Florida 2002 Week Two

Sunday, December 22, 2002

Well, I actually slept until am today, and Donna was up a few minutes before me.  I was up for a bathroom trip at 5, so I had turned on the coffee.  We left about 9am headed for Clearwater, en route to Tarpon Springs.  We crossed the bay on the 'Courtney Campbell' causeway, so we called 'our' Courtney.  David said she was in her 'Exersaucer', and just loved it.

We did a little sight-seeing in Clearwater Beach, then headed north on Alt 19 - the old highway. We took a side trip to Honeymoon Island State Park, a very nice park, with rocky beaches.  We saw 4 or 5 dolphins playing in the surf.  The tide was real low and we went 'shell hunting' in the rocks.  We actually found a bunch, put them in a bag, hoping they don't start smelling.

From there we went on to Tarpon Springs and to the 'sponge dock' area.  Really interesting, all Greek stores and restaurants.  We had lunch at Hella's, having a Gyro Plate that was excellent. After lunch, we took a cruise on a boat cruising the river and bayou's, then into the Gulf looking for Dolphins.  We was lots of Osprey, Blue Heron, and even one eagle and two huge eagle nests.  No dolphins, but lots of other stuff.  The cruise was very interesting and a lady provided the narration, and her husband was the captain.  The cost was only $10 and there was only about 15 folks on the cruise.

After the cruise we returned to Lazy Days and walked over and looked a few more coaches, then back to the coach about 5:30.  I read the paper for awhile, and Donna took a nap, while a Pot Roast was cooking.  May go to Ybor City later.

Dinner was excellent, but Donna was too tired to go any where, so she put up a little Christmas Tree, puts lights on it and put battery operated candles in all the windows.  It really looks great and puts us in the Christmas spirit.

Monday, December 23, 2002

We got up about the usual 7am this morning and I nuked a couple of sausage biscuits, while Donna skipped breakfast.  Then about 8:30 we went back over to the RV Center and I had a couple of more FREE sausage and biscuits and still Donna had nothing.  While we ate Julie spotted by, and said she was going to get an associate to help with the Country Coach, a fellow named Joe Rivard.

We went to locate one that we had spotted yesterday, a received a print-out on a couple of others.  We test-drove a 2000 model Magna with 18k miles.  After lots of looking and talking, we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch about 1:30 and discuss our findings.

Then we went to Ybor City, a Cuban area under re-development.  The area reminded us of Sixth Street in Austin.  We drove around the dock area, then over to the downtown Tampa area, as well as the University of Florida campus, which was really nice.

Back home, we took a nap, the drove around a bit more, then to bed about 10pm.

Tuesday, December 24, 2002

After a leisurely breakfast, we were 'ready to bogie' about 8:30.  We headed south on I-75 toward Punta Gorda, about 100 miles south.  On the way, Donna called the place we wanted to stay, a Passport America Park, but it was full, of course.  They recommended Water's Edge, a really nice small park, surrounding a 4-5 acre lake.  It was really nice, but a little on the expensive for what it was.

After getting 'set-up' we had Hot Wings for lunch, then headed into town.  We went to Fisherman's Village, a nice collection of shops and restaurants at the harbor.  We drove around a bit, then went to Port Charlotte, and then south a ways, where we were going to cross a drawbridge to an island, the the bridge was broken, so we headed back to the coach.

Tonight we cooked pork chops on the grill, I took a little nap.  Donna called Parker, then Austin, to remind them about Santa Claus tonight, but Austin was asleep. 

Wednesday, December 25, 2002

We got a little rain shower in the middle of last night, had the windows open, so we got a few things a little wet.  Bacon, sausage, eggs and toast for breakfast this morning.  We left about 9am, and headed south toward Ft Myers, and spent most of the day just driving around, looking things over.  We went to Pine Island, stayed a short time.  It was a pretty run down area.  Then to Sanibel Island, which was just the opposite of Pine Island. It was a real jungle, but highly developed and apparently VERY controlled.

We got back to the coach about 4pm and got out the long pants and coats to go on the Canal Light Cruise.  Turned out to be not quite a cold as we thought it would be, but sure needed the coats.  The Christmas lights at the homes along the canal were quite impressive, but the lady piloting us big boat was the most impressive with her abilities.

Back to coach, snacks for dinner, reading, tv, etc.

Thursday, December 26, 2002

Again we were up about the usual time and got things un-plugged and hooked up.  We only have about 60 miles to travel today, north on I-75 to Brandenton to and Encore Park.  Really nice, again wrapping around a lake, but with at least 50% permanent spots.

We drove over to Anna Marie Island and Long Boat Key, a part of which was really ritzy. Back to the coach and a nap, then Donna went to Eckerd's and Publix (a grocery store).  She found several 'after-Christmas' bargains, including a dancing 'Chicken Elmo' for Courtney.

We called David, Kim and Courtney.  Courtney is really doing good and they had a good Christmas.  Donna then called her mother, and learned they all had a great Christmas also.  Donna then called Austin, but he didn't want to talk either, as usual.  We also called a couple of buddies from Charlie's, Claude and Angie.

Friday, December 27, 2002

We were both up again about 7am and drove over to Venice, where we stopped at a RV Sales lot, but saw nothing of interest.  We then went to 'Clocks Family Restaurant' for breakfast.  We drove out to a couple of islands, again with some fantastic homes.

Back at the coach for a while, then we went to Lowe's to check out Christmas Sales.  Then we went to an Outlet Mall, which was totally swamped, no parking available, so we just drove around the parking lot and left.

Donna fixed a great dinner of lasagna tonight, after which we played Phase 10.  I won the game.  We were both on Phase 10, but she had more points against her.

Saturday, December 28, 2002

Well, I was up about 6 this morning, started watching my HGTV programs and doing a little straightening and organizing of the coach.  Donna finally rolled out about 8 and we had cereal and toast for breakfast, then filled the fresh water tank, dumped the black and gray tanks, and disconnected everything.

We left the park at Brandenton about 9, and arrived at Mt Olive Shores North, near Lakeland, abut 10:30.  We visited the office and got a package of information, and made an appointment to come back at 2pm for a tour of the development. Actually we were a little surprised at the lot prices, and only a few left in Phase II.  Phase III is under construction, where the lots will be $45k and larger at 75 x 120.  Leftover Phase II lots are 60 x 120, asking $36-38k, on sale for $30,900.  We will do more talking tomorrow.

Later we drove over to Lakeland, to the downtown area, and a beautiful lake with lots of swans, geese, and ducks.  We plan to go back tomorrow night to see the lights.

Phase 10 -  Donna won 10-7