Sunday, January 22, 2012

Long Key SP, Layton, FL

We had a last minute change in plans. We caught wind through the “campers grapevine” that Long Key SP 35miles south of Key Largo was open on a contingent basis. That park is listed as closed for renovations. It seems that delay in the work has allowed the park to open its campground on a day to day basis. Yippee for us! We had 9 days open without reservations and will stay here at Long Key until they kick us out or our 2 week limit. We came here Friday, 20th. This is a favorite park for us. Every campsite is on the ocean. You get beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and it has one of the best beaches in the Keys as there is not really many beaches in the Keys, good hiking and biking too. Les is very happy. The weather has been great. Lows in the 60's and highs in the upper 70's. Shorts and sandals weather. Oh my, camper food for us is special. Here you see a meal of grilled pork steaks with creamy shallot sauce and grilled asparagus. The next day we made some gumbo, Yum. It was a lot of preparation but well worth the effort. I caught another butterfly here at this park. I must get my identification book out now. Below is some plovers gathered on the rocks as they were being covered by the incoming tide just behind our camper. It is so fun to watch the birds here.

As I mentioned above, we will stay here as long as they keep the campground open or our 14 day limit, which ever comes first. We will adjust our schedule to fit. Les wants as much time here as he can get.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

John Pennekamp SP, Key Largo, FL

We have been in John Pennekamp SP, Key Largo, since January 9th . The weather has been very good with many shorts n' sandal days. Another benefit to camping is meeting wonderful people. At this park we have shared a couple of evenings socializing and playing Sequence with Kristie and John from Mich.

We have had some very nice paddles in the mangroves. Paddling here is like floating in an aquarium. The water is so clear making it easier to see the life under it. Fishes, sea grass, and coral. Another nice thing in this park is an old orchard to hike to. We were fortunate that this is the time when the key limes were ripening. We have made some refreshing key limeade. Years past have offered us some great bird pictures, but so far this year we seem to be blessed with butterflies. So pretty and graceful.

We hope to get another paddle in before we leave Saturday, 21st. If the weather cooperates and the wind stays calm. Our plan is to go to Everglade NP, Flamingo CG. But we are hearing of the possibility of getting to camp at Long Key SP before their construction begins. If we can we will take a few days there.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Winter Escape 2012


We are off again. This year we left early to stop in SC to visit with Kevin and Peggy in their new home in Camden. They were super to host us for a few days and we enjoyed Marty's family also. It was great to meet Pauline, 1 month old.




Les and Kevin also worked on some of the new house jobs.


New Year's day was spent again with my cousin Jan and her lovely family in Jacksonville. They are so kind to include us in their New Year's meal. And they allow us to camp in their front yard! Thank you.





On our way to our first park we stopped to visit Bob and Betty Harper in Titusville. What a nice stop on our path to Jonathan Dickinson SP, Juniper. We stayed a week here. A cold front brought chilly temps early in our stay but each day warmed and we are having great temps now. Les has enjoyed the biking, hiking and we did a small paddle today. I'm being consistent with my exercises so that I can “play” a bit later.

We leave tomorrow, Monday (9th) heading to Key Largo and Johnathan Pennekamp SP for a 12 day stay.