January 16, 2004 (Fri) - We got up, ate breakfast, took our last "roomy" showers for a while (The Everglades has shower facilities but no hot water) and reluctantly pulled out of Ed and Kathy's yard. They are such gracious hosts and made staying with them such a pleasure. They don't know that they run the risk of our considering their yard a future Winter home.
Joy's uncle David had suggested a route to the Edgewater that would keep us off I-4, with its congestion through Orlando, and the Bee Line Expressway, with its heavy tolls. From Lakeland we went North on SR 33 to SR 19 to Eustis then West on US44. It was a good route and quite scenic. All in all very enjoyable until we got behind an group of senior citizens on motorcycles strung out in a long single file, who insisted on going at just under the speed limit. The road didn't encourage passing.
"The Voice" guided us flawlessly to David and Diana's house once we hit US1. It was good to see them again. What a beautiful spot overlooking the Atlantic Inland Waterway (across the road)! The houses are small, beautiful and well spread out. Peaceful. We had a wonderful visit and a delicious dinner.
Q056960 Edgewater, FL - David and Diana's driveway
January 17, 2004 (Sat) - It was 54 degrees this morning when we got off just before 7:00 to head North toward the bridge over the waterway to New Smyrna Beach and Canaveral National Seashore. Edgewater certainly is a wonderful place to live especially along Riverside Drive. Many of the houses are small reconditioned "Florida" houses. All but a very few are well maintained. The lawns and parks are immaculate and beautiful. A walking trail, concrete, parallels the road on one side or the other. Walking here would be a relaxing, peaceful exercise.
The National Seashore was a beautiful ride too, but in a different way. We could not see the Atlantic Ocean for most of the 7 mile ride but we could sense it on the other side of the lush green covered dunes. Parking Lot #5 is at the end of the Park and, it is said, where nudists come to park for their romp on non-park beaches beyond the park boundary. Although we spend quite a while there, eating breakfast and catching up on email - to say nothing about absorbing the ocean side atmosphere out Q's windows - but we saw no interesting human activity. It was quite misty and we could see rain falling from dark clouds both over the Atlantic in front and Mosquito Lagoon to the rear. All we got were a few sprinkles.
We had lunch in a rest area off I-95 near Palm Bay. While there Mark made campground reservations for tonight and tried, without success to reach the National Park campground in Flamingo, FL to make reservations for Sunday and beyond. (We learned later that he was calling the wrong number!)
We've become used to seeing Hummers (H2s) in wild brilliant colors, but today we saw a bright orange Cadilac Escalade. Wow!!!
This is a pack-um-in campground but relatively neat and clean. We were here last year. We'll be out of cell phone range (no email or phoning) in the Everglades. It's just as well because our cell phone usage is becoming astronomical.
Q057162 (202 mi) Okeechobee, FL - Zachary Taylor Camping Resort #209 w/e/s
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