Perry KOA & St. Andrews State Park

Perry KOA, Perry FL

3 hrs 15 min. - 182 miles

The ride today along Rte 27, the Florida Turnpike, back to 27 and finally to Rte 19 was very nice. As mentioned in one of my previous blogs, my travel times between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm always seem to hit just the right amount of traffic. Today I followed a blue Sonata for about 60 miles playing leap frog as we each took turns following the speed limits. Most of the trip was 65-70 m.p.h. and reduced through small towns that lasted no more than a mile or two. I finally lost her when I stopped for diesel a mile before my exit. Again, if you've read any of my past blogs, you know that whatever I paid for at the station I stopped at, the very next station was a penny cheaper. Happened again.

The route I took, as it is in all of Florida, was flat and straight to the horizon ahead of me to the north and northwest. When I reached that point and went around the bend or over the crest, another horizon was there to greet me. It reminded me of the days my son, Chuck and I drove I-10 through Arizona and Texas: straight and forever.

It could have been a very tiring, boring trip were it not for my fascination with the scenery along the way. Places I've never seen before and will never see again. No, it wasn't the endless view of pine trees or breathtaking, expansive horse farms and ranches whose painstaking well built and painted fences run the perimeter of their acreage; rather, it was catching glimpses of abandoned, dilapidated and crumbling structures that stood in stark reality along the side of the road. Not just one or two...many. There was one in particular in the Salem, FL area that looked as though an explosion within the structure blew the entire contents out onto the front and side yards; lamps, furniture, chairs, etc. Yet the building remained intact. No windows or doors, it had a partial roof, otherwise the structure was just opened and empty. I regret not stopping and taking a photo; traffic was that light. I've never seen anything like it. 

Anyway, Stephanie greeted and registered me at the Perry KOA. Like all others I've encountered in the KOA franchise, she was pleasant, spirited and aimed to please. Nick escorted me to my back-in site #A-09. It was 85° and overcast when I arrived. All I did was to fill my fresh water tank and hook up electricity for the AC. I set up nothing else. Tomorrow, Wednesday, after my shower, with minimal packing, I'll take off for another 3 hour, 20 minute, 158 mile drive to St. Andrews State Park where I'll hang out for four days.

I love the feel of being among these old trees full of Spanish moss.

St. Andrews State Park,

Panama City, FL

3 hours 20 minutes - 182 miles and in Central Time Zone; 1 hour behind

Fortunately, it struck the passenger's
side about 3" from the top.

Another day of very pleasant driving. Like yesterday, the route was flat from horizon to horizon. Many log-carrying trucks were going in the opposite direction. Also in the unending parade of 18-wheelers were semis with who-knows-what under covered tarps. One stone managed to make its way free to escape, flew over one lane and greeted my windshield with a resounding pop! A call to the insurance company is a project for tomorrow.

I struck it rich with a desire to have a real lunch at some small town (Bristol, Florida) mom/pop restaurant. I was determined not to include the fast food chain variety, of which there was no end. I almost missed it but the number of cars in the parking lot was my tip off to stop and try Apalachee Restaurant. They had a buffet which attracted the local over 60 crowd and they loved it; everybody seemed to know each other and there were very few empty tables/booths. My "people watching" took over as I sat in an out of the way table along the wall and took in the "local color." From accents and overalls to girths that took up most of the plush seats with wheels, it was delightful experience. I had their pulled pork w/barbecue sauce sandwich on a very soft bun and some fries.  It hit the spot and before I knew it, I was on my way content.

I've been looking forward to my stay here at St. Andrews State Park. Along with the others:

Table Rock State Park, SC;

Hunting Island, SC;

Hampton Beach, NH;

Fishermans Memorial State Park, RI; and

Jim Hogg State Park, TX

I've found them to be exceptionally clean, beautiful, inexpensive and well worth the hassle to try and reserve the block of time desired. Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY will be another I'll visit in August.

A very short walk to the Grand Lagoon (30 yards)
A very long walk to the Camp Store (880 yards - ½ mile)

Very shady and quiet (except when the roar of the fighter jets from Tyndall Air Force Base return from their runs -- more below); lots of friendly passersby.

No more than 100' away from me is a clearing that allows a clear view
of the Lower Grand Lagoon looking north.

Lower Grand Lagoon looking east

Immediately to the left of where I was standing was one of the "best seats" in
the house. I wonder how long ago they had to book that site.

A closer peek through the pines shows one of the casualties of a past storm. This is one of three I saw in the Lagoon. I was told whenever the owners arrive, they'll be in for a surprise. I'm sure they've been notified. Apparently it was anchored too close to shore so that when the tide went out, it bottomed out and was damaged by rocks.

Looking down Campers Drive

Found this painted shell on my picnic table. Don't know if it was a past visitor
welcoming a new arrival or a token given my the park staff. I'll go with the former.
I'll be leaving it for the next camper.

For me, one of the great mysteries in the RV world: Why such a preoccupation with pets? Practically every RV owner has at least one or two. A couple walked by today, each with their own dog; a beautiful and gentle German Shepard and a Dane. These two old-timers came up to their owner's hips. 

The appearance of dogs is a cause for an afternoon chat. Folks come out of nowhere. Note the size of these beauties. Then....

...hubby with a brown growth on his chest joins in and the conversation continues. Mind you I have no problems with dogs as pets; it's the owners who fawn over them that turns me off; more than they would their own child.

...and I'm left with "what da hell?" and "how da hell...?" These large animals are housed in an RV for the part-time or full-time pleasures of their owners? And to watch some others of their ilk push their smaller "children" in a baby stroller just sends me up a wall.

And if you'd like a discussion of the worth of animals vs. the worth of humans these days, check out this VIDEO. Anyway, as Lesley Gore sang in 1963, "It's my blog and I'll gripe if I want to;" Well, maybe not in those words. 

Thurday's Adventure

Because of my preoccupation with decals and stickers for my RV, I decided to walk down to the camp store to see if they had any. Big mistake. When you have lumbar stenosis, it isn't very long before your lower back lets you know about your lack of good judgment. A half mile later, I reached my destination and, thankfully, they had the sticker I wanted. Still, it was a "what were you thinking" moment. Lesson learned (again). Next up was the nightmare of making the 1/2 mile trip to the other end of the campground back to site 100. Miraculously (in my mind, anyway), along comes Tina and Woody in a golf cart. I stuck my thumb out, he slowed and asked, "Need a lift? Hop on." I couldn't emphasize enough to them how they "saved a life" today. They occupy site 42 and are locals. He originally from Massachusetts, has been here over 30 years and wife, Tina, hails from Alabama and works in the camp store for the group that won the bid to handle the concessions. Neither have lost their respective accents; it was a very pleasant (and relaxing) ride home. Some photos I took on the way:

Classic

Hanging out next to the Camp Store

Not at all fazed by my presence.

A nice selection of things for its size.

Tyndall Air Force base is about 8 miles away--as the crow flies--else it's 22 miles trip on land. It's home to the 325th Fighter Wing and where pilots are trained to fly the awesome F-22A Raptors. When they return for landing, their power is majestic and impressive. I tried to capture a couple as they flew overhead.

This is what it looks like. The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF), $143 million per.

For those of my readers who would like to go back three years to my blog describing my stay at Virginia Beach in January, 2015, CLICK HERE. The same scenario played out as the campground was under the landing flight path of another type of fighter jet, the FA-18 Super Hornet at the nearby Naval Air Station.

  

Today, I gave considerable thought to what could be described as "A Perfect Day." Did you ever have one? This phrase has as many descriptions and interpretations as there are people who are fortunate to experience one. My stay here at St. Andrews State Park has been exceptional and memorable: The air temperature was perfect (76°) with no humidity, that gentle sound of breezes in the pine trees overhead, the shade, a chilled glass of wine, the silence in the midst of the surrounding humanity, the warmth of the sun shining through the canopy, the scenery in front of me knowing that just beyond is the clear water of the Lower Grand Lagoon. It just doesn't get any better than this. I'll say it again, I'm a very fortunate person.

On that note, I want to end this blog with just two more days left before I head 114 miles up to Ozark, AL, to the Ozark/Fort Rucker KOA. 2 hours 22 minutes away. Hope you've enjoyed your stay with me; your comments are always welcomed if you can figure how to get them "published" below. Drop me an email if you cannot. See you in Alabama Monday.

Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley - Clermont, FL

2+ hours - 108 miles

To visit the website, Click HERE

On my way along the busy highway, I thought what an
odd combinations of products. I've known a lot
of folks who would have loved to blow up their
computer. Looks like this would be the place
to do it all

The ride from Port Richey to Clermont was a breeze. Light traffic (it was Sunday), a sunny day and I was on I-4 for about 40 miles of the 108 mile trip. The gated resort rents and sells deeded RV lots, park model homes and is minutes away (11.8 miles) from all the big names in Orlando...the reason everyone in the world comes to Orlando. 

They own one of the sites and have really
fixed it up to their liking; a very cozy setting
to relax.

I will be here for nine days. My first evening meal was at site 263 with friends, George and Vicki, a stone's throw up the road. 

Site #50 is a flat, brick-paved lot
with all I need. 

One of the great pastimes I've enjoyed over the years was having my morning coffee with friend, Ray. Lots of good conversation with solutions to all the world's problems and always the realization that we don't have to go to work that day. The other treat, especially in this location, is to hear that one mockingbird in the morning that just leaves me in awe. Once I thought I heard a neighbor's cell phone; it was the bird. Then I was eager to see some rare tropical bird after hearing its song, only to realize it was the bird. If you'd like to hear about a 7 minute clip which also describes this amazing bird, click HERE. I continued to write this blog as it played in the background. Coming from the nasty weather the northeast has had this winter, I've found this a soothing and refreshing sound.

My first trip out of the RV park was for Monday's lunch. Friend, Tricia, picked me up and we went to Bahama Breeze in nearby Kissimmee.

Left: Pusser's Dark Rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice, with freshly ground nutmeg;

Middle: Bacardi Black Rum, Riesling and pineapple juice;
Right: Cruzan Coconut, Spiced and Bacardi Black Rums, mixed 

with fresh orange  and pineapple juice.

Tricia lives in Celebration, FL, with hubby, Craig and
Georgia, their rescue. We met in Croton's RV Park three years ago.

Rescued roadside on I-95 in Georgia.

As you know, it's the company that adds the pleasure to both food and drink.

Meanwhile, "back at the ranch..."

...resident Sand Cranes nonchalantly meander
through the neighborhood and are not...

...fazed at all by the presence of humans.

The next extravaganza I enjoyed was on Wednesday, Valentine's Day. It was a perfect day followed by a perfect evening over at Site 223. Friends, Vicki and George, went all out and above and beyond to provide their friends and neighbors to a party they won't soon forget. She also saved me a ton of work by posting it all on HER BLOG and one that I'm hoping my readers will click on to read for themselves. Great photos of neighbors and food (of course).

As time marches on, I continue to smile that while I'm enjoying sunshine and 82°, my New York friends and family will be expecting 4-7" of snow Saturday into Sunday.

I'm writing this portion of the blog on Friday, 2/16, the Chinese Lunar New Year. My best wishes and fond regards have been extended to my Sakura Garden friends. When I'm home, I've been honored by being invited to their after-hours celebrations at the restaurant and made to feel like family. Sadly, I'll miss this year but I'm there in spirit. To Tony, Sharon, Annie, Alex, Jenny, Evan, Little Brother and all their families, a big Happy New Year (the year of the Dog). Tonight, for my mini-celebration, I'll be having

General Tao's Shrimp with brown rice with veggies, and cold Sake, a going away gift from Tony of Sakura. Gānbēi, Tony and Happy New Year: 

新年快乐 / 新年快樂 (Xīnnián kuàilè)

2017 Last Year, the Year of the Rooster

Tony & Doreen from Fishkill, NY, arrived Thursday
 for their annual visit at Elite.

Like everything in life, no matter how much you think you know about anything, there's always someone who knows more. In the RV world it's true as well. Ray, Tony and George are three cases in point. Now in my case, besides knowing how little I know, it's now gotten to the point where I can't do as much as I used to. As time marched along, little things in Winnie needed attention. For example, a poor design in my sleeping area and a poor design in the door latch were inconveniences that I had been living with for awhile. Without going into the boring details, this is where friends, Ray and Tony, came to the rescue. On two different days. Ray and I tackled the bed situation (I watched) and on another day, Ray and Tony tackled the door problem (I watched). In a matter of hours, because of their know-how, having the right tools, and taking pride in their ability to tackle a problem and see it to its conclusion, I now reap the benefits. My thanks to both of them. Now, lest my readers think I am completely inept, I will slip in a personal note. In my other life as a homeowner, I did complete two huge projects by myself ("with a little help from friends"). I added a 15' x 30' screened in porch to the rear of our house and after breaking through two walls, converted a two car attached garage into a large living area with a bay window and fireplace. So yes, as a homeowner you must be a handy-man as well. 
So, as the snow begins to fall at home, I continue to enjoy the 80+ daytime sunshine. Tonight the temp will dip down into the low 60's but...so what; the adventure continues.

And poof, just like that it's Monday night and my time is up here in Clermont, FL. I was treated to dinner by friends, Vicki and George. We went to Disney Springs, their favorite hangout at Disney. It's a world full of restaurants; at least 89 of them are available for review. Morimoto Asia was their choice for their sushi-loving northern visitor who would have his last supper with them 

This piece of real estate took up a huge foot print
on the Disney landscape.

An impressive and almost overwhelming sight upon entering. The two story restaurant
has a separate entrance upstairs to the sushi bar and lounge.
 

Glittering 20-foot-long chandeliers are mesmerizing.

Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto from his website. He's acknowledged as one of the most inventive forces in Asian cuisine. He chose The Landing at Disney Springs to be the venue for his very first "Pan-Asian" restaurant.

Another photo from the website gives a view from the second floor
and the Shanghai influenced lounges and private dining spaces.

Thank you George & Vicki for another
special visit to Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley
in Clermont, FL

The Laguna Chardonnay from the
Russian River Valley was awesome.

My spicy salmon roll had salmon, spicy mayo,
scallion with a choice of white or brown rice.

Spicy shrimp for Vicky with a soft poached egg mixed in with
a medley of finely chopped veggies and rice.

George had the Orange Chicken: tempura chicken,
Chinese broccoli, wok-tossed with a sweet Florida orange sauce.

Oh, I almost forgot...they forced me into Sprinkles, a cupcake lover's heaven here on
earth for dessert. We just enjoyed their ice cream, sat outside overlooking one of the
many lagoons with crystal clear blue water and watched the throngs of families walk
among the many shops and restaurants. All I could hear in this "people trap run by
a mouse" was "$$$ ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching $$$."

So, farewell from Clermont, FL. My next stop will be an overnight in Perry, FL, 3+ hours to the northwest. It also marks the beginning of my 13-day trip back home to New York via Panama City, near the panhandle of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Take care till next time.