Heading further south

From Bradenton Florida we moved on to the Highlands area near Avon Park and Sebring. The weather was warm and Mike did a lot of fishing, we swam in the pool, and had a relaxing couple of weeks. 

There's a sea service museum where we enjoyed the tour.

We went by the Sebring Raceway and caught a lap or two. 

Next we headed to Homestead Florida. It's been mixed days of hot sun and cool rain. I visited the history museum in hopes of learning anything about my Great Grandfather who was a settler of the area. I didn't find him specifically, and left info with the guide there who is going to pass along to the curator when she returns from vacation and hopefully get some information on him to me if there's anything. 

Mike and I visited the Coral Castle. It's a fascinating home of a local legend who built this interesting home and gardens from coral rock.

We went to Everglades National Park and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, on  boardwalks around swamp and over wetlands. Truly a beautiful place. 

We spent a day driving to the Florida Keys. It was a lovely drive and we went to the southernmost tip of the United States in Key West.

 We visited the aquarium there as well and had a delicious lunch. Stopped at a local bakery too and brought a delicious Key Lime Pie back with us.

We traveled after that to Patrick Space Force Base and camped right on the Banana River and watching the dolphins and other fish jumping. Mike caught and released a pufferfish 

There's lots of pelicans and dolphins to watch as well.

 

This was the sunset our first evening here. 

On our way north toward Jacksonville, Florida/

Florida adventures

Our first stay in FL was going back to the Jacksonville area at WW Ranch. A beautiful setting where they have cattle, as well as a llama-alpaca cross, peacocks, and goats. It's really peaceful, even with the animals and the Motocross training facility. The owner is so gracious and we enjoyed 2 nights there just taking in the sunshine, watching the motorcycle training and walking around the ranch. 

Next stop was Ocala Florida where we visited the World Equestrian Center and experienced the training facility and lovely grounds 

We went to Silver Springs nearby and took a ride on a glass bottom boat. The day we were there the weather was unseasonably cool and overcast, so unfortunately we didn't get to see any gators or manatees, but the springs and a few turtles and fish and birds were lovely . 

We also went back to a place we'd been years ago, Big Daddy, Don Garlitz's Museum of Drag Racing. 

so many cars, I can't show them all!

This week we're in Bradenton Florida. It's near Sarasota and south of Tampa. We're not sightseeing, but we were able to enjoy time with my great nephew and his partner, plus this owl.

 Having fun, enjoying Florida, and loving life!

Snowbirds on the Road

Our week in the SC Midlands was great. The snow left and the weather was cold but clear. 

I had time to complete my craft project, this miniature fruit stand, that Jessie gave me at Christmas. Then I got another project and finished it too. It's called diamond painting and is sort of a mosaic idea with small jeweled dots that you adhere to a template 

We enjoyed visiting with some of my cousins and with our daughter and her family and my brother and his friends and family.

We camped at a RV park next to a big flea market that's been there for as long as I remember, the Barnyard. Sunday we walked through and we bought an old southern favorite from a food vendor, Boiled Peanuts. They're yummy , soft and salty. 

I don't have pictures of most of our meet-ups because I get so involved in visiting that I forget to take pictures!

I did get some photos of old memories though, when I drove to Columbia, SC, my home town, and checked on my old haunts. 

My childhood home 

My Highschool 

Middle School 

My Aunt BeBe's house I spent much time in growing up

My Grandparents home

My parents memorial at their church 

USC Williams Brice stadium, where I marched in the Carolina Band and Home of the Gamecocks!

It was good to enjoy seeing the city, it's growth, and remember so many good times and family and friends from there. 

We left SC yesterday, Feb 8, and came back to Florida. We're in Jacksonville area, once again at WW ranch, a Harvest Host with a Motocross training facility. As I type I hear the kids ripping around the track, as well as the ranch animals, wildlife , and a gentle breeze on the sunny day. It's quite relaxing and we're just chilling before we head deeper into Florida for more adventures. 

Snow comes south sometimes!

We woke up to snow today. We were still in Moncks Corner SC which is close to Charleston SC on the coast. As the next picture shows it was little more than a dusting, but snow is always a little exciting! 

  We left this morning and have traveled to Lexington SC for a week . The roads were clear and it was a pretty quick drive. We're at the barnyard RV Park.  It's snowed here too but the sun is out and it's melting away

Hoping to catch up with some of my kinfolk in the area this week and maybe the sun will keep shining! Happy Trails to all! 

January: Getting a little cold in the South now

I'm glad to be back at the campground with Mike after the holidays and the cruise. We are still in SC until the first part of February. Planning to leave the low country Feb 1st and spend a week in the midlands making a few more connections with family in that area. It's been very warm and nice here but the wind came in with a vengeance yesterday and it's cooling down enough to bring out the long pants and jacket. I hope the turtle I saw yesterday got himself dug in enough to stay warm! 

Happy New Year!

Here's to 2026! Hoping you all have a blessed New Year! 
I went on a Jeremiah cruise with my sister Linda, to the eastern Caribbean from Dec 27- Jan 3. We celebrated  2026 on board Holland America 's Koningsdam and enjoyed lovely ports while digging deeper into our faith with messages and music from David Jeremiah and his family and team. It was a wonderful time. I'm thankful to my brother in law Larry and husband Mike who sacrificed and kept home fires burning  to allow us this beautiful time!