Florida endings

 We stayed in a Florida State park with great accommodations, just south of Miami.  For a Thursday, the nightlife of South Beach was just getting started with restaurants filling up, live music and lights!  The art deco buildings in South Beach are really cool to see.

What a busy city!  We had our fill of people and cars just the few hours being in the mix of it all.  It was also humidly hot, so the next day we took care of errands, rode bikes around the park and took the dogs on walks.  The June bugs were out and kept Otis entertained.

Next stop was in Jupiter Florida where we saw the beautifully landscaped mega homes, walked the beach, but we weren't there at the right time to see the "blowing rocks" due to the low tide.  We all had a beach day in the Atlantic, which was really ripping with waves, but enjoyable to get in.  This was the first encounter with waves for the dogs and they quickly learned to jump and turn their heads in them.  We found a great beach that was dog AND people friendly😂

Taking a break from running in the waves for the ball

He's always on the lookout!

After a good beach day and the dogs baths, we get to relax!  While relaxing and discussing recent interesting finds on Facebook, we "applied" for a Workamping position we saw for Maine and kicking around the idea of what other places we'd like to explore. ( I say "apply" because there isn't an application involved, just to send in your "couples resume") .  Workamping is when you trade hours of work for free hookups and RV site.  Most camping/RV resorts do this to get their staff for the busy season.   How fun would that be?!?  

On to St. Augustine, which we had been to before, but a different time of year and with family.  Our first day, it rained, which was kinda nice.  It cleared up early and we set out to walk the old town streets and Fort.  You could stroll the streets time and time again and always see something new and interesting. We also had another beach day (when in Florida.....).

One of the most photographed street in the USA,  next to the Fountain of Youth (we didn't go)

Doggos at the Fort

So much history surrounding these streets & buildings

Shadows in the sky

Otis loves to play keep away, thankfully a couple of girls kept him entertained for a bit.

And now, we're headed to Belfast, Maine for the summer/fall!!  We will be working a couple days a week and getting to explore Maine, New England and Canada!   We start our newest adventure within adventure next week.  Stay tuned for more because there always is something new going on with us!

Florida Keys

 What shade of green do you like?  I'm sure that it was seen while we visited the Florida Keys, either in the water, on the reptiles, in the rooster tails or on the foliage!  The Florida Keys have been on the bucket list for many years, and though we didn't explore the way we thought we would, it was probably done better this way.  We had imagined being in a convertible and seeing little towns, lots of water and beaches.  Well, the reality is that you can't hardly see the water through the thick mangroves or town buildings.  The 7 mile bridge did give us beautiful views though!  

Our first stop was to Islamorada, just below Key Largo.  We stayed at a newer RV resort that was gorgeous and affordable.  We had a partial view of the water, but lots of walking paths with seating to take in the views.  And the pool was so refreshing!

Lot's of stinky seaweed on the Atlantic side

We explored the dog beach area, took in Robbie's (drinks of course!), and the dogs gawked at the tarpon that were being fed from the pier.  We had to get out on the water and thankfully the boat rental allows dogs too.  As we stowed our gear, it started pouring rain, but was 85*, and the sun was gleaming the rest of the day.  We had the best time on the boat exploring snorkeling areas, the party sandbar area, and floating in 4-5 ft swells.  

I think water is in his genes!

The sandbar was so fun for the dogs too!

Duke loved being able to walk around, Otis was a bit too short to stand on all 4, so I became his resting place.

The taco boat (just like a taco truck)!

He jumped off multiple times, especially if someone was in the water!

We were about 1 mile off the coast where we were told there is good snorkeling, saw a few different fish, but the swells were too much to feel safe for long.  Otis however didn't mind the swells and jumped right in after me!

Duke was a nervous wreck on the boat, he wanted the sandbar back!

We did go to another snorkeling spot where there was a manatee, and 2 lobsters who had no interest in climbing the pole I put under them.  We also saw a humongous iguana that swam out of the water and directly in front of Duke and Otis when we docked the boat.  Those dang reptiles kept Otis on the hunt each walk we took. 

The next day we made a quick drive down to Key West where we stayed for a couple nights at another RV resort.  We walked the city blocks from the Gulf to the Atlantic and back.  It was hot and humid!  We stopped for drinks at Sloppy Joes, went to the "southernmost point"and intended to go back for the night scene.  However after sweating all day and enjoying the pool in the afternoon, we were beat!  

There were lines to get a photo of this, so look in the background, we didn't wait.

One of the few beaches in Key West

Cool relief!

We went back to town the next day, and walked a little bit with the dogs, but it was too hot.  So, we drove around to see more, then had a pool afternoon at the RV resort.  In the Keys, we had mojitos, rum runners, cuban sandwiches, conch fritters and key lime pie!  yummy!

Today we drove up to Miami area where we will be for 2 nights.  We are going out to see the nightlife of Miami Beach tonight, then will see the sights tomorrow.  After that, maybe stop in Jupiter for a night or two, then onto St. Augustine.

At the RV park roosters are everywhere.  Otis was keeping us safe though!

A hurricane and a lime cooler.

10 minutes out of the car and they are dying from the heat!

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!

New Orleans, Mississippi and into Florida

 We arrived in the afternoon to the RV park in New Orleans, it was on the east side of town, it worked fine for us and didn't cost an arm and a leg, but oh my!  Guess we should check google earth on some of these RV parks!  Off to the Garden area of New Orleans and what beautiful homes we saw (but didn't take pictures of!).  Love, love, love the French colonial style homes with the gas-flickering lantern lighting and elevated grand front entrances while tree branches extended to the other side of the streets.  Jason did not like the continuous bumpy roads from the old tree roots, so that was short lived.😥.  On a high note, we did find the drive-through Daquri very tasty!  It's a good thing we sleep needed to sleep with the AC as it drowned out the train noise just over the fence.

Next day was exploring New Orleans French Quarter!  The doggies went to Camp Bow-Wow which set us free and wore them out.  Wouldn't you know, we were tuckered out around 5:30 after walking 9+ miles around and didn't get to enjoy any of the nightlife.  But man, the day was packed with fun exploring!

First stop at Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignet's--of course we wore black shorts!

Lucky us, the French Quarter Jazz Festival was being held which gave us some good music to listen to for free throughout the French Quarter Riverwalk.  They had a ton of food trucks out from some of the local restaurants.  2nd food stop of the day involved gumbo stuffed bell pepper, fried ribs, and shrimp/crawfish egg roll.  After that, well we were thirsty, so headed to Bourbon St.!

One of a few Hurricanes (see the smiles 😊)

Live music everywhere

The street was coming alive when we left

We ate some yummy crawfish dip and fried oyster Po'boy, so tasty!

Next day was into a new state that I didn't think we would ever stop in.  We stayed at Hollywood Casino in Gulfport, MS.  What a beautiful area, full of wonderful Southern Coastal homes, many are new due to Hurricane Katrina.

We had a little time at the Casino pool while the dogs rested up after our drive.  It wasn't a long drive, but they were exhausted from their camp day!  Next day we walked around Bay Saint Louis with the dogs, and spent the afternoon having a beach day with them.  These 2 can't get enough of ball chasing in the water.

Great grassy play area at the RV park.

Love the spanish moss hanging from the trees

We drove east on the gulf, passing through Biloxi, and ended up in Ocean Springs for lunch.  The dogs, of course, were with us and were all the rage throughout lunch and walking through town.  What a cute (and I can say that with a lot of girlish attitude) town!  It is very quaint with locals driving around in their golf carts, and just about every boutique store is geared towards women!  This would be a great girls weekend getaway place and not far from the beaches.

I wish you could smell the fragrant jasmine 

Next stop, Gulf Shores Alabama!  We are excited to have our feet in the soft white sand!  Well, it didn't quite go that way.  Needless to say, Alabama (and wer'e finding out some in Florida too) does not have dog-friendly beaches.  We stayed at an RV park about 1 mile from the water and there was a great biking path that went for miles.  Not to sound like a downer, but you can't ride bikes with our dogs unless they're off leash, and there's a hefty fine if they aren't on one.  We WERE able to walk the State Park which has a very impressive trail system of 28+ miles including many long wooden bridges.  There is also a wonderful dog park there that allows them to swim too (fresh water=alligator warnings!).  So, we walked after the dogs were run down a bit from the dog park.  

We picnicked too!

Otis was not liking that this "thing" moved!

Otis on his perch, intently on the lookout for anything moving outside.  It drove him "squirrel-y" with all those things running up and down the many trees at our RV park.

We did find a dog-friendly beach, 20 miles from town, next to Fort Morgan.  It was littered with tree and ocean debris, but the dogs were there for the water and had a fabulous time wearing themselves out again!

Into Florida we drove (with a nice airshow from the Blue Angels) to Fort Walton Beach.  This was the closest reasonable RV park to Destin that we could find.  What a great find!  This RV park has only been open about a month and we are 1of 2 occupants.  

As soon as I heard them, I tried to catch a photo...this is the only one that came out where you could see anything happening.

Nice pavers and lots of grassy areas for dogs to romp around, or in Otis' case, chase the tree squirrels.

We tried a beach I had read about that says no dogs, but people have seen dogs there.  No luck with that, it was so busy with people, there's no way we could've gotten away with it.  Luckily, a nice lady told us that across the street between private residences is considered public.  It was on the inlet side, but still had plenty of the "sugar" sand and the doggos could swim to their hearts content.

The beaches of Destin!  So many "private" beaches, until you walk onto it from the public side, hahaha!

If you've seen our previous blogs, you read that Otis should not be left alone in the RV.  We are finding that it becomes a lot harder to find things to do, and makes them very "juvenile" for our likes!  I have come up with freezing stuffed Kongs and other stuffable dog toys to keep him occupied.  I'm currently working on a snuffle mat that will take a while to sniff and find the small treat I intend to sprinkle onto it.  Every time we think that "we will wear him out and give him a toy and let's see how he does", we are exhausted too!  It MUST be from all the sun! 

Tomorrow we are going to try another beach "spot" I've read about, or we will head back to the one we already went to with the dogs.  More baths for the dogs!  The next day, we head further east to Carabelle, where the beaches ARE dog-friendly.