February 15
During our drive through Maine, “Watch for Moose” signs were frequent. We never did see one. In Florida, as you near coastal estuaries “Watch for Manatees” signs are ever present. These blimp-like water mammals graze on sea grass, are docile, lounge near the surface of warm waters, and are often hit by boaters. The nearest viewing area was in an inlet next to a coal fired electric generating facility. The manatees lay in the warmed water released from the cooling process of the facility. Several were viewed. Pictures were difficult to obtain. They surface for air now and then but only their snoot is seen for a brief moment.
We drove over the 15 mile Sunshine Skyway Bridge to visit Fort De Soto. This had actually been our destination as we left the Big Cypress Preserve on Tuesday. The approaching storm and high winds made crossing the bridge in the RV too risky, if at all possible. We changed our plans and settled in nearby Bradenton which has worked out well. Fort De Soto County Park has one of the best beaches in the U.S. and also has one of the most popular public campgrounds. The RV campsites are on the water with magnificent backdrops of Tampa or the bridge. We drove t
o the North Beach and spent the afternoon. As we sat in another pristine setting, Elsie wandered by. She was walking the water’s edge, like so many others, plastic bag in hand. As we engaged in conversation she readily shared her day’s find. A resident of Minnesota, she winters on Tampa Bay Beach and beach walking is her main hobby. When she inquired as to our status, on finding out we were visiting from Washington, she gave us all her shells. As we respectfully demurred she was insistent. “My condo is full of these things. Picking up shells in an addiction.” As Elsie walked on her way sans the plastic bag, Barb was off in the other direction, hoping to add to the bags contents.
After a few hours on the beach we boarded our bikes to ride around the island and its old forts which da
ted back to the 1500’s. Another fine day in another historical and picturesque setting.
During our drive through Maine, “Watch for Moose” signs were frequent. We never did see one. In Florida, as you near coastal estuaries “Watch for Manatees” signs are ever present. These blimp-like water mammals graze on sea grass, are docile, lounge near the surface of warm waters, and are often hit by boaters. The nearest viewing area was in an inlet next to a coal fired electric generating facility. The manatees lay in the warmed water released from the cooling process of the facility. Several were viewed. Pictures were difficult to obtain. They surface for air now and then but only their snoot is seen for a brief moment.
We drove over the 15 mile Sunshine Skyway Bridge to visit Fort De Soto. This had actually been our destination as we left the Big Cypress Preserve on Tuesday. The approaching storm and high winds made crossing the bridge in the RV too risky, if at all possible. We changed our plans and settled in nearby Bradenton which has worked out well. Fort De Soto County Park has one of the best beaches in the U.S. and also has one of the most popular public campgrounds. The RV campsites are on the water with magnificent backdrops of Tampa or the bridge. We drove t
o the North Beach and spent the afternoon. As we sat in another pristine setting, Elsie wandered by. She was walking the water’s edge, like so many others, plastic bag in hand. As we engaged in conversation she readily shared her day’s find. A resident of Minnesota, she winters on Tampa Bay Beach and beach walking is her main hobby. When she inquired as to our status, on finding out we were visiting from Washington, she gave us all her shells. As we respectfully demurred she was insistent. “My condo is full of these things. Picking up shells in an addiction.” As Elsie walked on her way sans the plastic bag, Barb was off in the other direction, hoping to add to the bags contents.After a few hours on the beach we boarded our bikes to ride around the island and its old forts which da
ted back to the 1500’s. Another fine day in another historical and picturesque setting.
1 comment:
Hi Barb and Norm,
Love seeing your journey as it unfolds. Wayne and Lori let us know your blog. I am personally loving how much you are enjoying FL.!
Thank you for the recent pic of the two of you and grandbaby Jane! How cute is she!
Happy trails!
Linda and Mike
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