Mitchell Lake CP, Appalachicola NF - Mar 16

This campground was beautiful with large, level sites. When we arrived the camp host said that they were having a problem with no see ums.  Very true but this was only an overnight for us before going to St. Joe's to meet up with Steve & Ellen. There is a 4.5 mile hike that looked really interesting going through all different types of habit along the river but it was a bit hot, Nina was having trouble with pollen and we wanted to poke through the town of Appalachicola in search of fried oysters. We found them at a restaurant called Hole in the Wall.

Newport County Park, St. Mark's - Mar 13 - 15

This park is right at the head of the road down to the St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge. Many, many birds and great biking. We got into a routine where I set out in the morning by bike and Harry came along with the sag wagon bringing lunch around noon. My favorite bird - the little guy to the left, a Vermillion Flycatcher, and yes he was this bright!

The stop was enriched by meeting Didier, a bicyclist from Quebec, Canada who was cycling FL from Orlando to Key West, up to St. Marks in the panhandle continuing west to NOLA and back to Orlando. It was a small world when he told us he has camped at Wompatuck in Hingham several times and visited Nantasket Beach. Hopefully our paths will cross again.

Jim & Sue, fellow birders and camper van folks, also pulled into the campground after we had first met them in Cedar Key. They were the ones who tipped us off to the nesting great horned owls a block out of town. 

Shell Mound CP at Cedar Key - Mar 9 - 12

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Bugs, bugs, bugs but Shell Mound County Park is a beautiful place to stay and just 12 miles into town. 

Cedar Keys is part of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge with great birding, kayak/canoeing, fishing (although not successfully) and small town with shops, restaurants and the best place for ice cream! One of our favorite areas in FL.

We stayed an extra day or two to get us through the weekend and fellow campers told us about a great horned owl nesting with 2 owlets. A must see! We hoped to stay a night at Manatee Spring SP but they were full so on we went to Newport Park at St. Marks.

EG Simmonds CP - Mar 7 - 8

Just a short stop to regroup before we head back north towards the panhandle. This is an odd park originally built for veterans. Seems there are many that winter over here for months on end.

Harry's comfortable spot was short lived when we were told to take the hammock down. This isn't an unusual rule except that there were several other hammocks, clotheslines and Christmas lights hanging all over trees in other campsites. Different rules for different folks!

Sarasota - Mar 3 - 6

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Chris is the longest, first friend in my life so always a pleasure to get together with he & Diane and visit their new home in Sarasota.

We had a great time touring Sarasota with the farmers market, a Cuban lunch at Columbia Restaurant in St. Armand's Circle, Nanday parakeets at Island Park, tailgating at a polo match, bicycling and much more.

Nina made instant friends with their pups, Onee & Sage and enjoyed the pool. Wonderful visit!

Ocala NF & Lake Louisa - Mar 1-2

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We were still moving south to Sarasota and our friends Chris & Diane so each of these stops were overnights. We have been to Juniper Springs SP in Ocala before and a good bet for finding the FL scrub jay.

Lake Louisa is a very nice place with many equestrian trials around lakes and across fields. Highlight was a swallow-tailed kite flying over as we arrived. This is worth a return trip some day.

Hwy. 81 South Bound - Feb. 28 - 29

Easy Sunday drive to Winchester, VA with pleasant 60 degree temps. New this trip is a radio with the addition of Sirius. What a pleasure listening to continuous good music.

The bad, something's wrong w/the TV - no Downton Abby tonight. Can't have it all!

First night, Winchester VA Cracker Barrel - quiet spot. Second Cracker Barrel, Mooresville, NC not so quiet.

Cold, Sea Fog and Blue Skies - Feb. 14, 2016

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Cold, cold, cold, beautiful morning in Hull with sea fog, icicles, frozen ocean and blue skies. Many thanks to Peter & Diane for a tour around town.

East of the Mississippi - Oct. 25 - Oct. 30

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Three sleeps to home!

Heading NE from Socorro, NM - Oct. 23 - 24

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