Ruskin, FL - 01/31/14

Friday – January 31, 2014
Zolfo Springs, Florida
Pioneer Park

The weather this week has been interesting. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were bright sunny days with temperatures in the mid-seventies. Wednesday was overcast with the temperature in the high fifties. Wednesday night the rain began and continued throughout Thursday and Friday. The temperature on Thursday was in the low sixties and the temperature on Friday was in the low seventies.

On Wednesday we took a road trip to Ruskin, Florida to check out the E.G. Simmons County Park campground. We discovered this campground through some fellow campers at the Everglades National Park in January 2013. This is a very nice campground located adjacent to Tampa Bay. The campground has 98 campsites with electric and water hookups. All campsites are first-come-first-serve. There are two campground loops: East Loop and West Loop. The West Loop has campsites 1 through 50 and the East Loop has campsites 51 through 98. Both campground loops are void of any shrubbery between campsites, thus affording no privacy between campsites. Camping rates are $24.00 per night ($18.00 for seniors, 55 years old and up). The park has a boat ramp, fishing piers and swimming beach on Tampa Bay. We had two bars signal strength on our smartphones with T-Mobile service.

On our way back to Zolfo Springs, we spotted a road sign for the Little Manatee River State Park. No time like the present to check it out! This is another very nice campground with 29 campsites. All campsites are by reservation only. This is a popular campground during the winter season, so reservations must be made months in advance. Each campsite is separated by dense brush, providing privacy between the campsites. Camping rates are $24.00 per night. We did not have any service on our smartphones here.

Our next stop was in Wauchula. This quaint town is located three miles north of Zolfo Springs. It has an old town square with restaurants and retail stores. About one-half mile north of Wauchula, on U.S. Highway 17, there is a Winn-Dixie grocery store, Walmart Supercenter, Laundromat and self-service car wash. Free WiFi is available at McDonalds, located south of Wachula (at the intersection of Carlton Street and southbound U.S. Highway 17).

We returned to our campsite at Pioneer Park refreshed from a full day of sightseeing.

We are scheduled to depart here tomorrow (Saturday), but we will probably spend another seven days here.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Pioneer Park, FL - 01/25/14

Saturday – January 25, 2014
Zolfo Springs, Florida
Pioneer Park

We departed the rest area on I-75 (Exit 131) at 8:15 a.m. and arrived at Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs, Florida at 10:20 a.m. We will spend seven nights here. We discovered this campground from a fellow camper during our stay at the Midway Campground in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Zolfo Springs is located 70 miles southeast of Tampa, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Florida State Route 64.

Pioneer Park is a 115-acre county owned park that offers 65 grassy campsites with electric and water hookups and 25 campsites without electric and water hookups. There are three restroom facilities with flush toilets and hot water showers. There is a museum, wildlife refuge, hiking trails, a boat ramp to the Peace River, and fishing.

Inside the small town of Zolfo Springs a grand event occurs each year, the last week in February. The Annual Pioneer Park Days. Pioneer Park Days is one of the largest, and is the oldest antique tractor, steam engine and farm equipment shows in the southeast. Some of the highlights include over 400 exhibits of tractors, hit and miss steam engines and farm equipment.

This year, the noted Florida Frontiersmen will be conducting daily demonstrations on Pioneer living at its best. Activities will include dutch oven cooking, wood burning, basket weaving, pioneer toys, how to make and play a native American flute, wood burning, and other 1800’s era activities.

In the flea market area there are 491 flea market booths that sell items from old tools to arts and crafts.

Each day at 2:00 p.m. the antique tractors host a tractor parade around the outside perimeter of the park.

In the Nickerson/Ullrich building daily entertainment is scheduled. Country Music, bluegrass music, and cloggers just to name a few.

All this family entertainment and taking a stroll down memory lane for a cost of $2.00 daily admission or $5.00 for the weekly pass.

We receive excellent Internet service here through our T-Mobile service provider, using a smartphone tethered to our laptop. Our smartphones get 4G with 4-bars signal strength.

Camping Rates:
Per Night
$20.00 + tax ($21.40) w/electric ($3.00 + Tax for 50 amp Service)
$15.00 + tax ($16.05) w/o electric

Per Week
$100.00 + tax ($107.00) w/electric ($15.00 + Tax for 50 amp Service)
$69.00 + tax ($73.83) w/o electric

Per Month
$300.00 + tax ($321.00) per month w/electric ($45.00 + Tax for 50 amp Service)
$250.00 + tax ($267.50) per month w/o electric

(Above rates are based on one (1) or two (2) persons per campsite.)

Additional Guests
$2.00 + tax ($2.14) additional guest-per night, per person (ages 10 & up)
$10.00 + tax (10.70) additional guests per week, per person (ages 10 & up)
$25.00 + tax (26.75) additional guests per month, per person (ages 10 & up)
$1.00 per person, per night, Boy Scout Groups.

Total miles traveled today: 73

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Locomotive Engine & Tender - Pioneer Park

U.S. Post Office 1870's - Pioneer Park

W.H. Hart Cabin 1879 - Pioneer Park

Hardee County Wildlife Refuge - Pioneer Park

Peace River - Pioneer Park

Campground - Pioneer Park

Our Casita Trailer

On The Road Again, FL - 01/24/14

Friday – January 24, 2014
Naples, Florida
On The Road Again

We left Naples three days ahead of schedule. We departed there at 7:00 p.m. and arrived at a rest area on northbound I-75 (Exit 131 – Goldenwood Drive) at 7:30 p.m. We will spend the night here.

Total miles traveled today: 22

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Okeechobee Waterway, FL - 01/23/14

Thursday – January 23, 2014
Okeechobee Waterway, Florida

We visited two of the three U.S. Army Corps of Engineering campgrounds near Lake Okeechobee today. The three campgrounds are: W.P. Franklin North, Ortona South and St. Lucie South. We visited W.P. Franklin and Ortona.

W.P. Franklin North
17850 N. Franklin Lock road
Alva, Florida 33920
239-694-8770

The campground has 30 RV campsites with electric and water hookups with concrete pads. It also has 8 boat sites with electric and water hookups.

Facilities include a dump station, two restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. One restroom facility contains a washer and dryer at a cost of $1.75. The washer and dryer accept credit cards only. You must keep the credit card inserted into the card slot until you push the button to start the machine. If you insert the card and immediately retract it, like you would do at a gas pump, your credit card will be charged, but the machine will not start.

Slow Internet service here through our T-Mobile service provider, using a smartphone tethered to our laptop. Our smartphones get an E signal (Edge Network) with 2-bars signal strength. We may be able to pull in a 3G or 4G signal with our signal booster.

Little privacy is provided between campsites, however, this is a very scenic and popular campground. Campsites must be reserved in advance by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the Internet at www.recreation.gov.

Our campsite preferences are sites: 10, 16, 22, 26, 27, 28, 30.

Camping Fee: $24.00 (50% discount with America The Beautiful Access Pass or Golden Age Passport).

 

Ortona South
2410 Dalton Lane SW
Moore Haven, FL 33471
863-675-8400

The campground has 51 RV campsites with electric and water hookups with concrete pads.

Facilities include a dump station, two restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. One restroom facility contains a washer and dryer at a cost of $1.75. The washer and dryer accept credit cards only. You must keep the credit card inserted into the card slot until you push the button to start the machine. If you insert the card and immediately retract it, like you would do at a gas pump, your credit card will be charged, but the machine will not start.

Excellent Internet service here through our T-Mobile service provider, using a smartphone tethered to our laptop. Our smartphones get a 4G signal with 4-bars signal strength.

Little privacy is provided between campsites, however, this is a very scenic and popular campground. Campsites must be reserved in advance by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the Internet at www.recreation.gov.

Our campsite preferences are sites: 21, 22,23, 31, 32, 33, 34,40, 44.

Camping Fee: $24.00 (50% discount with America The Beautiful Access Pass or Golden Age Passport).

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Naples, FL - 01/12/14

Sunday – January 12, 2014
Naples, Florida

We have completed our ten day stay at the Midway Campground in the Big Cypress National Preserve. We departed there at 12:30 p.m.

We arrived in Naples, Florida at 3:30 p.m. after making a stop at a local Walmart to pick up a few items. We will spend two weeks here with my sister and brother-in-law. This has become an annual ritual of ours for the past three years since Sharon retired. My sister is a fabulous gourmet cook, so we always end our visit a few pounds heavier than when we arrived.

Let the feasting begin!

Total miles traveled Thursday: 75

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Kirby Storter Boardwalk - 01/10/14

Friday – January 10, 2014
Big Cypress National Preserve
Kirby Storter Boardwalk

We met an interesting young couple, in their mid-twenties, from London, England today. They spent the night here at the Midway Campground in their homemade motorhome. They had purchased a large European Brinks security vehicle in London and converted it into a motorhome. They had it shipped to Nova Scotia, Canada and began their journey from there into the United States. They had originally planned to travel throughout China, but concern for their safety there changed their minds. Their revised plan is to travel throughout North America and South America.

In February 2013, at the Flamingo Campground in the Everglades National Park, we had seen a similar European Brinks security vehicle that had been converted into a motorhome. It too had foreign license plates. We did not get a chance to meet the couple in this conversion at the time. We thought it might have belonged to the young couple from England. It turned out it was not them. They were surprised to learn someone else had also converted a Brinks vehicle into a motorhome.

The converted Brinks motorhomes are massive in size. They actually resemble a military vehicle that is capable of traversing any type of terrain. Since these are European motorhomes, their electrical system operate on 240 volts. The young man from England asked the campground host if it would be permissible to convert the 120 volts at his campsite to 240 volts. The campground host refused for fear the young man might cause a power outage to the entire campground.

This afternoon we visited the Kirby Storter Boardwalk. This is a one-mile round trip on an elevated boardwalk that takes the visitor through prairie, dwarf cypress and into the heart of a cypress strand. Alligators, wading birds and a variety of migrating songbirds can be found here. Our walk started out over a prairie and then transitioned to a swamp filled with clear water about three feet deep. The lush, green scenery here transports the visitor back in time to what the Earth must have looked like during the age of the dinosaurs. Egrets and Woodstorks were wading through the shallower water, feeding on mollusks and small fish. Anhingas were seen sitting on tree branches, with their wings outstretched, drying them in the sun, while others were swimming through the deeper water spearing small fish to feed upon. This is a special place to enjoy the natural world in the Big Cypress National Preserve.

On our way back to our campsite, at the Midway Campground, we stopped at the Clyde Butcher Photographic Art Gallery. We always enjoy visiting this gallery to view the black and white photography of the Everglades and the Big Cypress National Preserve. Some of the photographs are as large a five feet by eight feet in size and literally draw the viewer into the scene. The price for this size of photograph can be as high as $20,000.00. On our visit here last year we purchased a Clyde Butcher book of photographs on the Big Cypress National Preserve. On this visit we purchased a Clyde Butcher book of photographs on Florida Portfolio II. The price is $40.00 each and contain many of the large photographs on display in the gallery.

There were five alligators basking in the sun, next to the swamp, at the Clyde Butcher Gallery. Three of them were lying right next to one another. Quite a distance away from this group was another one and further away was another one. They were approximately three feet to five feet in length. This was the most alligators we have seen here since we started visiting the gallery three years ago.

Another day of adventure completed, we returned to our campsite to start preparing dinner and settle in for a relaxing evening in our home away from home.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Rainbows at Big Cypress - 01/05/14

Sunday – January 5, 2014
Big Cypress National Preserve
Midway Campground

It has been an overcast day with occasional rain showers. We really can’t complain, since the temperature is in the low eighties. It sure beats the frigid temperatures in the Chicago area. We are so glad we are fortunate to be able to ride out the winters in warm climates during our retirement.

We met a delightful couple, Michael and April from Traverse, Michigan. They settled into a campsite next to ours. Michael is a retired, disabled Army Veteran, probably in his mid-forties. They spend the winter months at the Naval Base in Key West, Florida. Military bases, throughout the U.S., provide on-base camping privileges to retired military personnel at reasonable rates. Last winter they camped in Florida in a tent. They decided tent camping was not going to work for them for another winter, so they purchased a fifth-wheel trailer and pickup truck over the summer. They now are very happy campers, in their new home away from home.

We were presented with a wonderful show of nature late this afternoon. Two beautiful rainbows appeared side-by-side, one fainter than the other. Two perfect multicolor arcs, forming a brilliant silhouette against the overcast sky. A perfect ending to the day!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Our Favorites at Big Cypress - 01/03/14

Friday – January 3, 2014
Big Cypress National Preserve
Midway Campground

What a difference a day makes! It was in the eighties here yesterday. Overnight, a cold front from the north hit southern Florida. It is a mostly sunny day, a few clouds scattered around the sky, but the temperature is only in the high fifties. It won’t last long though. It will be up in the eighties again this weekend.

We have met three other campers from Illinois here at the Midway Campground. A retired couple from Metropolis, a retired couple from Rockford and a retired couple that are now living full time in their fifth-wheel trailer. We all agreed we were happy to escape the frigid weather in Illinois this winter.

We met another interesting couple, Jim and Sharon from Grand Haven, Michigan. Jim developed a desire for sailing after having spent four years in the Navy. They now spend most of the year on a 1988, 40-foot, fiberglass hull trawler that they purchased six years ago. They decided to purchase a trawler based on the sea worthiness and fuel economy of these vessels. They return home for the summer months to take care of their medical checkups. When late summer arrives, they return to their trawler to travel the river waterways throughout the central part of the U.S. During the winter months they tour the Florida coastline and visit the Bahamas. Jim enjoys snorkeling and capturing lobster for dinner in these two locations. Ironically, his wife has a fear of water and will not venture into it. My wife, also named Sharon, has the same fear. Go figure! Jim and I agreed this phenomenon must have some link to the name Sharon!

Jim joined Sharon and I on our 5-mile walk this morning. Jim and I were talking so much that it seemed in no time at all we had completed the 5 miles. It was a very enjoyable walk indeed.

We took a drive this afternoon, west of Midway Campground on US-41 to reacquaint ourselves with some of our favorite areas to visit in the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Midway Campground - Milepost 52
This campground provides 26 RV campsites with electrical hookups. Facilities include a restroom with flush toilets, a potable water station and a dump station. Camping fee: $30.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Pass).

The Clyde Butcher Gallery - Milepost 54
This gallery contains breathtaking, black and white photography of the Big Cypress Swamps and Everglades National Park.

The Oasis Visitor Center - Milepost 55
This is the best place to see alligators. The abundance of wildlife and marine food sources, plus the depth of water in the canal, provide the perfect habitat for alligators.

Monument Lake Campground - Milepost 60
This campground has 26 RV campsites with no hookups. Facilities include a restroom with flush toilets and a potable water station. There is no dump station. Campers can use the dump station at Midway Campground. Camping Fee: $28.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Pass).

Kirby Storter Boardwalk - Milepost 63
This elevated boardwalk takes the visitor through prairie, dwarf cypress and into the heart of a cypress strand. Alligators, wading birds and a variety of migrating songbirds can be found here.

The HP Williams Wayside - Milepost 69
This is a very scenic picnic area located alongside of a canal. A boardwalk provides a view of the lush green vegetation flourishing beneath the crystal clear water. This scenic, underwater wonderland provides the perfect habitat for fish, alligators, turtles, snakes and water birds. A dense cypress strand borders one side and with the nicely landscaped picnic area on the other side.

The Big Cypress National Preserve Visitor Center - Milepost 73
This visitor center provides an informative overview of the area with wildlife exhibits and a 15-minute film. A boardwalk behind the visitor center overlooks a beautiful scenic waterway.

Everglades City - South of US-41 on FL-29.
This is a most interesting place to visit. Great seafood, fast-food restaurants are located right on the waterfront.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

 

Big Cypress NP - 01/02/14

Thursday – January 2, 2014
Big Cypress National Preserve
Midway Campground

We departed Long Pine Key Campground in the Everglades National Park at 9:35 a.m. We had spent 14 delightful days here and it was time to move on. It is a beautiful warm sunny day with the temperature in the low eighties.

We stopped at the Dade Corners Pilot Truck Stop (FL-997 and US-41 intersection) to refuel one of our propane tanks, in-route to our destination.

We arrived at the Midway Campground at 11.30 a.m. On December 11, 2013 we had reserved campsite #12 online at www.reserveamerica.gov. As of October 1, 2013 all campgrounds within Big Cypress National Preserve are now on a reservation system. A few campsites at Midway Campground are held each day for First-Come-First-Serve campers (FCFS). The campers are only allowed to spend one night in FCFS campsites, they must then reserve a campsite online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 if they desire to spend multiple days here.

Camping in the Big National Preserve is limited to 10 days from January 1 – April 30 and 14 days from May 1 – December 31. We will spend the full 10 days here on this visit.

Camping Fee: $30.00 per day ($15.00 with Golden Age Pass)

Total miles traveled Thursday: 71

Tomorrow another adventure begins.