St. Augustine tour day 1

 We got ourselves moving and headed into St. Augustine to play tourist. In poking around on the internet I discovered they had a WINERY. Always up for a winery tour because they always have TASTING rooms. Ah, this tour was no different and they had a nice tour presentation. We tasted 6 or 7 wines up to a very nice Port. Nearby was another place that seemed fun, a DISTILLERY! You guessed it, a little tour then on to the TASTING room. What better to chase the previous wine with than a Florida Mule made with vodka followed by a Gin and tonic unlike any other gin and tonic. Gin and tonic with a Florida twist they say. Both quite tasty.


 I should point out that by this time it is all of 10:30-11am. Mary has been a member of AAA for 20 plus years. We think maybe we should drop an A and join AA instead...


 Right about now taking the trolley tour seem like a good idea, so we did.


 Saint Augustine is the oldest, continually occupied, European-established city in the continental United States. Boy that was a mouthful but narrows the claim down to specifics. Native Americans in Santa Fe could argue the point otherwise. At any rate they have a nice historic district lined with buildings with historical markers. St.George street is pedestrian only, buildings filled with shops of all type.

 So many shops, so little time!!

 Remember our favorite Cuban restaurant from Ybor city? Well they have a location here so guess where lunch was? And for the record we had ICED TEA with our meals.

 It seems that Mary's shorts are not as loose as they were. She says I shrank them when doing the laundry...none the less I told her NO at the bakery.

 Since 1672 Saint Augustine has been protected by Castillo de San Marcus. Quite the massive place overlooking the harbor.

 Because at our last stop we walked quite a bit and future stops will be the same, we treated ourselves to transportation. Can't afford the new Class A so some folding bikes will have to do. Besides they were on sale for half price!

 More of Saint Augustine tomorrow but no more stops at wineries, distilleries etc,,,

Saint Augustine

 Well after having been parked in same spot for 30 days, it came time to move along. We have moved up the east coast of Florida to a spot just south of Saint Augustine. Before our picture essay on this location let us put a wrap on greater Orlando.

 If you come this way be prepared for TRAFFIC. Copious quantities of traffic, all times, everywhere. It might also be helpful to understand local traffic laws. Red lights merely suggest you might want to stop, most don't. Lane closed ahead means I will race you to the cones. The prevailing motto would seem to be, "I have a horn and know how to use it". Dallas drivers moved way up the friendly driver list compared to these folks.

 If you do come this way, put the $300 you were going to give Disney back in your pocket. Instead take out $4 and go HERE . I think you will find it informative and come away awed. When you learn that this beauty was almost lost forever, wow what a tragedy it would have been. The historic area in Winterpark would also be a good place to spend some time.

 Think we will take the Jeep and do a little exploring this afternoon. Serious touring the next two days. More things of interest than I thought so will be in our old "attack" mode to try and see everything. (I know, that was a run on sentence. ..)

Some interesting facts

 Back home we mark the changing seasons by listening to the sand hill cranes fly over. Or may be changing of the leaves. A little different process used here.

 Interesting fact about this park is that RV's are limited to 6 month stays.Sure there is a large population of full time residents, but all others are limited. What this results in is the "summer people" and the "winter people". Winter people mostly snow birds from Canada and the northern states. We have been here in what is known as the shoulder season, summer winding down but not yet arrival time for the snowbirds. They have been arriving daily the past week or so. In speaking with our neighbors, local Florida people, the atmosphere or 'vibe' is completely different. We have noticed a change in behavior,or attitude of the new arrivals. Not always favorable. We inquired about a spot during the winter months, after a brief chuckle the best offer we could get is on waiting list for 2017! How would you like a business where people get in line months and years ahead to give you money?

 We could not even get the site we are in now for this time next year. The one next to us was open so we reserved that spot for fall 2016. So much for going where the winds blow us. The further south, the farther ahead you must make reservations, and oh yeah because winter is 'high season' the same spot cost 50% more. I am told the same is true for southern Arizona. Many boon dock, (no water/electric/sewer hook ups), in the desert near Quartzite Arizona.Very low cost on BLM land. We may try it for a week or so one winter.

 Just a couple of factoids that you may find interesting...

Quick update

 I have been in contact with the Charleston county park folks. We are good for landing when we get there. How much of historic Charleston is blocked off then only time will tell. Old city that has weathered many storms, this ain't their first rodeo.

 On an editorial note my buddy Fred has suggested I no longer do these blog entries. The nerve...! His suggestion was have Mary do them. Well that ain't gonna happen so you are stuck with me, or change the channel.

 We are down to 9 days in Kissimmee so will focus on our tans  :) :) :). Next stop the historic city of San Augustine, first post around the 17th. Bar tender, another drink please...

Play day

 First I want to thank our friends who have contacted us concerning our trip. Your caring means a lot to us. We feel for the folks affected by the major flooding in the Carolina's. As of now the camp grounds have not cancelled us even though they are on barrier islands. They do not call it the "low country" with out good reason. I will attempt to reach out to James Island today and confirm the situation. Rest assured our eyes and ears are open and will adapt as required.

 Now to a different problem. While you all were worried about us getting into a flood, you failed to mention SHARKS.

 Mary was attacked by a shark yesterday. They have hopes that the shark will survive.

 In high school Mary did a tour of Europe. Close as she gets now a days.

We felt so inadequate looking at these. We somehow raised two boys but the strollers we had were nothing compared to what we saw. It's October, aren't kids supposed to be in school?

 And last, but not least, I have met my twin brother...

 And let's hope the lyrics to the song are correct  "...the road goes on forever and the party never ends.."

A touch of Fall

 Having checked the weather I know our friends back home have been enjoying Fall. Summers can be brutal in Texas. Meanwhile here in Florida Summer goes on, until today. Today is the first day we can feel a little cooler, drier air and gentle breeze. Will be short lived I am sure, but nice for now. Time to begin switch from pool to hot tub. Yes, dips in pool part of the daily routine. Retirement can be a real strain at times. We have already reserved a spot for next year, two months next time. Keep doing it till we get it right!

Timing is everything

 Well maybe we dodged the bullet, maybe not. Our future plans take us up the east coast into the Carolinas. Our planned stays are on barrier islands. Hurricane Juaquin is supposed to stay off shore but a stalled front is projected to deliver record rain. We have two more weeks here in central Florida, in fact ver nice forecast for days ahead. Concern would be damage to our scheduled camp grounds, thus scrambling our plans. Time will tell. Speaking of time we have fleshed out the final legs of our journey. Subtracted days from some areas, added new stops as well. Barring any big changes we arrive home on Monday, November 16th. Three months after having left home on Monday, August 16th.

 On a lighter note there seems to be trouble in paradise. Turns out Mary is not a big fan of geckos, anole and other assorted "house lizards" as they refer to them in Florida. They are in GREAT abundance and love to run out in front of Mary. This does not please her and causes spurts of profanity.

 On a more serious note we were visited early today by 4 Sheriff's office patrol cars. Also along was paramedics and fire. Seems and older gentleman decided life was not worth living. Depression is real folks, look out for one another.