ACROSS the FLORIDA PANHANDLE January 22-February 7, 2018

When I was downloading photos this morning I couldn't remember where we'd seen this first photo. But, when I checked back it was a screenshot from the Trustedhousesitters website of a home we were thinking about in France, very near to my brother's. This must have been the time I was searching and beginning to make plans for our three month trip to Europe in March.  We didn't apply for this house as I'm still a little concerned about staying in France when my French is very limited. But, after talking to Richard and Peter, we might change our outlook.  With them close by we could rely on their help with language if we ever needed it. I like that!

But, back to our travels...leaving Texas we had a one night stay at Sam Houston Jones State Park in Louisiana and didn't realize until we got close to the park that we had stayed here several years ago as we were driving in the opposite direction.  Still a very beautiful park near the city of Lake Charles. We walked the park enjoying its pine and cypress forests and swampy water areas. 

But then back at the RV it was time to get the laundry done! So nice to have machines just a short walk from our campsite.There aren't many things I miss from being in a house as opposed to an RV but...doing laundry with our own washer and dryer is definitely one. 

 Staying only a night we moved to the other side of Louisiana to Fontainebleau State Park on Lake Pontchartrain. Beautiful walks, nature trails and a large campground and another day of driving for me.  I parked us pretty well, didn't I! As soon as are parked Paul always sets up our outdoor seating and garden, wherever the sun is shining to keep us warm.

 The sunset that night overlooking Lake Pontchartrain was fantastic! At the end of the long pier was a lovely gazebo just perfect for the last touches of daylight.

But we needed to keep on moving east for our 5 night reservation at Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola.  We really enjoy this beautiful area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, but without making reservations months and months in advance we could only get a 5 night stay at the campground. And, returning this time without our Foster with us, was a little sad for us both. 

With bright sunny days we walked the white sandy beaches which we learned were once granite in the Southern Appalachian Mountains! That's so hard to believe..with erosion and ocean-bound rivers carrying the minerals over thousands of years, the quartz minerals survive the long journey to create beaches with over 90% quartz crystals that look like sparkling sugar.  Simply amazing!

 This year there was a new exhibit in the museum so we walked the cliff side of the island with views over to Pensacola to the historic Fort Pickens. Built in the 1830s to defend Pensacola Bay it became the largest brick structure on the Gulf of Mexico and remained in use until 1947. It became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore in 1971, with much of the original fort structure still there to visit.   

 A northern piece of the Florida Trail goes through the park so we enjoyed a nice bike ride and walks along its park sections.

 Sunsets as beautiful as ever!

 But soon those quiet days were done and back on the road we went. This time a new park at Grayton Beach State Park in Florida. I was so happy to be adding more driving experience along our route and I think the gate attendant was surprised when she saw me in the drivers seat! Anyways, I pulled over and went in to finish our check in information but when I came back, our RV had decided to stay right where it was! Paul couldn't get it to start again no matter what he did. This was the first time we'd ever had it do this...so, a new dilemma to solve.

 PK, of course, went into full mechanic mode with his overalls and tool boxes trying to figure it out. Plus we were a bit of an obstruction at the park gate so I know he was felling pressure to get us moved.

 Try as he could, nothing was helping. After calling several RV mechanics the general conclusion was the starter had gone out. One mobile mechanic told us he'd pick up a new starter and come out to replace it...which he did, but it took him over an hour and a half to get to us. So, while waiting,  PK removed the starter. See his smile?

Well, it was now getting dark and with headlights helping them to see, they got the starter on but STILL the engine wouldn't turn over. Both frustrated, cold and tired, Paul checked one more thing, a simple wire connection, and that was all it was! Turned out the started wasn't the problem after all! So after 4 hours of hard work and a chunk of $$ we now had a REALLY new starter and he got the RV moved to our site.
But, that's all that really mattered to us both; thankful for the fact that we didn't have to be towed to a repair shop and be without our home.


In the mean time, while he as waiting for the mechanic, I took the car to our huge and wonderful campsite!

I bundled up, grabbed a beach chair out of the trunk and went to enjoy this beautiful view...and ended up staying for sunset.

 The next morning the sky was stunningly beautiful and we took a walk over to the beach, Paul definitely needed a break from the previous evening's adventure.

 Feeling more refreshed again, we had miles to go further east to St Andrews State Park near Panama City, another gorgeous Florida campground. Definitely would return to this park again!

 The beaches just outside of the park were soooooo empty but we could imagine the crowds come the summer heat!

 The park also had a very interesting and historic old Cracker Turpentine & Saw Mill on display.

 It seems that throughout much of Florida there were turpentine stills, much like this one that had been relocated to the park. It also had a portable saw that would cut the forest once the trees were no longer useful for collecting raw gum or sap. This "Lewis Turpentine Still" had been in use from 1900 to the mid 19302 in a nearby community. I'm always impressed with the quality of Florida parks and the history they protect in different areas.

 Plus the wildlife everywhere!

 As you can tell from my attire, it might have been a sunny blue sky kinda day, but it was still an icy wind blowing off the water.  I kept thinking the weather would warm up as we were now into February, but the coast just stayed cold.

 And then one more stop for a few days at Hart Springs Campground as we turned south off the I-10 and away from the coast. Trying to find campsites in Florida in their high season is not an easy task, especially when we don't want to stay in private RV parks. But, this year I found this lovely Gilchrist County Park with FHU sites available and including a pool for $25 a night. Too cold for the pool to be open but still a great deal! We rode our bikes down to the springs, walked the boardwalks and were ready to return back to the park when we realized we had locked the bikes with a lock that didn't have a key!!! Yikes... what do!  First, Paul asked a couple of guys who were doing maintenance at the spring if they had something to cut to lock with, and they did, but just then a ranger came along and said he had a brand new pair of wire cutters he'd been waiting to use. Problem solved and off we rode!

 How different the river appears from the spring.

 One afternoon we decided to try out a waterfront restaurant for lunch, Treasure Camp on the Suwanee. Its' a quirky little place right on the Suwanee and beautiful views from our outdoor table. Informal, not too pricey and tasty and I guess it's been there since forever! It certainly was out in the boonies, but worth the drive.

After five days in this beautiful area I drove the last 200 miles south to Safety Harbor and a week visiting my sister, Emily. At last we had reached our main destination.