Mississippi, Alabama and Florida

 We came into Florida and found some sunshine.  We decided to drive down US 98 along the intercoastal highway.  Most of the highway is along the Gulf and we enjoyed seeing the water.  There are several long and high bridges on that route.  We didn't expect to make very good time.  It is a good highway.  I took some pictures while we drove.  Denny said the sand looked like snow.

We stayed the first night in Mexico Beach.  We had a pull through site.  The park is along the highway and across the highway is the Gulf.  It could have been a great place to stay with good weather but we had rain all evening and the next day.  Denny kept saying, "Have I told you how much I love Florida?"  He thinks it rains all the time in Florida.  It seems he may be right.

Mexico Beach seems to be one of the few profitable towns along the intercoastal.  So many of the towns are dirty and have a lot of homes abandoned or dirty.  So much mold on buildings too.  But the Gulf is beautiful and it was fun seeing the surf in the rain.  I tried to get a few pictures, most were taken as we were driving because of the rain. 

We decided to stop for lunch but were having some problems finding a place we could pull the rig into.  We spotted a KFC with a shopping mall parking lot next door.  That works.  But we had to dirve through water to get into the parking lot and the area closest to the restaurant was full of water too so we had to walk a bit farther than expected.  Not bad, but when will the rain stop?

We began looking for signs for an RV park around 3 pm and we spotted a sign saying to turn left.  We drove a long way but didn't find anything.  I found the next road would get us back to US 98 so we turned right and found an RV park a short distance down that road.  We stopped to stay for the night.  Poor Denny had to set up in the rain.  It wasn't a downpour at this time but we were hoping we could drive out of it before we stopped.  It is a nice park but we lost our electricity for a couple of hours.  I put dinner on the gas stove and we ate.  Denny wanted to relax and watch TV so he started the generator.  It stopped twice.  Finally I said, lets just read for a while.  The electricity came back on in the park and we were saved.  The rain had stopped by morning but the ground was pretty soft when we were tearing down to leave.  I was glad Denny hadn't take the rig off the truck.

We are near Dad's place now.  He has a new girlfriend, Juanita, at age 82.   We are enjoying them and Dad is happy we are here.  He is very active for his age and works one day a week at the Lion's Club Thrift Shop.  He has been an active Lion for all the years he has been coming to Florida (since 1993).   He is never at his own place now though.  He spends most of his afternoons and evenings with Juanita.  She cooks for him and won't let him take her out to dinner.  She lives here year round and he has taken places she has never been.  He loves to go and she is willing to go anywhere he wants.  They are the same age and both in good health.

We called Dad and told him we were taking them out to lunch and we wanted to go to the Edison and Ford Estates in Fort Myers.  He was excited, got dressed and headed to Juanita's to meet us and begin our day.

The Edison and Ford Estates are on the Calooshahatchie River.  What an interesting place.  The banyon tree the estate is famous for is quite a sight.  The tree is estimated to take up an acre of ground.  The tree was 4 years old when it was planted in 1925.  They have had to trim the tree so that it doesn't invade the buildings on the property.  It is amazing.  All the contents of Edison's home are original to the home.  The homes ar beautifully restored and well worth a visit.

We found the perfect tow vehicle for us.  Of course, the cost is a bit steep.  We will be looking for a used one and hope to find one within the next few years.  We are not in a hurry but know that we will have to purchase one to do everything we hope to do in this lifestyle.

We are staying at Gulf Coast RV Park in Bonita Springs, FL.  It is an older "over 55" extended stay park.  They are a bit pricey if you make your reservations late.  Dad and his wife stayed here several years after first coming to Florida.  His park model is still here but owned by someone else.  The park has narrow roads and the rigs and park modesl are very close to the road so it was a bit tricky getting into our site.  I was so happy that several of the residents came to help us park when we arrived.  It was much easier to get into the site with their help.

We stopped at the office upon our arrival, they told us what site we were on and to go set up and come back after that to give them our home address.  The gal told us we could come back on Monday to pay for our stay.  Similar to our stay at the flea market in Mississippi.  We were there several days before anyone was in the office to take our money.

The weather has been the warmest we have had.  It is sunny each day but cool at night.  Denny hasn't been disappointed with the rain though.  Florida is not his favorite place and he expects rain every day.  We haven't had rain every day but close to it which hasn't improved his love for the state.  Florida reminds him of California and he wasn't happy living there as a young man.

We will be here 6 weeks before heading to South Carolina for James and Stacy's wedding.  Dad will be coming with us and we will have a good time.