Circumnavigation of Lake Okeechobee

It's a cloudy day, so we decided to take a day tour - something we enjoy doing very much. Today, we drive 45 miles west toward the middle of the state. After we leave the suburbs of the coastal cities behind, we begin to see thousands of hectares of sugar cane. It goes on and on - both sides of the highway - fronds of waving cane stalks as far as the eye can see!

We see several large fires around us as the stubble is burned after the cane is harvested.

After the burning, the soil is black and rich, ready for the growth of new shoots of the sugar cane.

We begin the circle road around Lake Okeechobee at the town of Pahokee. This the marina but it did not have many boats - it did have several fishermen and women. The lake is only 9 feet deep on average. It is fed by several rivers including the Kissimmee River. Canals drain it for irrigation for the sugar cane fields and then into the Everglades. The dike was built around the total perimeter in the 1930s because of flooding with hurricanes that destroyed homes and killed many people living around the lake. When we drive the 70 miles around the lake, we cannot see the water because of the dike. We have to stop and climb the dike at viewpoints for that. There is a biking/hiking trail all along the top of the dike. Dozens of RV parks are around the lake. It's an economical alternative to the coast where we are.

On the other side of the dike, near the town of Okeechobee at the north end of the lake, you can see that the lake is so shallow that marshes grow lushly - fishermen take advantage of that.

We stopped and Jack cut a piece of the cane to see how sweet it was. (very pulpy and not too sweet - I think a lot of crushing and rolling is necessary!)

Lighted Boat Parade

In the spirit of Christmas, Florida version, owners decorate their boats in fantastical ways, invite friends to accompany them and join in a watery parade down the Intracoastal. Most of the boats also play holiday music and dance on the deck as they pass the land lubbers lining the open bridges and sea walls.

A tour around John Prince Park

We are leaving this park this week so we took a walk with our camera and took some pictures to remember it by. On Monday, December 12, we will get the key to the condo we have rented and will move our clothes and anything we need for the rest of the winter into the house. On Wednesday, Dec 14, we fly home to Brantford for Christmas and New Years with our family and friends. We return to Florida on January 3.

One of the added perks in this park is watching the helicopter pilots training how to manuver their craft - and raising and lowering a load at the end of a rope. The county airport is right next to the campsites and small planes land at all times of the day. This is the airport where some of the 09/11 terrorists trained - a dubious distinction.

This park has a unique Dog Fitness Trail for the canine friends that often travel with their RVing masters.

Before doggie begins the exercise circuit, a pit stop may be necessary.

One of the stops is to run up and down the stairs. After accomplishing this task, the sign tells the dogs to "Jog your human to the next station".

Some RVers really decorate for Christmas!

Some interesting birds around Lake Osborne. This is a Muscovy duck.

Heading South!

It's Saturday, November 12 and we are packed and ready to head to Florida. The leaves are off the trees and the temperatures have gotten below freezing. Jack hooks up the tow car and gets the bikes on the back of the RV. The house is locked and we've bid "Farewell" to the neighbors - time to go!

A light dusting of snow tells us "It's time to go!"

After spending the weekend in Goodrich, Michigan visiting with my sister Jacque and Chuck and our son Derek on their horse farm, we take I-75 south.Tonight, we will stay in Cincinnati, Ohio at the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) headquarters. As members, we can stay in a full hook up site for free. The rain began overnight - sometimes very heavy - and it is drizzly this morning as we hit the road.

The bluegrass hills of Kentucky and it continues to rain

And still it continues to rain.

Rest area in southern Georgia - the season is later here and the leaves are still falling. The colours are still lovely. We can eat lunch outside today - no rain for the moment and the temperature is 72F.

On Thursday, November 17, we arrive at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral. Warm and sunny Florida!

We have a perfect spot to camp - right on the channel with water views from our front windshield. In front of us is the Canaveral launch pad - a rocket taking a Mars explorer into space was launched a week later from here. A Navel submarine base is also directly in front of us with a sub at the base for re-supply while we were there.

Walking to the end of the jetty - great place of fishermen.

This little bird is getting a drink from the faucet at the fish cleaning station on the jetty.

A walk on the beach

Which way do you think the wind is blowing?

The best part of camping in Jetty park is the 4 - 6pm Happy Hour. We set up our chairs along the channel and watch the enormous cruise ships head out to the Atlantic each evening. Anywhere from 1 - 4 ships make their way out to sea each evening as we wave to the enthusiastic crowd along the railings on board the ships. Don and Kathy Crawford join us for a glass of wine.

The Carnaval Ecstacy

The Disney Magic plays tunes from it horns as it passes - "It's a Small World"

Sunday, November 20 - we arrive at John Prince Park in Lake Worth - our destination for our winter stay. Another rainy day - but it's warm!

When we find that we cannot rent a space in John Prince Park for the full winter - only until December 14 - we begin to look around for a condo to rent in Leisureville, the developemnt where Jack's sister and her husband own a home. By renting until April, we have all the priviledges of the community - three pools and rec areas with exercise machines, 18 hole golf course, clubs and activities. We can spend out time deciding what we want to do for the future - rent or buy, Florida or Arizona??????? This home is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with garage and all the things we will need for comfortable living over the winter. We will have room for our children to visit and anyone else who wants some warm Florida sun.

We are invited for Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Cal and Judy Hekman. Around the table - Alice (Jack's sister), neighbors Vicky and Walt, Cal, Ed Hekman, Jack - hostess Judy is busy serving the turkey and all the trimmings for this great meal.