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MEETING AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS



MONDAY

TRAVEL DAY
YEAR #2 - STOP #69



Today we set a new record for our travels, our shortest move between campsites, ever! Just 11 miles down the road is the next Florida State Park we are going to be visiting. It was touch and go for a short while because we had to be off of our current campsite before 1:00PM and check-in time at the new campground isn't until 3:00PM.

After a 10:00AM phone call we found out our new site was still being occupied by the previous night's guest and not available for us to move in. We got the same response when we called again at 11:00AM. Finally at 12:30PM our site was available and we got the green light to come on over!

I'm so glad that this state park is very relax when it comes to checking in early. We have been to state parks in other states where when they say check-in is at 2:00PM, they won't check you in even 5 minutes early. One state park we were at had a line of 17 travel trailers and motorhomes waiting at the gate to check in at 1:45PM and still refused to even expedite the paperwork to speed things along when the magic time of 2:00PM did finally come around.

I understand the need and the reasoning behind having rules, otherwise their would be nothing but chaos. The two hour window between check-out and check-in time is usually to give the park volunteers and employees a chance to clean up campsites and empty ashes out of the firepits. If the site has already been cleaned and is unoccupied, what's the harm in letting someone check in a couple of hours early?



TUESDAY (CHRISTMAS EVE) - Today we met the a nice couple from Chattanooga, TN who are camping just a few campsites down from us. They have a 30' Airstream Flying Cloud they travel part-time in and invited us to come down to their site for a campfire.

There aren't any firepits here so the only way to have a campfire is if you bring your own. Sherry and Mooch (aka Mike), that's their names, have a nice sized propane firepit we all sat around for the evening. Right next to their site is another Airstream couple, Pat and Patty, who they just met and were also invited to share the campfire.

We had a great evening sitting around the campfire, each couple talking turns telling their stories about where they live, where they have visited in their Airstream and where they want to go next. At the end of the evening we all made plans to get together again in a few days.






MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!



A Christmas sunrise on the Gulf shores of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park


Once again we have all been invited down to Sherry and Mooch's site, but this time we are in for a real treat. For Christmas Dinner Mooch has a dozen soft shell crabs he is going to fry up and share with us all. Neither Tricia or I have ever tasted a soft shell crab, so this should be interesting. While Patty took care of preparing a delicious salad for tonight's meal, Tricia prepared a couple of Gorgonzola Cheese and Warm Crab dips as appetizers.

While I won't say soft shell crab is Tricia or my new favorite food, it was tasty and I thank Mooch for the opportunity for a taste of the Maryland Blue Crab delicacy.

Since Mooch had one of the few campfires in the campground he attracted a lot of visitors. Some went and brought back chairs to join us and some just stopped in to warm up around the fire. By the end of the evening we must of had at least a dozen visitors.



FRIDAY - Tonight it's our turn to treat everyone to a scrumptious dinner. Tricia loves to make a her full fledged Taco Bar. To begin with we had four different kinds of soft taco shells. For proteins we had grilled tilapia, grilled flank steak, grilled chicken and pulled pork. That was my contribution, grilling all the meats.

Tricia had made up some fresh citrus salsa with orange, pineapple and mango. She also made a fresh red salsa with plum tomatoes, onion, jalapeño pepper and cilantro. Add to that four different shredded cheeses, diced sweet onion and green onion, sour cream, lime wedges, cilantro, jalapeño and bell pepper, shredded lettuce and cabbage. Let's not forget the fresh guacamole!

Anyway enough talking about it, here's what it looked like!

Tricia's Taco Bar - quite the presentation huh?

Once again by the end of the night a number of people had come by to visit. Plenty of them were happy to make themselves a taco or two, even if the meat was cold by then. The best thing is, we still had enough left over for a solid lunch the next day!




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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! (2019)

Our Location:
Topsial Hill Preserve State Park
Santa Rosa Beach, FL




Christmas (which means "Christ's Mass") is a holiday that is celebrated on December 25. It is a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

Excerpted from Wikipedia


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL



Until next time
TWO PEAS


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AIRSTREAMS ON THE SIDEWALK?



THURSDAY

TRAVEL DAY
YEAR #2 - STOP #68



Today's travels bring us to within walking distance of the Florida Panhandle's white sand beaches, mixed with small coastal communities and large resort towns all mixed together. We are visiting Grayton Beach State Park for the weekend, even though the forecast calls for rain and low enough temperatures that neither one of us will be going anywhere near the Gulf Waters.



THURSDAY - Located just a few miles east of Grayton Beach is the quaint little town of Seaside, FL. The town was the setting of the 1998 Jim Carey movie, The Truman Show.

We drove through this town on the way to our campsite today and saw these familiar looking pieces of sidewalk art.

Airstream Row in downtown Seaside, Florida

The best thing about these particular art installations are they all serve delicious food. While some of them were open this Thursday afternoon, some of them were not. No worries, we were both able to find something delicious to eat, although our two meals came from two different establishments.



SEASIDE'S SIDEWALK CAFES



Frost Bites - the only one now open today
Barefoot BBQ - this is where I found my lunch
Our private sidewalk dining table for today
The Meltdown - where Tricia found herself a gourmet grilled cheese
Wild Bill's Beach Dogs - maybe next time
Crepes du Solelil - not my thing




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A WATERFALL IN FLORIDA?



MONDAY

TRAVEL DAY
YEAR #2 - STOP #67



After a rather short two hour move today we arrived at Falling Waters State Park to get a first hand look at Florida's tallest waterfall? That's right, there is a stream here that plunges 73 feet into a natural limestone sinkhole creating a waterfall.



MONDAY - With only three days here at the park, we thought we should go visit the park's main attraction ASAP, before the weather gets cold and wet. Shortly after getting THE POD all set up in it's temporary home we drove the short distance to the trailhead parking lot.

Once arriving at the parking lot you have two choices how to get to the waterfall. First is a steep and fairly straight cement walking path. The second is a less steep and meandering path that is wheelchair accessible. They both meetup a short distance later at an observation deck overlooking the waterfall.

The upper observation deck is the end of the wheelchair accessible path and from there the path gets steeper and steeper, before you get to a flight of stairs that leads down to the lower observation deck.

The view from the upper wheelchair accessible observation deck

A close up of Falling Waters from above

Another view from the lower observation deck

Looking down into the bottom of the sinkhole


We spent less than an hour walking the path, enjoying the waterfall and returning to our truck. So I guess I wouldn't call this a destination park, but if you're in the area it's worth a visit. All in all, we're glad to be here but don't feel the need to return. Also with only 21 reservable campsites here it is one of Florida State Park's smallest campgrounds.




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WE'VE GOT VISITORS!



WEDNESDAY

TRAVEL DAY
YEAR #2 - STOP #66



Today we arrived back in our home state of Florida after visiting the Northeast United States over the last ten months. Seeing as how we are back in Florida, we are close enough that our good friends, Heather and Mike from Jacksonville, are willing to drive the 342 miles to spend the weekend camping with us. We can't wait to see them on Friday!



THURSDAY - Early this morning, shortly after breakfast, I made my daily trek to the campground's restroom. When time allows, which isn't always the case, we like to make our #2 business deposits somewhere other than into the 39 gallon black water tank located under THE POD.

The one and only bathroom/shower building here is located between the two loops that make up this campground. It is accessed by a short boardwalk that you enter between Campsites #5 and #6 on this loop. Mark and Stacy, the couple occupying Campsite #6, were obviously University of Alabama football fans. They had an Alabama 10x10 canopy, several banners displaying past National Championships and a few Crimson colored flags around their campsite.

While The Crimson Tide is not in the running for a National Championship this year, they do play on New Years Day in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. One more chance to show their talents.

Mark was outside tending to a smoldering fire in their fire pit all weekend long. We exchanged greetings and conversation every time I walked by. Turns out Mark and Stacy are very friendly people and it was a pleasure talking to them. On the last day I handed Mark one of our contact cards and hope they are reading this and will keep in touch.



FRIDAY - Today is the day Heather and Mike arrive! It rained overnight and has been drizzling all day, but as luck would have it, shortly after noon it all just stopped. Just an hour later our guests arrived after their 5+ hour drive and set up their tent next to THE POD.

Not long after Mike finished setting up their camp he was at his grill cooking up some Homemade Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs they had been marinating for two days. The girls were inside cooking up some vegetables and rice. Me? I was patiently waiting at the picnic table for the feast to begin.

The shores of Blackwater River

There is not a lot to do at Blackwater River State Park in the winter time. This is however a very busy place in the summertime with it's white sandy shores and cool water to swim in. There is also a canoe outfitter just outside of the park offering tours and hourly rentals.



SATURDAY - Morning breakfast included an Egg Scramble with sausage, mushroom, onions and peppers. Some of us added a little sour cream and salsa too. Lunch was a simple, yet delicious, tuna salad and crackers.

After lunch the three of them took a short walk on the trails inside the park, while I stayed behind and fixed our string of solar lights that didn't work last night. I also drove to the Park Ranger Station and grabbed two bags of firewood because tonight, it's time to have a campfire.

Around 5:00PM Mike and I started building a campfire and by the time it started to get dark around 5:30PM we were still struggling to get it to burn. It seems the firewood they sell here was full of moisture and humidity and did not burn easily. However, by the time the girls brought out their Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner, complete with green beans and broccoli, the fire was well under way.

All night long while sitting around the fire Mike and I managed to play some pretty good tunes through the Bluetooth speaker he brought along. It's always good to listen to someone else's playlist every now and then to hear songs you might not have heard in awhile.

I know it sounds like all we did was eat all weekend, but that's just not true. There was also a wee bit of Calypso Spiced Rum with Diet Dr. Pepper consumed after I went to bed. At least that's what I heard through the grapevine!



SUNDAY - It's Sunday already? Time sure does fly by when you're having fun! After a little bit of a late breakfast it was time to start breaking down Heather and Mike's camp, pack it all back into their mid-sized SUV and say goodbye. It was somewhere near 2:00PM when they pulled out of our campsite. We sadly waved goodbye, not sure when we will once again return to Florida and see our friends. I guess next visit someone will be purchasing airline tickets!




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IT WAS GOOD WHILE IT LASTED ...



WEDNESDAY

TRAVEL DAY
YEAR #2 - STOP #65



Today's move lands us in a county park located just north of Mobile, AL. While we are here we have a Holiday Season sightseeing location to check out. It's a one mile long walk through an elaborate outdoor holiday lights display at Bellingraf Gardens & Home.



THURSDAY - We have lots to accomplish today and if we get everything done there should still be enough time left to visit the holiday lights display tonight.

First up today is a visit to the local Ford dealership to get ROVER's oil changed for the third time. After that we'll be seeking out a satisfactory laundromat in the area to get nearly three weeks of clothes and some new bed sheets cleaned.


Once Tricia was all set up at the laundromat I was off to get ROVER's gas tank filled and find a hardware store to pick up a few items for "yet another little project" that I have in mind. Once all that was taken care of it was time for lunch before we head out for a much anticipated trip to the grocery store.

You're probably wondering, "a much anticipated trip to the grocery store", REALLY?

Well YES, you see it's been 10 months since we left Florida and visited 18 new states this year.

One thing those 18 states have in common is:

there's not a single
Publix Supermarket
in any one of them.

Tricia is on a mission!

I knew our entire life savings was in jeopardy when Tricia left the truck. She grabbed all six of her heavy duty canvas Trader Joe's bags, slung them over one shoulder and took off at a very brisk pace towards the front of the store. After snapping the above picture, I also took off at a hurried pace to locate a sturdy shopping cart and to pick up a copy of the weekly flyer listing all of the BOGO's on sale.

Much to my dismay (or relief, I'm still trying to decide) it also happens to be GAS WEEK at Publix. About once a month Publix runs a promotion where for every $50 you spend on groceries, you can purchase a $50 gasoline gift card for just $40. It's a really great way to save 20% on your gasoline costs by using the gift cards (BTW they never expire).

For several years before we started our travels we would purchase these gift cards and put them away to use once we were on the road. By the time we hit the road we had nearly $3000 worth of cards, some of which we received as going away presents from friends. During our first year on the road not once did we pay for gasoline using anything other than a gift card.

By the time the cashier had rung up all of today's grocery purchases our total was $246.64, so we also picked up 4 more gas cards (2 for Shell & 2 for Exxon - because they are both have locations nationwide) at a final cost of $160.00, for a grand total of $406.64, you're welcome Publix!




BELLINGRAF GARDENS & HOME



Some of the displays were very elaborate and Disney-like.
This display has us walking "Under The Sea".
At the halfway point of the walk we ran across a live High School choir singing Christmas carols.
This area was a Chinese Garden complete with a dragon and lanterns.
This should be familiar to all, "A Partridge in a Pear Tree".


We took many other pictures during our 1-mile stroll through the lights but most turned out blurry. Only these few seemed worthy of sharing with everyone. Suffice it to say there were many displays, each with it's own music playing in the background. It seemed as each display came to an end another would begin, either after turning a corner along the path or passing through a tight space in the gardens leading into "another room".

We spent nearly an hour and a half strolling through the gardens, admiring the lights and music and thoroughly enjoyed our night out here. It sure put us in the Christmas spirit!



FRIDAY - Today it was finally time to say goodbye to my trusted 2008 Mac Book Pro laptop. With it's big 17" screen it was considerably heavier than most other laptops. For it's first three years of duty it went through many hands at my previous employer, Blue Ocean Press, before finally being given a little rest and relaxation. Sadly that period of rest turned into several years worth of time. With newer, faster and most importantly, lighter weight models on the market it was soon forgotten about.

Just after New Years of 2014 a new salesperson at Blue Ocean Press was in need of a computer for their desk. The 6-year old laptop was considered a dinosaur by then and was deemed inadequate for the job. I offered Tom the owner $100 for the electronic paper weight and we have been together ever since.

First thing I did was buy a fresh new battery for the laptop ($50) and installed 6GB of newer faster RAM ($100). I completely formatted the hard drive and installed a fresh copy of the latest Mac Operating System. So for a little over $250 I had a fully functioning Mac laptop which has been instrumental in the creation of this blog and website. Every single post up until today was conceived in my head and composed right here on it's keyboard.

So all I can say is, "it was good while it lasted". For the last few days the screen has been acting strangely. Flickering, freezing and well, just not acting properly. Today it was time to take it to a professional and find out what was wrong. I located a shop here near Mobile, AL that specializes in older Mac repairs. For $25 he verified what I already suspected, the video card was on it's way out. He didn't have a replacement, new or used, that would work in my 11-year old laptop.

So I picked up my laptop, left his shop and went to the nearby Best Buy store. A new entry level MacBook is roughly $1300 and in order to get one similar to my old laptop it would be closer to $2500. Both were more than I wanted to spend so we left the store and headed for home.



SATURDAY - First thing after breakfast every morning I update our Stats Page on the website from the day before. The laptop seems to work better in the morning. Once it gets warmed up is when the problems with the video begins. So right after I updated the website I completed a full external backup of my hard drive.

Just a hour after the backup was completed the video quit working, this time for good! While I was waiting for my laptop to be diagnosed yesterday I looked around the repair shop at the refurbished laptops they had for sale. Most were newer and still over $1000, but one right by the front door was only $650.

It was a 2012 13" MacBook Pro model and came with a 90-day money back warranty. It had the standard 4GB of RAM and had been upgraded with a 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD). I called the shop and offered them $500 for the laptop and fully expected them to say no. They did, but I asked if they would be willing to upgrade the RAM to 8GB and transfer my old laptop data onto the new laptop. Additionally if they would take off $25 for the fee I paid the day before, we would have a deal.

Long story short, I now have a "new to me" 2012 laptop, which means I'll be able to continue bringing you updates on our travels through this blog! I know, so exciting!




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