Orlando Again!

After leaving the Keys on Saturday, we headed back to Orlando!

We stopped in Koreshan State Park in Ft. Myers for the night.  Very interesting park, that was originally a Koreshanity Community, started by Cyrus Teed to build the New Jerusalem.  The Koreshan believed that the universe existed inside a giant hollow sphere.  The final four remaining members deeded the property to the state in 1961.  Most of the original buildings they used are still standing, Trey and I toured the compound after they were closed for the night.  Gave us a very weird feeling walking among them reading all the beliefs of this very strange community.  The park and the compound are on the Estero River, which we of course took advantage of in our Kayak

 Kayaking on the Estero River.

 This little guy was just sitting on someone's dock, the first time we went by he went into the water, the second he stayed to have his picture taken.

 This was the bridge over to the Koreshan Compound.  We don't have any pictures of the buildings because unfortunately is was getting to dark.

 This very unusual tree is called a Monkey Puzzle Tree, it looks similar to a pine, but the leaves are very sharp even when they are green.  It didn't have any cones on this tree, but there was a picture of one that a lady was holding that showed that it was somewhere around 3' tall.

This beautiful hawk decided to visit us as we were walking through the compound.

We made it to Orlando on Sunday:

This was unfortunately just a quick stop to see a few people we didn't get to see before we left the first time, most importantly my brother Shaun.  Our first stop was at Gators in Clermont to see our dear friends Bubba & Christy (of course I forgot to take pics again), had a wonderful time as always.  Next stop was at our private campsite Camp Pine Timber (Trey's Dad), took him to his favorite place for dinner, Carraba's.  Thanks Lou for allowing us to keep our trailer in your back yard and most importantly for all the wonderful places you recommended for us to see on our travels.

Monday brought a day of errands to work out a few kinks we were having with the trailer brakes.  Nothing interesting there for sure.  Met Christina, Cara, Nate & Shaun for dinner at the Mellow Mushrooom.  Seems to be one of our favorite places to meet up.  Trey, Nate, & Shaun enjoyed several pitchers of beer while the girls & I caught up on what is going on in there lives.

 Christina, Me, & Cara

 Nate, Christina, Me, Cara, Trey & Shaun

Cara, Shaun & Christina

Sebring, Miami & the Keys

After leaving Sebastian, we stopped in Sebring for a night and tried out the new Kayak on Lake Jackson.  We actually stayed in a hotel vs the camper, since we had a groupon that needed to be used.  Guess what........we were in the only hotel with a craft beer bar in the area go figure!  The beer Gods are always looking out for us aren't they?!

From there we journeyed south to Miami.  Stopped in Miami for two nights at a nice campsite near the everglades. The campsite Mascot "Kitty" greeted us upon our arrival and stayed at our campsite until the day we left, funny how cats can read the invisible "Sucker" sign on my forehead.  Monday afternoon, we had lunch with my Uncle John & Aunt Lourdes at a nice restuarant on US1 called Kris' as always an extreme pleasure to spend time with them.  After lunch we visited Key Biscayne and hiked a small trail through they state park.  Saw a few iguanas and had a beer on the docks. 

We left Miami on Tuesday and headed to the Keys.  Had a nice trip across the 7 mile bridge and stopped at our campsite on Stock Island.  Played it completely safe the whole time we were in the keys and taxied our way around town.  Had a blast the first night hitting a few bars on Duvall Street and watched the sunset at Mallory Square.  On day two we took The Yankee II out to the Dry Tortugas.  Had a nice ride out, did a wonderful tour of Fort Jefferson.  On the way out to the island, we saw sea turtles and flying fish (a first for me).  Trey convinced me that I needed to try snorkeling.  I wasn't real keen on it, due to a small claustrophobia I have, but I'm always telling my girls to try new things so what the hell.  Surprise, surprise I loved it and wanted to  nothing else the whole time we were on the island.  On the ferry ride back to Key West they held a raffle...guess who won!  I won a t-shirt!

Day Three took us to our campsite on Long Key headed North back to the mainland.  Nice state park with all campsites on the water.  Took the kayak out the first night and again the next morning.  Saw sea turtles, lots of wading birds, and snagged a nice sponge that had washed ashore.  Did a little hike on the Yellow Orb Trail (named for the Yellow Orb spiders).

We also had dinner with my cousin Shannon, her husband Jason & daugher Bayley, what a beautiful family.  Hadn't seen Shannon in over 30 years and it was like we had known each other forever.  Family is a wonderful gift we should all cherish.

Love and miss everyone!  Hope you are enjoying our adventure as much as we are.

Pictures from Sebastian Inlet

Just a little update

Good Morning everyone,  sorry we haven't had much to post the last few days.  The Sebastian inlet trip was relaxing, but not much fishing due to the horrible no-see-um problem. Sunrises were gorgeous, will post pictures when we are near wi-fi again. Our camping neighbors, Charles, Hillary, Riley & their dog Soto were awesome, spent some time sharing good beer (surprising I know) at their campsite on Wednesday night.

 We have arrived back in Orlando for 24 hours, had to send Porter out to Portland ahead of us he wasn't adapting very well to the constant change every few days.  Thought it would be best to have Jeni take care of him for a few months and get him settled into his new home.  Hoping he is enjoying his very fist plane flight, miss the puppy already!

Going to purchase our kayak while in town today, so be on the lookout for some interesting pictures.  Our next stop will be in Sebring for tonight & tomorrow then on to Miami & the Keys.

First campsite on our adventure

We have settled into Sebastian Inlet for the next few days. The no-see-ums have been eating us alive, but enjoying the lovely weather. Looking forward to some early morning fishing.