Sun, Nov 25:  Miami-Everglades RV Park, near Homestead, FL:  Another really nice day today.  Cloudy but warm.  We had such a great time with our Canadian friends yesterday.  We thought Charlie and Johanne were going to bring their fifth wheel down and set it up on one of the sites.  But they bought a unit all set up, complete with a lanai, a covered outdoor dining/cooking area, beautiful landscaping, and a storage shed.  It is so nice!  I’m happy for them.  They’re here for 5 months.  After dinner Charlie brought out his guitar and a song fest ensued.  He is such an entertainer.  Got all our laundry done today and we’ll pack for our trip tonight.  Tomorrow we have a cab take us to the Port of Miami.  Around 85 today I think.

Esther & Gerald

Charlie & Johanne

Charlie & Gerald

Sat, Nov 24:  Miami-Everglades RV Park, near Homestead, FL:  Well, we left the peace, serenity and prettiness of Lake Manatee and we’re now in a commercial park which is nowhere near as nice, but necessary.  A cacophony of noises.  A lot of people will be leaving tomorrow.  And besides we won’t be here most of the time anyway.  Getting together with the Canadians this afternoon.

Cheyenne, Wyoming
2008

Fri, Nov 23:  Lake Manatee SP, Bradenton, FL, to Miami-Everglades RV Park, near Homestead, FL:  We were on the road by 9:30 this morning.  A nice driving day—partly cloudy, light traffic on I75, and 82 degrees.  Saw an accident on the north-bound section of I75 south of Ft. Myers.  Felt sorry for those people—traffic was backed up forever.  Traffic was a little heavy on Alligator Alley, but all in all an uneventful drive.  We arrived here by 2:00 and were set up by 2:30.  Arranged for a cab to pick us up on Monday.  We’re getting together with our Canadian friends tomorrow. 

Wild flowers--Lake Manatee State Park

Thu, Nov 22:  Lake Manatee SP, Bradenton, FL:  Happy Thanksgiving!  We watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and then the dog show. Enjoyed a small Thanksgiving dinner.  A little cool and cloudy today.  We started putting stuff away—getting ready to leave tomorrow for the Miami area.  HBBM!

Wild turkeys--Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Wed, Nov 21:  Lake Manatee SP, Bradenton, FL:  Drove back to cute downtown Bradenton and checked out the River Walk.  Thought it would be like San Antonio with shops and restaurants, but it was just a long promenade on the Manatee River.  I didn’t realize how big the Manatee River is.  Found a place for lunch on the river and lunched al fresco at Caddy’s on the Pointe.  A beautiful, sunny day.  We also checked out DeSoto National Memorial before we drove back and relaxed the rest of the afternoon.

Caddy's on the Pointe

 

Tue, Nov 20:  Lake Manatee SP,. Bradenton, FL:  Had breakfast this morning (late) at Cracker Barrel.  Love their breakfasts.  Stuffed ourselves and then went to Publix and did the grocery shopping.  Got that out of the way and checked out a new subdivision on the way back.  There’s been a lot of building here since we were here last—only two years ago.  And the exit off I75 is in the process of a major upgrade—more lanes going off and new ramps, etc.  It’s kind of a mess right now.  After sitting outside reading for a while I went for a walk around our loop.  Took my camera in case I spotted a tortoise.  Saw no tortoises but stopped to chat with a couple of people walking their dogs.  Another nice, warm, but mostly cloudy day.  Upper 70s out there probably.  Left-over grilled chicken and 6-bean salad for dinner.

Lake Manatee

Love all the live oaks which are usually covered in Spanish moss.

Mon, Nov 19:  Lake Manatee SP, Bradenton, FL:  After our morning ablutions we drove over to Anna Maria Island.  Long Boat Key is just south of Anna Maria Island and is very upscale, but Anna Maria has so much more character.  Drove to the north end of the island and stopped at a little park by the water.  You can see the skyway bridge from here.  The island also has this trolly/bus that goes up and down the island making frequent stops.  You don’t even need a car here.  And it’s FREE!  We hung out at the park for a while and then drove back, stopping at the Ugly Grouper for lunch.  A nice day.  Back to our site and relaxed reading for a while until the sprinkles drove us inside.  Grilled chicken and a 6-bean salad I threw together before we left for Anna Maria.  82 over on the island.  Mostly cloudy today though—but warm.

You could really smell the salt water.

An egret looking for a meal.

There are a couple of huge Australian pines in this park.

The Ugly Grouper