed a change in the beaches appearance, from that of our departure just 90 miles to the northwest.

One of the first questions we ask upon check in at a new destination is, “Are there any place(s) that you would consider a must see, must do, while in the area?” You see, we are currently on the shores of Apalachicola Bay, THE oyster capitol of The Gulf of Mexico. Our friends, Carl and Carla recommended an out of the way place in nearby Indian Pass, and the Ho Hum RV Park manager agreed, the Indian Pass Raw Bar was a must do. Mere words alone cannot describe how fresh and sweet the oysters were, but I can honestly say, for those of you how don’t like oysters, eating them here would change your attitude, and your palate.

As the sun rose the following day, while sipping our morning beverages, we gazed out across the Gulf, watching the pelicans dive into the emerald waters for their breakfast; we pondered our day’s activities. How about a walk down the beach? Sounds like a plan, so off we were. As the tide slowly drifted out, we were suddenly awestruck by an unusual creature at water’s edge; a Horseshoe Crab, almost prehistoric in its appearance.  

Making our way a little further down the beach, we noticed a “gathering” of Horseshoe Crabs; and then it FINALLY donned on me, “Mating Season”. During the breeding season, horseshoe crabs migrate to shallow coastal waters. Smaller males select a female and cling onto her back. The larger female digs a hole in the sand and lays her eggs while the male fertilizes them. The female can lay between 60,000 – 120,000 eggs in batches of a few thousand at a time. Many shore birds will eat the eggs before they hatch. The eggs take about 2 weeks to hatch. The larvae molt six times during the first year. If you would like to see the mating process, click on the following link to You Tube – Horseshoe Crabs Mating.

Another travel day already? You’ve got to be kidding me. Where does the time go? Oh well, if we must…..We continue along Highway 98/19 southeast in the direction of Old Town, FL, a distance of 135 miles, we move a little further inland and away from the coast line drive. It continues to amaze us that pine trees and palm trees can grow in the same eco system, side by side; I surmise too many years of living in the high plains desert of Colorado, can make one leery of such vegetation.  But arrive we do, at the Yellow Jacket RV Resort, right on the Suwannee River; can you say “Hot & Humid?” Right. Off to the pool for a cool down.

We had been in the pool for all of 15 minutes when a gentleman asked, “Are you coming to the pot luck dinner tonight?” Well, didn’t know we were invited. Sure, just sign up, and bring a side dish. (We decided on taking Potatoes Lyonaise.) So promptly at 5 we ventured to the pavilion where 20  - 25 people gathered and shared a 30 pound smoked ham. It still amazes us how incredibly friendly people in the South are. We had a wonderful time, met some new people, and as always, with any pot luck, ate waaaay too much. Diet starts tomorrow. Right.

Until next time, when we will be following our current route to Homosassa Springs, to swim with the Manatee; take care and stay well. Happy Easter!

April 5 - 16, 2011 "Mississippi, Alabama & Florida"

We had an uneventful travel day from New Orleans to Gulfport, MS, which is the way we like them. It is so nice to travel in the South; people are Soooo friendly and helpful. We pulled into Southern Oaks RV Park a little after noon, set up and decided to just relax for the remainder of the day. The following day we went for a drive along the beach to survey the repairs that have been done since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in September 2005. Most of the damage has been repaired, and / or replaced, but there are many vacant water front lots for sale. The residents made lemonade out of lemons by commissioning artist to carve wooden sculptures out of the damaged trees along the waterfront. (As always, click on any image to enlarge)

The following day, CC was feeling frisky (I mean lucky) and convinced me we needed a little R&R at the Island View Casino Resort. After our last episode of kissing sister in Lake Charles, I was skeptical, but being the nice guy that I am, finally succumbed to her prodding. After an hour or so we were down a whopping $12, playing $0.25 Video Poker, when I suggested we move to another area of the casino in search of a winning machine. While we sat there, I complained that I hadn’t had a flush all day, and CC exclaimed, “You mean like this one”. She didn’t even realize what she had until I shrugged my shoulders and said “Yea, like that one.” You can see by the reaction on her face, just how low keyed she was. I guess it was her lucky day.

On Thursday, while CC did laundry, I finished our taxes, and got that information off to our accountant. I’m sure I will be writing checks in the near future. While I could easily be prompted to get on my soap box, and scream about all the wasteful spending by Congress, I will merely comment that I, for one, will no longer vote for another incumbent until the situation is rectified.


Friday was a travel day; Gulfport, MS to Foley, AL, a short drive of 108 miles. We have slowed our travel pace down considerably, largely due to gas prices, but also to take some time and “smell the roses”. We arrived at the 5 star resort, Bella Terra, shortly after noon, set up and ventured off to Gulf Shores, Al, for a boat show. There were 250 boats on display, 100 of which were in the water. CC found one she would consider, a 52 foot Carver that would average 3 - 4 gallons per mile. Yes, you read correctly, 3 - 4 gallons per mile. While Ms. Sol Crucero is currently averaging 7 – 8 miles per gallon, it makes the price of gas less painful in retrospect. It’s all about perception.


The Strawberry Festival in Loxley, AL was our destination for Saturday. They were also hosting a car show, which I enjoyed more than the festival. On display were about 80 cars, all makes and models, from Studebakers to Corvettes to Ferraris. CC’s eye was captured by this beauty.

Afterward, we were both famished, and found Lambert’s in Foley, AL. For those of you that have never been to one of the three Lambert locations, let me just say, you will leave feeling as if you had just eaten Thanksgiving dinner.

I ordered the catfish dinner, a little pricey, I thought, until they presented the plate of 6 catfish fillets. CC ordered the lemon pepper chicken breast, and it was the whole thing; both breasts. A double full breasted chickadee, if you will. My kinda bird!

Sunday we decided to drive the 30 miles to Pensacola, and check out not only the town but the beach as well. It was a cool and overcast day, so lunch and a brief walk on the beach was all we wanted. Pensacola Beach was the nicest we had seen so far in our quest across the Gulf; semi-soft light beige sand and huge expansions of it. The water was clearer than at Gulf Shores, but only marginally.


We like to travel Monday – Thursday, thus avoiding the “weekenders”. So it was off to Niceville, FL, just a few miles north of Destin and Ft. Walton Beach, FL. It was, again, as we prefer an uneventful trip to Fred Cannon Rocky Bayou State Park. (Wow, that’s a mouthful) What a wonderful place, as we have found State Parks to be among the best camping values for the money, and this did not disappoint.

As we sat, lounging in our chairs and looking over the bayou, CC noticed a “snake” peeking its head out of a hole in the tree next to us. Upon closer examination, it was only a Five Lined Skink, and NOT a snake, as I explained to her, snakes don’t have legs.

BOOM…. BOOM…. BOOM…. What the hell was that? It sounded like something exploded, as I ran out of the rig to see if I could see smoke arising from a downed airplane. Another BOOM, and no smoke. Sonic booms perhaps? As we exited the park for our daily excursion, I asked the Park Ranger if he knew what the explosions were. As he explained to me, the Department of Defense has a bomb detonation school nearby, where they train our allies, to detonate unexploded ordinates found around the world. OK, no harm no foul; on to Henderson State Park in Destin, right on the beach.

Happy birthday CC. Today she turned the big ?? (I may be slow, but I’m not stupid). We decided on some R&R at the rig (OK now, get your minds out of the gutter) and just relax and absorb some of the beautiful surroundings that Mother Nature had provided us. We kept looking for Bullwinkle, but he was nowhere to be seen, as Rocky made a solo appearance.

Another travel day already? It seems like we just got here. But as reality set in, it was on to Panama City Beach, FL, a very short jaunt of only 55 miles, where we checked into Emerald Coast RV Resort, another 5 star resort. And well it should be at $66 per night; OUCH!

We’ll be here for a few days and then we off to Carrabelle, FL, where we will be residing at the Ho Hum RV Park. Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, take care and stay well…….