Lazy Lakes, Sugarloaf Key

Tue, Nov 24, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  It’s been really windy since we’ve been here. Hardly went out at all today. In the afternoon Char and Doug came by and we invited them in. The former LL maintenance guy was over at Char and Jerry’s site doing some work. So we followed Char and Doug over to have a cocktail with them. Even windier over there. Came back, closed up and called it a day. 82 today.

Not much activity at the pool.

Our banana tree.

Lazy Lakes, Sugarloaf Key

Mon, Nov 23, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. Mike not so much. His back is bothering him after all the trials and tribulations yesterday. We changed the sheets and then did the laundry and grocery shopping. Had lunch at the Stoned Crab and then back home to put everything away. A lot of traffic and people in Key West. After getting all our stuff away, we started dealing with the cable—unsuccessfully. We finally got some help and we now have cable. I wonder what next? Went over to the KOA for happy hour and then home to watch TV and crash.

Saw this tiny little flower in the scrub.
Lake Manatee State Park

Lake Manatee the last day we were there. Beautiful!

Lazy Lakes, Sugarloaf Key

Sun, Nov 22, Pine Isle RV Park, Homestead, FL, to Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  At 4:00 a.m. this morning an alarm started sounding. We haven’t had any sun since we got here, and the batteries were getting low. So, we shut off the inverter and went back to bed. It poured down rain for a while, and as soon as there was a break we went out and hooked up the truck so we would have enough battery power to bring up the jacks, etc., etc. Hung out with our friends for an hour or so and then we said our goodbyes and headed down to the Keys. The weather cleared and we had an uneventful trip down. However, the new site we’re going into that we thought would be really easy to get into wasn’t. To make a long story short, we had to cut down a bush in the site across from us. We finally got it in, but not where we really wanted it. But it will have to do for now.  84 today.

Charlie and Johanne's site in Homestead.

They have a cement patio and another cement pad in back for their gazebo--and a paved driveway for their vehicle.

Sweet Molly.

Sitting in their driveway watching Johanne sweep the patio.

With the Canadians in Homestead

Sat, Nov 21, Pine Isle RV Park, Homestead, FL:  Really warm and muggy last night, but we had our battery-operated fans blowing on us so we slept pretty good. Drank too much wine, but that’s normal. We’re getting an idea of what it will be like dry camping in this fancy thing. Only two nights here, but at least we get an idea. Going over to Esther & Gerald’s place for brunch and a game of rummy cube. Later in the evening we ordered pizzas and Charlie and I picked them up. Traffic was horrible because the NASCAR race in Homestead is going on right now. A nice couple of days with our Canadian friends. HBM!

Esther & Johanne

Foxy

With the Canadians in Homestead

Fri, Nov 20, Lake Manatee State Park, Bradenton, FL, to Pine Isle RV Park, Homestead, FL:  Got out of here relatively early, stopping at the dump station to empty our tanks. Made it through the I75 construction okay and across alligator alley. Then on to the Florida’s Turnpike which was undergoing construction everywhere. Mike says it seems like Florida is rebuilding their highways every time we come down here. I’m sure they have to with all the traffic they get. Anyway, we made it here okay and they had a nice dinner for us. Charlie and Johanne are down here this year also. It was great to see all of them.

Lake Manatee State Park

Thu, Nov 19, Lake Manatee State Park, Bradenton, FL:  Cloudy and humid today. But no rain yet. Spent the day futzing around getting ready to leave tomorrow. Mike filled up the water tank, since we’ll be two days at Homestead without hookups. These two days will give us an idea of how the inverter will work, and how well the solar panels will keep the batteries charged. We’re not going to be in a regular site. We’ll be in the “overflow” area right across the street from Esther and Gerald, our Canadian friends. They only charge $15/night. There for two nights and then we head down to the Keys. Mid-80s today. Left-overs for dinner.

The trees in here are all swathed in Spanish moss.

Lake Manatee State Park

Wed, Nov 18, Lake Manatee State Park, Bradenton, FL:  Another nice day today. After lunch we drove out to Anna Maria Island and then down through Long Boat Key before coming back to our site. I really like Anna Maria Island. It has way more character than Long Boat Key. And they have a trolley/bus that runs all over the island—for free I think. Stopped at a little park on the beach and wished we had a couple of chaise lounges and our books. From this park you could see the Skyway Bridge off in the distance. Coming back we got on I75 south of Sarasota and were dismayed to see more construction on I75. Looks like they’re blowing the lanes out to 5 each. I hate driving through construction areas—pulling the fifth wheel anyway. Mike grilled up a couple of steaks for dinner. Served with mashed potatoes and southwest corn. 91 here today! But with a nice breeze. All the locals are complaining about the heat. We’re loving it!

Look at the size of this Australian pine. That's Mike on the right.