I took Barbara to her sister's home on Friday for a stay until Sunday afternoon. I'm glad they are able to spend some quality time together. Our niece, Wendy will be joining them for whatever adventures they have planned. After dropping off Barbara, I continued on toward Orlando on I-4 to meet up with friend and former co-worker, Charles Halterman. We met at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant at the intersection of I-4 and Hwy. 27, a few miles southwest of Orlando. We had a nice lunch catching up on family and things we had been up to during the past couple of years. After lunch we spent another hour or so outside sitting in the rocking chairs they have out front. I've known Charles for nearly 25 years, first working together at the Sprint Distribution Center in Birmingham, AL. We both ended up in Florida after being transferred to another Sprint DC in Leesburg FL. We transferred at different times so I didn't work directly with Charles in Florida, having transferred to Kansas City before Charles got to Florida. I guess it's natural to lose touch with people from different life events in the past but it sure is nice to be able to stay connected to some of the people you enjoyed working with.

 

Charles

 

 

I left the restaurant around 3:30 and headed back to Largo, about 75 miles away. I figured I'd hit Tampa at about rush hour. I wasn't disappointed. I guess people that live here have to get used to the creeping 8 lane traffic jams through the city. Times like this make me so glad my lifestyle allows me to get away and enjoy the wide open spaces. I arrived back at the RV at 5:30...just me and the cat for a couple of days. Our time in Largo is winding down, leaving a little over a week from today so I took the opportunity to do some needed maintenance items on the RV. Just like your house, there are upkeep items to be maintained on the RV....different things to do, but not nearly as much effort or expense as maintaining a home. I'm not sure where we'll be going but it will come to us...so thankful to be able to experience such freedom.

 



Today is one of those days I can say was an absolute pleasure to be basking in the warmth of Florida. While a snowstorm of epic proportions was occurring in our former home state of Kansas, we enjoyed 81 degrees sitting on Madeira Beach. With little in the way of a breeze, it was actually hot on the beach.
I read a Bible verse the other day and it's just stuck with me. It's one of those verses I don't ever remember reading but has given me so much joy these past couple of days. It's Psalm 16:11
"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." I know I don't deserve what God has done for me but I am so thankful he's seen fit to show me his ways. I wouldn't take anything for the joy of his presence. 

  

There was a lot of activity on the water today, from sail boats, cruse boats, jet skis, and para-sailing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked by this sea gull several times on the dock. I guess he owns this spot.

 

 

After it cooled off a little, we went for a walk to the shops at St. John's Pass

 

 

 

 

Barbara thought this sign might deter a break in. I didn't think so.

 

Tomorrow I drop Barbara off at her sister's for the weekend. I'm going to swing up toward Orlando to meet with an old co-worker for a late lunch. Going to be another warm one tomorrow...high in the mid to upper 80's.

We made Tarpon Springs our destination for the day. It's noted for the Sponge Docks District along Dodecanese Street and for the large Greek population (the highest percentage of any US city). In the early 1900's Greek sponge divers were recruited from Greece to the fledgling sponge industry in the Gulf of Mexico. These new grounds, from the Florida Keys up to the Panhandle proved to be among the most productive in the world.
When a red tide algae bloom occured in 1947, the sponge fields were wiped out. Most divers converted to fishing and shrimping in order to survive. The city then converted most of the sponge related buildings and businesses, once they were sold, to tourist attractions. In the 1980's an attempt has been made to restore local sponge grounds. The attempt has been successful with more and more local sponges being harvested.
I think we're heading back to Madeira Beach for tomorrow. It's supposed to be warm, back into the 80's with clear skies. On Friday I'll be taking Barbara to her sister's house where she will stay until Sunday afternoon. I'm glad they will have some good quality time to spend together. I'll have plenty to do around the RV while she's gone, catching up on some maintenance items so it's just going to be me and the cat for a couple of days.

 

  

Trimming recently harvested sponges

 

 

One of the many shops selling different types of sponges

 

 

 Greek restaurants on Dodecanese Street

 

 

 

 

 Being a full time RV'er I kind of like this t-shirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While here in the Tampa Bay area we are staying at Yankee Traveler RV Park. You have to be over 55 to stay here so it consists mostly of retirees from up north, mostly from Canada, thus the flying of the Canadian flag. Nearly all of them head back north when it turns warmer. It's a nice park of mostly park model homes, very small and closely packed together. There are lots of activities planned for the residents including pool exercise, bible studies, shuffleboard, golf outings, pot luck dinners, card games, and tours of area attractions.

The pool area is quite nice with a large hot tub.

Here is a photo of the office building. It seems that everyone around here doing maintenance, janitorial, and office work are retirees that live in the park. They really are busy bodies that do excellent work. Everything is kept so clean and orderly. The owners live on the second floor. 

 

Our campsite can be seen in the background. The landscaping is well manicured with flowers everywhere.

 

Campsites are nice sized. Each has a concrete pad with a picnic table. A typical park model can be seen next to our RV. I believe we have more room than most of these homes.

 

There are 3 long rows of RV sites, mostly park models. There is another separate area for those who have dogs. 

 

 

Shuffleboard court area.

 

 

 

There are two separate laundry rooms. This one is conveniently across from our RV.

 



 

In summary, Yankee Traveler is an excellent place to stay. The amenities are top rate and it's location makes area attractions a short drive away.

About the only knock on the place is it's location on a busy road. It's in a very heavily populated area. Access into the park is difficult, particularly with road construction taking place up and down Ulmerton Road. From talking to local residents, construction has been going on for several years and completion not scheduled until 2015. Even so, we would stay here again in the future.  

 

 

 

We've been in Largo, FL for over a week now and are enjoying the warm weather. A couple of days have been spent at Maderia Beach, a few miles southwest of our campground. I'm still adjusting to the busy roads around here. I've lived and traveled in some heavily populated areas in the past but haven't experienced anything quite like this area. Lots of road construction is going on which contributes to the congestion. I'm starting to look forward to heading back out west and it's wide open spaces in a couple of months.

Last Saturday we had a cookout with Barbara's sister Bonnie, husband Bill, and daughter Wendy. It's been almost 2 years since Barbara last saw her sister so it was a very nice visit. We're looking forward to seeing them a few more times before we leave.

It's been rainy and cool the past couple of days so we took off yesterday to the Westfield Countryside Mall in Clearwater. We thought about catching a movie but didn't see anything playing that grabbed our interest so we just wandered about the mall all day. I bought a few shirts and Barbara found a new bathing suit. As far as a mall goes I'll have to say this is one of the nicest I've ever been to. There's a nice ice skating rink inside and they even have a small train that runs about the mall for the little kids. It seems even larger than the Oak Park Mall back in the Kansas City area. About the only thing missing is a large bookstore. We kept noticing people walking by dressed like they were getting ready to brave a snowstorm. It did cool off to into the upper 50's by the time we left but I still found it comfortable in my shorts and short sleeve shirt. I guess when you get used to mid-70 degree days in the winter, anytime it drops below 60 calls for breaking out the winter gear.

  Maderia Beach

 

Relaxing on the beach

 

Yours truly at the St. Johns Pass inlet

 

Kite flying on the beach

 

Fish cleaning area after a day of deep sea fishing

 

Shopping at St. Johns Pass, Maderia Beach

 

End of a beautiful day at the beach

 

Ice skating inside the Mall

 

 

 

We got up this morning to a beautiful sky with perfect weather. We had some rain and thunder last night with a cool front that came through the area. I say "cool front" because of the moderating influence the Gulf of Mexico has on weather fronts coming down from the northwest. Anywhere else would label these as "cold fronts". This is a great place to be in the winter!

After doing a few chores this morning (washing cloths, cleaning RV awning), we headed over to Clearwater Beach for the afternoon. It's consistently rated within the top 10 beaches in America. After spending a little time there, I wholeheartedly agree.

We're looking forward to Barbara's sister and family coming over for a cookout tomorrow. It's been a couple of years since Barbara has seen Bonnie.

Ok, I don't do a lot of complaining on the blog so please forgive me for this little tirade. I've driven in every region of our nation and the absolute worse traffic I've ever experienced is ULMERTON DRIVE IN LARGO FLORIDA!!! If you like gridlock with bumper to bumper traffic for as far as you can see, in front and in back, this is your road...absolutely ridiculous! I did make it out to the grocery store around 7:00pm and the traffic was not that bad.

Hyatt Regency, Clearwater Beach

 

Clearwater Beach

 

Clearwater Beach

 

Boardwalk at Clearwater Beach

 

 

Ulmerton Road - Traffic Nightmare



 

 

We arrived in Largo, Florida yesterday and settled into the Yankee Traveler RV Park. It was a long day of nearly 400 miles and 7 hours on the road. The last 30 miles or so was through heavy traffic in the Tampa, St. Petersburg metro area. We arrived without incident and were escorted to our site around 4:00pm.
Yankee Traveler is a nice park with mostly park model homes. The park is very clean with You have to be at least 55 years old to stay here. We were blessed to have found a site for a month, being we're in the middle of snow bird season. There are at least a couple of hundred sites here and I estimate 80% or more are residents of Canada, mostly from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Ontario. So far everyone has been very friendly.
We mostly rested today. After a short trip to the grocery store we stayed at the pool area until late afternoon. Just before sunset we drove a few miles to the beach to catch the last rays of the day.

Getting ready to leave campground in Savannah

 

Our campsite at Yankee Traveler

Pool and hot tub

 

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

 

 



Our month in Savannah is coming to an end when we will leave for Largo, Florida in the morning. We've had a wonderful time here in Savannah. We've been full time RV'ing for about a year now and I can say this is one of our favorite destinations. The weather has been great with warm sunny days and cool nights. From listening to weather reports on TV about all the cold and snow up north we feel blessed to be able to enjoy being in the south. We're looking forward to more warm weather in February while in Florida. The best part of being here was being able to visit with my sister Lisa. Her and bro-in-law Tom live in a beautiful home on Skidaway Island, a few miles south of Savannah. We sadly said our goodbyes today.

With Tom and Lisa

 





One of the goverment buildings downtown

We bought an old English Antique coffee table while here. Fits perfectly in our living room.

 

Several container ships glide by Savannah each day.

 

"Washington's Guns" captured cannon from Yorktown, presented to Chatham Artillery after a visit by Washington in 1791.