Golden Blossom, KOA - Apopka, FL - A small town inland and a good place to get our bearings.
We pulled our very dirty rig and trailer into a KOA (Kampgrounds of America). A bit weary but also excited, we found this place on our GPS and decided to try it out for a couple of days. We pulled in next to a large (clean) Texas RV Bus and a lady was sitting outside in the sun as we parked & set-up. Her name was Sue. Quite a large lady, she was sitting with her crossword book resting across her bosom the whole time we chatted, and she welcomed us warmly. Literally. It was finally sunny, warm and beautiful! She just retired 2 years ago and travels between their summer home up near Lake Superior, to Texas, to Mobile Alabama and Florida. She has adult children living in each place, so she travels and visits and loves it. A really nice lady.
Laundry Day - now we do still have chores to do around here and I've been the only person on the laundry committee for our RV for a while now.....but for the FIRST time, I didn't mind it at all.......the laundry room at this park was OUTDOORS! No stuffy, wet heat trapped in a fabric-softener smelling room........the great outdoors!
Internet - I was walking away from the laundry room after transferring a wet load into a dryer (very exciting news, yes I know) and spotted Steve's motorcycle parked in front of the campground office on the other side of the building. So, I walked in and puzzled, asked the 2 ladies behind the office counter if they'd seen my husband? One shook her head and the other said "no." I thanked them and started out the door again when Steve slowly rose from his crouched position behind the counter. They all laughed. I cracked up - it turns out (or so they say) that he was checking out their internet connections because they were complaining of slow speed. Good 'ol Stephen. Always willing to help!
Daytona Beach - Day 21 -arrived at another KOA which is only a 4 mile drive to the Atlantic Ocean!
This infamous place is much, much more than a place where sports enthusiasts meet for a big car race every year, but also boasts a beautiful long stretch of beaches on the ocean side, and a tropical oasis running along the intercoastal waterway, on the "inside," called Halifax River. So, basically Daytona has 2 waterfront sides to it and feels like a very long island (similar to Cancun in shape). Full of quaint little shops, palm trees, surf stores, dive shops, bars and restaurants, it feels like a surf-town. Currently, the temperatures are low (for the locals, that is), university students are still in school and most of Florida is experiencing their "down season." So, places like Daytona, which would normally be absolutely hopping with activity, are as quiet as a ghost town right now.
Our first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. Breathe it in people - it's nice!
In just 3 short weeks, Daytona will host the Daytona 500, then a couple weeks later is Bike Week. The place swells with racers & their entourages and fans.......then they clean up a bit, and host a huge motorcycle/bike rally. Our RV park here now costs $42 per night which includes 50 amp power, cable tv, a good size pad for the RV on the grass with a picnic table. During speed week and bike week, you can't get a very small tent-size spot with just power, nothing else, for under $99 per night. And I don't know the cost for an RV as they are completely booked everywhere here. Incredible. Needless to say, we won't be at Daytona during either weeks.
Vegetation & Birds - We are now in the land of hibiscus flowers (my favourite), palm trees of all kinds, tropical green trees and shrubs which I cannot name, and this........what I affectionately call the "dryer lint tree." Sometimes the "lint" is on bare tree branches, and other times there is green vegetation mixed in. They are everywhere. Bizarre!
We also see lots of sea birds, but no mammals yet. I'm a wee bit worried about alligators, but haven't been in any fresh water since arriving in FL. Apparently, alligators live mainly in fresh water while crocs like brackish and/or sea water. They are only found in southern FL so we won't come across any of them yet. Thank God!
Pelicans are Everywhere - we may snicker at home when people take photos of seals, sea gulls and squirrels, but here, they are snickering at us for photographing pelicans! But, they are so cool! We couldn't help ourselves!
These guys are waiting on the docks for the fishing boats to come in with scraps.
Extreme Close-up!
Turkey Vultures - these guys sure look freaky with their bright red heads. Yikes!
Loki's 4th Birthday - Rather than tie balloons to his tail and embarrass him at the dog park, we decided to check out Lighthouse Point at the southern point of Daytona for his birthday walk. It was beautiful and a great choice!
Such a gorgeous and bright lighthouse! We love it!
Happy Birthday, Puppa Dog!
Climbed a look-out tower and whatta-view! Yes, and you look pretty good too, Stephen!
Sunset!
Yesterday was our first really hot day down here - I made a little cave for the dogs as our RV spot faces south and has little shade for them. They look happy outside!
xoxoxoxox
S&S and L&K
Hahahahah... Steve hiding behind the counter. That is so Steve!
ReplyDeleteSo funny! It's a good think I spotted his motorcycle or WHO KNOWS what kind of trouble he would have gotten into! I bet the Buffalo is a little jealous......
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