February 26, 2007 (Mon) Flamingo, FL to Ochopee, FL (118/2378 miles) - Off at 8:30 (74° high clouds and humid) Our phone beeped as we neared the main national park gate which meant that we had picked up a Verizon (or affiliate) cell signal and that we had a voice message. It was good to know that we were back in touch again but a bit worrisome until we learned that all was okay. We stopped in Homestead at our favorite? laundromat and then went on to the Costco in Miami Lakes, FL. Then we began a search in earnest for a WiFi signal - even if we had to pay for it!
McDonalds sometimes provide WiFi service - as do Taco Bells, Starbucks, and others - so as we drove West out of the Miami area we stopped at a McDonalds to ask. They had not a clue to what Mark was talking about (maybe it was language - English vs heavy Spanish accent). There was a Radio Shack right there. Surely they would know and have some suggestions. They didn't! They thought he didn't know what he was talking about and tried to explain (again in heavily accented English) how he needed to have an internet service provider, modems, cables, etc. They couldn't seem to understand that all we needed was a signal. Libraries tend to be in heavily populated areas (without adequate parking for motor homes) and we didn't want to get any further into Miami. But desperation sometimes breeds adventure. We had work that needed a high speed connection - at least faster than a cell phone connection. The West Dade Regional Library turned out to be right around the corner (a mile away). They had a wireless signal and it was free! And a nearby municipal park would accommodate Q's extra length.
We pulled into Midway Campground at about 5:15 and were very surprised to find that there were 2 open sites. Usually you have to get here at 8:00 in the morning and wait for someone to leave. Today hasn't been good for either our nerves or our nutrition (what meals?), this was a treat.
As we came into the camping loop a couple on a tandem bicycle was ahead of us. This was not the typical bicycle "built for two". They sat side by side, one on each side of the two wheel frame. Each had a seat, peddles and handle bars although apparently only one of them was actually steering. Interesting.
February 27, 2007 (Tue) Midway Campground, Big Cypress National Preserve - This campground is the RV resort of the Big Cypress National Preserve. For a whopping $10.00 a night we have an asphalt pad with picnic table and grill, and an 8 foot strip of grass we can call our own. Best of all we have an electrical hookup - so we don't need to worry about the refrigerator going out during the night. In addition we have a huge, football field sized, pool with its own resident alligator. (swimming not allowed!)
It rained heavily last night. So heavy, in fact, that the folks a few spaces up lost their awning from the weight of the water. The sun came out during the morning though, and by noon the temperature was approaching 90°. What a day!
We got to Joy's friend Dorothy's condo at about 10:30 and after a short visit went to Sweet Tomatoes (a soup and salad bar restaurant chain) for lunch. It was quite good - especially the home made soup and bread. After lunch Joy was talked into going to the local quilt shop. On the way there was a horrific thunder storm and downpour. We heard later that there was golf ball sized hail and a tornado that took the roof off a house 3 miles south of where we were. Joy reports that the quilt shop was phenomenal with the fabric selection very much like what she carried in her shop but 5 times as big.
We pulled into the Fort Pierce Walmart at about 5:30, put our feet up and collapsed.
Q036476 Camp Walmart dry
March 1, 2007 (Thu) Fort Pierce, FL to Fort Pierce, FL (61/2558 miles) - It was a relatively quiet night even though the 18 wheelers in the truck parking area ran their motors all night. The biggest problem to sleeping was the uncomfortable warmth and humidity. The overnight low was 71°. We pulled out of the Walmart parking lot at about 8:30 and headed south toward Stuart, FL stopping at a bank, a Publix and a post office on the way. We got to Jack (Mark's high school friend) and Olive's at about 10:30. After some catching up on events in our lives over the last year and some reminiscing we went to an Olive Garden for lunch. Then it was back to the house for more visiting. It was so good to see them again and to renew friendships.
We're back in the same Walmart parking lot we were in last night. This is one of the very few, if not the only, Walmart on Florida's central east Coast where overnight parking is allowed. Local authorities have put a stop to such practices in other places.
Q036537 Camp Walmart dry
The Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Campground is literally out in the middle of no-where. The closest house is about 2 miles away and looks to have been abandoned 25 years ago - there's a tree growing up through it. Its closest neighbor - maybe another mile or so away - seems to be in almost as bad repair. The park itself is 54,000 acres in size pretty much all flat, open prairie with the campground in the middle. There is a 2 mile long washboard dirt road to reach it. We asked about campsite availability. "How many nights?" "6" "None available." "How about if we move around?" "Nope." "Are there any available for tonight?" "Yes. One" "How many nights is it available?" "One." "How about the equestrian area?" This is an area, without hookups, set up for campers with horses. In the times we've been here we've seen only a few camping units (usually tents) in the the 30 some sites. We've never seen any horses. "Oh you can move over there after tonight if you want to." "How long before the there will be sites in the Family area?" "Oh there will be plenty opening up on Sunday that will be available through Friday." So here we are sitting and watching the campground fill up with campers who all seem to know one another. Tomorrow night, when the parties will no doubt be the loudest, we'll be over near the horses.
Q036597 Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park #4 e/w $13.20 B+ (x1)
March 3, 2007 (Sat) Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP - It was another sticky night. The weather forecast for today - in Miami anyway - is for a record breaking 89°! After breakfast we walked over to the equestrian area (a half mile down the road) to pick out a site for tonight. We were surprised to find 2 fifth-wheel trailers and a couple of tenting units - and one horse in the coral. When we went to the office to register we learned that there had been a cancellation in the family area and site #1 was available for the rest of the time we'd be here. We took it. While we were in the office the sky got dark and the temperature dropped 10°. Amazing! It's been almost chilly all day - where is that record breaking high? It was warm in the sun though - when it chose to come out from behind the clouds.
Q036597 Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park #1 e/w $13.20 B+
0 comments:
Post a Comment