Blogs from Florida, United States, North America - page 8

Preparing for my departure on Holland America’s 75-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage, I was just having a lot of trouble getting excited about my upcoming adventure. On the surface, I thought that my lack of excitement might be because of the short (10-week) interval between my return from the five-month trip to Europe and the 2-1/2-month cruise. I, however, rarely have said, “It was good to be gone, but it’s good to be home.” I would have been more likely to have said, “It was good to be gone. Too bad I couldn’t have stayed longer.” The only time I can think of being glad that my stay hadn’t been longer was upon my return from Vietnam.“We gotta get outta this place, If it’s the last thing we ever do…” Yet again, there was ... read more

St Petersburg, FL - Weeki Wachee FL Moochdocking – Jennie & Dennis house Days 9 - 10 After four nights in St Petersburg, it was time to move on. We headed to meet up with Mark & Karen at Mark’s sisters (Jeannie & Dennis) house. We took our time breaking down and heading out. The drive to Weeki Wachee was about 70 miles, we took FL Route 589. It was a pleasant change from all the driving we did on I95. The one thing we are learning about Florida, is you cannot get anywhere without traveling on a toll road. I refuse to look at our EZ Pass account until we get home! We went to Weeki Wachee to meet up with Mark & Karen. They have been keeping their RV there while ... read more

Anyone who genuinely and constantly with both hands looks for something, will find it. Though you are lame and bent over, keep moving toward the Friend. With speech, with silence, with sniffling about, stay on the track. Whenever some kindness comes to you, turn that way, toward the source of kindness. -Rumi Early Sunday morning. We had a long and deliciously slow day in Sarasota with our fren Erin yesterday. It has been a space of kindness, and one I am loathe to leave behind. But the road awaits, and North Carolina awaits, and our Air BnB awaits, and the grandson’s play awaits, and we have things to figure out, and next steps to take, and in order to not kill ourselves, we’ll leave at some point later today and once again hit the road. Our ... read more

Then who (then who), tell me who (tell me who) Tell me who was this neighbor kind and true? From Jerusalem to Jericho we're traveling every day And many are the fallen ones that lie along the way -Hank Williams If I have my way, this will be the last long driving trip I ever take in my life. We left Apocalypse State Park (Motto: Enjoy Our Rotting Cactus) late Wednesday morning and made our way south and east through the heart of Texas (Motto: The Really Big State) down to Austin (Motto: The Dark, Blue Rose of Texas) to finally meet in the flesh our good friends Carol Anne and Jerry. We had a lovely evening with them, speaking of the world, and ourselves, and our paths through this world, and our paths through ourselves, ... read more

In summary; This was my first time ever visiting the state. Layovers on flights don't count, right? Ha! One month after entering, I am traveling along the panhandle on my way out. The military provides so many MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) places to camp on or near bases, that I have really been spoiled in this state. I believe there are about 20 throughout Florida. I started off in Jacksonville at one of my favorite places! Disperse camping for 4 months now has made me really appreciate some simple things in life. First off the camp space is only $11 per night. They offer a full kitchen, free laundry, free ice, an incredible clubhouse with tv, tables, games, outlets to charge devices and internet. There were constantly fun entertainment items provided to keep a person involved ... read more