The safari park adjacent to the campsite was extremely good. First of all they had rental cars so we did not need to risk our RV and they had kennels so Pip could stay safe. There were great views of the lions but the stars were probably the Rhinos that wandered very close to the car.
The second part of the park was out of the vehicle. The heat was scorching but luckily they had sprinklers dotted through the park spraying water. We fed the fish and the sheep, talked to the parrots and admired the huge alligators. But the star of the show was undoubtedly feeding the giraffe. You walk up a ramp to an elevated platform that lets you look them in the eye and feed them large lettuce leaves. It is breathtaking to be so close to those beautiful creatures. The giraffe, as the guide told us, has a seventeen inch prehensile tongue and thus could easily take the lettuce from Harriet's hand unlike the bossy sheep who grab and kick you if you are too slow dishing out the goods.
Soon it was time to leave and this was not popular with Miss Lovemason who had had a lovely time and who was rather keen to visit the water park. Still, we persisted and soon she was asleep in her chair - just in time for a stop in Walmart for J.
The journey to the final campsite was to be a different sort of journey, far from the interstates. It involved driving in the interior up long, straight roads, initially through sugar plantations and then alongside the massive Lake Okeechobe. The final stretch moved northwards through scattered small communities before we arrived at our final stop: Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Our site was deep in the park, isolated and beautiful. We enjoyed just sitting out in some less humid heat but some excitement came when Pip, after a period of paying extreme attention, shot into the woods. Soon enough there was a flash of grey and then a flash of white as something moved out of the bush with Pip in pursuit. J shot after it with a camera and called us over - it turned out that the object of Pip's attention was largely indifferent to her because it was an armadillo. It busied itself digging around in the woods before leaving our site for some other activity.
Sad to say the next day came soon enough and we were soon driving back to Orlando and a flight home. The taxi driver who took us to the airport insisted at the end that we must come back, in the Winter at best, and yes we probably will.
Sunday 14 August 2011
Wednesday 10 August 2011
All Quiet on the Floridian Front
I had to postpone this one a few times because the last thing anyone would want to read was me blathering on about the sun and sea in the Keys while London burned. It felt strange to be sitting in a tropical island, longing for a breeze and another cool drink, while stories of mayhem from Tottenham Hale retail park and Wall Street flooded my twitter feed. It was genuinely frightening not simply because of what was happening but the ominous potential for things to get so much worse.
We've arrived today in West Palm Beach, the Keys are many miles behind us, the riots seem to have passed and so here is the recap in case you're interested.
Our drive to the Keys was uneventful: drive 99.6 miles and you have reached your destination on the right were our instructions. To be fair there isn't much room for turning and changing highways as route 1 snakes its way from the mainland down to Key West.
The scarcity of land means that this was to be the most expensive site of the trip at just under ninety dollars a night! However, it was the nicest of the lot with its own little stretch of beach. Soon enough we were all in the sea. The gulf waters are beautifully warm but by no means empty and after J was stung by a jellyfish we beat a hasty retreat to the pool.
There's a pub too where they will pour a third of a bottle of spirits for you for three dollars. Ah the Keys - pay through the nose for a patch of grass to park on but forget all your worries and your name for the price of a loaf of bread.
The next day was a pure Harriet day so we stayed in the pool and the play-ark.
The last day was a trip out to Key West proper (our campsite was in Sugarloaf Key). This place is very hostile to RVs and we drove around for ages looking for parking (lots of No RV parking signs everywhere). In the end the campsite directed us to the Welcome Center who let us park and we took a taxi into town. Pip was back in her travel bag but only for five minutes.
The taxi driver recommended a couple of places and we eventually gave up looking and took his advice. As ever I was a little nervous about Pippin but relaxed immediately when we entered Schooner's Wharf bar because there was a dog sitting on the stage.
It was an inspired choice/recommendation. I'm not saying it was the best food in the world but it was all fresh (my crab salad had just walked out the sea I'm sure). Pip was very welcome and had her own bucket of iced water and a shady spot.
(See what I mean about going all Boris Johnson - at that moment our English friends were genuinely and legitimately concerned for their safety)
Back to the pool and the following day we said farewell. Today was a long drive north via Miami Beach (it rained so we didn't stop) to a safari park west of West Palm Beach.
The coda to a long, boring drive was this evening's play-park visit. Harriet met a girl, Amanda, her own age and the two of them played for ages on the slide. Both girls looked beautiful and were at that perfectly compatible age where a few words of encouragement ("let's go", "ready, steady, go!" etc) were all that was needed. As ever, I refer you to J's pictures and videos for the full effect.
Be safe everyone.
We've arrived today in West Palm Beach, the Keys are many miles behind us, the riots seem to have passed and so here is the recap in case you're interested.
Our drive to the Keys was uneventful: drive 99.6 miles and you have reached your destination on the right were our instructions. To be fair there isn't much room for turning and changing highways as route 1 snakes its way from the mainland down to Key West.
The scarcity of land means that this was to be the most expensive site of the trip at just under ninety dollars a night! However, it was the nicest of the lot with its own little stretch of beach. Soon enough we were all in the sea. The gulf waters are beautifully warm but by no means empty and after J was stung by a jellyfish we beat a hasty retreat to the pool.
There's a pub too where they will pour a third of a bottle of spirits for you for three dollars. Ah the Keys - pay through the nose for a patch of grass to park on but forget all your worries and your name for the price of a loaf of bread.
The next day was a pure Harriet day so we stayed in the pool and the play-ark.
The last day was a trip out to Key West proper (our campsite was in Sugarloaf Key). This place is very hostile to RVs and we drove around for ages looking for parking (lots of No RV parking signs everywhere). In the end the campsite directed us to the Welcome Center who let us park and we took a taxi into town. Pip was back in her travel bag but only for five minutes.
The taxi driver recommended a couple of places and we eventually gave up looking and took his advice. As ever I was a little nervous about Pippin but relaxed immediately when we entered Schooner's Wharf bar because there was a dog sitting on the stage.
It was an inspired choice/recommendation. I'm not saying it was the best food in the world but it was all fresh (my crab salad had just walked out the sea I'm sure). Pip was very welcome and had her own bucket of iced water and a shady spot.
(See what I mean about going all Boris Johnson - at that moment our English friends were genuinely and legitimately concerned for their safety)
Back to the pool and the following day we said farewell. Today was a long drive north via Miami Beach (it rained so we didn't stop) to a safari park west of West Palm Beach.
The coda to a long, boring drive was this evening's play-park visit. Harriet met a girl, Amanda, her own age and the two of them played for ages on the slide. Both girls looked beautiful and were at that perfectly compatible age where a few words of encouragement ("let's go", "ready, steady, go!" etc) were all that was needed. As ever, I refer you to J's pictures and videos for the full effect.
Be safe everyone.
Sunday 7 August 2011
What's deadlier than a shark?
We bade farewell to the Naples site and drove down highway 41. First we stopped briefly to see the Alligators again before continuing a further 30 miles to Shark Valley.
Most of the valley is accessible only by guided tram tour or bike but there is a short walk available. The place was full of life - many turtles, crickets, fish and even several baby alligators (mom was no doubt close by but invisible to our eyes). There are no sharks in Shark Valley but there is a ferocious biter: the mosquito.
We got severely bitten - Harriet much less so because she was covered up thankfully. Even now, more than a day later I am struggling not to scratch my entire body.
So onwards to our next stop. I was concerned about this one because it wasn't a national/state park or major chain. In fact it turned out to be fine although the employee who guided us to our pitch made us cringe with his remark about how useful she must be for meeting women at the grocery store. Harriet loved the playground and the play-house in particular.
It was another sound and light show that provided some distraction from the urge to itch.
Tomorrow: the Keys.
Most of the valley is accessible only by guided tram tour or bike but there is a short walk available. The place was full of life - many turtles, crickets, fish and even several baby alligators (mom was no doubt close by but invisible to our eyes). There are no sharks in Shark Valley but there is a ferocious biter: the mosquito.
We got severely bitten - Harriet much less so because she was covered up thankfully. Even now, more than a day later I am struggling not to scratch my entire body.
So onwards to our next stop. I was concerned about this one because it wasn't a national/state park or major chain. In fact it turned out to be fine although the employee who guided us to our pitch made us cringe with his remark about how useful she must be for meeting women at the grocery store. Harriet loved the playground and the play-house in particular.
It was another sound and light show that provided some distraction from the urge to itch.
Tomorrow: the Keys.
Friday 5 August 2011
Wanted: Alligators
It's almost one am in Britain so the radio is getting ready to broadcast the shipping forecast. It's only 8pm here in Naples but thankfully the daughter is just about to drop off to sleep.
(Shipping forecast has started - i'm in 99F heat in Florida listening to the storms in Iceland)
We've been pretty much out of Internet access for the last two days in Myakka river state park. There was the odd bit of 3G so we could refresh twitter but not much beyond that.
On our first day we did very little. We were the only RV in a large campsite. The pitch was large and soon set up with deck-chairs and huge buckets of water. Harriet played with the water, I read my kindle, J took photographs and Pip stretched out under the RV.
The next day we drove through the park. We were lucky to see deer, turtles and many birds but not alligators. Harriet fell asleep so we drove out the park and toured Sarasota beach front followed by a quick shopping trip and lunch.
On return we went to the nature trail. J, as many of you will know, has a real phobia of spiders but has tried so hard to ensure he doesn't pass it on. Spiders are 'nice' he insists.
(The National Anthem's playing now)
However, even he couldn't hold it in when he saw these spiders. They were huge admittedly but at a safe distance.
The aerial walkway in the park is well worth the effort. You climb 70 feet up a wooden tower and get great views across the park (just think how many spiders there are!).
Today we travelled down I-75 to the Gulf visitor centre of the Everglades near Everglade City. Taking their advice we travelled to a picnic site that allegedly had the best views of alligators but alligators there were none. We stood in the heat straining our eyesight for any sign of the beasts but gave up and drove further down the unpaved road.
Our futile, sweltering search seemed laughable - there were many huge alligators sitting just by the water's edge.
Satisfied, we travelled to our stop for the night to try out its swimming pool and playground.
It's been an exhausting day I feel as though it's 1am. Thunderclouds have arrived and the sky has turned a threatening colour. It's good to be inside and I'm looking forward to bed; unlike someone in the RV who is fighting sleep with all her strength. J is out taking photographs and I'm off to refill my glass (beaker actually). Plus ca change I suppose.
(Shipping forecast has started - i'm in 99F heat in Florida listening to the storms in Iceland)
We've been pretty much out of Internet access for the last two days in Myakka river state park. There was the odd bit of 3G so we could refresh twitter but not much beyond that.
On our first day we did very little. We were the only RV in a large campsite. The pitch was large and soon set up with deck-chairs and huge buckets of water. Harriet played with the water, I read my kindle, J took photographs and Pip stretched out under the RV.
The next day we drove through the park. We were lucky to see deer, turtles and many birds but not alligators. Harriet fell asleep so we drove out the park and toured Sarasota beach front followed by a quick shopping trip and lunch.
On return we went to the nature trail. J, as many of you will know, has a real phobia of spiders but has tried so hard to ensure he doesn't pass it on. Spiders are 'nice' he insists.
(The National Anthem's playing now)
However, even he couldn't hold it in when he saw these spiders. They were huge admittedly but at a safe distance.
The aerial walkway in the park is well worth the effort. You climb 70 feet up a wooden tower and get great views across the park (just think how many spiders there are!).
Today we travelled down I-75 to the Gulf visitor centre of the Everglades near Everglade City. Taking their advice we travelled to a picnic site that allegedly had the best views of alligators but alligators there were none. We stood in the heat straining our eyesight for any sign of the beasts but gave up and drove further down the unpaved road.
Our futile, sweltering search seemed laughable - there were many huge alligators sitting just by the water's edge.
Satisfied, we travelled to our stop for the night to try out its swimming pool and playground.
It's been an exhausting day I feel as though it's 1am. Thunderclouds have arrived and the sky has turned a threatening colour. It's good to be inside and I'm looking forward to bed; unlike someone in the RV who is fighting sleep with all her strength. J is out taking photographs and I'm off to refill my glass (beaker actually). Plus ca change I suppose.
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Flash and Bang
It's well known that many Americans do not have a passport. Why, the reasoning goes, would they need one when this vast country has so much to offer, often not too far away? At last we have lived this out and taken a two hour flight from New York to Orlando.
It reminds us not of California but the Northern Territory of Australia that we visited six years ago. In any case it feels like a world away from Manhattan.
Another common saying is that catching a domestic flight here is like catching a bus. The flight is definitely no-frills but look who is here with us - Pip!
In the US you cannot take a dog on Amtrak (except service dogs) but a plane? of course, welcome aboard! She was beautifully behaved in her carrier and once we were in the air she came out and lay across our laps, quite content.
It's hot here and even though the iPhone tells us the temperature is similar to New York it feels much hotter. We picked up our rental RV and J at last got to go to Walmart.
The days we could just set off into the sunset are gone. Tonight we travelled 10 miles and set up in a campsite by a lake. It has a dog run with tunnels and see-saws and to our amazement Pip actually tried them out. She must be amazed to see so much grass.
But the weather! The skies opened when we were out and we were soaked in the short run back to the RV. It let up for a bit and we were able to walk out to the end of the dock and watch the thunder and lightning across the lake.
It promises to be a great trip.
It reminds us not of California but the Northern Territory of Australia that we visited six years ago. In any case it feels like a world away from Manhattan.
Another common saying is that catching a domestic flight here is like catching a bus. The flight is definitely no-frills but look who is here with us - Pip!
In the US you cannot take a dog on Amtrak (except service dogs) but a plane? of course, welcome aboard! She was beautifully behaved in her carrier and once we were in the air she came out and lay across our laps, quite content.
It's hot here and even though the iPhone tells us the temperature is similar to New York it feels much hotter. We picked up our rental RV and J at last got to go to Walmart.
The days we could just set off into the sunset are gone. Tonight we travelled 10 miles and set up in a campsite by a lake. It has a dog run with tunnels and see-saws and to our amazement Pip actually tried them out. She must be amazed to see so much grass.
But the weather! The skies opened when we were out and we were soaked in the short run back to the RV. It let up for a bit and we were able to walk out to the end of the dock and watch the thunder and lightning across the lake.
It promises to be a great trip.
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