March 8 - 17, 2015. Jonathan Dickinson State Park

If I had to choose a favourite among the state parks that we have visited so far this winter, it would have to be Jonathan Dickinson. The facilities are immaculate, all sites are level and there are lots of things to do and see, both in the park and nearby.

Just a few miles south is the city of Jupiter, which is the spring training home of both the Marlins and the Cardinals. We watched the Marlins beat the Washington Capitals by one run on a very hot Tuesday afternoon. We met some very nice people there who recommended a great place for fish and so we ate a delicious grouper dinner at The Food Shack, after the game.

We have biked a lot here. A ride down to the Kimbell Environmental Centre, where there is WIFI 24/7 is an eight mile return trip. We also biked a couple of the trails, both a combination of old pavement and off road conditions. A couple of times we were forced to push our bikes uphill through sand. Needless to say, that ride was quite a workout.

Canoe rentals are available at the concession and so we took advantage of a  guided paddle on the Loxahatchee River where we learned about the various creatures and plants that live near and in the river. Of particular interest was something we didn't capture digitally: a snake coming out of a woodpecker hole high up in a tree. I had no idea that snakes would climb that high, but the guide said that if there were eggs in that hole, that particular kind of snake would have no problem getting to them.

We saw more snakes, as well as gators, crocs, turtles, tortoises and other beasts at the Hobe Sound Nature Conservancy. We even got brave enough to touch a boa constrictor when its handler had it out to show some kids. The Conservancy trail system allowed us to walk to the beach where I promptly put my feet in the water. It was another brutally hot day.

              

A highlight of our time here was meeting up with two women we traveled with in Thailand. Lunch at the Key Lime Restaurant with Nancy and Mimi was such fun. It was wonderful to catch up with these two "wild women".

       

On our last day at Jonathan Dickinson we went horseback riding. After receiving steering and braking instructions we headed out for a one hour ride through the sandy scrub pine trail. Most of the time our horses walked, but a few times we got into a trot. Thankfully, my mare "Galaxy" was very obedient. 

          

Our next park will be Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park which is north of Lake Okeechobee and is out in the wilderness, so no WiFi for four days.

February 28 - March 7 2015. Hillsborough River State Park.

Upon our arrival on Friday evening we joined a guided tour of the park where we heard about the various trails and other points of interest. There are about 15 miles of trails in this park with one of them leading to one of the two places in Florida where one can see class two rapids. 

       

During the week we hiked all of the trails except two which we hiked partially as they were impassible due to the heavy rain on Saturday. We biked every day and particularly enjoyed rides at dusk when all the night creatures started to come out. We saw deer, tortoises, one snake, lots of birds and bats. 

        

On Wednesday we joined a group for a guided tour of Fort Foster, a fort built in the 1800's during the Second Seminole War. The Ranger who guided the tour provided lots of information and answered all questions about the fort and its artifacts.

On a very hot Thursday we drove to Plant City to experience The Florida Strawberry Festival. I have never seen so many food trucks selling deep fried everything; everything from deep fried Oreo cookies to chocolate covered bacon. I did try the deep fried mushrooms and of course we both had strawberry shortcake. We watched pig races, enjoyed listening to some music at a couple of the entertainment tents and looked at various exhibits and product booths.

     

Friday proved to be much cooler and cloudy. We had planned to go golfing but changed our plans and went to a movie after spending time at the public library to use the wifi. 

Today we will visit with some friends in Zephyrhills. Since it hasn't rained for a week we are hoping to bike an 8 mile trail tomorrow. If not, we will do it next year. Off to the Atlantic side on Monday.

February 24 - 28, 2015. Arcadia

We left Highlands Hammock State Park early and have spent three days at an "RV resort" so that we could have reliable internet access for a few days. It is the kind of RV Park where there are zillions of activities and opportunities to be entertained:  water aerobics, tennis, bocce, bridge, crib, and golf to name a few. Both the American and Canadian flags are flown prominently and French is heard throughout the park.

While out for a walk on Wednesday evening we met up with a woman who encouraged us to stop by the clubhouse to hear a free concert. The Arcadia Community Concert Band entertained a capacity crowd with tunes from the 1950's. I was reminded of the many junior high school band concerts I attended where every once in a while a clarinet would make a squeak. Even so, the audience was appreciative.

We biked into town, had lunch at a restaurant that has been in business forever and found a coffee shop/homemade ice cream shop where we just couldn't resist sharing a decadent desert. 

Yesterday I walked by a lake and on the shore spotted a sandhill crane sitting on a nest. When I returned later with a picture taking implement she was still there although it had started to rain so she was curled up and tucked in. 

                     

Today we are heading for Hillsborough River State Park where we will spend the next ten days.

February 17 - 23, 2015. Highlands Hammock State Park

We stayed at Highlands Hammock for one week. When we arrived we were not impressed as the sites are so close together. However we had great neighbour's and found lots to do both in the park and in Sebring.

The park has nine hiking trails and we did all of them. The most interesting was the Cypress Swamp Trail, where the vegetation and swamp looked prehistoric, maybe even Jurassic. Another trail boasts a 1,000 year old live oak tree.

  

        

We also biked the Park's  bike trails as well as a trail that goes from the park into Sebring. 

The park is home to the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum where  we visit

enjoyed a guided tour. The Corps was formed during the Great Depression to provide work for young men. Apparently we had something similar in Canada, maybe the Forestry Service.

We golfed at the Sebring Municipal Course where we paid $10 each for nine holes. The course is in great shape with wide, relatively long fairways and very fast greens. Although we enjoyed the course I stopped keeping score after the first couple of holes as they were not worthy of print. 

Today we are in Arcadia where we will stay for three days.

February 16 -18, 2015. Swing For The Cure

Last year we volunteered at a scleroderma fundraising event and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We looked into it again this year and realized that we would be camping too far away to make it. However, when Janet generously offered her driveway as a place to plug in for a couple of nights we took her up on the offer and so were able to volunteer at the 3rd annual Swing For The Cure at the Venetian Golf and River Club.

On the evening before the event we were treated to a delicious meal of barbecued salmon at Janet's. We also enjoyed the company, of course, as well as lots of laughs and catching up with Chris and Carl.

We arrived at the golf club at around 11:30 and met up with the other volunteers. We worked throughout the day at various tasks but also found time to socialize. Over $50,000 was raised at this event! What an amazingly generous community.      

           

Back at the Ranch; Venice Ranch that is, I enjoyed rooting through my goody bag and showing off the goodies I won at the raffle. Among my prizes were Baltimore Orioles Spring Training tickets, and coupons for auto detailing, an oil change and food.

Before leaving Venice on Tuesday Janet showed a piece that she created...a stone plaque commemorating the design and construction of her patio. 

        

         

If you are interested or even curious about the art of stone carving, visit www.thestoneist.com where you will find some fascinating stones. My current favourite are The Sentinals. 

Our current camping spot is at Highlands Hammock State Park where we are going to stay for one week. The weather forecast says "record cold" for the next couple of days. However, we are planning on checking out some of the great bike and hiking trails here.

February 8, 2015. Egmont Key

For the past three years we have talked about taking the ferry to Egmont Key. Each time we went to the ferry dock it was either the wrong day or the ferry wasn't running for some other reason. But, today was our lucky day. We drove our bikes up to the dock and stood in line with about 30 others. The boat left the dock at 11 and ten minutes later we were walking down the ramp on one of the many beaches on Egmont Key.

                               

The 74 degree temperature was perfect for exploring Egmont, a former fort complex surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches. The island is about 1 1/2 miles long and only 1/2 mile wide. Part of the island is a restricted wildlife sanctuary where birds and gopher tortoises nest. 

                               

Strolling down one of the trails that led to sites of former barracks, we came upon a tortoise that seemed to pose for pictures. We crossed over to the other side of the island and walked the beach, examining some beautiful shells and watching various pleasure boats as well as ships making their way to the port of Tampa.

                    

                              

  After two hours of exploring we made our way back to the ferry for the ten minute ride back to the Fort DeSoto wharf. A two mile bike ride later and we were back at our campsite, having thoroughly enjoyed Egmont Key.

February 1 - 6, 2015. Fort DeSoto

We are currently staying at Fort DeSoto campground, the most visited campground in all of Florida. In order to get a site here for any length of time, booking has to be made six months in advance. Fortunately I learned this lesson a few years ago and was able to book this site last August. We are comfortably set up with electricity, water, a picnic table, chairs and hammocks with a water view.

With temperatures dipping down to the high 40's F at night and slowly going back up to the high 60's and low 70's during the day, Floridians, including TV weather forecasters are calling the current stretch of weather a bit of a cold snap. I beg to differ. With a good heater for the early morning and a hoodie to take along during the day, the weather has been great for biking, exploring, reading and relaxing.

We have taken a couple of long bike rides, venturing all the way to St. Pete Beach driving on a bike trail for most of the trip but also having to use bike lanes, one of which was on a very busy street. Stopping at Dolphin Village we discovered a "real" French cafe. The owner and baker left her corporate job in France to open this cafe which has become a very successful business. 

Another great find was a Tuesday market in Gulfport. Since Internet access here is only at the camp store and ranger station and can be quite slow if there are a lot of people online, we decided to go to the Gulfport Public Library. After a couple of hours at the library we walked down the street, bought some fresh vegetables at the market and found Mangia, a quaint little restaurant serving predominately vegan, vegetarian and organic food. Lunch was delicious.

                        

        

                               Sunset at Fort DeSoto campground