Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

Our last hurrah was being treated to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack; new here in Orlando.  Dinner was on Dave and Carol and Sonny were a lot of fun as usual.  Carol and Dave shared a few lobsters and the rest of us tried some of their other fare.  Very good all the way around.. leaving town in the morning and really beginning trip north.  This has been a great winter but it's time to get moving. Sorry to say good-bye at pickle ball today but maybe some folks will find their way to the west coast in next few years. Hope so..

What can we say, it's free and a nice gesture by the park of their way to say good-bye to the winter crowd.  Not very well oragnized is an understatement but the workers have really put in a lot of time and effort soooo... we were in the right place at the right time and managed to be 1st in line so we were in and out of there and let me add;  there were a LOT of folks there.  You know how it is; when free food everyone comes out and this park has over 700 sites and it's full! Both pools were full of people besides all the folks milling around.  It's been a great season and we are going to miss it but like everyone else we are all going our separate ways shortly.

We are back in Clermont and it's such a pretty time of year.  So different from Peace River but pretty just the same... These bald cypress trees are all green and although the grass is starting to brown up the trees are all in their new spring dress! We have been disappointed to  not have any birds to the feeder BUT we have a Swallow tailed kite!  Oh what a thrill!  Funny but this is the 1st time I have ever seen one that wasn't in a book.. ha!     Not sure what he is living off here in this park but just love seeing it soar around the sky!

St Patrick's day fell on our last day at Peace River TTN; so joined Garth and Rosemary from P E I for a St Patty's celebration at the lodge. They had a potluck and magician.. oh my goodness we had so much fun!  The magician was pretty darn good BUT before he got started they had door prizes and what do you suppose people mainly  won... .50 squirt guns.  These old folks filled those babies up and just like naughty children shot each other during the show.. it was so funny... Garth may look sweet and innocent but let me tell you.. this guy has the best laugh and we had great time!  So fun meeting these folks and getting to know them better.  It has been a wonderful winter and we've met some really great folks!

Back at Peace River TTN and a fun gathering hosted by Travis.  Wow!  What a gathering.  Not sure how many people were there but this guy is not only good on pickle ball court; he knows how to really cook!  Had a beautiful ham with so many side dishes that were all delicious... or at least as many as I could fit in. ha!  A fun evening and so many great folks!

After traveling both coastlines in this wonderful country of ours and the gulf; we have decided Florida has the nicest beaches!  We loved the beaches in Mississippi and there is no question that both the Pacific and Atlantic have some nice beaches and gorgeous coastlines!  No doubt about it.. but when it comes to soft white sand and the colors... oh my goodness.. the gulf beaches of Florida are something else!!  Took a ride over to Bradenton to visit with cousin Bruce and his wife Kathy.  We had a great time - we always have a great time with them.  Super people and what an ordeal has has been thru battling pancreatic cancer; strokes and whatever else but he's still working and has a good attitude.  Took the time to visit these beaches and wow!!!  Just loved it all!! I think it's going to be hard to leave this state this year!! ha!!  Enjoying what we can while we can to be sure.. no telling when/if we'll be back!!

There are 3 sections of the Everglades National Park - the main area where we camped at Long Pine Key; Big Cypress Swamp (that is not really a swamp) and Shark Valley - an accessible area also off Hwy 41.  Shark Valley does not allow any camping however they do offer tram rides from an outside vendor within the park for the 15 mile loop ride with a stop at a lookout tower. Years ago the tower was used for spotting wild fires but now the parks no longer rely on that process since they do prescribed burns.  We love Shark Valley for all the wildlife so visiable.. This trip we found a nest of baby anhings just as cute as they could be... Mama was nearby but rarely can you get this close to these cuddly looking little birds - ha!  We did see Wally gator and all his relations and many with new babies as well - ha!  Not as many turtles as in the past.  This year we did take the tram ride and enjoyed it very much but were right on the cusp of missing the wildlife since this has been such a wa