Florida Sunshine

It's getting harder and harder to remember all the places we have been and what day of the week it is, they are all blending into each other. We feel like we are still on "vacation", except that we never know where we are going next 😀 The humidity has caught up to us, but is bearable when you're by the gulf water and there's a breeze.

From the last post, we headed to Carabelle, FL area, which is considered "old Florida".  We stayed at an RV resort directly across from the beach (which was "dog friendly").  There was really NOTHING else around to do.  So, we walked a lot on the beach, dogs swam, and Jason got eaten alive!  He must have some good tasting flesh that attracted all the biting bugs.  We have tried everything to stop the itching: sprays, lotions, ointments, pills, essential oils; turns out coconut oil has helped the most.  I think there have been a few times that he was about to call this whole trip off and go back to the cold and no bugs.  He is on the mend though, fingers crossed that he becomes immune to those biting bugs!  

Our next stop was to Crystal River area staying as Boondockers beside a hosts house.  This was a new experience for us, especially since the host also AirBnB's his house at the same time!  It was cost effective though for just $15/night and it was a good area to be to explore the area...and there were lightening bugs!!  The dogs just stared at all the flashing going on in the dense wooded area, they were amazed 😂.  We explored the natural springs, the Gulf water, and lots of animals by renting a pontoon boat.

First experience for dogs on a boat...Otis loved it, Duke wanted his bed

Otis loved his "perch" at the front of the boat to see everything, he's a crazy dog!

Manatees!

Very much a water dog!  He would jump off the front of the boat and swim around it and climb up the swim ladder.  Then a leaf would float by and off he goes again into the water.

This monkey island in the middle of the canal.  The spider monkeys were interested in seeing the dogs and vice versa.

While in the water, swimming with the Manatees, a boat drove by saying there's an alligator "back there".  Thank you for letting us know!

The next day we went to another natural springs area that had trails and a beautiful swimming area and you could float/paddle down the river to some restaurants/bars; it would've been fun, except "no dogs" allowed in the water.  We took turns putting our feet in the constant 72* water.

walking the trails to the water

Then were on our way to St. Petersburg area.  We stayed at a KOA where it was fun to see all the different types of trailers, RV's and those tent camping (!).  We spent one morning walking around St. Pete and the pier, restaurants and stores.  We drove to Treasure Island area where the devastation can still be seen from Hurricane damage.  Sand and mattresses flowing out windows and houses falling off of their support beams.  There are a ton of for sale signs.  The dogs enjoyed another beach day in Clearwater beach.

Clear water!  Otis liked finding the shells and diving for them.

Next it was a stopover in Estero FL to visit family.  We stayed at a Florida State Park that used to be a "cult" in the early 1900's.  Walking around the areas camp sites was fun for the dogs seeing red cardinals (?), and wondering what the moving rocks were....tortoises!  I wish I had my camera as they stared and were startled by the tortoise. We wore Otis out and were able to go out to dinner.  We returned to the RV holding our breath and found that he didn't destroy anything!  Yay, maybe we CAN do some adult things now.  The next day the dogs went to Camp Bow Wow and Jason and I got a Naples FL beach day to ourselves!  

Adult breakfast for us!

The water was so refreshing!

Now, we are headed to the Keys.  We have a couple of nights on Islamorada and a few more on Key West (got the last spot!  whew).  After that the plan is to stop around Miami for a couple of nights, Jupiter FL, then up to St. Augustine.  We'll see if there may be more stops!