Rushed home on Sunday, even changed our flights to ensure we’d be ready for the big game.  Well, at least we were prepared!  Then there was the snow.  Ugh…welcome home!

So, last we posted, we were on our way to Mount Dora, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando.  We were meeting Micky and Jim, who had been shopping the past two days for antiques / unique items at this massive event.  But before that, there was…

Blue Spring State Park

We also said we’d swim (hmmm) with the Manatee’s at Blue Spring State Park, but when we arrived on Saturday, the line was hours long and backed up on the highway.

So, we chose to beat cheeks to Mount Dora instead

Mount Dora

3 times a year, this area hosts the Antiques and Collector’s Extravaganza at Renninger’s in Mount Dora, FL – over 800 exhibitors spread over 117 acres of scenic, rolling land.

Spent about 3 hours fascinated by the size and scope of this event.  And, that there was virtually nothing we would want!

Now, there were really cool items, but you really need to know what you’re doing at a place like this, so you aren’t buying knockoff antiques, signs, etc.  It’s gotten so sophisticated that even seasoned pros have difficulty distinguishing some of the items.

But of course, the dogs in strollers were out.

Florida offers 114 license plate options.

We were constantly seeing different and unique license plates in Florida.  Thinking that without state income taxes, you can pay to support your favorite charity / cause by buying a license plate.  Charitable, Environmental, Military, Arts, Sports, Collegiate…you can even buy a ‘Share The Road’ bicycle advocate license plate for your RV!

Where to next?

Our bus is comfortably settled in at the Adult Toy Storage in Orlando until our next journey.

Since I have biz in Orlando in early February, Linda will fly down and we’ll get in another short trip – hopefully in a warmer setting and within 150 to 200 miles of Orlando.

Let us know your thoughts of a favorite place within this distance.  The other option would be to simply hang out at some trailer park and do Disney and the other parks.

The last time we went to Disney in Orlando was 25+ years ago.  We stayed in an RV park over the 4^th of July holiday and had The. Worst. Family. Vacation. Ever!  Hot, humid, rain, more humidity, more rain – repeat daily for a week.  And then a total sense of panic trying not to get crushed or separated when we tried to leave Disney around 10 PM on July 4^th with our family of 7 (Cathy was one of our kids back then).

Can’t wait to go back!

 

 

 

Just to set the record straight, today the Twin Cities and St Augustine have the same temperatures this morning around 8:00 AM.

Can you spot my bus hiding in the bushes in Naples?

When I last posted, I was getting ready to start work for a client in Naples, a production we’ve done the past 5 years.  Upon arrival with the crew, we had our annual quick lunch by the beach to celebrate being in a warm climate.  This is a regular occurrence on this project, as it will be the only time outdoors for the next 6 days!  So, it’s about 3:30 PM and this woman walks over and just stands at our table.

She says she’s trying to get a better view of the sunset.  Ahhhh – the sunset is in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

So, she just stays and begins to tell us her life story.

Parked in front of the hotel, my bus keeps good company with the Porsche’s, Ferrari’s, Bentley’s and Lamborghini’s.  Actually, the bus draws more of a crowd each day and it’s the doormen’s favorite.

Linda finally arrives!

At the end of the project I head north to pick up Linda at the Orlando airport and finally off to St Augustine for the week.  We won’t get any pity points from our friends up north by telling you the temps were going to be between 30 and 50 degrees for the week.

We’re staying at the North Beach campground, just north of St Augustine and between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tolomato River.

Sweet campground!  Probably nicer if we could shed a layer or two.  The recent storms in January have wiped out the access to the Atlantic beaches, so we are basically unable to walk along them.  Plus, the winds have been so strong and the temps hovering around 40 degrees, it is simply too uncomfortable to be out there.

First evening, we got together with our friends Micky and Jim, who have wintered here for about 15 years.

Dine at a very cute Italian restaurant complete with a small dog who hangs with me for most of the evening.

A clean campsite is a happy campsite.

Do these folks have plastic covers on their furniture?

Micky and Jim love flea markets.  So, of course, we obliged them.  You can get anything here, including guns and confederate flags 😦  And, probably fleas.

St Augustine is a wonderful city.  Oldest city in the US with a rich history.  Great architecture, dining, museums, everything you’d want in a get-away spot.  If you come, take the green trolley line around the city to get the big-picture background.  Don’t miss the chocolate factory tour (you’ll leave buzzed!).

Linda really wanted to see the Alligator Farm – no, it’s not a bunch of hicks wrestling gators.

Very well done, but so cold most were quite dormant, and they cancelled the feeding, which was going to be the highlight – dang!

Great sunrises over the Atlantic and sunsets over the river.

Breakfast in the bus

Linda and Micky hanging with the birds.

Heading to Mount Dora tomorrow, a cute little town on the way to Orlando.  It’s known for its antique shops and lovely downtown.  We’ll connect with Micky and Jim again as they purchase antiques there each year to bring back for their business in Stillwater.

Along the way, we’ll stop and see the manatees in the Blue Spring State Park in Orange City.

Flying out of Orlando on Sunday after we store the Westy in the Adult Toy Storage (yes, real name).  With a number of productions in Orlando this spring, we thought we’d leave it here and do some more side trips in hopes of finally wearing shorts and a t-shirt!

Back at you after we swim with the manatees 🙂

Time to get caught up…

Laundry in St Augustine

For those who love order, especially when doing laundry.  Is it me or does this seem weird?!  Check the last photo, the sign above the door, which most people probably miss!

Travel from St Augustine to Orlando

Needed to be in Orlando for a site visit with a client at 1:00 PM on Thursday.  Well Thursday morning was finally dry and sunny and a perfect way to get out of St Augustine.  Hopefully when Linda and I get back up there on the 13^th, it will be warmer and a bit dryer since we are camping.

Successful meetings in Orlando and a dinner with great client Jim Brick from RBC.  Dined at a restaurant that specializes in preparing your meal by flashlight at the table.

Jim totally amazed at the process.

Orlando to Naples

Needed to make the 240-mile run to Naples in time to meet Eliot Hungracker, the owner of EuroTech, the shop that will do my 2,000-mile valve adjustment and oil change.  Got there by 3:45 PM and discussed my bus and an interesting Minnesota connection.  Eliot’s uncle was the owner of The Volkswagen Man repair shop in Minneapolis on East Hennepin.  As their company vehicle, they had this VW Bus that was chopped, so it looked half as long as mine.  Pretty funky looking, but very memorable and a longstanding repair shop in Nordeast.

Worst hour ever!

Leaving there, I accidentally turned onto I-75 South.  When I saw the toll booths it dawned on me, but it was too late.  I pleaded with the toll booth operator to allow me to turn around.  She said no, laughed at me and told me it was only 20 miles to the first exit.  When I exited the highway to go to the EuroTech, I remembered a sign that said ‘next gas 50 miles’.  Crap – I am on ¼ tank and no way I will make it 50 miles.  Drove 45 miles an hour to conserve gas (in a 70 zone) across alligator alley thinking the entire way that I was going to get stuck and get consumed out here as the sun was starting to sink in the sky.  Got to the 20 mile exit and turned around.  Shut the bus off briefly to see where the gas gauge would go when off, so I had an idea of how much I had left.  I was now on the empty line, but there is an ‘R’ beneath that, so I’m hoping I have 1.5 gallons left.  Averaging a bit under 15 MPG, I need it all!  Well, I made it, but it was a very unsettling experience and made me want to find a hotel and have a drink!

Finally a sunset!

Went looking for a sunset this afternoon (the first on my trip).  Heading out, I thought going toward the beach and there would be a parking lot and all would be good.  Not so fast in Naples.  Everything is gated here!  Seems they don’t like riff-raff hanging out at the beach.  Amazing – everything is a gated community.  All kinds and styles of gates.

Found Barefoot Beach (at the end of a long, no outlet road) after passing through at least 2 miles of gated communities.

You can certainly cast a long shadow out here!

Go Gophers!  Ski-U-Mah!

Had dinner at a sushi restaurant so I could get caught up on my ultimate fighting.

Start work tomorrow (Sunday) and Linda will arrive next Saturday – Yay!!!

As Bonnie Raitt says in The Road’s My Middle Name:

“Well, it’s hard enough to love someone

When they’re right close to home

Don’t you think I know it’s hard, honey

To squeeze the sugar from the phone”

🙂

Here’s to a Healthy, Happy New Year for All!

Woke up in Savannah on the 31^st and something caught my eye out the window!

Was very excited about the drive yesterday as I would be off the Interstate highways and onto State and County roads.

I averaged 62 to 65 mph on the freeways, but was simply blown past by most everyone else.  Also, I was finally in Florida, 5 days, 1,543 miles later and that part of the trip was done.

Got to Florida and got some essentials at the gift store!

Picked up A1A at Amelia Island and headed south.  Traffic was at a minimum and comfortably cruising at 45 and 55 mph and suddenly I come upon a sign for the A1A ferry.

Evidently that dotted line I saw on my phone was not a bridge after all.  Just as I pulled up, the ferry was heading across, but 15 minutes later I’m boarding the St John’s ferry.

Short run across for $6.00 and back on A1A.

Found a quirky motel just outside St Augustine that had a room for New Year’s Eve.

The people running it (own?) are very sweet, welcoming and accommodating.  Photos of them in short order.  It’s nice and clean and quiet.  Problem is my cell service is almost nil and I’ve got calls beginning tomorrow.

Meet the young woman in the room next door to me.  She has just travelled from San Diego to Key West and the up to St Augustine in her mid-80’s VW Vanagon.  Problem is she blew a water pump arriving here and is staying until the parts arrive.

She’s got an interesting story…for the past 20+ years she’s sold sailing yachts based out of San Diego.  Most recently she has been privately assisting clients with the purchase and build of boats in the $10+ million department that take a couple years to build.  Once she finishes the bus and puts it into storage she will embark on a year-long trip supervising a boat build in New Zealand, while also working on a few more projects in Europe.  The economy for these big-ticket boats is quite strong and she is now experiencing an uptick the past few months.

Stay warm my friends!  I am commiserating from here.  Raining sideways, 39 degrees, wind at 25 mph.