Lido Key 2008

Christmas day we had decided on paddling the mangrove tunnels at Lido Key. We had agreed to meet at 10:30 but as usual Suzette and I were very early. We went to the parking lot at the end of the key and walked the beach looking for shells and just enjoying the weather.

We drove to the launch area, 4 on the map in the link above. There were at least 2 outfitters there getting ready to unload their kayaks. Must have been 30 kayaks between the 2 trailers. There were already about 15 kayaks on the ground.

Outfitter kayaks lined up and waiting

We found out that the tide was to low to kayak through the tunnels and the outfitters gave us several of options. We thought of going to another location but ditched that and figured if we paddled around for about an hour thing's would be right for the tunnels.

We launched, Josh, Angie, Joyce, Rich, Linda, Suzette and I, and headed across the bay to Bird Key. We paddled around the canals for a while and headed back to the tidal flat to do a little shell hunting and have lunch.

The gang paddling a canal on Bird Key

On the tidal flat for lunch

This Great Blue Heron joined us for lunch. He didn't seem the least bit concerned we were there.

As we were eating lunch it became obvious that the tide had risen significantly so we headed to the mangrove tunnels. It was fantastic. I will let the pictures that follow speak for themselves.

Hooded Night Heron

Rosate Spoonbill and Brown Pellican

Rich and Linda in the mangrove tunnels.

Merry Christmas

Rich and Linda came to the park to pick us up to go to Christmas dinner with them and their family. We had a short visit at the camper and exchanged gifts. As we were leaving the park to go to Josh and Angie's, their daughter and son in law's place, we gave them a driving tour of the park.

We got to Angie and Josh's and Scotty, their son, arrived with his girl friend and her mother. We had a very nice visit and good eats. The fudge Suzette made was a hit as was her green "stuff".

We also made plans to go paddling on Boxing day.

The weather is here ...

Is it really Christmas? It is currently 71 here at Sun-N-Fun in Sarasota FL and was up to 84 today. We watch the weather and are both glad and sad we are here. If we were in Portland OR with our son Mike and his wife we would be helping shovel snow. If we were in Vermont with our son James it looks like it would be just plain miserable. Rain on snow. In Virginia I don't think we would get in a motorcycle ride.

Yesterday we had called our friend Susie in Amissville and had a nice long phone visit. She told us about a deal they had found on a Nikon D60 Digital SLR. Since that is a camera we had seen advertised and looked at some months ago we decided to give ourselves a Christmas present. So off to the local Ritz Camera store. None in stock. I had even called before we went and was led to believe they had them in the store. Bummer. But we still needed a couple of items from JoAnn's Fabric.

Once back at the camper I went online to check the deal and order the camera. Boy I will not deal with Ritz online again. Well it will have to be a really good deal for me to return. The order confirmation process was a real nightmare. But the camera is on the way.

Today we played 2 rounds of what they call "Crazy Golf", really miniature golf. The wife beat me. Bummer.
We decided to spend the rest of the day at the pool so we had lunch and headed off. We stopped to talk to Steve and Sally from New York since they had kayaks on their car. We had a nice visit with them and may kayak with them after Christmas.

We met a couple from MD at the pool and talked with them a while. The area where that 66" water main broke is where he travels for work.

After the pool we came back and had some snacks, listened to Radio Margaritaville, napped and basically just chilled. After supper we watched "A Christmas Story" ... Ralphie you'll shoot your eye out.


Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Paddle day 6 Dec 21

The winter solstice, what a great day. Winter is here. Yep it will get down to 50 tonight and only in the 60's tomorrow. Oh that's summer in Vermont.

Today we met Rich and Linda at Nokomis Beach about 10:30. We arrived about a half hour early so we drove down to North Jetty Park and walked out to the jetty. The link above will take you to a map of the area which will make it easier to follow the description of our journey.

A view of the North Jetty

While there we met two ladies who were launching their kayaks and talked with them for a while. They were heading up Donna Bay. They told us about a few areas they had kayaked. Since it was after 10 I gave Rich a call on and he old me they were at the launch site on Nokomis Beach so we drove up to meet them.

Once we launched we headed up Lyons Bay and under the Albee Rd. bridge an into the canals in the development there. There was not much to see so we headed back toward the inlet area. There is an island on the bay side the inlet with a nice sandy beach so we took a snack break there.

Snack break on the island

We went along the shore and into one of the marina areas, Higel Marine, before we decided to head to Roberts Bay and on up to Curry Creek. It was a long windy paddle across Roberts Bay and time for lunch. As we approached the US41 bridge we noticed a small beach area so we put in there and had lunch.

Lunch break

After lunch we decided to work our way up Curry Creek so off we went. The current was a little stiff but it was favorable for this leg. We went up the creek about 3/4 mile before deciding to make the turn and head back.

Up the creek, with paddles

A Great Blue Heron takes flight

The return trip was against the wind and current. It was a long paddle back to where we would make the turn to head pack to the launch point. Now both the wind and current were in our favor. While we were loading the kayaks the girls went to the beach to do a little shell hunting. Not much for shells but we did see a Gopher Tortoise.



A most excellent day. When we returned to Sun-N-Fun we fed and walked Logan before heading off to the hot tub's.

Stimulating the economy

We have our own stimulus package for the local economy. Eat out and buy clothes on sale. Some what of a silver lining to this mess is the deep discounts we are finding on clothes. We are replacing some of the stuff we donated when we were selling our house. We find it hard to refuse a 40% discount on an already discounted item.

Several days ago we purchased a couple of shirts and pair of shorts, all name brand, for about $35. Today we were off to the Siesta Key beach and did a little more shopping. More Florida clothes.

Nice beach day.

After returning to the park we worked on some projects and got somewhat caught up on the blog.

Cold front coming tomorrow evening they say but we should have a good paddle.

Paddle day 5 Dec 19

Again it would be just the ladies and me. We had decided to go to Stump Pass state park, part of the Lemon Bay Trail which was our first paddle. We decided to go there because the shelling would be good and the access to the Gulf was close. Also by the time we got to the inlet we should be near slack water which would make it easy to go out. Also it would be low slack so we would be returning on a flood which makes it easy to enter.

Linda was excited about getting out into the Gulf and once we reached the inlet there was no holding her back. She was driven.

Linda looking for dolphins or manatees in the Gulf

Once just outside the inlet we noticed a power boat just drifting along with everyone watching the water. We took a closer look and noticed Dolphins. Now I was excited. All of us paddled hard to get to the area where we saw a small pod, 3 or 4, swimming along. Look at the dark areas in the following picture and those are the dolphins. I just wasn't quick enough to get them when they broke the surface. The next time I will change the camera to take a series of pictures.

Dolphins off the bow. The dark areas.

We paddled and drifted out side the inlet for a long while in hopes that we would see the dolphins again. Food called so we headed back through the inlet and beached the kayaks so we could have lunch and do some shelling.

Suzette, Linda and the horizon

While the ladies went shelling I went back out to look for the dolphins. It was quite a bit of effort getting thru the inlet since the current had changed to flood. I went out to the first nun and would drift back to the can and paddle out again. I paddled in to where they were shell hunting and then headed back in the inlet to meet them and start the paddle back to the park.

The paddle back was uneventful and without much wildlife or fish jumping. It was about 1500 when we were packed up and leaving.

The day was a 10. No doubt.

Paddle day 4 Dec 17

Rich had picked up a job so it would be just Linda, Suzette and I for this adventure. We decided on the Caspersen Trail. At the time of posting the proceeding link was not the correct pdf. I decided to keep it on the off chance that the webmaster would fix it.

Caspersen beach is at the end of Harbor Drive in Venice. It is a good beach for shells and finding shark's teeth.

Linda and Suzette among the Mangrove's

We didn't want to chance the short way to the ICW since it was low tide so we headed to Red Lake and then among the Mangroves to finally make the ICW. We headed down stream looking for Alligator creek on the far bank. Along the way Linda pointed out an Osprey that was feeding on a fresh caught fish on branches above us. As we drifted by it flew off with it's lunch in it's talons.

Osprey with lunch take out

We finally found the creek we were looking for and started to head up it. But the entry way we choose was almost a mud flat because of the tide. So we stopped on the mud and had our lunch. After lunch we dragged our kayaks across the flat but decided not to go any further up the creek. So we headed back to Caspersen.

A yellow crowned night heron feeds along the mangroves

Once the kayaks were back on the trucks we went to the beach along the Gulf to look for shells and shark teeth. So many shells so much time. Tough life but we carry on.

Paddle day 3 Dec 16

We had called Rich and Linda to see if they could play on Tuesday and they could not make it on that short notice. So Suzette and I decided that we would go to Phillippi Estate Park, launch and head up river until we had enough. The paddling guide for this trail is here.

Phillippi Estate Park canoe and kayak launch

Condo's along the creek

Once under the US41, Tamiami Trail, bridge we went to a little bay on the north where the Phillippi Creek Villiage is located. The sun glare of the white buildings washed out the digital photo so all you get to see is the dock area at the restaurant. The food is excellent here and the crowds attest to that.

Dock at Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant

We continued up river a couple of miles to the first bridge we came to. We later found out that we had made the Proctor road bridge. We drifted and paddled back to the park and decided to go on out to the ICW. We saw a number of shore birds as well as Osprey. We were surprised to come across the raccon, below, having his lunch. He didn't seem the least bit concerned that I was drifting closer and closer for a picture. Of course I was using our Hero water proof camera and it doesn't have zoom so this is the best I could get.

Raccoon feeding along Phillippi Cree.

Once we were on the ICW we headed south toward Stickney Point road bridge. We go to wondering if we could find the canal that goes behind our friends estate. As luck and good navigation would have it we found the canal entrance. We paddled on down toward the estate and were called to by a neighbor. We talked a little about the kayaks and we told her we knew the owners. We had a very enjoyable visit before heading back to the park.

The estate on Sanford

Paddle day 2 Dec 9

We met Rich and Linda about 10:30 at Turtle Beach so we could kayak around the Jim Neville Marine Preserve.

We went ashore at the location of Midnight Pass, which is now closed, and walked the beach of the gulf shore looking for shells and just enjoying the day. Back in the boats we went around the South end of the preserve and across the ICW to look for the entrance to Catfish and North creeks. Although we didn't find the opening we did see an eagle on the hunt. We watched as it made a pass at the water attempting to catch a fish. It missed and circled a few times before flying off.

We found a little sandy area on a mangrove island where we could stop for our lunch before working our way back across the ICW and the North end of the preserve to head back to Turtle Beach. It was a nice paddle and seeing that eagle made the day.

Turtle Beach Launch Area

Larry and Suzette Paddle along

Rich and Linda

My shell collection

What have we been up to?

We will post our paddling events separately and just talk a little about what we have been doing at the resort.

We went to Wal-Mart in Osprey to groceries and a number of other things, such as a $20 artificial Christmas tree. Suzette decorated the tree with shells we had picked up on our paddling adventure.

Decorated for Christmas

A look at a section of the park.

Although I didn't post a picture, our site has what some call FEMA row behind us. There is a whole row of park model trailers. Actually they look better than the news pictures of FEMA trailers.

Logan and Larry at the dog park.

We have taken Logan to the dog park several times. We call it the dog bark because he doesn't play but barks at the other dogs. I think he is trying to herd them. After a while he just meanders toward the gate so we take that as a sign it is time to go. He has also done a good job of mooching treats from other dog owners. If he smells a treat he just sets up. Who can refuse that?

Sunset over the Gulf on our 40th wedding anniversary. Taken at Venice pier 12/14/2008

We had our 40th Anniversary dinner at Sharky's. Good meal at a reasonable price and a most excellent sunset.

We have also take time to visit the pool and hot tubs, eat out way to much, and just enjoy the nice weather. Enjoy the weather where you are, it's the only weather you have.

Paddle day

Friday Dec. 5 is our first paddle day. We were off to meet Rich and Linda at Indian Mound park in Englewood. We arrived a few minutes before them and looked over the park. We had not seen Rich and Linda in about a year so you can imagine the excitement when they arrived. After our hugs and greetings we unloaded our kayaks and set out on our adventure.
It was a fairly long but easy paddle on the ICW but after a couple of hours we reached Stump Pass State Park where we beached and ate our lunch.

We then had a lazy paddle from the park to the inlet.

Where we beached the kayaks and did some shelling. I asked about finding shark teeth and was told it was unlikely to find them here. Well with just a little looking we found 3 or more. I managed to find the largest so i got the cookie.

Once we had a couple of bags of shells it was time to decorate the shell tree before heading back to Indian Mound park.

The tide had turned and the wind came up a little so we had a little challenge getting across the inlet to make our way back. During the trip we saw a lot of mullets jumping, a few Osprey, Brown Pelicans.



Once back at the park we wondered what the distance of our paddle was. I told Linda that I would use my map program and get an estimate. We also made a date for Monday to go paddling again. This time it was our pick and we choose Turtle Beach.

Ft Clinch to Sun-N-Fun 12/3

It was an uneventful trip to Sun-N-Fun. Basically boring. As usual we stopped at the first rest stop on I75 just South of Ocala for a lunch break. We arrived at Sun-N-Fun about 3 pm and were escorted to our site. Once backed in we realized we would need a 30A extension cord as well as a picnic table. Once we were setup we went back to the welcome center so see about an extension cord. Yep they had nice ones for sale so we bought it and they put in a work order to have a table delivered the next day. We got the tag for the dog so if he got lost they new which site to return him to. Then to the mail room to get a box. $5 key deposit and we were in.

Back at our site we pluged in using the new cord and hooked up the cable TV. No workie. Called the office and they said it should work. I told them I would deal with it in the morning.

Time to eat so off we went to an Italian Buffet. Good dinner.

Thursday was laundry day as well as find our way arround the park and finish our set up, flags, chairs, awning, spread ant bait. Yep fire ants. Welcome to Florida. While the laundry was tumbling I checked out the cable TV connection. I was sure my cable from the stub to the camper was ok and plugged in correctly. So I took the 19" flat screen and an extension cord and hooked to the feed at the post. No signal. A call to the office and another work order. It was not long and maintenance arrived and found that my site was not hooked up. In fact Comcast had not connected the cable to the main distribution. Well there wasn't even a tagged cable for our site, so he ran a new cable over the ground.

After the laundry we went to the pool area and had burgers and fries for lunch. Then off for shopping to replentish the larder.

Called Rich and Linda to set up a paddle date. Tomorrow the kayaks hit salt water.

We decided to go to the Sahib Shrine and have hillbilly supper and surprise Jean. She was shocked to say the least. "What are you doing here? Ann and Wally arn't here?" She had no idea we were spending the winter here. We had a nice visit and decent meal.

Our site at Sun-N-Fun

Sesqui to Ft. Clinch SP FL.

On December 2nd we left Sesqui and headed to Ft Clinch SP in Florida. This park has 2 campgrounds and we were able to get the last available site in the Atlantic loop. As the name implies this is on the Atlantic coast. Nice level sites near the ocean. We were in site 2. I don't know that we saw a bad site. Once we got setup we headed to the visitors center and Ft Clinch. We were so late that they let us in for free. We only had about 30 minutes to view the fort. This fort did not see any action in any wars. It was being built during the civil war but evacuated twice in the face of a superior force since it was not completed.

Atlantic campground loop

Sunrise over the campground

A view of the Atlantic from Ft. Clinch

Amelia Island Lighthouse

On our way to find a restaurant we stopped to look at the Amelia Island Lighthouse. Then on to find some eats. We went where a local at the fort recommended but decided we didn't really want to eat there. So we drove around and not finding anything we decided we needed fuel. So off to a local station that has diesel. While filling up I asked a local where they would go for good food at a reasonable price. She said, Barbara Jeans just down the street. So off to Barbara Jeans. Good eats, good price.

After a good meal it was back to the camper and wait for sunrise.

Sunrise over the Atlantic

See more pictures here.

On the road again ...

We got on the road about 0911 after saying good bye to a couple of the folks. We headed for US220 to Greenville, NC and picked up I85 then I77 which brought us to Columbia SC and Sesquicentennial State Park for our overnight stop. 305 miles on the clock and the low fuel light on.

After we got set up we went to the park office and checked in. We headed out to find fuel, 30.x gal at $2.749/gal. We had about 4 gallons left in the tank. Then it was off to a Big Lots we passed. We picked up a new toaster since our $7.00 Wal Mart special was giving us trouble.

Off to eat. Found a Ryan's and decided we could graze there, oh a $ store in the same plaza. Of course we had to spend some $ to help the local economy.

Back to the camper and looked at where the next stop would be. We decided on Fort Clinch State Park in Fla.

Dreary Sunday

It's 34 with light rain and snow/ice in the mountains. There are no campers, they all left yesterday. Al l the sites are clean and the comfort station only needs a light cleaning.

We had picked up most of our stuff and packed it away yesterday so there is only a little to do today when the weather clears a little. We also will turn all our Camp Host supplies and say our good bye's.

Now to find enough to do to keep from having cabin fever.

I'm not sure if I will be able to post until we get to Sun-N-Fun on Wed. since I will not put up the antenna until then, if I even need it there. I will try the "card" plugged directly into the usb port. If the cell signal is good it should work ok.

You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant ...

Maybe this post title should be Blog Slacker ...

Well it is Thanksgiving day and Arlo's song is a must hear and sing along, hence the title.

We'll get back to today a little later but first I want to ketchup, he he.

We're on out second tank of propane since this has been a colder than normal month here in Virginia. So that is about $50 for heating and cooking this month. Of course we also use a 1500W electric space heater and that helps a lot. Once the weather was getting below freezing for several nights in a row we disconnected our fresh water hose. However the hydrant froze up and we had to use a torch to get water flowing again. One of the other campers, a class A, had a similar problem.

We have not had many campers since I last posted. We did meet a nice couple from FL that were here last week before spending time with family for Thanksgiving. They live in St. Pete and we will be looking them up when we get settled at Sun-n-Fun.

We've seen snow flurries, blown and raked leaves, cleaned the comfort station, cleaned sites and all that jazz. We went to Lynchburg on one of our day's off and visited Jefferson's retreat Poplar Forest
and had a very nice tour.

Suzette in front of one of the oak's at Poplar Forest

After that it was off to find a Five Guys for lunch. Then some shopping.

We have had some problem with circuit breakers popping. Seems like 1500W space heater, toaster, microwave, hot water heater, tv, ... exceed the 30A service we have. Maybe we should get a 50A to 30A adapter. Then we would only pop the inside 30A breaker and I would not have to go outside in the cold to reset. The best thing would be to add a separate circuit to run the space heater. Humm.

Earlier I wrote about blowing leaves. Well we wanted something to do so we have been keeping the sites and culverts clean of leaves. Also the leaves near the comfort station had been blowing into the showers and the entrance way to the men's room. So between me using a backpack blower and Suzette using a rake we made a big pile away from the comfort station. The next day the picnic table that had been about 20 feet from the pile of leaves was right on the edge of the pile. Since the pile didn't move we figured that the raccoons must have moved the table so they could jump in.

We spent time working with Lauri, park interpreter, to help prepare a tank for an exhibit as well as look for an old tobacco barn. We found the barn.

We also went to several of the cemeteries that are located within the park but not part of any tour. Also a couple of the buildings that the general public doesn't get to see unless they go off trail. Well this one they can see,
Ok now lets get down to food. We have been eating quite well. Before we left Lake Anna Clif, one of the rangers, gave us some venison hamburger and a Caribou steak. Then on our last trip to Culpeper Phil, our neighbor, gave us some venison/pork sausage. Needless to say we have had some good eats. Also we had purchased a small crock pot several months ago and have been using that to prepare several meals.

Now to Thanksgiving. We had planed to cook the 8# turkey we had purchased in the dutch oven. However when we started to thaw it out we realized that it would not fit in the dutch oven we had. We devised several plans to deal with the over sized turkey. When the day finally arrived we decided that the best thing to do was a little ortho surgery. Maybe dismemberment would be a better description. well anyway we got the bird in the oven with stuffing. About 2 hours later it looked like this.

When the digital meat thermometer read 185 the bird was done.

The bird was done a little before the rest of the fixin's. My fault but Suzette recovered nicely and we sat down to a feast. Now that's good eats!

Later Lauri and Terry stopped by with pie. We had a nice visit with them.

Well I have rambled enough. On Monday we head for Florida.

More to follow.

Oh yeah to see more pictures of our Smith Mountain Lake adventures click here.