The Keys to Florida

Fine weather in Florida now!!
Just kick back and enjoying it!!
Some days just rest and do absolutely nothing, but a couple of others were able to see some neet things. Denice wanted to see the Butterfly World in Fort Lauderdale, so off we went on the 19th. Just scheduled in address of Butterfly World on jeeps GPS, and Suzy led us right there, although she did take us on a route via a Toll highway. Only a dollar for a car so not too bad. Many of the highways here are Toll, so you need to have your dollar ready, although they do have people manning the booths for change if need be. But be sure to go through the pay booth and not through the SunPass lane, ---- as I did on the Bay Bridge at Destin. Still have not paid that $2.50 bill. Wonder whats going to happen with that!! Anyway, back to Butterfly World.
Denice especially loved it, but me too. All kinds of butterflys there and colors and sizes, Also exotic birds, humming birds, and lots of others that very colorful.
Took lots of photos. There also was a Lorikeet enclosure, with about 25 of them there. Of course they want to land on you, and check you all out.

One was real interested in my camera, and put his head right inside the lens cap. Denice's pictures of same.

Then there were Macaws, about a dozen of them, also colorful and interesting.Another part of the complex was dedicated to exotic and sub tropical plants and flowers. Althogh not too many were in bloom, there were still enough to give an indication of the beauty in them. You could only imagine when they were in full bloom. There was a "Bug" house but we did not go through i as it held little interest to us. On the way home we took a short trip out the a conservation area off highway 27, right out in the Sawgrass Everglades. Interesting! Returned home a took a few more sunset pics. Always great with palm trees in forground.
After that busy day had to rest up until the 21st. On this day we headed down the Keys.
Left Okeechobee early in the morning and went south on Highway 27, and then 997 to Homestead, and then onto Highway #1
Drove all the way to Key West, a distance of about 120 miles over many,many bridges, the longest at 7 miles between the various Keys.

Arrived at Key West about 4:00PM, and checked into the Days Inn there. Seems clean and OK, but for $149, I guess it should be. Had a couple of hours until sunset so drove the outer perimeter highway around the Key, about 4 miles. Stopped at the most southerly point in the USA and took some pictures of the monument there.
Then sunset pics on way back to motel and dinner. The next morning drove along beach at sunrise to try for some sunrise pics. Some OK, but not earth shattering.

Then to breakfast at the Waffle House at Days Inn. Circle the Key again, and then head back along the Intercoastal Highway.
Several photo op stops along the way
Had planned on taking in a glass bottom boat ride at Key Largo, near the mainland, but it became increasingly clear that we would not make it for the 3:00PM sailing for a two hour ride, so we elected instead to visit the "Theater of the Sea" in Islamorada.
It was a 2 1/2 hour show that featured Parrots, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Alligators, Crocs, turtles, and more.
We had concidered staying a second night in a motel in Homestead, and then driving to Flamingo in the Everglades National Park, the farthest point south in the mainland USA, but Denice was contacted a rather nasty cold and I could feel one coming on so we just headed home to Lake Okeechobee. The next two days were a bit of a wash as we both came down with colds, an just felt Blah. Didn't feel like doing anything so we didn't.

There Actually is Warm Weather in Florida

We were beginning to think that it was just a hoax, and it was cold here all the time, but finally it has come shinning through. Sun and 75 degree temperatures. Ahhh Bliss!!! Kind of sad though to see all the tropical vegetation wilted and blackening from the untimely frosts of late.
Here is the updated diary of events to date
Jan 13th
Up this morning and prepare to get on the road. Exit the park and hook up outside their gate. All goes well except that when brakes are applied to indicator light will not activate in ELTORO. Decide to move without it as brakes are working anyway. About 10 miles down the road everything rights itself. Just follow route Penny ( the name we have baptised our Streets and Trips friendly adviser with) down through central Florida. Went through several supposedly small towns, that turned into it seemed a never ending city. We sure depended a lot on that Penny, as there were many, many turns and changes of highways, that without her we would have been hopelessly lost. But, she never let us down. As long as well listened to her, her directions were faultless. Only once, and that cannot be blamed on Penny, when we were going through Lake Wales on highway 60 and had to turn onto Highway 27, found that it was closed, no indication why, so we had to find a different route. Penny kept insisting to turn back, but we argued, and finally turned south on Highway 17, and finally she relented and excepted that as an alternate route, returning back onto 27 at Avon Park. Uneventful after that for the rest of the trip. The slight detour was interesting anyway. We had commented in northern Florida that we hadn't even seen an orange orchard, well here was about 100 miles of nothing but. Did find a spot to pull off and walk into the orchard for Denice to take a photo op. Of course, when I picked one small orange from a tree, she refused to even acknowledge that she knew me. I don't think the farmer will miss that one as I see truck after truck loaded to the hilt with the orange fruit. I bet mine is sour anyway. Haven't tried it yet!! Arrive at Crooked Hook RV Park about 3:00PM and check in. Looks like a nice park, so I extended our reservation to two weeks.
Jan 14th
Just a kick-back day - R&R and get settled in
Jan 15th
Even when retired still need to do those household chores
Catch up Day - Wash Clothes
Denice pampers and beautifies herself - facial, hair perm and cut
Looks like a new 40 yr old
Down the road to South Bay Park, about 10 miles
On way back stop at John Stretch Park and take sunset pics

Jan 16th
No Action today. Just sit around and eat and get fat ----ter.
Jan 17th
After the heavy rain during the night, and the sky cleared we decided to take a side trip down into the Everglades to Seminole Reserve. When only a few miles out of Clewiston we started to see alligators -- lots of them.

Seems a canal runs along every road here. Where we have ditches back home, here they have canals. Lots of water birds, alligators, and turtles. Denice did her, save the endangered species again this year, and carted a large soft shelled turtle off the road to the safety in the canal.

It was about 15 inches across the back, and she thought that I should be doing it. No Way!! It might pull its head in and stick it out another hole in its shell and bite me. Didn't look like to friendly of a guy to me!! Anyway Denice was in her glory. All those birds and wildlife just waiting for the pictures to be taken.

Arrived at he reserve and went to Billies Swamp Safari. Here they have Swamp Buggy Tours, airboat tours and wild animal viewing. Too late in the day to take any of them in today, but plan to return for a full day tomorrow.

Had a great lunch of Seminole fry bread sandwiches. After, continued on south to Alligator Alley interstate between Naples and Fort Lauderdale. This highway originally a 2 lane, but now a 4 lane divided high speed interconnect between the two cities, straight, only a couple of minor correction turns in the 5 miles, and flat. The GPS reads 0 feet elevation all the way.

At the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale, we turned north up highway 27 and returned to or home on wheels to end a great day. Temperature was near 80 F all day, and humidity must have been ??? high.

Crystal Springs in Review

We have moved on as of Yesterday, but that will be in my next Blog. This to update on the last few days in Crystal Springs.
Jan 7th - Furnace Repair guys arrive about 11:00AM
Install furnace and it seems to work OK
Charge $338, Module $147, $55 or first visit, Remove, clean, re-install was remaining amount
Seems a high price, and I have no way of knowing if a new Module was infact installed. I believed it was likely just an igniter, but what would I know!!
That repaired, we were out of vitals for the table so went to Win Dixie for replenishments. Also Walmart for vitals for the BIRDS. Cost more for them than for ourselves.
Then as the day was still young decided to go down to Homasassa to the Wildlife Preserve. Here, a very large freshwater springs flows from the ground and is the source of the Crystal River.

These springs producing Six hundred million gallons of fresh water flow daily from more than thirty natural springs. The temperature of the water flowing from the springs remains a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Manatees, like people, are susceptible to cold and hypothermia and cannot survive for extended periods when water temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. These warm water springs are essential for manatee survival. This gentle giant is endangered largely because of alteration and destruction of coastal habitats by man. We went to the main pool and observed at very close range, six of the Gentle Giants, and watched them being fed carrots and lettuce.

I'll have to refer to our friend John Brown to identify this bird as he is the resident Bird Expert. Eat your heart out John, comment from Denice!! For all others, just a private joke ----

Took many photos. This is one of my reasons to come to Florida, so I am now happy that I have been given the rare opportunity to view them. During this "Cold Snap" they have all migrated close to warm waters. There is a power plant down the coast, and where the water discharge is, there have been over 400 observed at one time.
Jan 8th - Waited all day at home as propane was to be delivered today. We still have a fair amount, near 1/2 tank, but I Iike to run on the top half tank rather than the bottom half. We did not use as much as I thought we would since the furnace was non existent for 3 days and we had to rely on our electric heater. Now a little about that furnace; we, my faithful companion and I, have had a few slightly heated discussions about its use. She feels that RV Parks do not charge rates to cover the use of high electric usage heaters and we should not use them when we have furnace of our own, burning paid for propane. I, maybe a little Scotch showing through, feel the opposite. The parks are taking into account the use of heaters and unless they specifically request non-usage, you should feel free to use them. On this trip, near the start I found a very nice heater that has two levels of heat and oscillates as well. I bought it without approval. She was non commital when I showed it to her, but during this last untimely cold spell in Florida, without furnace, my dear wife was more than happy to use it, and even once prolaimed that maybe we should have another one in case one fails. Taaa Daaa!!! I rest my case!!!
Anyway, we waited all day for propane, and when had given up hope at dark, it finally arrived and we were filled with propane. Only 15 gallons required, but at the highest price I have ever paid, $4.69/ gal with tax and delivery added on top for a total of $83. FLORIDA IS EXPENSIVE!!
Jan 9th - Up this morning and head on over to "The Villages" to see Dick and Elaine Harris. Remember, a few days ago I wrote about how we had ment up with them? Well they only live about 40 miles to the east of us, and we enjoyed their company so much a couple of years ago, that we just could not be this close, and by-pass a chance to meet with them again. They stil have there Kountry Star, but lived in it full time for 4 years, so thought it time to settle for a while. They chose a retirement area designed and biult by a family group familiar with what retirees want and desire. It is a huge development with many small villages. Each is developed with a golf course as a center, so that all the residences have a Green space in the front. There is a total of about 30 courses, most of them 9 hole ones, and several Rec Centers. All were open the the resident members. As well there was a couple of town centers that were well designed, with all the shopping conveniences that you could wish. The whole area is set up so that transportation may be by car, or preferrably by golf carts. They have there own 2 lane highways, and are well used. The whole area is supposed to be limited to 100,000 residents, but it seems tremendously popular, so time will tell. We spent a delightful day with them and the drove us around to see all the sights. There seems so much to do there that they seem busy every day and night. They do have a brand new lovely home all on one level. Built with retirement in mind. Elegance but simplicity!! Returned home by 5:00PM.
Jan 10th - Had a rather "Open Day" today with nothing planned. Discussed what we should do. Had heard about Weeki Wachee and some kind of synchronized swimming there, but had no idea what it was all about, so decided to drive the twenty miles to check it out.

Went in the afternoon and found Weeki Wachee State Park right along the #19 highway. Mermaid statues around the parking lot welcomedus to the site. We went in and for $13 entrance went to see a "Mermaid" show. We were there at about 2:00PM and the final show of the day was at 2:30PM, so we only had to spend about $25 in the gift shop while waiting for the show. Still really did not know what to expect. At 2:20PM entered to below water theater. Curtain rose at 3:00, and a great panorama opened to viewing. Here is a very large warm water spring flowing from a deep cavern in the ground. Being underwater, size was hard to determine, but I would estimate the carvern was 100 feet across and maybe 50 feet deep, maybe more, but our vision was limited by the props for the show. The show was "The Little Mermaid". It was terrific, and was executed in delightful fashion. Three "Mermaids, and the Shipwrecked Sailor", performed the story in great detail. The performers were tremendous swimmers, and although an obvious speaker related the story, the mermaids mined the words. so that to an unknowning person you would believe the words were in fact delivered from the mouths of those underwater. Not being a swimmer myself, I have no idea how, when you are submerged that you an open your mouth and voice words without drowning. Truely amazing!! We took many, many pictures, and they for the most part turned out good.

This pool, as it is the source of a fairly large river that runs to the Gulf, and is at 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Turtles and Manatee frequent thie pool, so during the show the Mermaids had to deal with many of the hard shelled friends, and near the end of their performance, even on old Manatee put in an appearance. Just a delightful day and a great experience. I think one of the outstanding memories of this trip so far to date.
Jan 11th - Nothing but rest today
Jan 12th - Organize and get ready to move on. Store all the stuff we have around ELTORO. Bird feeders and waterers, awnings up, Bar-B-Que away, carpet stored, etc,etc. Took one last trip over to a bridge to see I we can see some Manatees, but were unsucessful. Difficult to see ito the water when the wind is blowing, so we just stopped at a KFC for chicken and returned home for an early supper.

And on to Crystal River

I know, I know, its time for an update. So here it comes!
Checking back on the last posting and find it's only until Dec 29th, and here it is the 8th of January, and a new year, 2010. I have just got accustomed to writing 2009, and now I need to re-thinks the process and change the last two numbers to 10 rather than 09. Pretty big challenge for a hunt and pec like me! So now what has happened since the last posting? I think I'll just copy some of the info that I write for my daily diary. I do try to keep that up to date as best as I can. I do it on an excel spread sheet where I record all things that we do as well as all expenses, weather, mileages, gas useage, etc, etc. It has turned into a rather long spreadsheet, but works well for me. While working at Shell Canada for 23 years I was able to get fairly proficient with excel.
So anyway:
Dec 30th - Leave Destin and travel up to Highway 10 and follow east for about 150 miles through Tallahasee, then turn to the right onto highway 19 and follow to Crystal River, the Manatee capital of the world.
Arrive in Crystal Springs at about 2:30PM EST (changed at Talahassee) and found the Elite Crystal Springs RV Resort.
Sometimes that "Streets and Trips" mapping with GPS realy pays off!!
Checked in and were given pad #192, the one right behind the Ice Cream stand.
Completed all hookups and settled down for the next week.

We are right behind the Coffee Hut. Their sign says "Friends should not let friends drink Starbucks"

Dec 31st - Just a Rest Day, I guess, as it is quite cool and wet. Quietly celebrate New Years Eve from behind closed eye lids. I did hear a lot of fireworks as the new year approached and some big bangs, that I took to mean that the New Year was successfully brought in.
Jan 1st - Paxons, friends that we had met in Juarez, Mexico 4 or 5 years ago, and live 30 miles south of here at Springfield, were up for day - they arrived almost before we finished breakfast, and then stayed for most of the day. We talked about all the times since we had met in Juarez, and updated all that we each had been up to. Went for lunch at Applebees, then returned to ELTORO and talked some more until about 4:30PM when they returned home.

Spanish Moss is Everywhere!!

Jan 2nd - Cold day - rest
Decide to stay another week until Jan 13th - RV Parks are hard to find south of here and are expensive - up to $100/night. We were able to reserve this same spot for another week.
Jan 3rd - Very cold night for Florida - only 32 F when we got up this morning. Turned up the furnace but it failed to start. Tried several times to no avail. I would have thought that in Florida, we would never have known that the furnace was not working!! I thought you used air conditioning here and not furnaces !!! Used electric heater instead. Talked to RV office and arrainged for repair man to come tomorrow at about 2:00PM. We stayed home until they called to confirm time of arrival, and then we went for a short tour of the area. Went to Old Homosassa. Saw the old sugar mill there and wildlife Park, but were too late to do the walking tour. Will leave that for another day. Returned home to a Crock Pot full of delicious stew.
While on the drive around, Elaine and Dick Harris called on the telephone and invited us over to see them, which we had planned on doing anyway. Dick and Elaine are another ouple that we met 2 years ago while in Texas. Tom and Linda, our friends from Warner, Dick and Elaine, and Denice and I all have almost identical Newmar 2003 motorhomes. Tom and Linda, and Denice and I had been traveling together in New Mexico, and by chance, met up with Dick and Elaine as we vied for a parking spot during a high wind in the Guadaloupe Mountains. I think we will go over to see them on Wednesday. They wanted us to stay the night, but we need to return, as propane is being delivered to ELTORO on Thursday.

Jan 4th - Very cold overnight at 29F when we got up this morning. I thought Florida was supposed to be warm!!!! Wait until furnace men arrive at about 3:30PM. They check system and confirm electrical problem. Remove furnace and take to shop to clean and repair. They have 5 more jobs this aft, so may not get to repair it untl tomorrow morning. His wife will call when thay are able to re-install it.

Jan 5th - Still Cold in Florida. Stay at ELTORO all day waiting on response from Furnace man - none

Jan 6th - Still Cold in Florida.

Old Homasassa Sugar Mill.

Call Dick and Elaine and advise we will not come today, as waiting for furnace repair.

Crystal River Nuc Plant

Black Skimmers standing at Attention

The Whole Army

Another Bird

Call Furnace man at 9:30AM to check on timing - scheduled for tomorrow. Go to Archeology dig, at Crystal River Archeological Reserve. Here, natives living here up to 10,000 years ago, built large mounds where their ceremonies were held.

Some of these are up to 3o feet high and a couple of hundred feet across. Then we went on a couple of birding walks. Oh yes, Denice does takaa few bird pictures now and then!! To end the day we went to Old Homasassa to the the Crab Shack and Monkey Bar.

Check out the Monkey on the LeftMonkey Island

So named for the small man made Island in the middle of Crystal River, with 5 resident monkeys living there. Surrounded by water, they are fed and watered, and enjoy a happy life. For dinner we had Alligator tail for an appy, and then amberjack fish and shrimp as an entry.