#Summer2023: Fuel Conclusion

Over 3400 miles.

9.6 MPG average.

6 states.

#Summer2023: Day 20 - Travel Day

There isn't much to post on travel days other than observations.

1. Mississippi and Louisiana are horrible in providing rest areas.  

2. I-20 through both states is awful!

3.  There is no rhyme or reason to the crazy fluxuation in gas prices.

4. Twenty days on the road make one tired.

We left just after 7 am and arrived at Lincoln Parrish Park at 3:30.  After setting up we went to get Chick-fil-A (aka. Holy Chicken) and gas, and came back to rest.  We also took time for a walk around the lake trail just before sunset.  

We don't plan to get I to a hurry leaving tomorrow, but are not going to spend all day either.  It is about 250 miles from here, so 3 or 4 pm is the goal.  

This is a nice park so maybe another walk is in order.  It would make a good long-weekend destination.

Oh, and today's travel stats:

#Summer2023: Day 19 - Pensacola and Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Avalon Landing provided a quiet night (except a security light did shine in Steph's eyes).  We enjoy this place and I am sure we will stay here again.

Breakfast on the Blackstone, and then off to Gulf Islands National Seashore.  The line to get in was long, however, since the famed Blue Angels were scheduled to practice this morning.

After settling in at the 2nd beach parking we went in the water.  It was surprisingly cold after what we experienced in the Keys.  And so clear!

After about 30 minutes we started hearing jets.  And in the distance we could see the Blue Angels start their acrobatics.  I got some video but that doesn't translate well to here 

We stayed far too long and left with the sunburn to prove it (even with sunscreen and sunshirts some of the time), but had a great beach day!  

After leaving the beach we went to Fort Pickens to stand out National Parks passport book and I bought a mug to replace my favorite broken one - the one with the Confederate manual of arms.  It could be argued the first shots of the Civil War happened here, when in Jan. 1861 a group of Floridians demanded the US government hand over the fort to the state of Florida, and the stationed soldiers fired on civilians.  You don't hear that one in history class, do you?

Back at camp we cooked burgers and walked Fergus.  I started packing outdoor things away for an early departure.  As far as I am concerned, aside from the driving, this stop ends our vacation.  The rest is the chore of getting home.  

Goodbye Florida, until next time!

#Summer2023: Day 18 - To Pensacola

We left Ocala around 8:30, and hit 27 for Milton, near Pensacola, where our reservations for a campground are tonight.  We stayed at Avalon Landing 2 years ago.

Traffic wasn't bad, but we took extra stops to break up the drive.  Fairly uneventful.

We arrived around 3:30, found out spot, and got set up.  There was a nice breeze off of the water.

Our site was on the end, on the opposing side of the lake/bay.  The bridge crossed the water to the ammenaties on the other side.

We are told that the water opens up to Escambia Bay.

After setting up we went to Publix for what I hope is the last grocery stop.  We got some drinks, sandwiches for tomorrow, and some fried chicken (because I wanted it).  At camp we made shrimp tacos and talked to the owner of Avalon Landing for awhile.  Then back for showers and rest to prepare for tomorrow, which is a beach day in the National Seashore.

Oh, and the fuel Update for this leg of the trip:

#Summer2023: Day 17 - Exploring the World Equestrian Center (Originally published July 23, 2023)

I have to admit, the facilities of the WEC are impressive and the competition Grand Prix last night was pretty awesome to see.  The campground has nice pads and paved roads, but other than that, a picnic table would be nice.  It really is just a place to park and enjoy everything else.  The e-bikes are a lifesaver here.

Oh, and half the campers here, if not more, are horse trailers with living quarters.  Very expensive rigs!

The atmosphere this morning continued to be unstable this morning with continued thunder.  Every time I have been to the Orlando area it has rained.  I guess that is just what it does here.  At least it helps keep things cool!

We started the day with fancy French pastries for breakfast at the bakery in the Equestrian Hotel.  It is very dog-friendly and many had their dogs in line with them.  We left Fergus in the camper because it is a long way over and we are on the bikes.  There are competitions all over, and we watched reining for a little while; it is more like what we see at home. 

We also roamed around The Equestrian Hotel.  It is very fancy, and it should be with rooms going for, at minimum, $400 per night.  Very elegant!

After lunch the rains came again and we were not able to go back to see other competitions, so we took a nap.

Sadie was a bit disappointed because by the time the rains stopped most if not all of the competitions were over.  So we had ice cream, visited with some competitors having ice cream as well, rode the bikes some more, and headed back.

We cooked supper in the camper (sausage and egg burritos) and started cleaning up for another day on the road that will take us closer to home.  Tomorrow night we will be in Milton, FL, for some time at the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  

This facility at Ocala is really something else!  Sadie and Stephanie want to come back soon to see more "horse-y stuff"  (their words, not mine!).  It really is a destination if you are into horses.

#Summer2023: Day 16 - Heading Home

We always hate to leave Jolly Roger.  This is our favorite place and it is so hot back home!

We were packed up and on the road by 7:20, and we soon out of the Keys and on the Florida Turnpike.  Before we got to Ocala it had cost $50 worth of CC reloads.  It may speed the travel but at a cost!

We arrived at the World Equestrian Center by 4 pm or so, and got set up.  Palm trees are planted but no shade or picnic tables.  This is lodging for the horse events for the most part.  A convenience store is on site that has Boar's Head meats and cheeses and all kinds of beer, so that is nice.  It is very pricy though!  After taxes, the site was $194 for two nights, and a $50 refundable deposit.  Paperwork says it costs $3 for internet, so be aware.

This is a massive facility with a hotel and retail shopping on site.  Arenas for horses all over too. When we were there, there was a grand prix jumping competition wrapping up.

A storm came one and dropped the temperature - to 75 degrees.

The Lectric ebikes are a life-saver, as the grounds are huge!  

We will explore more tomorrow, and as it will be Sunday, it may be quieter.  That will be a nice thing after a day on the turnpike.

#Summer2023: Day 15 - Curry Hammock State Park

Today we were going to have out with only a trip to Publix for some groceries to get us home amd a quick bike ride on the pedestrian portion of the Seven Mile Bridge.  But last night we heard about something else that sounded fun - Curry Hammock.  It is close by, only 3 miles or so and they are known for kayaking and possibly snorkeling.  So we packed the inflatable kayak and paddle board and set out.  It was less than $6 and we had a blast.

The kayak loop took us through a large inlet and into a Mangrove tunnel, and finally into a backwater known to be frequented by manatees. And crabs - lots of Mangrove Tree Crabs!

There was a sandbar we heard about that was known for snorkeling and there were several excursion boats there with snorkelers, but an anchor is needed and we didn't have one.  Another item on our list for next time.

After the loop Sadie wanted to try her paddle board, and is getting more confidence in its use.

Then to Publix and back to camp for a quick lunch and nap.  Another last walk and swim and visit with the office staff, then supper and the nightly ritual of sunset watching.  It doesn't get old!

We visited with a lady from near where we will be tomorrow night.  Seems like the kind of family that could be friends! Her name is Wendy, and her husband, James.

We leave tomorrow for Ocala and the World Equestrian Center.  It will be a long drive and begins the trek home.  We all hate to leave here; this is our special paradise, no doubt!

#Summer2023: Favorite Summer Playlist For The Keys

Dreaming of the Sea playlist on Spotify

We left home 2 weeks ago, and this is the playlist that is the soundtrack of the trip!

#Summer2023: Day 14 - Bahia Honda

We have been hearing about this place, and the line in the Jesse Rice song made it an easy choice.  Bahia Honda State Park is a popular park in the lower keys.

It has one of the best beaches in the keys (not as good as most, but for down here ...)

It also contains a portion of the old Railroad bridge.

I didn't get many pictures because we were swimming.  

Afterwards we went farther down to MM20 to a restaurant we tried last year right across from the KOA - Mangrove Mama's. 

It was just as good if not better than last year.  We opted for Shrimp St. Jacques and conch fritters.  Sadie had conch chowder and we split a slice of Key Lime pie.  It was probably the best so far!

Then, back for another sunset.  Have I said that we love it here!

And later, the moon looked pretty cool too!

#Summer2023: Day 13 - Islamorada

Mom and Dad left for home this morning at 7 am, and we vowed to take it easy today.

Islamorada is about 20 miles E/NE, and is known as a sportsman's paradise.  It is where we went fishing 2 years ago.

We decided to go eat and we haven't had conch fritters yet. I had been wanting to go to World Wide Sportsman, and the restaurant attached is the Islamorada Fish Company.  It is a Bass Pro Property, but the menu looked good.  So we went.

It was outside dining, and the weather was perfect for it today.   Conch fritters, fish and chips, wahoo dip wrap, and fried shrimp!  Not cheap, but it was excellent!

The Worldwide Sportsman store was awesome too.  The theming was Old Florida, and inside was a "half-sister" to Hemingway's Pilar.  It was build in the same style and according to legend, was the boat that convinced Hemingway to buy his beloved boat.

We didn't buy anything but a Key Lime rum cake.  But it was fun!

Back to camp and a nap.  And then, another sunset.  I love this place!

#Summer2023: Day 12 - Dolphins and Charter Boats

This place really is paradise; we love it!

When coming down we asked Sadie what was one thing she really wanted to do, and she said to see dolphins.  We looked at sighting trips (expensive and not guaranteed to see them) and other options, and we settled on the Dolphin Research Center.  And it just so happens to be right next door to Jolly Roger!

And Sadie got to swim with the dolphins!

Meanwhile, Dad and I went out on the Barracuda (Sea Dog Charters).  It was a packed boat and the water was rough.  Dad is too unstable to stand in those conditions so he watched.  The boat caught around 80 fish (small but legal) but when we divided up the catch some, including us, were shorted.  One nice gentleman gave his catch away to a lady that wasn't going to get any.  The problem was the captain miscounted those that stayed for fish.

Picture above was the ship's mate and not the captain.

Regardless, we came home and grilled up our small count of fish and some shrimp we had bought, then went to the pool.to beat the heat.

We did manage to catch another sunset, though.  Bluer skies tonight!

Mom and Dad leave in the morning to head back home!  We are here for three more days.  

I do enjoy Island Time!