We are looking forward to seeing Jack, since we have not seen him since we were last in Nashua, NH. He is spending 3 months at the KOA in Hollywood, FL. We plan to go to the beach in North Miami for a few days of relaxing.
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| Our first night with Jack was so much fun this week. |
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| Haulover Beach |
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| Haulover Beach |
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| Great day at the beach, sun, warmish water, no crowds |
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| Super Bowl weekend |
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| KOA Hollywood our home for a week |
The energy was high in Miami for the Super Bowl with many Kansas City Chiefs fan in the park. While visiting with Jack, we took in Drag Bingo at Gulf Stream Brewery, we laughed so much at the antics. We had a great time. Another night we went to Wilton Manors for a very off color production of Steamworks the musical. About a gay sauna much like a Jon Waters film, campy and crazy funny. After the show we went to Hunters nightclub for a couple of hours.
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| the show was at The Foundry |
This singing and dancing extravaganza tells the hilarious story of a wide-eyed young man who moves to Wilton Manors seeking love … and instead stumbles into a legendary bathhouse, where his mind is blown by the colorful cast of characters who hang out there.
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| Our last night in Hollywood, FL we boondocked on a dead end street. We could visit with Jack. The light above the Serenity is from The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino |
Before we left Hollywood, we spent a couple of hours visiting my cousin Joe and Sharon. They took around the neighborhood on their golf cart and we took in a couple of open houses.
9Feb we were making our way north to get to some beaches along the Treasure Coast. We stopped at Jonathan Dickinson State Park to speak with the volunteer coordinator to verify we are on the volunteer list for October and November 2020.
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| Sunset view from Hobe Mountain observation tower |
Hobe Mountain. Jonathan Dickinson is the only state park in south Florida where visitors can hike to the top of an ancient sand dune. The dune stands 86 feet above sea level, the highest natural point south of Lake Okeechobee.
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| Overflow parking at Jonathan Dickinson State Park |
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| Jonathan State Park during the day we toured around the park |
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| Nice wide canopied streets through out the park |
We stopped at Blind Creek for the day, spent all day walking the beach and enjoying the sun. We had dinner there before heading north towards Live Oak, FL.
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| Blind Creek Beach |
We arrived early to the RVillage Spirit of the Road Rally 2020. We were able to set up before most people arrived and check out the park. We were very close to most of the events. The rally was from 12Sep to 16Feb 2020. We were kept incredibly busy with seminars, live events at night and meet-ups with new friends. Keith scheduled an LGBT meet-up one afternoon. We had 8 couples come and meet. It is amazing how you can connect with people so fast.
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a one-of-a-kind music park and premier campground nestled on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River in North Florida.
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| Our home at Site BB in The Loop |
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| Opening the event was a Parade of people dancing, singing and playing kazoos |
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| The Firebirds the first day set up in the field ready for the evening |
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| Firebirds at night |
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| First night of the rally was incredible, the intensity of the heat and clear skies made this a magical evening. |
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| Tom and Keith, we met him and his partner in The Loop |
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| Sparks flying making the Firebirds come to life |
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| The entire field was lit up by the heated metal and flames |
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| Hot Mamma we added the second night |
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| Nancy and Heidi from Jacksonville, we had so much fun with them at the rally |
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| Taking photos of the Firebirds and selfie with Nancy and Heidi |
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| Jay, Keith in the back, Chuck, Heidi and Wayne second row and Sue, Nancy and Janet in the front |
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| Crowd waits for The Rvers |
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| Cast of the RVers from their television show (Mortons on the Move and RV Geeks) |
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| Wicked Truth was an amazing rock-n-roll band playing Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and the rock covers out by the Firebirds the last night. Unforgettable entertainment in a rock concert experience. |
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| Firebird all a glow |
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| New friends we made at the RVillage Rally (Top row: Jay, Jeff, Rich, Nancy, Heidi. Bottom row: Robert, Chuck, Sue, and us). We really enjoyed their company and look forward to seeing them again on the road. |
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| Rich, Keith, Wayne, Jeff, Janet, Sue, Heidi and Nancy |
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| Tracy Grammer, folk singer reminds me of Joan Baez. Concert was good then we all went to listen to the Wicked Truth at the Firebirds for the last night. |
The RVillage Spirit of the Road Rally was a fantastic event for us we made so many new connections with people in a short period. The seminars and activities kept us busy all the time. We really enjoyed the experience and look forward to another rally and meeting up with the folks we met.
We stayed one more night to spend time touring the park and catching up with Carol and Ed (The Doodles) from East Providence, RI. We had a lovely dinner with them and a relaxing evening.
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| Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Mothertree Treehouse on the Suwanee River within the campgrounds |
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| The treehouse in on a 200 year old oak that passes through the house |
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| Suwanee River is a brackish tea colored river flowing and meandering through the park |
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| Path has themed tree from Jaguar Football, Wedding Tree, Minions and assorted other decor |
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| The park is nearly empty as we explore the things we missed during the rally |
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| This character is near the lake coming out of the ground while holding the tree. |
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| Could not resist a selfie, then we leave Live Oak for Hanna Park in Jacksonville. |
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| We made it to Jacksonville and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park |
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a 1.5-mile public beach and city park in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located at Mayport in the Jacksonville Beaches area. It consists of 447 acres of mature coastal hammock, which is increasingly rare along Florida's heavily developed Atlantic coast. This hidden gem was recommended by our friends from Jacksonville, as their favorite spot to camp.
Hanna Park does not disappoint, nestled away in a metropolitan City along the beach. We walked out the entrance to meet Nancy and Heidi to play Pickle ball that morning.
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| We are parked in site 130 near the lake, there is a egret rookery on the island. Beautiful spectacle to see them all fly |
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| Canopied roads and paths throughout the park |
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| So excited to see our first armadillo |
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| Close to the entrance to the park and ranger station |
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| Large white egrets and Wood Stork |
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| Large white egrets |
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| Neptune Beach walk after coffee with Janet and Sue |
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| Atlantic Beach Hanna Park |
We spent two gorgeous days in Hanna Park, played Pickle Ball two of the those days with Nancy and Heidi, saw Janet and Sue and relaxed walking the park. We continue our journey south to Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, FL to meet up with Jeff and Rich.
We were able to get a site in Coquina Loop, site 111 for a night before we moved a couple of times extending our stay. Anastasia State Park is somewhat difficult to get into but we were persistent in going to the ranger station early to get our name in for the days we wanted.
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| Keith and I learned a new game called Qwirkle |
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| Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine |
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| Castillo de San Marcos |
The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, the Castillo de San Marcos is a large Spanish stone fortress built to protect and defend Spain's claims in the New World. It's a National Monument and, at over 340 years old, it's the oldest structure in St. Augustine.
Construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and lasted 23 years, until 1695. Many Spanish forts preceded the Castillo, however, this one made of coquina was impenetrable to enemy attack and was fire resistant, supported by history that despite burning the City of St. Augustine the British could penetrate the fort in 1702 and 1740.
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| The interior of the fort and courtyard |
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| British officers room |
British gained Florida through the 1763 Treaty of Paris, they renamed the building Fort Saint Mark, and the United States Army decided in 1825 to call it Fort Marion. Under those occupations, it was indeed used for purely military function. The British and the Americans did not plan to use it as a place of refuge for the citizens of St. Augustine; they both used as barracks, for military storage, and a few times as a military prison. The National Park Service and United States Congress decided to restore its original name in 1942, in honor of its unique Spanish history.
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| Beautifully constructed and maintained |
After touring the fort,, Keith, Rich, Jeff and I took a walk in old St. Augustine. It was cold and windy day.
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| Historic District is home to Spanish-Colonial landmarks like the 1600s Castillo de San Marcos, overlooking Matanzas Bay, and the González-Alvarez House. Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the site of a celebrated spring and reconstructed settlements. Quaint shops on St. George Street sell local crafts and candy, while casual restaurants serve Southern and Spanish fare. |
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| Memorial Presbyterian Church at Flagler College |
The Memorial Presbyterian Church is a historic church constructed in 1889 by American industrialist Henry Morrison Flagler in St. Augustine Florida. It is located at 32 Sevilla Street. It was dedicated to the memory of his daughter Jennie Louise Benedict, who died following complications from childbirth at sea in March1889.
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| The Venetian Renaissance style and Latin cross-shaped sanctuary was inspired by St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. It contains design elements of Spanish, Moorish, Italian, and Baroque style using poured coquina. Carrere and Hastings designed the building. |
Jeff knew the city well, he attended Flagler and knew so much about the City. We had an awesome day at the gym then touring.
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| Met Jeff and Rich this morning to walk over for the Farmer's Market just outside the park. |
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| We were surprised at the quality of the products and fresh goods available |
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| Fresh vegetables |
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| Creative wall art |
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| Beautiful orchids |
Saturday night we went to Lin and Vonnie's, close friends of Jeff and Richards. Lin and Vonnie were camp hosts at Anastasia, got us into the park. We sat outside meeting other people and listened to John Fogarty concert at the Amphitheater.
While at the potluck, I met Sonia and Kate from NH. Sonia and I are NEC-Henniker alumni, we chatted all night. So many memories and fun.
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| Lin, Keith, Wayne, Jeff and Vonnie sitting on the wall listening to John Fogarty Concert at the Amphitheater |
The next morning, I walk over to the ranger station to extend our stay and get two more nights to spend with the group before we head to Orlando. We are enjoying ourselves with new friends and making new experiences.
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| Walked to range station and saw this beauty just hanging around |
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| Anastasia State Park on a morning walk |
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| was able to walk right up to this Snowy Egret |
We decided to take a hike along the intercostal with Rich and Jeff, we walked along a really nicely groomed path which ended up with Keith leading us through heavy brush and trees. We laughed as we plowed through the palms and trees until finally reaching the road past the ranger station.
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| We could Anastasia Lighthouse while walking this path |
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| Rich, Jeff and Keith finding a way out |
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| Finally bright light and clear place to walk. Our legs were full of cuts from the sharp palm fronds |
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| All set up, no rain in the forecast or high winds |
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| Keith chilling out wit some furry friends |
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| Furry friends all around us on this site |
Jeff and Rich took us over to Washington Oaks Gardens for a nice walk, old style gardens, views, on the sound side we watched boats pass, on the ocean side we waked over to the beach then headed for lunch at the Java Joint on Flagler Beach. We had a full day, visited Fort Mantanzas.
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| Washington Oaks Gardens |
Part of a Spanish land grant to Bautista Don Juan Ferreira in 1815. Developed as a plantation by General Joseph Hernandez, early Florida planter. George Washington, related to the first president, married Hernandez daughter, Louisa, in 1814. They were given the land by Hernandez and remained there until 1856, developing the plantation and starting an orange grove. Louisa died in 1859. George lived the rest of his life in Washington Oaks.
The land was purchased in 1936 by Mr. and Mrs. Owen D. Young, the gardens, groves and planting were expanded. In 1964, after Mr. Young's death, Mrs. Young gave the property to the State of Florida.
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| Sailboat motoring through the sound. |
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| Rose garden dormant for winter |
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| Water fountains, lush gardens and ponds abound the Washington Oaks Gardens. Serene and relaxing walking paths |
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| Shaded walking paths |
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| The second largest outcropping of Coquina rock is found here, giving visitors a glance back at geologic time. Coquina rock is a type of sedimentary rock (specifically limestone), formed by the deposition and subsequent cementation of mineral or organic particles on the floor of oceans or other bodies of water at the Earth's surface. |
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| After lunch we took a ride over to Fort Matanzas. |
Fort Matanzas National Monument was built in 1742 to defend the city of St. Augustine from British attack. Located just 15 miles south of St. Augustine, stands at the mouth of Matanzas Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.
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| Beach on the mainland facing Matanzas Inlet and the fort |
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| Butterfly feeding on flower |
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| Fort Matanzas has a long history, closely connected with the founding of St. Augustine by Pedro Menéndez de Aviles. In 1565, Menéndez killed over 250 French Huguenots upon the shores of this inlet, including the famed Jean Ribault. Due to the history of the site, the Spanish named both the fort and the inlet "Matanzas," which means "slaughters" in English. That name carries on to this day. |
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| Our last night at Anastasia State Park |
We had a great time with Jeff and Rich, hiking, working out at Planet Fitness, touring the area with their depth of knowledge for the area, sharing meals and just laughing. Thanks adventure guys for a fun time and introducing us to a fantastic group of women (Lin, Vonnie, Sonia and Kate).
The next day we set our journey to Orlando to see Josh and JP. Leaving late in the day we stopped in Edgewater, FL at Winn Dixie to sleep.
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| Sunrise in Edgewater, FL |
We arrive 27Feb in Orlando, that evening we experience Disney Springs and meet friends of Josh and JP's that are full time RVer's from MA. Sean and Christine bought a fifth wheel and travel while working.
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| Disney Springs |
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| Crossing the bridge into the entertainment venue |
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| Destination Boathouse for dinner |
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| Glad to be back with the roomies |
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| Boathouse by night, let the Disney magic begin |
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| Sean, Josh, Christine, JP, Wayne and Keith |
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| Drag show at Hamburger Mary's Orlando |
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| Drag show and dinner |
We had an amazing adventure in February, made so many new connections along the way. The RVillage Spirit of the Road Rally was a spectacular event. Another 280 miles under our belts while touring Florida.
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