The travel adventures of Pat and Penny
Sebastian Inlet SP
The Skimmers are really fun to watch in flight. Their black and white wings make for a flashing display. The lower left photo shows one feeding by skimming organic material off the water. In February 2016, Penny painted one on the front of our trailer as her first mural to grace the ITLDO.
These are a few of the species we have come to recognize:
Sebastian Inlet SP
Sunrise to sunset this day was stunning. One interesting feature of a north-south barrier island is that viewing the sunrise and sunset can be done within yards of one another This island is only a few hundred feet wide at some points, but at the inlet is about 1/2 mile wide. The state park is on both sides of the inlet.
After breakfast, Penny and I rode our bikes on a bike path along the one north south road and doubled back. She went 11.5 miles and I went 15 miles in an hour. Later, we took a hike on the Hammock Trail that wound through a mangrove forest. The canopy provided shade and we found very pretty colors in there.
Sebastian Inlet SP
Sunrise this morning was spectacular!
The Stork is an ugly, grumpy looking bird. Why they were chosen to deliver babies is beyond me. But this particular stork obliged me with four different poses in bright sunlight. Other than his face and head, its feathers are quite exquisite.
I was fortunate to catch this lone dolphin swimming in the Indian River which runs between the barrier island and the mainland.
Sebastian Inlet SP, Florida
Today was spent beach combing and picture taking, relaxing and napping. Oh, and some after dark walking in the full moon light!
Sebastian Inlet State Park, Sebastian, Fl., 118 mile jump
Before saying our good byes, we all went to the Clermont Farmer’s Market. Arriving as they opened there was no crowd to fight. We needed to stock the fridge with veggies and fresh fish and we did. I also was smitten by a hand made Christmas outfit; I thought it would be perfect for my granddaughter, Mira. So. we got that, too. Impulse buying! There were lots of sights to see. The exotic flowers were attractive, But they don’t travel well; so, a photo will have to do.
Moving east, southeast from Gordy and Sandy’s, we made Melbourne, Fl., and headed down the sliver thin barrier island on highway A1A toward Sebastian Inlet. Two years ago, we contracted a job south of the park, but there were no sites available. So, we got a campsite in the county park just north of the state park. It was a bit soggy and after touring the state park, we decided to camp here next time. So, here we are!
Sunderman Residence, Clermont, Fl.
Another action packed day! I swam some laps first thing. After breakfast, we all hiked the wooded portion of the property. Then, Penny and I went for a kayak paddle. Next was the MAC Championship football game featuring the local UCF playing the Memphis Tigers. It was the highest scoring conference championship game in history and the Central Florida team won after two overtime periods!
Sunderman Residence, Clermont, Fl.
Penny and Sandy walked 5K through the woods with the mini horse Shawnee. Then we towed the boat up to Lake Harris where we took the Mt. Dora canal to Lake Eustis. The canal was full of cypress and cedar trees, lots of spiderwebs and birds.
We lunched dockside at the Hideaway and were entertained by a baby alligator.
After that, we dropped off the boat, changed clothes and headed to the other side of Orlando for a performance of the Nutcracker featuring two Sunderman grandchildren. It was excellent!
