Author: tophatpat

Ochlockonee River SP, Sopchoppy, Fl., 40 mile jump 

Two years ago, I stalked this unique doe for days after our initial sighting (during which I wasn’t ready to photograph). On the last day of our stay here, I got one picture of her that was just okay. So this year, I hoped for better results and my prayers were answered on the first full day! She is not an albino, but a mutant.

There are also white squirrels here. Must be something in the water!

Bees too! Two bumble bees were attracted by my red shirt (and awesome good looks), but I got them before they could get me!

Wakulla County Park, Newport, Fl.

The rain finally stopped yesterday, but it was too wet to do much outdoors. Today, we opted for a drive to the lighthouse though it was a bit gray and blustery. We weren’t disappointed!

Watch a short gator video by clicking below:

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This photo from the Visitor Center shows the triangular pond we hiked around today: 

The Gulf is beyond the dike over which we walked. After all that walking, we drove to the town of St. Marks to enjoy crackers and blue crab dip, a beer and a view of the water.

Wakulla County Park, Newport, Fl., 269 mile jump

That was an unusually long jump for us. We drove through some cloudbursts as turned west into the panhandle, so we prayed that we could  setup camp without rain gear. Thankfully, our prayers were answered; by the time we were finishing up it started to sprinkle. Then, it poured down rain all night!

It’s a tiny little park on Hwy. 98, which is its only drawback. On the other side of the highway is Lighthouse Road that goes south 10 miles to the historic St. Mark’s Lighthouse on the Gulf of Mexico. Seven of those miles are National Wildlife Refuge covered in ponds, swamp and estuary. We visited two years ago to our delight!

 

 

Hillsborough River SP, Thonotosassa, Fl.

Today was really amazing! A canoe rental was well worth the  $27 for two hours. There was plenty of wildlife and beautiful scenery to admire. First, the wildlife:

And, the scenery:

Hillsborough River SP, Thonotosassa, Fl.

Starting to recuperate, I went for a 14 mile bike ride . Then, after lunch, we went for a hike along the river. Following that we made a trip for food and diesel.

Hillsborough River SP, Thonotosassa, Fl., 108 mile jump

Happy and sad to leave all the Schindlers this time for a long while. Happy to have the opportunity to provide some much needed assistance to make their new abode more functional and comfortable. Sad to leave the warm nest of their household and all the wonderful meals shared.

There were no tears as we left; we looked forward to getting back into our simple one on one routine. The trip was unremarkable but in hindsight, we realized we were in a daze. After setting up camp and eating some dinner, we hit the sack at 7:30 and slept 12 hours!

We worked and partied pretty hard last week; we are exhausted!

Schindler Commune, Port Charlotte, Fl.

We returned to install another bank of kitchen cabinets, be with family and watch the Super Bowl.

The bird watching out the back window is extraordinary!

This project included moving and installing electrical outlets and switches, removing wainscoting, sheetrock patching, carpentry, and painting. There are seven different cabinets, twelve doors, five drawers and the countertop. All of the components had to be plumb and level, be screwed together and to the wall. Penny and I worked shoulder to shoulder on this and we are proud of it!

E.G. Simmons Regional Park, Ruskin, Fl.

John and Shirley drove up from Port Charlotte to visit us. We took them to a healthy lunch of strawberry shortcake, whipped cream, ice cream and chocolate syrup at Goodson Farms Strawberry Market!

The tide was in and the water was much more clear for viewing the manatee. They are not fish, they are air breathing mammals. They weigh about 1200 lbs. Man is their biggest predator; boat strikes injure and kill many every year. The one in the lower left has propellor wounds on its back. The lower right has one dragging an antennae on a lease; it has recently been hospitalized so it needs to be monitored. Also in that photo is a mother flanked by two pups.

E.G. Simmons Regional Park, Ruskin, Fl.

Back at Simmons, the sight of two herons fishing together was quite picturesque!

We also sighted two less familiar birds:

Then there was time to admire the scenery:

And more birds:

Punta Gorda RV Park

Leaving the camper in Ruskin, we spent the weekend with the family. John and Dan wanted to go for a sail on Monday and I wanted to go along. It takes about 30 minutes to motor the sailboat from Dan’s dock through Alligator Creek to Charlotte Harbor. There were some interesting sights along the way.

Once the sails went up and the motor turned off the tranquility of being powered by the wind was transcendent!

 

Not a lot of wind, but plenty for a nice ride. Luckily, I was chauffeured by two capable old sailors!