February 24 - Falling Waters to DeFuniak Springs

Slept in. Many birds chirping on our morning walk. A little overcast and drizzling. Debated staying put for the day. Looked at other parks and found one in the Passport America book near DeFuniak Springs that sounded nice.
Called up and they had a spot available so I decided to head another hour west to the park. It’s on Jupiter Lake which, unbeknownst to me before arriving, is a 700 acre manmade lake known for its BIG bass. Very nice couple owns and operates the park. They offer WIFI, full hook ups, hot showers and laundry. The husband, Bill, met me at the entrance and helped back into a very nice spot with a concrete slab covered by a pavilion beside the trailer. Got set up and drained the blackwater tank for the first time. The gauge never registered even 1/3 full but I figured today is the 14th day on the road so it’s got to be time. All went well.
Walked Sunny around the campground and down to the lake. Set up bit torrent on my laptop and downloaded the 24 episode I missed Monday while in the swamp.
Met Donna, the wife of the ownership team, and their old dog. Her and Sunny got along well and wandered around off leash for a while. Sunny tested the limits a couple times and came back. Then she climbed a hill to another campsite and found some disgusting treat. I ran up and successfully pulled her away back towards our campsite. I continued talking and Sunny kept wandering. Not too long and she got on an scent. As before I called to her but this time was different. She heard me but was obviously going after the smell rather than coming back to me. Seeing this I started after her and hollered more sternly. Hearing this, she paused, looked back with a defiant glint in her eye, turned back on the scent and took off galloping. She only made it 75’ or so before getting hung up in brush which allowed me to catch up.
Taking her look as a hint it’s time for a walk and I better keep the leash on her, we jumped in the truck and drove around the lake to a small park and boat ramp call Cat Island. Took several sunset pictures here and headed to find the other boat ramp I saw online and grab some dinner. The second park area is nice and located at the dam. The park owners had both recommended the restaurant in the hotel downtown DeFuniak Springs so I headed that way. Looks like the restaurant is the only business in town open after 5 but the block of street parking seems pretty full. The place is surprisingly nice with great food and a couple guys playing acoustic guitars and singing. Headed back to campground after dinner.

February 23 - Caverns to Falling Water S.P.

Woke up to discover the neighbors had left for good with all their stuff when I saw them leave last night. Quite and peaceful with lots of birds around. Coffee. Showered, ate cereal and broke down camp. Pulled the trailer VERY slowly to the parking lot near the headquarters to walk a couple trails there. Sunny went through what may have been her first cave/tunnel. It was a pathway about 3’ high passing about 150’ under a limestone arch. After seeing another cave and exploring the area, we went about an hour west to Falling Waters State Park.
Got a pull through campsite in a great little park on top of one of the highest points in Florida. We’re getting very winded easily up here in the thin air at 320’ above sea level since we used to live at 15’ in Tampa! Departing neighbors gave me a nice stack of wood.
After setting up, we walked to the “falling water”. Nice walk through the woods connecting to a paved trail and boardwalk system. The main attraction is a small stream which runs into a large sink hole and disappears out the side at the bottom. There’s a nice set of stairs and platform about for viewing from about a third of the way into the hole. Sunny swam at the beach on the manmade pond created to control and maintain flow over the falls. Talked to parents while making good kindling for a fire then headed to store for dinner and supplies. Returned and lit fire. About the time the kindling was gone, the fire was going out and I had a steak to cook so out came the charcoal. I’ll have to remember to ask if the free wood is green next time… Ate, walked Sunny then killed remaining smoldering logs in the fire. Investigated the source of the ape sounds from last night and believe it was Barred Owl’s.

February 22 - Tallahassee to Florida Caverns S.P.

Got up about 7:15 to Mother Nature’s treat of rain. Did basic breakdown then showered. Finished hooking up in the rain and pulled out about 9:30. Decided to head north rather than south since I’ve been seeing a lot of beaches already and the storm would be passed sooner if I went north.
Headed to the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. Found out tours are only given Thursday to Monday so I’m glad I came north. Was informed by a very nice and knowledgeable park ranger named Billy Bailey. Apparently the park is being reconstructed but permits have been held up. The plan is to add sewer hook ups throughout the camp and pave the access roads. They started tearing up the road and stopped so I was warned to go slow and avoid the potholes. As it turns out, that was an understatement. The old asphalt had been broken up into 1-2” pieces and graded out. Some areas were fine with a few potholes which could be avoided or gone slow through. A few areas though were so rough, uneven and full of holes that I rolled through at around 2 miles per hour. Finally made it to the dirt road of the campsite only to find the biggest potholes of the day making their home here. Backed right in first try.
Great site backing up to a floodplain area. Only one other campsite is occupied by four people and two dogs. They are in flight training school near here. Sunny and I went for a short walk and then set up camp. Quick sandwich then headed out for a big walk to tire Sunny out before heading to the cave tour. Near the end of the walk, we passed the Blue Hole which is a spring flowing a river full of water out. I later learned the hole is 90 feet deep, which is surprising since it is only 100 feet wide at most.
Sunny REALLY wanted to go swimming but, good thing, I felt the bank was too steep. Knowing we are in gator territory, I searched out the clearest spot I could find and let Sunny go in. Well not 5 seconds after she hits the water I see some new turbulence a few feet downstream so promptly coax (aka drag) her out of the water. All is well. Clean tired dog.
Very cool cave. Another big walk with Sunny, this time no swimming, and then some laundry and dinner. Lit a campfire and worked on journal. Neighbors all left. Jammed Gov’t Mule 10-23-95 outside for a while till I heard what I thought to be loud voices. Must have been owls but sounded like a pack of angry apes in the swamp. And getting closer. So the fire got stoked a little and the ‘voices’ got farther away and less frequent. It’s dark and serene. Saw some eyes peering at me around the time the fire was dying out so headed inside.

February 20 & 21 - Iott's House

Andy and I played disc golf at Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee. Met up with Nicole and decided to grill and chill at home so we went to Publix. Hung out around the pool and grill all afternoon looking at maps, drinking Sangria and talking. Andy made great BBQ chicken wings and ribs on the grill with baked potatoes, beans and coleslaw. Sam Hart (AKA – Esmerelda) joined us with appetizers for dinner. After dinner we used the hot tub, had ice cream and crashed.

Sunday morning, Sunny and I got up at 8 and took a big walk. We all went to breakfast at Jenny’s lunchbox where we saw a great old lunch box collection then headed to the Tom Brown Park for a nice walk in the woods. Back to the Iott’s to watch the MSU basketball game. Publix for grilling stuff and made seafood shish kabobs. Watched “Into the Wild” then part of the USA/Canada hockey game. Said goodbyes before heading to bed.

February 19 - Silver Springs to Tallahassee

Breakfast with Mom and Ed at Denny’s. Went back to camp and packed up. Mom and Ed came to the Park and we walked to the Silver River with Sunny. Beautiful, crystal clear water with lots of visible fish and wildlife. Sunny went swimming at the boat launch area.
Pulled out of park around noon and headed to Gainesville. Stopped by a CVS I designed which has been recently constructed. Took a bunch of pictures and met a guy rolling down the walk in a wheel chair with a small lap dog who just had to meet Sunny. Talked with Kevin for half an hour about life, opportunities and challenges. Kevin let me know there are bad people in the world and to be cautious with those I trust. He further elaborated that he is currently fighting attempted murder charges there in Gainesville from a self defense situation he found himself in. Cute, very protective dog. After taking pictures and reviewing the site work I headed out.
That's when I saw the Gainesville Police car with a stuffed pig in the rear window!
Took off to Andy and Nicole Iott’s house in Tallahassee for the weekend. Arrived just before 6pm. Went to Mellow Mushroom for dinner and drinks.

February 18 - Ft. DeSoto to Silver River S.P.

Got up and cleaned up. Cheerios for breakfast. Tore down camp then had a big walk with Sunny to tire her out. Took trailer to dump station and drained grey water for the first time. When we left, we headed to Camping World to discuss adding weight equalization and/or stabilization to the trailer hitch with an expert. The most realistic option is $950 so I decided to pass for now since the need is questionable. We headed north to the Silver River State Park, east of Ocala.
The trip really started seeming real as I headed north, knowing I was leaving my possessions behind for a while.
Caught up with Mark Roemer on the phone and pulled into campground around 2pm. Mom and Ed arrived about 5 minutes later. Set up camp. Sunny and I went on a walk about three miles through the woods to see a huge sink hole. Saw a glimpse of a Pilated Woodpecker, the big woody woodpecker kind.
Mom and Ed got back from getting a room and we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Visited after dinner for a couple hours. Talked to Colleen and Ian Blair before crashing.

February 17th - Ft. Desoto

Got up and showered. Made bacon and eggs. Utilized copier and scanner to finalize several paperwork items including cobra, storage insurance, pet id registration. Headed to publix and fillet was on sale. Went and found post office to mail letters. Sunny and I went to dog beach at Ft. Desoto. Used internet access at office to check mail and investigate blogging. Visited Mardi before hitting the road.

February 16th - Fort Lauderdale to Ft. DeSoto

Considered heading to Flamingo on the road through the Everglades National Park. Decided instead to drive Old US-41 across the north edge of the Park and through Big Cypress Preserve. Stopped and saw Daren Edelheit in Bonita Springs and then proceeded to Ft. Desoto near St. Petersburg. Arrived around 7pm, just after dark. Checked in and found the campsite. First time backing in and setting up in the dark. It wasn’t a perfect set the first try but in a few minutes got it backed in and hooked up. Ate leftovers for diner.

February 15th - Margate

Up early to take Colleen to airport. Kristine and Ivy came to campground for a visit. Kristine gave me the great news that she is engaged and moving to Seattle early this summer. We went to her place for burgers on the grill with Mick and LuAnn, who made red velvet cake for my birthday desert. It was a very nice visit. Sunny enjoyed sleeping on the couch. Three loads of laundry. Watched 24 and returned to campground around 11pm.

February 14 - Marathon Key to Fort Lauderdale

Got up, showered, breakfast in the trailer then broke down camp. Headed out around 11 am. The drive was smooth and uneventful making it to Markum Park around 2:30pm. Got camp set up and made sandwiches for lunch in the trailer. Worked on letter/email to friends and journal. Took a nice walk to see the Everglades behind the campground.
Went for dinner towards Sawgrass Mall. Unbelievable how large and full the parking lots were. So much so, had to travel a few miles to Weston and found a great small authentic Italian restaurant where I had lobster ravioli before returning to campground.

February 13 - Key West

Slept in to celebrate my 38th birthday. Had coffee and showered before heading out around 1 pm to see Key West. The remainder of the overseas highway was probably more impressive than the first half. The drive started by crossing the Seven Mile Bridge. Key West was colorful, breezy and cool. Walked Whitehead Street to the southernmost point in the US then cruised Duval Street, enjoying a cold beer at a couple different establishments along the street. Saw the Hemingway house, Truman White House and Mallory Square for sunset then hit a Mexican restaurant for fish tacos before heading back to the campground. Looked for the little Key Deer but didn’t see any.

February 12 - Fort Lauderdale to Marathon Key

Got up and cooked breakfast for the first time in the trailer. Broke down camp and hit the road around noon heading South. Travels went well. Stopped at a roadside picnic area and made sandwiches around 2:30. Our destination was the Knights Key Campground located at the south end of Marathon Key, at the base of the Seven Mile Bridge. The place was easy to find and had friendly, helpful staff.
The Overseas Highway was an interesting drive with a mix of wild areas and small towns with tourist services. As expected, life in the Keys revolves around the water – fishing, diving, research and conservation.
The campsite is on the ocean with a cut in the mangroves giving a great view of the Atlantic.
A severe storm was predicted and we watched as it rolled in. Heavy rains and 30 MPH winds gave us the first chance to test the trailer out! No problems thankfully. I had to go out in the middle of the night and secure the vent outlet cover to stop it from banging the trailer in the wind. Another lesson learned.

February 11 - First Day on the Road

Sunny and I finally left house our rental house on Pat Boulevard in Tamp around 11 am. About two miles into the three mile drive to my old office to say goodbye, I had the feeling I never closed the hitch on the ball and left the padlock sitting on the tongue. With deliberate caution, I carefully proceeded the last mile, making sure not to bounce the trailer off the ball. I arrived safely and was amazed to discover the padlock was still sitting on the tongue! Lesson number one under my belt. Good start. I closed it down and hit the road after saying farewells.

Crossed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge pulling the trailer on my way out of town. About three hours into the trip, I pulled off the expressway for gas. At the first stoplight I was flagged down because the trailer door was swinging open. Being forewarned of this somewhat common issue, I had even specifically locked the handle before leaving, but not the deadbolt. A quick jog around the trailer at the red light got us to a safe stopping point. Lesson number 2 and we’ve barely begun!
Unfortunately the safe stopping location turn out to be a very crowded supermarket parking lot. I did my best to strategically park for exit but when it came time, it just wasn’t gonna happen. Backing the trailer up in the parking lot wasn’t as bad as I feared and we soon had enough space to spin around the obstacles. On the road again…
When almost arriving at my first destination, the Markum Park campground, GPS brought me in a circle and onto an on-ramp to the expressway. Halfway up the ramp she told me I had arrived at the destination! Granter, I could SEE the park to the right of the expressway and getting farther below me as I went up the ramp, getting the trailer to an actual entrance road took another 15 minutes of detour and backtracking to find park the entrance.
Check in and set up went well. The campsite backs up to a canal which is the eastern edge of the everglades. Ran out and found Super Target at the Sawgrass Mall for groceries and supplies.
I picked Colleen up from the FLL airport around 10:30pm and we returned to the campsite.

What's this all about?

After a little over three years of living in Tampa, Atwell-Hicks, the company I had been with for nearly 12 years, has been re-organized and I have left the company. With the uncertainty of the economy and the opportunities for civil engineers somewhat limited I have decided this will be a great time to travel around the country.

I have purchased an 18’ travel trailer and beginning February 11, my dog Sunny and I have begun what I believe will be an adventure of a lifetime.

The plan is to head west along the gulf coast and continue with the hopes of avoiding snow while circling the country, seeing many friends, places and national parks.

I have no final destination but expect to be on the road for four to twelve months. I have created a blog where I plan to track my adventures. I’ll try to update it regularly and respond to any correspondence promptly. If there’s a delay in my response, I may occasionally have limited internet access or may just be out having fun!

If you know of any “can’t miss” stops, potential future home locations I may love or employment opportunities please let me know. Thanks and I hope to see you soon.