Alafia River State Park #18

This park is a former phosphate mine in SE Hillsborough County which altered the landscape and created small lakes & steep hills that mountain bikers enjoy. This park has some of the most difficult bicycle trails in the state. Fishing, birding and hiking are also popular. You may spot  an American alligator, Sherman fox squirrel, white-tail deer, red fox, bobcat, marsh rabbit or the river otter.

David's back is out so we won't hike very much on this trip.

Lake Lonesome - after 1PM. A strong wind was blowing & we needed our hoodies! in the 60's all Day!

Kayaking at Little Manatee River SP

Warmer this morning - 64 degrees. Heat was on overnight and this morning.

This park features sand scrub habitat which is in decline due to agriculture - orange groves.

We took a little break Tuesday afternoon to kayak the Little Manatee River. We saw a very fat catfish, many schools of fish about 1 foot long, many small minnows & small fish, yellow-belly turtles sunning themselves but strangely, did not see even One Bird.

We think this nest may be used by a wood duck since it's over the water. Strangely, even small tree branches were used in it.

Work has kept us too busy to do any hiking or riding our motorcycles & we have to leave Wednesday by 1 PM for Alafia River SP.

Little Manatee River SP

Saturday afternoon & evening were spent at the Wimauma Walmart. About every 15 minutes, a school bus came by to pick up Mexican migrant workers to take them to their lodging place. We found a delicious taco stand, Taqueria El Sol, down the road a few miles!

Sunday was a long day! We drove to Jax Beach so David could fix some issues at 1709 Seabreeze & I trimmed the citrus trees & set the sprinklers. We got back to Little Manatee River State Park about 11 pm since the road was closed due to an accident.

Monday AM - 49 degrees so we had the heat on for hours in the morning then the AC in the afternoon.

On Monday, local resident, George, came by for 2 visits.

Fort De Soto Park #212

Yesterday, we moved down few spots to a slightly different view.

We drove to Fort DeSoto Park (actual Park, not campground) for sunset and a walk on the Gulf Pier.

Sunset photo is of the Gulf of Mexico & the shipping lane.

The pier faces both the Gulf of Mexico & Tampa Bay (left).

We leave here this morning  - next stop is a Walmart for tonight's accommodations.

Fort DeSoto Park #208

Two days ago - still behind but hope to catch up today!!
We arrived here, in St. Petersburg, on Thursday afternoon in time to enjoy our waterfront spot.

Sunset photos taken from our campsite - after dark - walked around the campground under an "almost" full moon.

Next morning the temps were so cold that we had to get out our space heater for the 1st time since we were at Hanna Park!

Local Art

Driving around & look what we see .......

Speed Bumps

We're leaving Chassahowitzka, "Chaz" or "Chassy" River Campground after staying here almost 2 weeks. Its a beautiful place - a piece of Old Florida. Some photos from a walk around the campground 2 nights ago. (tried to post for days)

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

I was really happy to see this Park still has a "Florida old-charm" feeling! So many of the older established parks can no longer be recognized.

Fishbowl Observatory (from web site) where the fish and/or manatee swim up to look at you.


We saw Florida panther, Florida black bear, Florida bobcat, Florida grey fox and Florida red fox. Many birds were in the aviary, including the Bald Eagle.

Chassahowitzka River Campground

We will be here for the next 6 nights - until 22nd February.  http://chassahowitzkaflorida.com/

Our camping spot is much larger than the one at Nature's Resort. This area has many tall pines &  oaks.

Saturday morning at 8 is the beginning of the Fishing Tournament & Monday is Presidents Day which makes for a full campground. View (below) from dining room table.

Our camp site!

Chassahowitzka River - it's so beautiful & relaxing here.

 We determined he is dead - lots of flies on him & David couldn't get him to move.

Nature's Resort RV Park, Homosassa -- Feb18

"Come Stay Where the Manatee Play"

We arrived here late afternoon Thursday, Feb. 8th. (Had to drive the RV on Dad's birthday!!) We have been busily working but we did go for a motorcycle ride on Friday evening before dusk & stopped on Fishbowl Drive so I could get this sunset photo.

I walked across the road to capture this view!

Saturday lunch was at Margarita Grill - just down the street.  Appetizer was Pig Wings!! Yum!, the chef's special recipe.

 Only in the South!! There are several Confederate flags flying at the camp sites.

Buzzard Bay Tikki Bar & live music. As we walked along the dock, we saw a big nose then ripples in the water as the Manatee dived back underwater.

2 weeks into our Life on the Road -- Feb 2018

Two weeks ago today, we left our 1709 house for 2 months of  "Anoesis on the Road".

Remember that Anoesis means: a state of mind consisting of pure sensation or emotion without cognitive content.



We got to Hanna Park as the rain began. Thankfully, we have long, hooded rain coats so the water & electric were quickly hooked up. 



Work, interview & hire an Office Manager, shop/install motorcycle batteries took most of our time and energy. We did take a few walks, watch the Full Moon, ride motorcycles around the block & enjoy the cool nights! We had to use our electric heater most nights & wrap up in a quilt!

The coldest day - wrapped up in early afternoon for a short walk.