Saturday, February 25, 2023

Little Manatee River State Park Feb. 22-25, 2023

 We arrived at our campsite at Little Manatee River State Park Wednesday afternoon.  Just after we finished setting up camp, we heard a little hawk right by our site up in the tree. We figured out he was a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Then a cute little Carolina Wren sang for us while we got ready for dinner.

We went to dinner at Ybor Grille - a Cuban restaurant. We ordered some homemade sangria, a devil crab for an appetizer and paella. For dessert we had Guava Cheesecake. Very tasty food! We left happy and full!




Thursday and Friday we hiked around the state park. Nice hikes.  




Thursday night we ate at The Fish House and had fried bassa and shrimp. It was good.  Friday night we ate at The Lazy Gator.  Kurt had a ribeye and I had Cajun pasta with shrimp.  Both were very yummy!




We packed up Saturday morning and are headed to Hart Springs RV Park in Bell Florida.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Big Tree RV Park, Arcadia February15 - February 22, 2023

 Wednesday, February 15, we arrived at Big Tree RV Park in Arcadia.  This is a lovely RV park!  While you are pretty close to your neighbors, they are nice wide and deep lots.  Plus - we are right near all the action!  Our lot is right by the pool, shuffle board (do we sound old?), pickle ball courts, stage for music concerts, laundry...it's perfect!

Our first night we ate our left-overs from the night before while listening to a Blue Grass Band on a perfectly warm evening.  So very pleasant.

Thursday we went looking for Morgan Park.  Kurt had a suspicion that we had been there with Kyle, Kristen & the boys.  We looked for it, but the entrance looked a bit weird.  We saw a park across a bridge and thought that was the park.  It wasn't - it was a Veteran's Park.  Not much of a park. Noisy by the road. BUT - when we walked the short way along the river, we saw 6 gators and a raccoon from across Peace River.













After our short walk at the park - we decided to see if Morgan Park was really down the road that did not look like it was open to the public.  Well - it was and we found the park that we had been to before.  We walked the North Loop and then back to the car at the Veteran's Park.

When we got back - it was pool time.  I think this will be a regular afternoon event while we are here.  

For dinner, we rode out to Peace River  Seafood - a favorite place of ours. It did not disappoint!!

We took Tito for a walk when we got back and met Kelly TenBrock's parents and uncle - who stay here in the winter.  It was great to meet them! Very nice people!  Then, her dad Denny, was part of the band who played that evening.  Lot's of fun!  He is the one singing “Slow Poke.”

We had been given tickets for the pancake breakfast for Saturday morning (thank you Denny and Ding!) - so we went for breakfast, then our walk and again sat by the pool.

Sunday we went to church at the park and then did our walk again at Morgan Park.  When we got back, we went to the Michigan Potluck that Denny and Ding invited us to.  Michigan people make some good food and we had fried chicken from Publix.  There were about 130 Michigan people at the potluck and we learned many fun facts about Michigan.  There was a raffle at the end and Kurt won Michigan Strawberry Jam and I got a Michigan plaque.  We were surprised to have both won something!


After the potluck, I went to the “Classic” Gospel sing a long.  Denny had asked if I would sing. I told him I did not know many gospel songs and he didn’t know contemporary Christian music - so I came up with “Revelation Song” - all 4 chords. It was a sweet time.

Monday we walked again at Morgan park and got a few pics of 2 birds that were hard to get - the Northern Parula and the Blue Grey Gnat Catcher. Both are very small birds and usually up high in the trees.

Here are a few pics of the Northern Parula




And a the Blue Grey Gnat Catcher:



The rest of our time we spent at the pool. Tuesday - same as Monday.

Wednesday morning we packed things up. Before we left we went past Ding and Den’s place to say goodbye. Denny wasn’t there, but Jim (Ding’s brother was. A sweet goodbye. Hope to see them again sometime!






Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Clearwater/Lake Tarpon KOA - February 10-15, 2023

 We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this area!  Our site was a bit crowded, but we made the best of it.

Because I already posted all our hikes, walks and bird sightings while we were here, I’m going to share all our restaurant experiences.  We were not disappointed in any of the restaurants!!

Friday we went to the Thirsty Marlin. Delish!


Ahi Tuna salad 
A fabulous burger!

Saturday was raining.  We went to Fatty’s Fish Shack. Again - delish!


Lobster Roll - almost as good as Red’s Eats in Maine.
Fish Taco with a mango salsa

Sunday was pretty cold and icky - spitting rain once in a while. We went to the Great Catch. We were not that hungry because we ate our leftovers for lunch. Kurt had some wings and I had lobster bisque. Very good - not picture worthy.

Monday we went to Molly Goodhead.  Soooooo Gooooood! A quirky casual place with wonderful seafood!


Seafood Pasta
Salmon on a wood plank

Tuesday, Valentines Day, we spent the day at Clearwater Beach - a beautiful beach!


We went back to clean up and go to dinner at Rusty Bellies on the water. The food here was a little pricier, but very fresh and well made! The food melted in our mouths!


Sangria and margarita while we waited for our table.
Our Valentines Pic
Ribeye done to perfection.
Sea bass with a lobster risotto.

We are leaving this area with full and satisfied bellies!


Monday, February 13, 2023

Eagle's (not football) Osprey and more birds - February 13

 Today we went to another park to look for Eagle's and then hike. It was a cool day - but the sun was shining.  Here are the highlights of the birds I caught on film.

An Eagle's nest.  If you look closely - you can see the mama's feathers.
The mighty Bald Eagle

An Eastern Blue Bird
Great Egret
Brown Pelican
Great Cormorant
Raccoon tracks
Yellow-throated Warbler
A Palm Warbler

This Osprey found a trout and was busy eating it in the tree.  It was fun to watch!










Red-bellied Woodpecker
Some sort of vulture
This beach reminded us of Bunch Beach in Ft Myers.  
Kyle would've loved it!
Little Blue Heron
Ibis
Gopher Tortoise

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas. March 1-6, 2026

 February 28, we traveled to San Angelo State Park.  We only stayed 1 night to travel on to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  We went out to eat...