QC21-08 On the canal front.

March 3, 2012 (Sat) Lakeland, FL to La Belle, FL 71/95° - 95 degrees. Would you believe it? Well they say a cold front is coming, temperature to drop into the low 80s in these parts. We got off from Ed and Kathy's at about 8:20 just as they were leaving for choir practice. Thanks guys for a great time and the use of your yard. We'll be back (like bad pennies). Mark drove Q over to Lakeland Carefree RV Resort and waited for them to open so he could get propane - we think the tank wasn't completely filled before we started south. Joy took Lamont to Publix for food supplies. We hooked up in the Publix parking lot and started south at about 9:45.

Azaleas are in brilliant bloom and the orange crop harvest is well under way. There were long gondola trucks loaded with oranges passing us going north along US27 as we traveled south, passing orchard after orchard lining  the road for miles. Some of the trees were heavy with fruit and some picked clean. In other orchards we could see ladders up against the trees with men (and probably women too) leaning into the foliage. Every mile or two there were groupings of bee hives (pollinator housing). The scent of orange blossoms filled the air. It was a beautiful drive.

Ortona South Campground is one of our favorites.

March 4, 2012 (Sun) Ortona South CG (2) 62/75° -  It was somewhat clear and 75° when we got up but the skies darkened and the rain came, dropping the temperature during the morning. A small black otter ran across our campsite as we ate breakfast and there were black cattle in the field across the road in front. Doves, mocking birds and starlings wandered around our yard. Wild life at Ortona. The fellow next door was leaning into the crowded back seat of his car when a wall of rain hit. He jumped in and closed the door. His wife was marooned in the rest room. There was a couple camping in their wooden fishing boat set up on a trailer across the way. The wind rocked our motor home making us feel as if we are on a boat ourselves. Life at Ortona.

March 5, 2012 (Mon) Ortona South CG (3) 45/79° -  We've never been here when it's gotten this chilly. 45° mornings are probably not unusual but it's a little disappointing for us - especially after all the wind yesterday. It makes sitting out by the canal a bit unpleasant. It did warm up nicely though. The wind made it feel chilly in the shade but we spent the afternoon on our terrace overlooking the canal anyway. Of the several boats that passed was the Capt. P, a river boat replica complete with rear paddle wheel. It was the largest boat we've ever seen go through the locks. It looked almost too big to fit. We wished we'd had time to go over to the locks to watch it go through.

March 6, 2012 (Tue) Ortona South CG (4) 51/80° -  Moving day - from #36 to #34. The folks in #34 waited till exactly 11:00, the mandatory checkout time, before they pulled out of their site. Which meant that we had to wait in #36 past checkout time. Which meant that the folks waiting to move into #36 had to wait even longer past checkout time. Dominoes! It could have gotten serious if many more had wanted to move.

The Capt P. came back down the canal this afternoon. This time we hoofed it over to the lock, it was closer because of our move, and watched the activity up close. It was interesting to note that the paddle wheel was suspended a foot or so above the water. We concluded that it wasn't being used to power the boat, although it did go around.

March 7, 2012 (Wed) Ortona South CG (5) 59/82° -  There is no room for a motor home, much less one with a car in tow, to park near the La Belle post office. So we went in to pick up our mail this morning in stead of doing it on our way to Big Cypress tomorrow. It wasn't there yet! We also had to do some food shopping so it wasn't a complete waste of time. But we may have to block traffic on the street in front of the post office tomorrow or unhook in a distant parking lot and drive Lamont over like we did last year.

It's going to be good to get away from our neighbors (from NJ no less) - they have been here the whole 5 days we've been here - who play their boombox out side all day whether they are there or not - and sometimes they are gone long periods of time. It's not particularly loud but it's constant and inconsiderate.

Just got back from a gorgeous walk - to the dumpster!!  And the length of the campground, and back.  The moon is full, clouds are drifting across it.  The temperature is perfect, the cattle looked across the fence at the crazy people walking along.  Not too many people out, it was fun to look into the various RVs and see the folks, having dinner, playing games and watching TV.  But the best part was the lovely feel of the evening around us, the stars, clouds and moon over us.  We'll be back!!  What a lovely place!!

Q083607 Ortona South CG #36 &34 w/e $12 A+ (x5)