Hank Hagquist

Fish And Thanksgiving

Nov 252011

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.

Kennedy Space Center

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Nov 212011

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.

Arrived at Big Pine Key, FL

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Nov 202011

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!

A Bit Of R&R

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Nov 172011

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.

Daytona International Speedway

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Nov 152011

Got up this morning and it was raining. With the temp already in the mid 70s at 9am, it reminded me of Michigan on a hot muggy summer day. By 10:30 the rain had spotted so I hopped on the scooter and headed a couple miles down the road to Daytona International Speedway.

More photos available in the Photo Gallery.

I was surprised to see how many people were in at this time of year. I found out that Cup cars were there testing the new fuel injected engines and Rolex cars would be on the track later. Entrance to track and part of the grandstand is free. There are a couple of tours available and I picked the $22 All Access Pass tour. There is a $15 tour but it only last 30 minutes where the All Access Pass tour lasts 90 minutes.

The tour takes you outside the track on the back stretch and heads to the infield via the new tunnel. Once on the infield you are taken close to the 3rd and 4th turn past the spectator RV parking and into the FanZone. This area has a number of concessions, access to driver interview areas, TV production stages, pit garages and more.

We were also able to go up in the main building where the corporate suites are and where announcers, spotters and other "important" people are. While there we were lucky enough to have Dale Jr. and Jimmy Johnson testing the new fuel injected engines that will be used next season. I put a stopwatch on them as then did laps hooked up and got a 45.7 second lap.

Just as I was leaving it started to rain again. Track testing had stopped and since it was past 3 it looks like there will be more testing today. I'm lucky I got there when I did, got to tour, not get wet and seen some track action.

It was a fun tour, the Frances know how to put on a show. Even if you are not a real race fan, Daytona Speedway is someplace you should stop at at least once.

St. Augustine & Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

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Nov 132011

I got a chance to head into old St. Augustine. I decided just to take a tour trolly as it takes you through the city and you can get off at different stops to see the sights and then get back on the next one. The trolleys run every 15 minutes so you don't have to wait long for one to come around.

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US with many buildings dating back into the 1700s still stand. Henry Flagler is a large part of later history (late 1800s/early 1900s) where he built up a lot of the city in what is considered its golden era. One of the stops I made was at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

Can see photos on my visit in the Photo Gallery.

St. Augustine Beach

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Nov 122011

Even though it was cool today I decided to head to the beach. The winds were a bit high so I figured that there might be a little surf. Before getting to the beach I stopped by the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Built in 1874, it is St. Augustine's oldest surviving brick structure. The 165 foot tower was automated in 1955 so the lightkeepers no longer had to climb its 219 steps to service the lamp.

During my visit I walked through the nearby light keeper's house that contains a number of different displays and artifacts. Behind the lighthouse is a wooded area that has a few short walking paths where you can take a stroll in. I did climb the 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Luckily there are resting platforms every 50 steps or so to give your legs a rest. Once at the top you get a great view of the nations oldest port.

If you have a couple hours to spare this would be a great place to spend it. See more photos of the lighthouse in the Photo Gallery.

Hardeeville RV Park - Hardeeville SC

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Nov 102011

Just spent the last 5 days at the Hardeville RV Park in Hardeeville SC. This is just across the river from Savannah and it is an easy 10 minute ride to the main Visitors Center in Savannah. The park is nice and quiet with large sites. Each site is full hookups plus cable TV and wireless internet. The cable TV has 67 channels and the wireless internet worked well.

The sites are gravel or grass and mostly level with a lot of space between sites. There are a number of long term residents but all of them are neat and clean. In fact the whole park is clean. There are no bathrooms or laundry so you will have to have full facilities in your coach. Some sites are wooded and others are open so you can use your satellite on the open sites.

I used my Passport America membership which made the daily rate $21, not a bad deal at all. I would gladly stay here again the next time I visit Savannah. Below are a few more photos of the campground.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

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Nov 092011

Located just east of Savannah Georgia on the Hwy 80 is Ft. Pulaski National Monument. It is the last brick fort built as the Union army used new technology, rifled barreled cannons, to force the Confederate army inside the fort to surrender.

I am not really a Civil War buff but I found the fort an interesting visit. Cost was only $5 to get in and the grounds were immaculate and beautifully maintained. You can walk around and into most of the features of the fort and can see many original cannons in place. You can immagine just how loud, smokey and confusing it must have been during battle as cannons lined the fort's walls barely 10 yards apart. I know I wouldn't have wanted to be in that situation and you can appreciate the bravery of the men in the fort.

See more pictures of Fort Pulaski in the Photo Gallery.

Tybee Island Georgia

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Nov 092011

This morning I drove out to Tybee Island about 20 miles from Savannah. It is a barrier island with 3 miles of beach. Once I got there I drove down to the beach parking area and took a stroll. Parking is $1.50 per hour and access to the beach is free. It was low tide which gave made the beach wide with a number of small sand bars visible. It beach was very clean and this time of year there are not a lot of people using the beach.

On the main street heading to the beach there are the typical souvenir and beachwear shops. You can also find a number of small restaurants to grab a bite to eat or an ice cream cone. While the beach area is a bit touristy, it has this laid back small town flavor that larger places lack.

Check out my photo gallery for more pictures.