Jan – Apr 2016

Florida....So Long, Winter

A 89-day adventure by Betty Read more

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Florida....So Long, Winter Traveler
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Day 55
Thursday, March 3, 2016
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 8 m
United States Washington Park 25.774118, -80.13396125°46’27” N 80°8’2” W
South Beach
March 3, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
On the agenda today was a tour of South Beach in Miami, which meant driving on heavily congested interstates and roadways. Yikes!! Our first stop was the Holocaust Memorial, which is a photo mural of the tragic events and a sculpture garden. We were relieved to lighten the mood by strolling through the adjacent Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. Lunch was next at the 11th Street Diner, a 2 km walk.

The main attraction was the Art Deco District, the first 20th Century neighbourhood to be recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. We loved the pastel buildings with fancy curves and unique windows.Read more
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Day 56
Friday, March 4, 2016 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 17 m
United States Sunshine Acres (historical)26.073939, -80.31420526°4’26” N 80°18’51” W
... in Davie
March 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
I got a break today as our destination, Flamingo Gardens, was an easy 20 minute drive from our resort. Here we found 60 acres of tropical gardens as well as a wildlife sanctuary that is home to permanently injured and non-releasable birds and animals. Another enjoyable afternoon!Read more
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Day 56
Friday, March 4, 2016 at 9:00 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 16 m
United States Sunshine Acres (historical)26.074248, -80.31386226°4’27” N 80°18’50” W
1
... in Davie
March 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
More rescued animals, including 2 Florida panthers (NOT the hockey team variety!).

After a late picnic lunch we made a stop at Ross Dress for Less, Publix, and the enormous Sawgrass Mills Mall. My Fitbit registered almost 19,000 steps today! Needless to say, we had a very late dinner.Read more
Garrett Samm Great photo!
3/11/16Reply
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Day 57
Saturday, March 5, 2016
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United States Singer Island 26.781425, -80.03383426°46’53” N 80°2’2” W
... in Palm Beach Shores
March 5, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
March 5 - 12th

This morning was an extra busy moving day. Gailene had an 11:30 a.m. flight back to Winnipeg and John was arriving an hour later. Fortunately both of them were departing/arriving at the Fort Lauderdale airport. The shuffle went smoothly. Our next home, the Palm Beach Shores Resort, was a quick 60 miles north on the always busy I-95. This resort offered valet parking but they were very busy so we were directed to a self-parking area. Little did we know that this also meant we were not entitled to the use of a luggage trolley! It took several trips to carry everything up to our unit. We were on the third floor with a view of the parking lot. Not off to a good start!Read more
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Day 58
Sunday, March 6, 2016
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United States Singer Island 26.781387, -80.03374826°46’53” N 80°2’1” W
... in Palm Beach Shores
March 6, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
March 6

We drove an hour north to visit with Kathy & Blaine at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Typical of long-term vacationers, they didn't keep track of the date and forgot that we had made plans to visit. They were away on a bike ride but arrived back at their RV about half an hour after our arrival. The weather wasn't cooperating today. It was 20 degrees but with a chilly 40 km wind. I had to huddle in a borrowed sweatshirt and blanket to keep warm. Naturally I was teased about becoming a true Floridian. The strong winds persisted the whole week and created havoc with the ocean. Along with the 5-8 foot waves came an influx of colourful but dangerous Portuguese man-o-war jellyfish.Read more
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Day 61
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United States Singer Island 26.781361, -80.0337726°46’53” N 80°2’2” W
... in Palm Beach Shores
March 9, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Near our resort was the Manatee Lagoon and Eco-Discovery Centre. We only saw one manatee because they only come to warmer waters during cold spells. Late nights and the hectic schedule last week finally took it's toll. John drove to Palm Springs to see one of our favourite areas but I fell asleep in the car and missed it all! Later in the week we went to nearby John D. MacArthur Beach State Park which has been preserved as a natural coastal area. The boardwalk hike took us over the intracoastal waterway where you could also rent canoes. Not going to happen because I know there are big, hungry gators in those waters!Read more
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Day 63
Friday, March 11, 2016
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United States Singer Island 26.78131, -80.03387726°46’53” N 80°2’2” W
... in Palm Beach Shores
March 11, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
On our beach walk we witnessed an exciting event. A fisherman struggles with his line.....reels in what we later learned was a bull shark....removes the hook....takes a moment for a photo of his 6 foot catch of the day....then releases the shark back into the ocean. The whole catch-and-release took about 15 minutes and I do hope the shark survived.Read more
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Day 64
Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 3:00 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 33 m
United States International Drive 28.463624, -81.45141328°27’49” N 81°27’5” W
1
... in Orlando
March 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Our first stop in Orlando was at Sam's Club to restock food and wine for the coming week. John thought I should buy one of these adult tricycles to prevent another mishap :P
R u getting one?
4/5/16Reply
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Day 64
Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 5:00 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 34 m
United States International Drive 28.463473, -81.45098428°27’49” N 81°27’4” W
... in Orlando
March 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
March 12 - 19th

It took a lot of computer hours to find a home this week but I finally was able to reserve a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse at the Orlando International Resort Club. It was located just off International Drive in a tourist-dense area. I invited Janet & Ed to join us since we had plenty of room for visitors. They arrived at the Orlando Airport just after midnight. Not much traffic on the I-4 at that time of night.

Kathy & Blaine joined us for a BBQ dinner one evening and a good time was had by all. We went to their RV park later in the week. The guys played cards and drank beer, rum and Irish cream while the girls went shopping. Too tired to cook, we all ended up at Pizza Hut for dinner.Read more
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Day 64
Saturday, March 12, 2016
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Town of Melbourne Village 28.078557, -80.74425428°4’43” N 80°44’39” W
... in Melbourne
March 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Another moving day without a luggage trolley so we took some items out to the car last night. Our next destination was Orlando but we couldn't check in until 4 pm so I took John to the wetlands park in Melbourne that Linda & I had enjoyed in January. The black and white anhinga loves to put on a show. The wood stork, once endangered but now on the "threatened" list, struggled with the large fish but eventually succeeded in devouring it. We counted 10 alligators on the shoreline. John was very impressed with the area and all the wildlife we saw.Read more
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Day 67
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 8 m
United States Four Islands 28.336153, -80.61028428°20’10” N 80°36’37” W
1
... in Cocoa Beach
March 15, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We picked the hottest day of the year to go to the beach for the day. It was sunny and 33 degrees C. This was the same beach that Linda & I had stayed at in January but now the beach population had increased tenfold. We baked for 2 hours and then went to our favourite wetlands park to see the alligators and birds. It was even too hot for the wildlife as we didn't see as many as on previous visits. We drove around the area so that the Choboters could check out some RV parks in preparation for their retirement years. We also made another stop at the orange grove shop where I bought a bushel of delicious and juicy valencia oranges. So many oranges!Read more
Nice pic!
4/5/16Reply
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Day 69
Thursday, March 17, 2016
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United States Cathedral of Saint Augustine 29.892771, -81.31219629°53’34” N 81°18’44” W
... in St. Augustine
March 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Another day trip.....this time to St. Augustine, about 2 hours NE of Orlando. Lots of history in this oldest city in the US. I was surprised that the first Africans were introduced to America in the 1500's, accompanying French and Spaniard explorers. And so began the slave trade and wars with the Indians. The weather wasn't ideal for all the walking we did as it was cool with scattered showers.Read more
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Day 70
Friday, March 18, 2016
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 38 m
United States Wet N Wild 28.453324, -81.47083328°27’12” N 81°28’15” W
... in Orlando
March 18, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
On our last day with the Choboters we did some afternoon shopping and a visit to the Tiffany Museum in Winter Park, the one that Linda and I were so impressed with. We ended our day with a thank you dinner at The Pub on International Drive and a short walk in the area. The green Orlando Eye is a sister icon to the famous London Eye. Notice the 3 ladies who photo bombed our group photo at The Pub!Read more
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Day 72
Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 17 m
United States Daytona Beach Shores 29.176093, -80.98283229°10’34” N 80°58’58” W
... in Daytona Beach Shores
March 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
March 19 - 26th

Moving day was a bit more complex this week as John had to take the Choboters to the airport in the morning while I stayed at the condo to do the packing. We were relieved that the resort allowed us a late check-out of 11 o'clock. We had enjoyed sunshine and above average temperatures of 25 to 33 degrees all week but today it rained, heavily at times. Our drive to Daytona Beach Shores was less than 2 hours.

Our week at the Tropic Shores Resort was all about the beach and relaxation. We had a 1 bedroom unit on the 9th floor with an ocean view. This was one of our favourite resorts, mainly because of the location but also because the staff were so friendly and happy.Read more
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Day 73
Monday, March 21, 2016
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Daytona Beach Shores 29.168848, -80.97866929°10’8” N 80°58’43” W
... in Daytona Beach Shores
March 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Reading by the pool by the beach. Life is good.
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Day 74
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 11:00 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United States Titusville 28.607884, -80.80658928°36’28” N 80°48’24” W
... in Titusville
March 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
We only left our resort twice this week. We had to take our vehicle to the local Toyota dealer for a routine maintenance check-up and oil change. More exciting was a 45 minute drive south to Titusville so that we could view the launch of a rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station that was carrying supplies to the International Space Station. There were about 100 people gathered at Veterans Park along the waterfront. This was a recommended location from the Kennedy Space Centre website and was 11 miles from the launch pad. The launch was scheduled for 11 pm and everyone counted down from 10 when alerted that the launch was imminent. It was a clear night and the whole sky lit up during lift off. The rumble took a couple of minutes to travel across the bay to where we were standing. It was all over in less than 10 minutes but the experience was so worth the effort to get there.Read more
You are having some cool experiences!!!
4/5/16Reply
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Day 74
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 10 m
United States Daytona Beach Shores 29.164651, -80.97532129°9’53” N 80°58’31” W
... in Daytona Beach Shores
March 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
For Alyssa and Gailene. Bird lovers....NOT!
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Day 79
Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 1:00 PM
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 16 m
United States Emmet Park 32.079811, -81.0871732°4’47” N 81°5’14” W
... in Savannah
March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
Less than 4 hours from Daytona Beach Shores is the city of Savannah, Georgia. It's always been a city I wanted to visit so I scheduled an overnight stay. Hotels in the Historic District started at $300 per night so I found a hotel near the airport which was more in line with our budget. The beautiful city was awash with azalea blooms. We timed our visit perfectly!Read more
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Day 79
Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 2:00 PM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 14 m
United States Warren Square 32.078912, -81.08698732°4’44” N 81°5’13” W
Historic District - North
March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
The Historic District of Savannah is the largest National Landmark District in the US and is approximately 1 mile square. One afternoon wasn't nearly enough time to explore along the cobblestoned streets to admire the mansions, monuments and churches. The district has more than 20 city squares which are small parks with flowers, large trees, and monuments to historical figures. There definitely wasn't enough time to go into any of the buildings or take any of the dozens of tours offered. Capitalism is alive and well in Savannah as there were many expensive tourist options available for the throngs of tourists that were visiting the city.Read more
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Day 79
Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 2:00 PM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 16 m
United States Emmet Park 32.079348, -81.08681532°4’46” N 81°5’13” W
Historic District - North
March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
We also explored the River District, an area of century old cotton warehouses that have been converted to hotels, shops, restaurants and brew pubs. Across the Savannah River is the state of South Carolina. Although the temperature was only 23 C, the humidity was 95%. We had to stop at one of the pubs as JS's energy level was dwindling!Read more
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Day 79
Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 6:00 PM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 16 m
United States Emmet Park 32.079666, -81.0871732°4’47” N 81°5’14” W
Historic District - North
March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
John's enthusiasm perked up when I suggested dinner at the Crystal Beer Parlor, a local favourite that is a little off the beaten path. It is Savannah's second oldest restaurant that opened in 1933 during the Great Depression. I drank wine of course, not beer as the photo shows. JS ate shrimp and crab cakes, while I had typical pub food....fish & chips. The fellow in the orange shirt insisted on being in the photo. I think he might have had a few too many brews. By the end of our meal, the pub had become so busy that our table was surrounded by people standing and imbibing one of the more than 80 beers, 26 on tap. A fun way to end a very good day.Read more
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Day 79
Sunday, March 27, 2016
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 298 m
United States Slay Bacon Hollow 35.837413, -83.55032835°50’15” N 83°33’1” W
... in Sevierville
March 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
March 27 - April 3rd

Our final vacation destination was the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, an 8 hour drive NW. Along the route we saw beautiful flowering trees....no leaves, just white, pink and purple flowers (an Eastern Redbud I later learned). At the Tennessee Welcome Centre we heard a lot of southern drawls as well as taped bluegrass music. Yee-haw!!

Our 2 bedroom condo, Wyndham Smoky Mountains, is very modern and spacious. It is located in Sevierville, which is the birthplace of Dolly Parton. Our patio overlooks a glade where I have seen cardinals and other unidentified birds. We have encountered one new problem this time....the "elephant family" that lives above us. They walk heavily, jump, and drop things so that we hear thumping and rattling of the light fixture and ceiling fan. And this goes on until 2 a.m. most nights. I don't want to complain because I fear repercussions. I hear that concealed weapons are common.Read more
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Day 80
Monday, March 28, 2016
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 307 m
United States Pigeon Forge 35.787298, -83.55049935°47’14” N 83°33’2” W
... in Pigeon Forge
March 28, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
There are 3 semi-connected towns in this region....Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. All three are tourist-oriented and reminds us of a combination of Branson and International Drive in Orlando. There are music shows, water slides, Dollywood amusement park, outlet malls, moonshine distilleries, and more. I wasn't expecting this as I thought we were going to experience nature. Surprise!Read more
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Day 81
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: 550 m
United States Cherokee Orchard Road 35.693875, -83.50475135°41’38” N 83°30’17” W
... in Gatlinburg
March 29, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
To get to the main attraction, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, required us to drive through all three towns. This week is Spring break so the traffic has been horrendous. Entrance to the park is free and there are several scenic drives along narrow winding roads. The park is beautiful even though the trees are only beginning to bud. We learned that the "smoky" appearance is actually smog that drifts in from industries in the West and North that are hundreds of miles away.Read more
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Day 82
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 552 m
United States Cherokee Orchard Road 35.693388, -83.50466635°41’36” N 83°30’17” W
... in Gatlinburg
March 30, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
One of the scenic drives we took was on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Our intention was to hike to Grotto Falls, a 3 mile moderate hike. When we got to the trail head the parking lot was full and the closest spot available was a mile or so up the road. We both scrapped that idea, not wanting to add another 2 miles to our hike. Instead we did two shorter hikes that took us to some historical buildings from early pioneers. There are over 50 of these scattered throughout the park that have been restored. The doorways are so low that John smashed his head into the frame of the first building he tried to enter! The temperature was 22 and it was sunny....a great day to explore the park that is the most visited of all national parks in the US.Read more
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