Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL, to KOA, Valdosta, GA:  Left Clermont this morning at 10:00.  I started out driving, taking Florida’s turnpike north and then merging into I75 north. A pretty drive up through horse and cattle country around Ocala. Pretty green pastures enclosed in well kept brown or white board fencing with sleek horses grazing contentedly.  And the wild flowers were amazing—carpets of bright pink and red.  I ended up driving about 2-1/2 hours because we couldn’t find any place to stop and eat.  Finally I pulled off at a rest area and Mike started driving.  We finally stopped at a Denny’s just before our exit and had something to eat.  Pulled into the KOA and were set up by 3:00.  We’re tucked into the live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.  Just pulling in for the night.  Not unhooking.  Tomorrow we’ll drive north through Atlanta and our next stop will be Cartersville, GA, just north of Atlanta.  

Pretty Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL

Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL:  A beautiful, clear sunny day.  But the wind!  After breakfast I went out and got my hair cut.  Also picked up a few things at the grocery store.  Came back and sat outside for a while reading my book.  But with the wind you had to be in the sun to be comfortable.  After lunch we watched golf.  Our last relaxing day since tomorrow we hit the road for home.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  We’ve decided to go through Atlanta and Nashville this time.  Haven’t gone that way in a few years.  One-night stops only, except for Nashville where we’ll stay two nights.  Tomorrow we’ll be staying around Valdosta, GA.  85 today.

Party at the KOA Pub--Sugarloaf Key, FL
Picture by Sandy Bush

On the dance floor with Gerald
Picture by Sandy Bush

Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL:  Watched golf all afternoon.  After that we walked over to the little post office here in the park.  Brought some books we’d read to drop off in their little library that’s housed in the same building.  The exercise room was in there also, so we worked out a little and then played ping pong for a while. Dropped off 5 books and took a Dean Koontz book I hadn’t read yet.  Walked back.  Felt good after sitting around all afternoon.  86 today. 

Jupiter Island, FL

Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL:  Walked over and checked out the pool this morning.  Had every intention of heading over there after lunch.  Sat outside reading my book and when I went inside to fix some lunch I put the TV on and there was an old movie on TMC—“North by Northwest”, with Cary Grant.  Ended up watching that.  After that we watched golf, which is going on just east of us in Orlando.  Took Mikey out for Mexican for his birthday dinner.  88 today.

One of several sandhill cranes that hang out on the golf course here in the park.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter, FL, to Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort, Clermont, FL:  Left Jonathan Dickinson this morning at around 10:30.  Our Canadian neighbors, Louise & Andre, came over to say good bye.  Hopefully our paths will cross again.  I started out driving, taking Rt. 1 north and cut over to the Florida’s Turnpike at Stuart.  Stopped at a service center a little after 12:00 and had some lunch and bought a battery for our Sunpass thingy.  Back on the road with Mike driving. A pretty easy drive through Orlando, skirting the western edge of the city.  Pulled into Clerbrook and were set up by 3:30.  Sat outside reading for a while enjoying the wonderful smell of the pines.  And the sky was a beautiful, deep blue—a great contrast to the lacy green pines swaying gently in the breeze.  Had a light dinner and watched Syracuse University basketball.  Really warm here—86.  Think we’ll hit the pool tomorrow.

Everglades National Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter, FL:  Awoke to the pitter patter of rain this morning.  Nasty most of the morning under a dark sky and lots of wind.  Headed to the ball game around noon and it’s still looking iffy.  But by the time the game started it had broken up and started clearing.  Not an exciting game.  We left at the top of the 9^th when it was tied 1-1.  But the Cardinals won it 2-1.  The most exciting part of the game was when an errant raccoon was loose in the lower level of the stadium.  We thought they were doing the “wave” as people would jump up screaming and kept moving as the little raccoon progressed through the seats.  Just a little raccoon people, not a grizzly.  Some “trapper” guy finally got the poor frightened raccoon.  Drove back and topped off the gas tank.  We cancelled our reservations at Sebastian and are going straight to Clermont because our Canadian friends we were going to meet there had to go home early.  So, tomorrow we leave for Clermont.  Only about 160 miles.  82 today.

Roger Dean Stadium--Jupiter, FL

Cards at bat--before the raccoon livened things up

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter, FL:  Actually got going early this morning and got the laundry and grocery shopping out of the way by noon.  Came back and put everything away.  Got talking to the couple across from us who are French Canadians from Quebec. Nice people.  They’re traveling with another couple from Quebec.  Went back to the Sugar Cane Bar and Grill for lunch.  82 today.

Estate on Jupiter Island