Ah...we awoke to sunshine and no more rain! But behind the storm came a mass of cold air, so that it was a COLD 48 degrees this morning for Ranger's walk.
Once the sun was up and the air was warming, we headed out in the car to explore the area. First stop: Oscar Scherer State Park. We walked around the campground to check it out: good sites in a good location but bad showers! We will consider this park for the future. It is supposed to be a great place to spot Florida scrub jays, but no luck in seeing any.
From there, we headed to the Celery Fields, a park run by Sarasota Audubon Society and well-known as a good place for bird-watchers. Ranger enjoyed a long walk along the trails there, where we saw scaups, palm warblers, and a loggerhead shrike. We then did a little grocery-shopping, stopped at the campground to put away food, and then did some bird-watching up at the Birdwalk in Myakka River.
This evening the temperature is dropping, with lows expected in the 40's. BRRRR! Pretty cold for Florida! We had a campfire and Dan cooked hot dogs over the coals. (It seems that we only eat hot dogs while camping.) Tomorrow we'll be heading up to the next park for four days.
I've been taking photos, but the internet here is quite weak, so I'll need to catch up on pictures at the next location.....perhaps.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Day 7: Stormy night, and a visit to Englewood FL
Wow, what a night! A light rain started in the evening, but during the night several major storms came through. The one at 2:00 am woke me, and it continued with thunder, lightning, and pouring rain until about 4:00. At that time, the campground host knocked on the door of the RV and recommended that we move into the bathhouse, as there was a tornado on its way. So we dressed, packed up some essentials (including the dog) and headed to the bathroom, where we hung out (in the men's room) for 30-40 minutes. No tornado, thank goodness, but lots of wind and rain----and a chance to chat with fellow campers in the wee hours.
By 5 am we were back in bed, with high winds continuing. There was a nice break around 9, when Ranger and I were able to get outside before the next line of rain came through. Poor Ranger----he panted and trembled through most of the night, as he is very disturbed by thunder, though he did relax a bit while in the men's room!
And the results: lots of downed limbs and much standing water.
After sleeping late, we headed out for a previously- planned visit with Dan's cousin Mike Collins, his wife Mary, plus cousin Judy and aunt Ruth. Mike and Mary have a trailer in Englewood, about 30 miles from our campsite, and they escape the Wisconsin winter each year, staying 3-4 months in Florida.
We had a lovely lunch with them. Their trailer park is quite nice, very neat and clean, with friendly neighbors and access to a stream for kayaking.
Back at Myakka River State Park, there had been some clean-up of the main road. I took off on my bike while Dan did some sweeping of the RV roof and Ranger kept an eye on all who ventured out around the campground.
While the rain had stopped, the strong winds continued, making an evening campfire an unwise move. With the front moving through, the temperatures have been dropping (80 yesterday afternoon, 56 as I write this). It's supposed to be "cold" (ie. 60 degrees) for the next few days, but clear.
By 5 am we were back in bed, with high winds continuing. There was a nice break around 9, when Ranger and I were able to get outside before the next line of rain came through. Poor Ranger----he panted and trembled through most of the night, as he is very disturbed by thunder, though he did relax a bit while in the men's room!
And the results: lots of downed limbs and much standing water.
After sleeping late, we headed out for a previously- planned visit with Dan's cousin Mike Collins, his wife Mary, plus cousin Judy and aunt Ruth. Mike and Mary have a trailer in Englewood, about 30 miles from our campsite, and they escape the Wisconsin winter each year, staying 3-4 months in Florida.
We had a lovely lunch with them. Their trailer park is quite nice, very neat and clean, with friendly neighbors and access to a stream for kayaking.
Back at Myakka River State Park, there had been some clean-up of the main road. I took off on my bike while Dan did some sweeping of the RV roof and Ranger kept an eye on all who ventured out around the campground.
While the rain had stopped, the strong winds continued, making an evening campfire an unwise move. With the front moving through, the temperatures have been dropping (80 yesterday afternoon, 56 as I write this). It's supposed to be "cold" (ie. 60 degrees) for the next few days, but clear.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Day 6: Myakka River...and Fort Myers
It was warm overnight with morning mist after all that rain.
After breakfast, we left the RV behind and took the car south on I-75, getting off the interstate at Fort Myers. From there, we worked our way northward along Route 41, Tamiami Trail. Our plan was simply to explore the area a bit more.
That area of the state is overly-built up, with strip mall after strip mall. We tried exploring on some other roads, but there was lots of traffic and not much scenery. We checked out one RV Park just south of Ft. Myers, but couldn't imagine ourselves staying there (very crowded and a bit run-down).
So we checked out Ft. Myers and Cape Coral, had a late lunch at Subway, and looked into one more RV Park, which we could not even get into, as there was a security gate with no one manning it. Not our kind of place, I guess.
Ranger had a boring day, riding around in the back seat of the car, but he had a good walk when we returned to the campsite. After such a late lunch, we're just relaxing inside this evening.
A side-note: As far as bird-watching goes at Myakka River State Park, the most prevalent bird here seems to be the black vulture. They are everywhere, and Ranger seems to really dislike them. They hang out in the parking lot not far from our site. Here's an example of the view on this morning's walk with Ranger:
That area of the state is overly-built up, with strip mall after strip mall. We tried exploring on some other roads, but there was lots of traffic and not much scenery. We checked out one RV Park just south of Ft. Myers, but couldn't imagine ourselves staying there (very crowded and a bit run-down).
So we checked out Ft. Myers and Cape Coral, had a late lunch at Subway, and looked into one more RV Park, which we could not even get into, as there was a security gate with no one manning it. Not our kind of place, I guess.
Ranger had a boring day, riding around in the back seat of the car, but he had a good walk when we returned to the campsite. After such a late lunch, we're just relaxing inside this evening.
A side-note: As far as bird-watching goes at Myakka River State Park, the most prevalent bird here seems to be the black vulture. They are everywhere, and Ranger seems to really dislike them. They hang out in the parking lot not far from our site. Here's an example of the view on this morning's walk with Ranger:
Friday, January 15, 2016
Day 5: Myakka River State Park
Weather.com was correct: the rain moved in overnight, and we awoke to pouring rain on the roof. I had a cup of tea, thinking that it would let up a bit; no luck. A second cup....still no better. However, Ranger did need to go out to take care of his business, so we ventured out and ended up soaked. And the rain continued.
By late morning, the rain let up a bit, so we headed out again. We got to the cafe and gift shop area, and the sky opened up again. We waited under cover at the cafe for 10-15 minutes, and finally we headed home in the downpour.
However, by noon, it was looking a little brighter, and by 2:30 the sun was out. Temperatures were in the mid-70's.
Meanwhile, we had been awaiting the mobile RV repair guy to look at the refrigerator which has been acting up when on gas (not electric). He never showed.
But there was no point waiting around when the sun was out and the temperatures were warm, so we took a walk along the lake, going the two miles up to The Birdwalk, a boardwalk area where the birding is particularly good. We saw ducks, egrets, herons, a stork, and an osprey. Ranger was a bit reluctant to get started on the walk, but by the time we headed back, he seemed to enjoy the outing.
It was warm enough this evening to grill chicken and sit outside, though the standing water and warm temperatures led to....of course....mosquitoes! We are supposed to be enjoying this warm weather for another day or two before cooler temperatures arrive early in the week.
By late morning, the rain let up a bit, so we headed out again. We got to the cafe and gift shop area, and the sky opened up again. We waited under cover at the cafe for 10-15 minutes, and finally we headed home in the downpour.
However, by noon, it was looking a little brighter, and by 2:30 the sun was out. Temperatures were in the mid-70's.
Meanwhile, we had been awaiting the mobile RV repair guy to look at the refrigerator which has been acting up when on gas (not electric). He never showed.
But there was no point waiting around when the sun was out and the temperatures were warm, so we took a walk along the lake, going the two miles up to The Birdwalk, a boardwalk area where the birding is particularly good. We saw ducks, egrets, herons, a stork, and an osprey. Ranger was a bit reluctant to get started on the walk, but by the time we headed back, he seemed to enjoy the outing.
It was warm enough this evening to grill chicken and sit outside, though the standing water and warm temperatures led to....of course....mosquitoes! We are supposed to be enjoying this warm weather for another day or two before cooler temperatures arrive early in the week.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Day 4: Micanopy FL to Myakka River State Park
We awoke to 39 degrees, pretty cold for Florida! However, our drive down I-75 today ended up at Myakka River State Park, near Sarasota, and this afternoon it's 70 degrees. Lovely!
We have camped here three times before, so we can find our way around easily. Having arrived in early afternoon, we had time to walk up to Upper Myakka Lake for some birdwatching. In just a short visit, we saw great blue and little blue herons, tricolored herons, glossy and white ibises.
I took a bike ride up along the lake while Dan and Ranger rested. Late this afternoon the clouds have been moving in, and there's rain in the forecast overnight and through tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Day 3: Saint Marys GA to Micanopy FL
Looks like Florida!
Yup! We made it to Florida today. It was a fairly easy 3 hour drive to our next stop at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. We arrived around 1:30, had a late lunch, and headed out to give Ranger a good long walk along Lake Wauberg.
It was an overcast, cool day, but still---it's hard to complain about 60 degrees in January. We saw lots of birds: anhingas, white pelicans, grebes, and many little warblers. Ranger enjoyed a chance to stretch his legs and to sniff lots of foreign smells around the park.
We had a campfire---cool enough by evening to where it felt wonderful on the legs! Dan grilled hamburgers on the fire and we enjoyed a few beverages while watching the flames. Ah...vacation!
Yup! We made it to Florida today. It was a fairly easy 3 hour drive to our next stop at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. We arrived around 1:30, had a late lunch, and headed out to give Ranger a good long walk along Lake Wauberg.
It was an overcast, cool day, but still---it's hard to complain about 60 degrees in January. We saw lots of birds: anhingas, white pelicans, grebes, and many little warblers. Ranger enjoyed a chance to stretch his legs and to sniff lots of foreign smells around the park.
We had a campfire---cool enough by evening to where it felt wonderful on the legs! Dan grilled hamburgers on the fire and we enjoyed a few beverages while watching the flames. Ah...vacation!
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Day 2: Lumberton NC to Saint Marys GA
It was a COLD night in North Carolina, getting down to 30 degrees outside and 52 inside. We had lots of blankets, however, so we were snug in our beds....until we actually had to get up and get dressed! We were on the road again about 8:45, and the day warmed quickly as the sun came up.
The drive along I-95 was uneventful, and we pulled off around 3:00, stopping at Crooked River State Park in Saint Marys, Georgia. We're very close to the Florida border, and tomorrow's drive will be a fairly short one. In mid-afternoon it was up to 65 degrees, nice enough for a good walk with Ranger and warm enough to sit outside with a cup of tea, soaking up the sunshine.
Ranger seems happy to be able to hang around outside, watching fellow campers as well as the dogs in neighboring sites.
The drive along I-95 was uneventful, and we pulled off around 3:00, stopping at Crooked River State Park in Saint Marys, Georgia. We're very close to the Florida border, and tomorrow's drive will be a fairly short one. In mid-afternoon it was up to 65 degrees, nice enough for a good walk with Ranger and warm enough to sit outside with a cup of tea, soaking up the sunshine.
We've been to this park before, and it has a nice path along the Crooked River, with lots of pines, palmettos, and Spanish moss.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)