We're In Florida

I'm past due on a update to this blog, I know. Well, here goes -

Tuesday morning we saw Jake & Nancy drive out of the park. They were headed to Orlando for several weeks during which they will be taking a 7 day cruise on the Liberty of the Seas - lucky them!!!

We spent Tuesday catching up with Henry & Anne - it has been over two years since we've seen them - wow how time flies when your having fun. We checked out the changes they have made to their motorhome, adding a desk area in the front, expanding the credenza in the dining area and having the mirror wardrobe doors removed and having wood ones put in. All the changes are very, very nice. I now want my mirror wardrobe doors taken out and wood one put in! I would also like to expand the credenza to add two file drawers so I don't have to tote the portable file box around. One other thing that they have had done while in Florida was replacing the fluorescent lighting with halogen spot lighting. I really like it and it was done locally so I'm thinking.....we may come back to Alabama with new lights!

Wednesday I went shopping with Anne. They are heading to Orlando tomorrow for a Trailer Life Directory convention. Anne & Henry work for them, grading the campgrounds that are listed in the directory - neat job! Anyway, she needed a dressy top. Well, there isn't much choice for shopping here in Wauchula but we were able to find one that is really pretty on Anne. I think she will be a knockout when she wears it!

We have gone out to eat just about every meal since we got here. The "in" restaurant in town in Paul's Kitchen. Breakfast is only $1.99 for two eggs, bacon or sausage, home fries & toast. Can't beat that price! Evening meals range around $8.99 but you get more food than you can eat!
We did try the Bread Basket one evening and it was not very good at all. Don't think I'll go back.

Wednesday night we played games with Anne & Henry. We had a lot of fun and laughed a lot!

Thursday morning, after a farewell to Henry & Anne, Dean & I took off for Tampa and the Super RV Show. I've been having some problems with my legs and was kind of worried how I would manage walking this show. I know from past experience that under normal circumstances your legs are tired after a day at the show and I knew mine would probably not hold up well. I used a cane and I was surprised, but it really helped! We really didn't want to look at the RVs but wanted to do both the vendor areas. Had to find out if there was something we just could not live without. Much to my surprise, we came out with just a couple small purchases and a free new tension rod for one of our MCD blinds. We even checked out the new Tiffin motorhomes and thankfully, I wasn't bitten by the "gotta have a new one" bug. As a matter of fact, I like my bus better than the new models except for the flooring. I hate the carpet! I would love to have tile throughout except maybe in the bedroom. Oh well, another thing for my list.....

It was almost 8pm till we got back to Wauchula from the show. Boy was I tired! And yes, my legs were beginning to hurt. A couple of Tylenol and some rest will help that!

Friday we didn't do much except clean the inside of the motorhome and wipe down the outside. Because Florida has a water shortage, there is a no RV washing policy in place. It sure does need a good washing but it will just have to wait. May get it done while we are in Montogmery in March. There is a guy that works at Capital City RV Park that does a good job washing RVs and is very reasonable. He has done our before and we were happy with the results.

Saturday we drove to Punta Gorda to meet Joel and Ava for lunch. They are not full timers but part-timers. Most winters find them in Florida to get out of the New Jersey cold and snow. Anyway, we met at Fisherman's Village which was a nice place with lots of little shops and places to eat. We chose Harpoon Harry's which overlooks the water, and was open air dining. It was a beautiful day with temps in the 70's and a slight breeze. Perfect for our choice. It was great seeing them again and catching up. We may get to meet with them one more time before they head back to NJ for the birth of their grandchild in mid-Feb. I sure hope so.

After saying farewell to Joel and Ava we decided to drive up the coast to check out a couple of Encore parks. We can stay at them for a reduced rate because of our 1000 Trails membership. Well, we stopped at two and I have to say that I wasn't impressed at all. Glad we looked before making reservations!

Driving back that afternoon from the Venice area I decided that all Florida county roads are straight and flat! Very boring drive except for the orange orchards, strawberry farms and tomato farms. We wondered as we drove how much that we saw was lost to the freezing that was here just a week ago. We passed many truck trailers loaded with oranges headed to the plant to become orange juice, so I guess many were saved from the weather. As you drive along you see oranges along the side of the road where they have fallen from the trucks. Reminds me of cotton pickin time in S. Alabama only then you see cotton balls by the road.

Yesterday was church day. We decided to be lazy most of the day and do nothing. We did go check out the SKP Co-op park about 3 miles from us and it is very nice. May try to come back and stay there, we'll see.

So now it is Monday, our last day here at Peace River. Will spend some time catching up on filing and making some phone calls. Was going to do laundry but have decided to wait until tomorrow or Wed. Nothing else planned except that I would like to go to Beall's. When there with Anne I saw some really cute pants and tops and I'd like to check them out.

Tomorrow we head back north to the Silver Springs area, near Ocala. We will be staying at Wilderness RV Park, where Bill and Helen own a lot. Looking forward to seeing them again - it's been awhile. Anne & Henry will be joining us this coming weekend. I'm sure I'll have lots to report on while at this park - Helen stays busy and I see a lot of leg ache in my future - LOL! Where's my Tylenol?

I will be posting a few pictures on Picasa from Punta Gorda. Haven't got back into the picture taking mode just yet.

So, there you have it, our first week in sunny warm Florida. Come on back in awhile and see if I've added anything new....