On To Harbor Lakes CG near Port Charlotte!

Ken and I were up by 7:15 and did alittle more preparation for leaving Peace River.  We took a short walk through the CG and then headed to the Pickleball Court at 9.  We had 7 players today, so we had to take turns sitting out.  We have really enjoyed playing with this group of people at this CG - great players and so supportive of each other. 

We said our good-byes and were back to Waldo by 10:30 to shower, retract the jacks, pull in the slides and be on our way by 11.  It was about a 1 1/4 hour drive southwest to Harbor Lakes CG.   We have visited friends at this CG last year, but have never stayed here.  It is an impressive Encore Park with many great amenities and everything is in tip top condition!  The 6 shuffleboard courts and equipment is the best we have seen in any CG and 1 of the 2 pickleball courts was just put in last year.  They also have a tennis court, large swimming pool with hot tub, and the widest roads we have seen in a CG.  We are really looking forward to our stay here.

Here we are!

Nice sites with a cement patio for our picnic table!

These shuffleboard courts are so fast and the
equipment is top notch!

Not sure why the roads in the CG are so wide, but
it makes pulling in and out so easy!

Beautiful large pool area with hot tub!

After getting set-up, we took a walk around the CG ending up at the shuffleboard courts for 2 exciting games!  (Exciting for me for I won both of them!!!)  We decided it was a good night to go out to dinner, since we hadn't eaten out at all while at Peace River.  The lady in the office suggested we try Portafinos, a restaurant near Port Charlotte where you can sit outside on the second floor and enjoy a great view of the Peace River.  We were fortunate to get their about 10 minutes before sunset and what a gorgeous one it was!  We enjoyed eating  there and had some nice conversations with some of the locals, who found our lifestyle exciting.  The bonus was the great Caribbean type view!

Sunset on the Peace River!

Love the shadows on the water and
the fishing pier!

The sky color was incredible and the silloutte of
the sailboat wasn't "shabby" either!

From the upper deck of Portafinos!

Looks like you are in the islands!

We were back to Waldo by 7:30 and had a relaxing evening watching TV, reading, and working on our computers.

Life is good and we continue to celebrate it!!!!

More Pickleball Playing!

Ken and I both had rather restless nights - my feet were itching and Ken's medicine still not letting him sleep well!  But, we were up by 7:30 because Ken had an 8:15 bloodwork appointment at a local Quest Lab.  It is a check on the Plavix he is taking for his heart stent.  While he was there I got breakfast ready and got ready to play pickleball.  He was back by 8:40, we ate breakfast, and headed to the pickleball courts.  There were 9 of us there to play and we had such a good time.  Some of this gentlemen have been playing for many years, and even though most of them are older than Ken and I, they are great players.  We are learning a lot from them.

From there we headed to the laundry.  I wanted to get it done before heading to Harbor Lakes near Port Charlotte tomorrow.  We did decide to hang around to play pickleball at 9, then shower and be on our way.  After finishing the wash, we went to Wal-Mart for some necessary groceries.  Following lunch, I headed to the CG pool and Ken did some reading and napping.  He joined me at the pool and both of us had a good time talking with some fellow campers.  You meet the nicest people!

When we got back to Waldo, Ken emptied our tanks, disconnected the water, and put the bikes on the back of the CRV.  I spent time vaccuming and washing up the floors.  Sometimes you just have to do "chores"!  We enjoyed sitting outside chatting and then made dinner.  It certainly has been a relaxing  time here at Peace River CG.  We spent the evening watching TV, working on our computers, and I made some jewelry. 

Another Beautiful Weather Day in Florida!

Last night was another "itchy" night for me.  It can just about drive you crazy.  Took quite awhile to fall asleep, but then I did fairly well.  Ken had a restless night, probably due to the prednisone he is taking for 5 days. 

After making omelettes for breakfast we headed to the pickleball courts.  We were told that people would be meeting there around 9 to play.  8 of us played for about 2 hours, switching partners every game.  Playing with people who have been pickleball players for a long time is definitely a way to improve your game.  We have a way to go to be strong players, but we were able to hold our own fairly well.  But, there is definite room for improvement and lots of it!

We planned to do some laundry, but the CG ran out of propane for the dryers and they won't get any until after 4 today.  So we were back to Waldo a little after 11 and I started working on my blog.  Ken did some reading outside.  It was near 80 with plenty of sunshine!

Jamie called and I had a great time talking to her.  She and Dane are leaving tomorrow evening for 6 days in the Bahamas with their neighbors and good friends, Matt and Nicole.  The 4 of them will have a wonderful time!

After lunch, Ken and I took a walk around the CG.  After showers, Ken decided to make some phone calls, work on his computer, and then take a nap.  I did something I haven't done since coming to Florida - I went shopping to Bealls Outlet and Dollar Tree.  Exciting, huh!!!!

Got back around 5 and we enjoyed sitting outside chatting and then talking to a neighboring camper.  We had a "easy" dinner of leftovers with salad and then spent the evening watching The Voice while Ken was on his computer and I made some jewelry.

It was a fairly low key day!  Can't believe we only have 1 more full day at Peace River.  Then it is on to Harbor Lakes near Port Charlotte for 1 week before heading back to Cold PA!

Our First Full Day At Peace River!

I really had a tough night of trying to sleep.  The fire ant bites I got were sooooo itchy and kept me awake.  Nothing seemed to help.  Those little pesty critters can certainly cause havoc!!!

Can't believe that such little bites can cause so much itching!

Ken was up by 6:30 and did a lot of reading.  I finally got out of bed around 8:45.  We made a cooked breakfast and then decided to head to the Pickleball Courts to do some practice hitting.  After volleying back and forth for about 30 minutes a couple on a site near the courts asked if we wanted to play some games - YES!  So we played about 3 or 4 games, switching partners after each one.  They stretched Ken and my playing abilities, which was very good.  We had a lot of fun.  Met 2 gentleman that we played pickleball with before on our previous camping trips - Travis from Hershey Preserve and Art from Moody Beach CG.  It is a small world!

This is a fairly nice CG with nice amenities, but there is very little to do in the area.  It is located along the Peace River, but I am not willing to do much walking near that area, since they have signed posted to watch out for snakes.  I am not a fan of those creatures!

You don't have to tell me a 2nd time!  I will stay away!

Peace River looks beautiful except for those snakes.
Did I tell you I hate snakes????

A view down one of the roads in the campground!
The trees and Spanish moss are beautiful!

  
We only got back to Waldo around 1:45 and made lunch.  I did some reading outside, and then we both decided to take about an hour rest/nap.  Ken showered and then went to Winn Dixie to get some salad.  I showered and started dinner while he was gone.  After dinner, we watched TV and Ken recorded all of our camping nights for 2014.  Counting next week, we will have slept in Waldo 168 nights!  Wow, almost half of the year.   We certainly enjoy this lifestyle!

We did some organizing in Waldo and amazingly, we found the hair clipper that has been missing!  Ken had decided to get a haircut tomorrow, since we hadn't been able to find them and figured we left them at home.  So, I gave hime a much needed haircut.  We watched The Voice and I organized the photos on my computer and made some jewelry. 

My feet were still so itchy, but hopefully that will soon get better.  Fortunately Ken has no future problems from his incest bite/sting.  The hives are gone and no more itching for him!  We are thankful!

A Sad Day!

Ken and I woke to our 7:00 alarm.  We wanted to get ready and then be outside when Chuck and Melissa were leaving.  They are going to Georgia to spend time with their daughters and their families before heading back to Nashville on Sunday.  (Melissa has jury duty on Monday!)  By 7:45 they were hitching up their CRV, so we went outside to say our final goodbyes.  Not much talking, but plenty of emotions!  By 7:55 they were on the way and we had already discussed seeing each other in Jan or Feb - it made us feel better!

Time to say our good-byes!

And off they go ....safe travels and continue
going somewhere while celebrating life daily!

By 9 Ken and I started our drive to Peace River CG Resort near Wauchula, FL about a 1 1/2 hour drive.  All went well and we were there by 11, after stopping for gas.  We were allowed to pick our campsite, and since we had never been to this CG, we weren't sure where we wanted to be.  The 1st site we picked was rather sandy, and after several attempts to get positioned properly, the sand became a problem - ruts!  On to another site.  That one had a thick cement patio, but not enough room for the slides and the steps to come out properly.  So, back in the CRV to look for site number 3 - and bingo, we found a good one, except for the ant hill I tramped on and the ants let me know they didn't appreciate my presence!!!!  We got set up and by then it was time for lunch!  Ken took a short nap while I worked on e-mails, my blog, and downloading photos. 

After Ken got up, he did some work on his computer - paying bills, etc.  Then he went outside to do more set-up.  When he came inside, he said he thought he was either stung or bitten by an insect.  We decided to take a walk around the CG.  As we walked, he kept itching the palms of his hands.  Then he said his body was starting to itch.  When we got back to Waldo he decided to get a shower, but when he started to undress, he had a rash around his waist, a few welts on his neck, and a bad rash in the groin area.  We decided to head to a drug store to get some Benedryl.  But, as we drove, the itching got worse and he kept coughing.  There was a small hospital very close to the CG, so we decided to head to the Emergency Room.  Long story short, they saw him quickly and gave him two injections and some benedryl.  We had to stay about an hour to see how he responded to the medicine.  All went well and we were out of there by 7.  Then onto CVS to fill some prescriptions.  The nurse said the rash usually lasts about 3 to 4 days, but by the time we returned to the CG it was almost gone!  Amazing.  We are just thankful he received care so quickly!  Still not sure what did this to him, but the nurse said they see almost 1 person per day with a reaction to bug bites.  Then she said, "Welcome to Florida.  We have different bugs here than you have in the North and this is what can happen!"

We heated up chicken and quinoa for supper, talked to Melissa and Chuck and asked them how soon we were getting together to play cards.  She said if they leave now they can be here in about 6 hours.  I will have breakfast waiting!  Maybe Ken's whole reaction was part of the Melissa/Chuck withdrawal syndrome!  We watched The Voice for the 1st time in a month.  A good night to just relax and regroup!

Last Full Day at Royal Coachman!

Well, already the sadness has started to hit!  The four of us will be leaving here tomorrow and heading our separate ways.  This month together has flown by and all of us will like it to continue.  We have had so much fun!

We were up by 8 and got ready to go to the 10:30 service at Suncoast Church.  This will be our 3rd week in a row going to this special church and all of us have found it to be inspiring. 

After taking a "vote", we drove to Sweet Tomato in Sarasota for another delicious lunch that includes a huge salad bar, fresh made soups and breads, pizza and pasta, and then ice cream.  What more could you want?????  We relaxed, chatted, and only left there around 2.  On to Costco for a few items, including some delicious sangria, and then we ended this "road trip" with a stop at Wal-Mart.

We changed quickly when we got back to the CG and headed to guess where???  the pickleball courts.  We had showers overnight and some light rain this morning, but by now it had cleared and the sun started to appear.  So, pickleball it was!!!!!!  All of us are having a few aches and pains, each day a different one, but today was the worst for Melissa.  It appears that her siatica was the problem.  But, the trooper that she is, just wouldn't stop playing!  I guess pickleball is in all of our blood!!!  So, she hobbled along, but did a great job!  Not being able to move quickly proved to be a help for  all of our short net game.  We definitely had some good volleys at the net!  It was perfect weather for playing - around 70 with no wind!

Back to the CG around 5:45 and we all spent time getting things ready for tomorrow's departure - boo hoo!!!  Seems like it takes more time than you think to get all the prep work done!  Ken and I had some Costco chicken for dinner with quinoa.  Chuck and Melissa joined us for our last night of games and cards.  Of course, we had to finish that bag of kettle popcorn Melissa had bought at the Farmer's Market.  She shared a dish with Ken and learned quickly that you need to grab while the grabbin's good.  Ken can "wolf" popcorn down the hatch faster than anyone I have ever seen.  She learned his technique as a matter of popcorn survival, or she would have just been looking at an empty bowl!  The women won the Skip-Bo game, the men won Pinochle and Spades, and then women were victorious in the last game - 5 Crowns.  The next time we will playing these games together will probably be in Feb. or March - how sad!  We called it a night around 11.

Popcorn munching time!!!

We have certainly been Celebrating Life Daily with Chuck and Melissa!

Spent Time Checking Out Venice!

I was up by 7 and Ken by 7:30.  After breakfast, the 4 of us drove to guess where???? - the pickleball courts.  We decided to try something different this morning - NOT!  It was the perfect morning to play with temperatures in the low 70's and very little wind.  We had some really good volleys in many of the games.  We played another 7 or 8 games before leaving around 10:45.  We drove to downtown Venice to walk through the Farmers Market and then of course, we had to have another scone.  Ken and I think the raspberry with the added Devenshire Cream is the best! 

The Pickleball Foursome!

The downtown Venice Farmers Market that is
held every Saturday!

One taste of the Kettle Corn and it was a "must have"
for Melissa!

Downtown Venice!

Homemade scone time at The Upper Crust!
They just don't get any better!

The Devenshire Cream makes the scones even better!
I didn't think that was possible, but Melissa said the
more cream the better!

After leaving there we drove south of Venice to the local park area that was just built about 2 years ago.  It is right beside Sharkey's, a famous eating place on the Gulf with a fishing pier that is open to the public.  Sharky's was in the midst of a major building project last winter and it is now completed.  It includes a second floor restaurant, beautiful fountain, and a covered area where you can wait to be seated.  These eateries are always so busy because of the exception view and all the outside eating areas.

Water flows freely down this "board"
and there are knobs you can turn to make the
sharks move!

A view of the fishing pier from the 2nd floor of Sharkey's!
What a setting!

The photo of the beach below the fishing pier!

;

Looking back at Sharky's from the fishing pier!

A close-up of a snowy egret!

From the very end of the pier!

The same snowy egret with a tasty morsel - a shrimp!

Enjoying our time in the great outdoors of Florida!

The park was busy today because tomorrow there is a Olympic Triathlon and the participants will swim in the Gulf, bike, and then run.  Lots of the folks were warming up by swimming and doing some biking.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate, for it started raining later this afternoon and is supposed to continue until tomorrow morning.

All set-up in the park for tomorrow triathlon!

Swimmers in the Gulf warming up for tomorrow race!

An Anhinga!

A woodstork!  No real attractive!

This is the finish line for tomorrow's race!

We returned to the CG at 1:15, ate lunch, and then started to do some prep work for leaving on Monday.  We put the outdoor rugs away and tablecovers away, packed up the grill, and dumped our black tank.  I did some prep work inside too.  At 2:45 we headed to the Putt Putt Golf Course ( that's what people from Tennessee call it, while us PA folks call it miniature golf!).  It started to rain when we got to the last hole.  So, we hurried back to our motorhomes to shower, relax, eat dinner, and then get together around 7:15 for game playing!  I hope this fun never ends!!!!

Putt Putt Golf at the Campground.  What for name
is that??????  It's a Southern term!!!!