February 21-March 2, 2019
February 21-24, 2019
A late start since our travel day was only 147 miles. An uneventful ride found us pulling into Topsail Hill Preserve State Park about 1:30. A quick check in and we were soon parked on site 90 home for 4 nights, it’s starting to really feel like we’re in coastal Florida. This park was once a private resort so we have full hookups and cable, most sites even have some natural privacy between them. Our friends Debbie, Jeff and Rick volunteer here and they soon found us.
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| Site 90 |
When we first went on the road little did we know how many friends we’d make in just the first 5 years. In the winter of 2014-2015 we first met Steve and MonaLiza while they were staying in Port Aransas TX. That meetup has led us to meet them in some of the most beautiful places, the last time being in Page AZ. A while back we knew this was an area we thought we could make a meetup happen, we had fish heads to exchange for lumpia and beer. We met them at Pana Roma Pizza and Pasta in Panama City for a late lunch. It just happened to be Steve's birthday, great to celebrate with them. Thanks for lunch!!! Hours, of talking and catching up, we always enjoy seeing them even in just a few hours. See you next winter in the desert.
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| MonaLiza was the only one to catch the handoff!! |
We spent a lot of time walking around Topsail Hill Preserve SP, talking with the Miller’s and Rick. Lots of stories, what we’d seen and their volunteer experiences around the states. Fish fry and other fun dinners, our 4 days flew by. Can’t wait to see them in the desert next winter.
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| Geocaching is always better with a friend |
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| Anxiously awaiting the fish fry!!! |
February 25 & 26, 2019
Our short 120 mile ride, landed us just over the GA border at Eastbank COE campground in Bainbridge GA. We were here almost 5 years ago as we made our way north to VT. We enjoyed dinner around a fire one night, got some nice walks in and relaxed for a few nights.
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| Site 3 |
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| Wannadinger dinner!! |
February 27-March 2, 2019
Our next ride of 226 miles was our longest since we left TX. A beautiful ride on US 98 with not much traffic found us pulling into our friends, Mike & Liz, side drive, where they have 50amp service and water. We first met Mike & Liz on our Alaska caravan in the summer of 2016. We’ve seen them a few times since, the last being in CO last summer.
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| Thanks guys!! |
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| Chez Quigley's |
We spent part of one day going to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where we got to see some rescued Manatees feed. Other wildlife and beautiful plants in bloom made for a fun time.
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| Even found a geocache |
Good food, beer tasting and monkeys!!!
Fresh strawberries, enough to enjoy and some to freeze
Fresh shrimp from Mike's brothers boat-thanks Karen
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| Fried Clams at Dans Clam Shack!! |
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| Usually apps are small, not here |
Some beer sampling!!
Some monkey viewing from the Monkey Bar!!!
Thanks Mike & Liz for a wonderful time, great food and friends, lots of laughter and card playing...life is good. We appreciate the hospitality.
Up next, Hillsoborough River State Park.
Until next time....
Nice that you were able to meet up with Steve and Mona Liza! And the RV spot at Mike and Liz's is hard to beat! Looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun as usual, never long enough. Sure can't beat free, thankful for all our friends.
DeleteIt was awesome to spend so much time with you guys.....it sure was fun and the fish was amazing! And we got to meet MonaLiza & Steve, although they didn’t get great weather as you guys did.
ReplyDeleteThose other parks look interesting. Love the wildlife pics, of course, Rick especially loved the eagle! Looking forward to next winter
We had a great time with you guys too, looking forward to some hiking next winter. It's been interesting visiting Florida. Sure do miss the open spaces of the west.
DeleteI think you got the better end of that bargain! What pretty areas. We've yet to see a manatee up close. Pretty cool. Love all the wildlife photos. I agree, geocaching is fun with friends!
ReplyDeleteI agree, still have to get them cooked. It's been a different pretty here, finding we're more desert rats as the years go by.
DeleteSo many great animals and friends. That's my size of appetizers.
ReplyDeleteIf only I'd known, I'd of only ordered one.
DeleteIf all goes as planned, we are hoping to visit several of these places next winter. Good news: they look fantastic! Bad news: it sounds like everyone will be out west. Boo. Oh well. Glad you all had such a great time and thanks for some new campground ideas!
ReplyDeleteGlad to give you a preview, make your reservations early or you'll find slim pickings. Looking forward to getting back out west at the end of the year.
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