Week 13 and 14 – 2/22 thru 3/6
Weather continues cold, well below normal. Newspapers say longest cold spell since 1958. Still no kayaking, beach or golf. So another road trip over to daughter Lisa’s, spending the good part of the day over at the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens observing preparation for the Honda Classic Golf Tournament beginning March 1. Was a pretty nice day, but lots of wind. The PGA grounds was a “flurry” of activity. Didn’t recognize any pros as of now. Lisa and Bill have tickets for the event on Wed the 3rd.
This week preparing to leave the “French Park” in Clewiston. Not a lot of “goodbyes” but most do understand a “wave goodbye”.
Pulled out Monday AM, March 1 heading to “Hidden River Resort” in Riverview, Fl. Arriving around 3:30pm, greeted immediately by Illinois friends Jess & Doris Lionbergers. No more than situated in our site with the help of several others in the park, Jess & Doris invited us over for supper. They too have a brand new rig, a 41’ fifth wheel toy hauler, perfect for their biking interests and frequent visiting friends and relatives. It was great getting updated on events from the last 3 years since seeing them. The park is not fancy, but the people are great.
Mornings (9:00am) brings a daily “senior” volleyball game gathering. Joined the first day and surprised by the turnout, some 16 players. Fun! Senior rules get all involved, no spiking, and a minimum of three hits to go over the net (as many more as you want, but a least three), lot of laughs. I actually got tired and a full sweat. Well it has been 25 years since I played volleyball. Shari and gals back from walk. Coffee & donuts afterwards.
Tuesday another kind of crummy day, so Jess & Doris invited us on a road trip to Ellenton, Fl to a place called “Roaring 20’s Pizza and Pipes”. On the way down, stopped to visit other Florida friends in Hawaiian Isles RV Park. A brief but great reunion. Arriving at the Pizza and Pipes place, surprised to see packed house on a Tuesday night. Interesting theme, a 1931 Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, rising out of a sunken pit, an artist playing incredible songs with sound effects around the entire giant hall. Food menu simple, pizza, sandwiches, pasta. Great fun! No cover charge.
Continued volley ball every morning at 9:00am, then in the pm a group of nine of us took a bike ride for lunch. Thursday Shari and I took a road trip into Sun City for a look see, stopping at Little Harbor resort. Saw an Island Packet sailboat similar to the one we had. Nice! Friday Shari and I went into Brandon chasing an advertised 4.5% CD for 3mo’s. Turns out we had to hear a 1 hr presentation before getting, but we did. Saturday a group from the park went into Tampa Channel Side for dinner. Channel Side is where the cruise ships come in, so lots of activity with vendors, displays, and dining. Sunday headed over to Auburndale to visit friends Mike & Ceil, played golf, and they treated us to a lovely steak dinner. Finally a beautiful day, great fun!
Monday, finally got our Kayak’s in the water. Drove 10 miles up the Alafia River dropping in at Lithia Springs Park. Jess & Doris joined us in their inflatable. Friend Harry moved the car for us back to the RV park. Paddled 10 miles back downstream taking about 2-2 ½ hours arriving at our campground. Pretty remote river, snaking through lots of cypress trees with Spanish Moss hanging down. A couple of very mild rapids, good for us beginners. Shari got turned around going backwards between two big rocks at one point. It was a great trip, lots of wildlife, birds, turtles, fish, etc. A beautiful day, weather finally cooperating.
Fun to have lots of “English Speaking Friends”!
End of week 14, March 8
Friends Bill and Judy Hesser picked us up at 9:15am for ride share to 
