Chad Country

It was a leisurely 120 mile drive south to Miami. The large sugar cane, vegetable and fruit fields gave way to natural wet lands. As I looked out the window, the landscape reminded me of the news video of the recovery efforts of the Value Jet that crashed near here in 1996.

We arrived at Larry and Penny Thompson Park, owned and operated by Dade County (Barb’s brother’s name is Larry Thompson). Yes, we now live in the land of the “hanging chad”. It is a huge park of 275 wooded acres with 240 RV slots, a very nice pool, a lake, and many day use picnicking spots. Barb and I are dry camping (parked without electricity or water hook ups) in a grass field because snow birds, who plan a year in advance, have all the RV slots. The campground provides security, something that is more necessary in the Miami area. As Barb and I biked around this extensive camp, we noted that the day use shelters were filled with large groups of people, mostly families, celebrating in the 74 degree weather. Latino music emanated from each site. One group displayed the Cuban flag. One was celebrating “It’s a boy!” Another, a birthday. All appeared to be relishing in this fine winter weather. We plan, in the next two days, to visit the Key Biscayne and Miami Beach areas.