Finding state park campsites during February is a challenge, so I had made reservations several months ago for the parks near Sarasota. I couldn't get 2 full weeks but I did get us a couple days at three different parks giving us a chance to see new parks in new areas. After leaving the beautiful Oscar Scherer Park, we moved only 50 miles northeast to Little Manatee River State Park. An easy drive and the campground is set off the main road so it's quiet with only 31 sites. We had four nights reserved though we ended up staying only three.
We had plenty of road ways for riding bikes but the best part was the nearby put in for our kayak. I'm so sad I didn't get any photos, I didn't carry my phone for our 2 trips out on the Little Manatee River but what fun it was!!! Using a river map we were able to move in and out of the little waterways; hardly anyone else on the river so we just paddled along looking for wildlife. Owls swooped over us as we left the beach and later we spotted one alligator sunning himself on the bank. I think I'm beginning to feel more comfortable seeing the gators, as long as there's a good distance between us. We had a sunny first day and the second time we went it was cloudy and cooler but still a wonderful ride.
Foster had a long walk with us out to a small lake the morning we were leaving, and he's always glad to get back to the motorhome and a rest. He's been such a wonderful traveler, even though those moving days are still hard for him.
We did leave the park one day early because we had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a 24 hour cruise experience on the brand new NCL
Breakaway, leaving from Miami that Friday. Paul had signed up several years ago as a Cruise Agent with a company and we received an email invitation to join other agents for a one night trip completely FREE! Since we were in Florida we decided, why not???? A chance like this doesn't come along very often. The only thing was to make some changes in our plans: get the motorhome to the Sarasota Elks Lodge and find a home for Foster for 2 days. Once that was done, we got up Friday morning at 4AM and made the drive from Sarasota to Miami, about a 4 hour drive. Thank goodness we left early, there was all kinds of traffic congestion near the port, so it took almost an hour to move about 8 miles. But we were parked and looking at the ship by 9:30.
Being so early, we were only the 2nd couple in line…amazing!!! And they let us board, so we actually got two hours more than most who did the regular noon time boarding. So FUN!!!
Because this event was to showcase the beauty of the ship for sales agents, all the suites and exclusive areas were open for viewing. We toured all the rooms to see what it looks like when you have the best and biggest rooms on the ship. The suites were gorgeous, with very modern design and beautiful balcony views. The color scheme throughout the ship is turquoise and chocolate brown.
We had lunch in one of the dining rooms, it was much more intimate than on other cruise ships, with beautiful colors and design. We loved having dinner in the larger main dining room where a latin band was playing and a dance floor available. The ship will carray 4000 passengers, has 18 different bar/lounges, 3 complimentary dining areas and many specialty restaurants and so much more!!!
Outside we headed to the waterslides, Paul chose the purple slide, the "slowest" rather than the free fall slide that would take you only 6 seconds to get to the bottom.
I think he was only one of a handful of people who tried the slides and he went down three times!
Rather than the slides, I liked finding the beautiful private pool area, The Haven Courtyard. It is reserved for those guests staying in the suites with balconies. Loved the chaise lounges IN the pool
and the sun deck above the pool area with the unique sun shades.
While we were up there we noticed a man being interviewed and Paul recognized him as the CEO of NCL from watching a TV special, Undercover Boss. We said hello and got a photo.
The ship has so many unusual things to do, and one was a half hour visit to the Ice Bar. We had forgotten to reserve a visit but just as we were asking about it, someone had a cancellation and gave us their tickets, so in we went. We were given fur lined hooded parkas and gloves to keep warm. Everything inside is carved of ice and there are a variety of vodka drinks to choose from to help stay warm. I loved it!!! Club music playing, such a fun experience.
The ship sailed out of the harbor at 9PM with tons of fireworks shooting off, and dancing everywhere. Then we headed to the theater to see the Broadway Musical,
Legally Blond. We were up till about 2 AM just walking around seeing as much as we could before a little sleep and off at 9 that morning. What a kick!!!
It was a beautiful Friday to drive back to Sarasota so we took the smaller Tamiami Trail, Highway 41 through the Everglades. Top down on the car, beautiful scenery, and a stop at the Visitor Center to look at alligators from a boardwalk. We also checked out the campground in the park with plans to stay next winter.
We picked up Foster that afternoon, then stayed 2 more nights at our Elks campsite. We ended the weekend watching the Beatles 50 Year Tribute, perfect for me!!!! What a week!
No comments:
Post a Comment