Today I delivered my trailer to the new owner in Naples. It is a bittersweet day. Sad to see the trailer go as I had a lot of good times in it this year. On the other hand I look forward to moving to the Fort Myers area and starting anew.
So far I've had good luck selling my excess RV items. Still looking to get rid of the flag pole, satellite system and now the 5th wheel hitch. Hopefully I can dispose of them before I head back to Michigan the beginning of March.
More updates as they come.
Over the past few days I've put a number of my RV equipment on Criagslist. Not sure if I'm pricing the stuff too low or I just have things people want, but everything has sold within a couple of days. So far I've sold my Yamaha generator, bike carrier and scooter carrier. Still to go is the satellite system but I haven't posted it yet.
Starting to get settled in here at the homestead. The 5th wheel is emptied out and moved to the house. Still working on finding the right combination of open windows and ceiling fans to make it comfortable at night. Still hard to get used to having windows open in the middle of winter. It has been warm enough to kick on the A/C for a couple hours to cool it down in the evening, maybe a window fan would help pull in the cool evening air.
I did have a bite on the 5th wheel today. Not sure if that will pan out, just have to wait and see.
I know, I've said I would post more updates but there has not been very much RVing news and a lot of other things going on.
When I first decided to come to Florida this winter I really didn't expect to like it much from all the negative feedback I've heard from others. Everything from unfriendly local Floridians, to high costs and insect infestations. With everything I heard I decided to head here anyways because I have some family in the Fort Myers/Cape Corel area and I wanted to experience all of the popular snowbird choices.
If you've followed my blog at all you see I travel down the east coast stopping at St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Daytona, The Keys and now Fort Myers. While I may not want to settle down in all these areas I did enjoy every one. Never once did I meet anyone that was unfriendly, other then the The Keys I didn't find the prices out of line. Other then a few "no see ums" in They Keys, there were few insect problems.... at least no more then Michigan in the summer.
One of the things I have read about was that stores and restaurants raise prices in the winter to take advantage of the Snowbirds. Talking to my sister, who lives in Cape Coral (located next to Fort Myers), she said that a few local restaurants offer "by one get one free" meal specials in the winter and in the summer only offer "buy one get the second 50% off". She felt that the locals that support them year round should at least get as good a deal all year and not just during peak winter season.
I know, I haven't updated lately, just been having too much fun at Ft. Myers Beach. Not a lot of real news to report. Had to replace a front tire on the truck because of a broken belt. The trailer has been flawless with no problems to report.
I am currently at Gulf Waters RV Resort in Ft. Myers Beach, FL. This is an upscale park were lots are owned. Generally this would be out of my price range but I got a deal for December and decided to pamper myself. Right now my whimpy 31' 5th wheel is between and 40" MH and a Prevost. Everyone here is super nice and they have a number of activities, a pool with a Tiki Bar (cheap strong drinks) and super clean with nice landscaping. Great place for those that can afford it.
My sister and niece lives about a half hour away in Cape Coral and I've visited them a couple of times. Been out to dinner, sight seeing and jet ski riding with them. Going again tomorrow for some more jet ski time. Weather has been great, highs normally in the low 80's, lows around 60. Only a few sprinkles to put up with.
I'll post more updates more often, I promise.
Yesterday I took The Spirit of Pennekamp glass bottom boat out to Molasses Reef. The story goes that the reef was named this because a ship loaded with molasses wrecked on the reef. The rescued sailors cried because molasses was used in making rum and they now couldn't make any rum.
The Spirit of Pennekamp is a 65' catamaran that is fitted with a dozen viewing windows in each of it's hulls. The trip is 2 1/2 hours long and takes you about 7 miles off shore. We got to spend a little over an hour viewing the reef.
The seas were less then 2' and the water visibility was 45', great conditions for the trip. You can sit on the edge of the hull and dangle your legs inside as you watch the reef underneath. The closest the hulls comes to the reef is 6' but with the magnification of the glass and the salt water it looks like it is only a foot away and we'd crash into it at any time.
More pictures in the photo gallery.
The photos do not do the view any justice. The view was great and I got to see not only the coral and common fish but a sea turtle and lion fish. Price for the trip was $24 and we only had about 20 people on the boat. The trip exceeded my expectations. For those that want to see a coral reef but don't want to get wet, I would highly recommend taking the Spirit of Pennekamp to see it.
Was a nice day yesterday so decided to rent a kayak and paddle around the mangroves near the marina. John Pennekamp State Park has one and two person kayaks plus canoes to rent. It was only $12 per hour for the one person kayak and it took me about a two hours to paddle most of the area Mangroves are low brush that grows in the shallow water on the banks of bodies of salt water.
It was a nice relaxing paddle. Sun was shining, it wasn't too hot and the mangroves blocked most of the brisk breeze. During the whole time I only seen two others. Some of the trails were a bit tight and I had to move through the low overhanging branches by hand. But it wasn't bad, I'm no kayaking expert but was able to navigate the trails easily.
The couple hours was a great diversion from my typically busy schedule. Even if you only have an hour to spare it would be worthwhile to grab a kayak or canoes and have a paddle.
On Wednesday I took a half day fishing charter. The cost was $60 which I thought was reasonable for only having 7 people on the boat. They took us out about 7 miles and we did mostly flat lining. Problem was there was little current which didn't make for very good fishing. I did catch a couple bait fish but a few or the others caught some keepers. In the end we had a couple Groupers and Yellow Fin.
In total we had about 3 hours of fishing. Once back on shore the captain filleted the fish and we all got to take some home. They run 3 charters a day starting at 8am, 1pm and 6pm. I took the 1pm one and didn't get home until dark. Not the best day fishing but then it's still better then to best day at work!
Thanksgiving morning I hopped on the scooter and took a couple hour ride around Big Pine Key. It is nice riding there because most of Big Pine Key is Key Deer protected habitat and the speed limit is 30MPH. I did see a few Key Deer crossing the road as I drive around. Once back I cooked up a few of the fillets in a pan with butter, lemon and a dash of mesquite seasoning. A little rice on the side and I decided it was better then any turkey I could have had. After that I watched the Lions lose and took a nap. Who says that only turkey makes you sleepy!
Today was cleaning day. Did laundry and cleaned the coach. I haven't given it a good cleaning for a couple weeks and the fish cooking just forced me to get it done. The rest of the day I'll just be lazy and not do much.
I have found that the weather here in the Keys is the best I have found in all my trips. Low to mid 70's at night, low 80's during the day. Other then a scattered shower and brisk wind, I could get used to this in the winter.... if it was only less expensive. I move to John Pennekamp State Park on Sunday for 4 days, then heading to Ft. Myers for a couple months. Things should settle down a bit more then and I can keep everyone updated on what's happening.
I didn't do much today in the keys except drive around and have a look around so figured now was a good time to catch up on some things.
Last week I had a chance to visit the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. I was a fun visit that I really enjoyed. As you walk in you have a choice of a few different tours. I decided to take the one that included the vehicle assembly building. This building has the big vertical doors in it and is where they assemble the space shuttle before launch. It has only been open to the public for tours since October so not many have taken this tour before.
Also inside was the shuttle Atlantis being prepared for it's trip to the museum. The building is beyond huge as the pictures show. They have photos of the shuttle being assembled and banners for each shuttle flight that are signed by each of the workers hung in the building. The security was tight, they counted us twice as we got off the tour bus, 4 guards followed the group in the bulding and they counted us twice again as we got back on the bus.
I know, I haven't updated for a while. I spend 2 days at Port Canaveral and had poor internet access. I then moved to Sunshine RV Park on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. Will be a here a week before I move east to Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo.
I'll do some updated over the next few days since I have decent Internet access. Lots of great photos from my Kennedy Space Center visit to upload too. Stay tuned, lots more to come!
Just spent yesterday taking it easy. Relaxed under the awning enjoying the 80 degree weather. I did get the truck washed, waxed and detailed. A service drives through the park every day. I seen them washing and waxing a Prevost so asked about getting my truck done, couldn't pass up the deal.
I was going to leave for Cape Canaveral today but it was raining this morning. Decided not to pack up in the rain and will stay another day. That will give me two days at the Cape. That should be enough to do the tour.
Have to be in the keys on the 20th and will be there for 10 days. After that, not sure what I'll be doing the beginning of December. Figure that out when the time comes.
