Paul and Julie on the Road: May 2018

Thursday, May 24, 2018

NORTH TO JACKSONVILLE, FL February 24-March 7, 2018

We were back to our travels going north to Jacksonville after a wonderful time near my sister in Safety Harbor. We had a great stay at Rainbow Springs State Park for 5 nights arriving just in time for the annual "Cracker Days at Rainbow Springs". But finding the campground itself was interesting since the springs and park are set in different location from the camping area. Of course the GPS took us to the main entrance of the park, which was wrong. So a turn around with our large vehicle and back 5 miles to the campground and soon we were set and relaxing again in our favorite element.

I really love that we spend more time in the less populated areas in northern Florida, even if the weather is cooler than the southern beaches. Less people and the availability of sites is a real bonus. Florida is filled with natural springs and it's wonderful that so many states parks were created to save them for all to enjoy. This particular natural spring is a first magnitude headspring basin which produces 600,000,000 gallon of fresh water per day forming The Rainbow River. And it was stunning!

The river itself was not far from our campground, we rode to the river each day just to enjoy the beauty. Lots of kayaks and canoes traveling along it.

When we checked in the ranger told us to be sure to go to the main park for the festival going on that that weekend. Not having any idea what a Cracker Festival was, we went over to find out...and such fun! The festival celebrates the pioneering days of this area and is held the last weekend in February. The park becomes home to quilters, blacksmiths, basketmakers, woodcarvers, and even this wonderful folk music.

This gentleman was displaying his collection of skins and showing how early settlers lived.

And the azaleas were blooming...nice!

More music

Even a demonstration of how a still works!

And, I had a great video of a "cracker" but it won't post. The title refers to a cattle rancher who uses a whip made of hand tied strings to drive the cattle along. A 12 year old boy was demonstrating how to make it pop or crack.

As always, there were several beautiful bike trails near the park which took us on different routes and this one right down to Swampy's Riverside Bar and Grill.

From Rainbow Springs we moved on to Rodman Campground for the next 4 days. Only 9 miles from the town of Palatka, it's also very near this dam. Originally created during the 1960s it was part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal project which was to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean across Florida for barge traffic. Two sections were built but the project was cancelled many for environmental reasons. Today its been reamed the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

Visiting the town of Palatka was fun with its murals in the historic section; hard to see, but Paul is standing near this one. On our second visit we added a beautiful afternoon at the Ravine Gardens State Park and more azaleas.

Then our last stay was just south of Jacksonville at Faver Dykes State Park. I'd seen it on my searches each year we're in Florida but had never stayed so this year we booked a couple of nights. A little different from what I'd pictured, but nice and quiet and remote. The surprising element is how far it is off the main highway, even once we reached the park entrance it was still mile or more on a dirt road into the campground. We were beginning to feel a little uncertain as we were driving this huge vehicle down the little road but then we came to the gate house and all was just fine. Its a small park of maybe 30 sites, all of them nice and large.

And it was the perfect place too start packing for our really big three month trip to Europe! After taking morning walks around the park I'd come back and work at planning and packing. I'd ordered these soft travel packing cubes, what a fantastic way to pack!! Everything organized into its own little cube so easy to move right into the suitcases. I only wish I'd had a way of identifying what I was putting into each one...I've got to figure that out yet. Here's how it looked ready to pack and weigh the suitcases. No matter how many times we travel, the worst part for me is always the packing. It never gets easier, but it does get done!

And, now it was time to put the RV in storage and begin our longest travel outside the US. New adventures ahead, for sure!

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

FROM FLORIDA TO MEXICO February 14- 21, 2018

Well, that should read...From Florida to Mexico on Southwest Airlines... just in case you were wondering if we decided to take the RV south. I guess that's one thing we really love about life in a mobile based home. We simply find a space to park it and off we go! It's still a bit of work to empty the frig and be sure everything is packed inside before we leave, but so fun to be able to take off for a week's holiday in Mexico with my brother, Kurt. Leaving some of our basic supplies in Emily's refrigerator really helps too. This year it was even easier as we were able to leave it in the storage area of the RV park we were staying, drive it around the corner and stop.

So, flights to Puerto Vallarta, then the local bus ride to Punta de Mita along the surfing coast north of PV, and to this beautiful condo for a week. Mexico in February, perfect!

Walking the beach, sitting near the pool during high tide periods and just hanging out, that's all it's about.

Of course sunsets are gorgeous as ever.

Punta de Mita is a tiny fishing village, still small, still beautiful and perfect for Kurt's love of surfing!

Kurt and Paul as we walk the beach

We only eat out a few times while we're there as Laura makes such wonderful meals. One day Laura and I were walking back from town and we came passed a woman BBQing chicken right on the patio of her home. We bought one full meal and it was enough for all of us, lunch poolside.

Kurt had made reservations at a restaurant on the beach to celebrate Laura's birthday, quite the seafood bowl they shared.

Mariachi music to add to the fun...

My dinner, I think, and margaritas all around. Fun evening

Laura and I have the easy part...we carry the empties to the exchange store and Paul and Kurt meet us there to bring those heavy bottles back.

An hour's ride on the local bus gets us to the downtown and beach area of Puerto Vallarta. It wasn't so easy finding the beach as we got off too early, but once we did, it was a beautiful walk along Banderas Bay to see all the sculptures.

And...they do take their sand sculptures seriously. But I think I would too if I'd put so much work into something like this.

A fun afternoon with a wonderful lunch and beers before returning to our more quiet and peaceful little town. PV is sooooooo big, crowded and noisy.

Late night sky view

Before most of our days were over, Paul tried out surfing with KJ as instructor.

Not Sure he liked it all that much, even though he changed out his board for a longer one it wasn't so easy to get beyond the kneeling position.

One of the most fun cafes to have dinner is just a block from the condo on the next street over. It's a small family restaurant with only a couple of tables so if all is busy, we just wait till 4 seats open up.

And this is how your meal is served...on a plastic wrapped plate. We figured out they don't have a washing facility so, the plate is first wrapped in a new plastic bag for serving, then meal set on top. Food is fantastic, price is amazing! We came twice this trip, always a must do.

After 6 fun days of walking, eating, watching silent sunrises and listening to the birds it was time for our goodbyes.

Fun memories with these two, how we love this annual trip.

And this has also become tradition...catch an early bus down to the airport with enough time for one last Pacifico before returning to Florida.

Since we always have really early flights and very late night returns we do need overnights near the airport both ways. I've grown so fond of staying in Airbnb accommodations; not only for a better price but also for the comfort of a full little apartment; and with enough searching time I can usually find great places for us. So, we had two small private apartment rentals near Tampa airport for this trip and it worked our beautifully.

The morning after we returned from Mexico we had another big day ahead of us. Paul's annual physical is now in Naples, Fl with a doctor we both really like. But, we were 3 hours north of Naples so a big drive that next morning. I knew by the time the appointments were over it would be too far a drive back the same day so I found this most darling Airbnb cottage for us that evening. It was called Jiggs Landing, a lakeside cabin in Bradenton, FL. I wasn't sure what to expect, but what a fun find! It's a Fish Camp (not that we do any fishing) with newly built cabins along the Braden River. 2 twin beds, AC, private shower room and cafe. Plus we were the only ones there for the night! We checked in after dark but I was up with he birds the next morning taking a quiet walk along the boardwalk. Peaceful and beautiful.