Surf's Up!

Great food. Great friends.

Our little surfer.

Daisy retrieves a stick.

Fort De Soto campground. Waterfront sites. Sweet!

Oops. The second time I've posted this pic.


What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was one of those Florida Chamber of Commerce days: sunny, bright, low humidity, temps in the mid-70s. Couldn't ask for better weather. A welcome break from the rain that pummeled our campsite on Sunday morning.

I think it was Sunday. I'm not completely sure since one day blends into the next when you're on the road. And unemployed. (If you feel sorry for me -- please do -- send check, cash or money order to Corita Gravitt, c/o "Somewhere on the road", USA.)

We were looking for a "beach fix" and found it at Fort De Soto, a county park that straddles the bay and gulf. A beautiful spot with a wonderful campground that epitomizes tropical south Florida--shaded by large trees, palmettos, and lined with white sand. No surprise -- it's extremely popular and we were told you have to book months in advance for a waterfront site. Plus few sites allow pets and there's a no-alcohol policy. So that leaves us out.

Beyond the campground is a wide, shallow bay with Tampa's dramatic Sunshine Skyway in the background. We stopped for a look and when we jumped out of the truck Daisy jumped right into the water and took to it like a surfer-dudette. Couldn't get her out. Very cute. She started slapping the water with her forepaws and biting at the splash. She was in dog heaven. Now we don't know what the hell she is. Jack Russell? Chihuahua? Retriever? Not even sure she's a dog. But it's still all about her.

All this excitement worked up an appetite so Gail indulged us with a home-cooked feast that would have taken me a week to prepare. Crock-pot pot roast, carrots, potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, deviled eggs, dessert. And gravy. Washed down with wine from an actual bottle, not a box. Of course, before dinner Paul had to sit out in the Florida room with Willie, smoking his cigarettes and listening to his rants about the damn Democrats and the good old days before WalMart. But Paul being the classic obliging liberal is willing to sit, listen, nod from time to time, all the while knowing that he is not just right politically but there's a free meal at the end of this rant. Hell, you feed us, we'll listen to anything.


Today we're moving on south. To Naples, the Everglades and onto Key West, our established goal, on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we head north for a few days to Orlando and then start making our way home to Arizona.