Joani & David's Travels: January 2013

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2013, Tour of the Lynx 1812 Privateer Ship, St. Petersburg, FL

We got up early and went to St. Pete, FL, to tour the Lynx (a re-creation of an 1812 Privateer ship). It was a fun adventure and an opportunity for another 500 pictures.

Explored the downtown area along the waterfront for a few hours before heading back home. Still really like this town!

The St. Petersburg Pier

Always stop and smell the LPFs

500 palms with more than 150 species - who knew?

Thursday, Jan 24, 2013, Manatee, Bird Sanctuary in Tampa - Dali in St. Petersburg, FL

We were out and about Tampa, FL, for the whole day. First, we watched the Manatees at the Tampa Electric Manatee Center. We saw lots of manatees. They are slow enough that algae grow on them which the fish happily nibble - kind of a fish smorgasbord.

Next, we went to the John's Pass boardwalk. It took us a while to find a restaurant with outdoor seating (Sam-friendly). Sat outside and ate fish, fries and the biggest onion rings we have ever seen. I ate two onion rings, Joani ate one - we took the rest home.

Then we visited the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. There were lots of rescued birds who did not mind having their picture taken.

Next, we went to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL. Very nice - very strange building which housed the very strange paintings of apparently a very strange painter. Once you entered the galleries, no pictures allowed. The rest of the building was fair game. The central spiral staircase and triangular glass panels were a few of the unusual features of the museum.

My favorite was his painting of Lincoln (I snapped this in the gift shop, not the gallery!)

We really liked downtown St. Petersburg. It was very relaxed and uncrowded.

Monday, Jan 21, 2013, Lithia Springs, FL

We started the day with a little light rain in Lithia Springs, FL, so we made it a laundry day. Cleared up and was beautiful while we had a late lunch outside at Panera Bread. Hiked a bit along the river.

Took it easy for the rest of the day with Margaritas in the evening.

Sunday, Jan 20, 2013, Lithia Springs, FL

Breakfast and goodbyes followed by the thunder of 40,000 horses - I love the smell of diesel in the morning. We drove to Lithia Springs County Campground, in Lithia Springs, FL, (only about 16.5 miles). An odd set up with power and water at the entrance to the campsite (I don't have a 50-foot power cord and water hose) meant we had to skip their first suggested site along the river, but our site turned out to be even better.

Friday, Jan 18, 2013, SEACA Rally, Tampa, FL-Day three

Day three at Lazydays RV Campground in Seffner, FL, (Tampa area) for the SEACA (Southeastern American Coach Association) Rally. Returned to the Supershow. We went crazy and bought a new sewer hose. Better to get one when you don't need it than to need one when you can't get one!

This campground has a nice heated pool. I sat in the jacuzzi until I was thoroughly pickled. I can't remember the last time I did that - it was great.

Thursday, Jan 17, 2013, SEACA Rally, Tampa, FL-Day two

Day two at Lazydays RV Campground in Seffner, FL, (Tampa area) for the SEACA (Southeastern American Coach Association) Rally. It was overcast and a little cooler today. We went to the RV Supershow. Lots of walking - we made two trips to the car with our booty. Joined Passport America but refrained from any other purchases until we do a little research. Really great dinner with the ACA crowd - sat with Ronnie and Diane and Jim and Alva.

Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013, SEACA Rally, Tampa, FL

We drove about 10 miles down the road to Lazydays RV Campground in Seffner, FL, (Tampa area) for the SEACA (Southeastern American Coach Association) Rally (now a total of 1013.3 miles since leaving home). It is good to see so many familiar faces! There are almost one hundred American Coaches sprinkled around the campground. Lazydays has a nice facility with a pool and tennis courts, 50 amp service, full hook-ups and cable and, of course, a large room for our gatherings.

Monday, Jan 14, 2013, Bagpipes at Hillsborough River State Park, FL

Drove to Hillsborough River State Park (185 miles). We were all set up by 3:00. While we were sitting outside under the trees on a clear 80-degree afternoon someone a few sites down started playing their bagpipes! It was actually quite nice (Joani said "hauntingly beautiful").

Sunday, Jan 13, 2013, St. Augustine, FL

Drove to Anastasia State Park (104 miles), outside of St. Augustine, FL. Walked around the historic district including Castillo de San Marcos.

This is an older park not set up for 40-foot motorhomes,

but we managed to squeeze in. It's only one night.

Castillo de San Marcos at dusk.

Back at the campground, watched another beautiful sunset at the beach.

Stopped at the beach for the sunset over the sand dunes.

We were only able to get one night here so we got up early to see the sunrise before moving on.

Beautiful sunrise, a great way to start the day.

Saturday, Jan 12, 2013, Sunrise on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA

Watched a beautiful Jekyll Island, GA, sunrise. It was high tide at Driftwood Beach - very early and a bit cold.

A very nice fellow early riser offered to take a family portrait for us.

Check out was at noon, but we wanted a little more time to explore before leaving the island, so we parked at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Joani took one last stroll around the Jekyll Island Club (while Sam and I napped) and then we overnighted at the Flying J (13 miles) before moving on to Florida.

Is this couch really big enough for the two of us?

Friday, Jan 11, 2013, Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA

Took a walk along Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, GA. Every once and a while we would feel a wave of really warm air. Eeyore says "Oh bother - another beautiful day."