Withlacoochie preserve, yankeetown, Florida

A short ride from our campsite.  We took the dogs here a a walk and to let them run.

New tow dolly

Unfortunately our tow dolly was malfunctioning on the trip south.  We looked into repairing it.  We discovered it would make more sense to purchase a new one.  So we sold our old one on Craigslist.  We purchased a new one with better tires and LED lights.   We hate using a tow dolly, when we get to Ct we are going to sell it. We will purchase a vehicle that can be flat towed.

Fort Desoto Park, Florida

We have a gorgeous site on the peninsula.  Waterfront,   $42.  per night  water and electric.  This place is heavenly.  The wildlife is abundant,  they are  very dog friendly, the sites are shady and large, there is a dog beach and 3 other beaches. The bathhouse has hot high pressure showers.  There are plenty of places to walk, hike, ride bikes and kayak.  Nicole joined us for  two weeks during Christmas and New Years.  She really enjoyed the place,  although there was no pool or hot tub!  Nicole would go for long walks,   and bike rides.

New years Eve

We went to a 600 dinner with Henry and Steph, Nicole and Norm and myself. We went to Crabby Bill's.   Nicole and Henry had octopus! Everyone enjoyed raw oysters, except me.  Yuck, to seafood.  Then we went home.   Unfortunately I got an headache on the way. So I went to bed.  Norm and Nicole stayed up and watched the times square ball.   I woke up one minute before midnight. 

The alligator attraction

Nic wanted to see an alligator. I found this little place in Madeira Beach. Another girls day.  We went there. Admission was $4. We were able to see babies eggs and a tortoise named Rudolph.  Perfect short trip. Then we went for ice cream .  ssshh we got norm chocolate covered bacon for his upcoming birthday.

Busch Gardens, Tampa Florida

Today was girl day. Just nic and I.  We went to Bush Gardens.   I purchased the tickets and a meal package online.  $260 for the day.  Plus parking $17.  We arrived at the park at 9 am.   We waited in line just to park.  We did get to walk right in.  Our prepurchased admission tickets saved us $15 each and no line to get in.   The meal plan on the other hand we saved $3 to purchase it online.   But the lines at the restaurants were long.  It was way too much food to recoup the $27 each.  I wouldn't do that again.   We got to feed kangaroos.   Ride a train through a safari, ride a couple of roller coasters.  All in all it was a good day.  By the way, Norm enjoyed his day home all alone.

Coffee and dolphins

On this morning I was sitting in a chair at our campsite browsing Facebook. When I heard a woosh splash in the water.   I looked up and there were two dolphin fins going by.  I grabbed the kayak and went in the water out about 200 ft.   After waiting for five minutes they swam right up to the kayak.   I quickly paddled to get Norm.  I picked up Norm and luckily the camera.  We went back out and they swam up to us again.   It was incredible!

Christmas dinner

We decided on Christmas dinner at Henry's house.  Norm smoked up a prime rib, Steph made appetizers,  and I made mashed potatoes.   Norm, myself and Nicole went swimming in the pool.

New friends

We met Terry and Sandy at Roberts Rv park.  We exchanged contact info.   We accidentally ran into into them again in the Florida keys,  we met up again when they came to fort desoto.   They are from Massachusetts.  They are similar in age to us.  We have enjoyed their company.   They are full timing also.   They are heading west shortly after us.  We will surely meet up again!

Our Palm christmas tree

As soon as we booked our site at Fort Desoto,  Norm photoshopped christmas bulbs onto the picture of our site  136.   I couldn't wait to decorate this tree for real this time.