Aug. 26, 2016

Disney Warmup

This week we are located in a Snowbird park about 15 miles south of Disney World.  Large park (very large) pretty much filled with ‘mobile’ homes (most of them now have roots) with a scattering of spaces for RVs.  Very nice place with lots of activity facilities.  Must really hum in the winter.

Monday we drove up I 4 through Orlando to Sanford, FL.  Home of Boss Laser.  Birthplace of my laser machine.  Spent over an hour with a sales rep. No sales talk.  Just tips and techniques for using my machine and possible resources.  Showed us the assembly warehouse where I saw several of my model machines as well as some very large (work beds larger than a sheet of plywood) models.  I doubt any of you are looking for a laser cutter/engraver but if you are I don’t think you can go wrong with Boss Laser.  The machines are built in America with a mixture of American made and high quality imported parts.  Packaging and shipping are outstanding.  My large heavy machine was snugly secured in a wooden crate and traveled 3500 miles without a scratch and worked out of the box.  Support is the best I have ever seen anywhere on any product or service.  Questions or issues are addressed quickly and dealt with rapidly.  By text, over the phone (instant software fix and setup tweak) or by next day mail if needed.  Every contact with every individual (from receptionist to sales to head of tech support) by phone, email, and now in person has been pleasant, supportive, and productive.  They are interested in you and happy to be of help.

Tuesday we went to Disney Springs.  Formerly Downtown Disney. Expanded, upgraded, etc. Still geared to upscale shopping but does have attractions, food, and entertainment.  Each individually priced.  Disney Springs is a major hub for the Disney bus system.  We took a bus (free) to the Polynesian Resort (by way of Typhoon Lagoon). Quest, in addition to seeing the grounds, was to get a Dole Whip. Found the Pineapple Lanai, literally a hole in the wall window serving one item.  Only other place to get Dole Whip is in Magic Kingdom which we couldn’t go to ‘till next week.  Got cups of Dole Whip, pineapple soft serve, and sat in hotel lobby eating ice cream, watching people and using Disney internet on our phones.  Walked from Polynesian to Grand Floridian along the lake shore.  Passed the hotel pools and water parks, the wedding chapel on the lake, and the resort beaches. Including the beach where an alligator grabbed a small child recently.  The beaches no longer go to the water.  There is a fence and between the fence and the water is a ten foot zone of coarse rock breakwater.   The effect is a very difficult area to traverse.  Nothing short of a tank could cross it let alone an alligator.  There are now signs mentioning alligators but they are small, low key, and easy to over look.  The state park we stayed in with alligators in pond had huge signs with easy to read and understand wordage. I know Disney doesn’t want to scare its’ guests but minimalizing warnings seems poor.  Back on a bus to car at Disney Springs (free parking) and then home to Carbus.

Wednesday – early drive to Universal Studios.  Good close up parking in garage, quick visit to will call kiosk, brisk walk to back of Universal Studios park and into Diagon Alley.  Walked right on to Harry Potter ride. After ride we walked the Potter area, visited shops, and had a Butter Beer (Sue regular, me frozen).  Then to train (going through wall) to Hogwarts area of Islands of Adventure park.  Again walked right on Potter ride.  Then walked Hogwarts area and shops.  Walked around rest of Islands of Adventure park. Much of it is geared to young kids or enormous coasters.  We were about to go on Jurassic Park ride when it was closed down because of weather.  Walked back to Hogwarts and took train back to other park.  Still raining so had lunch at Leaky Cauldron in Potter area. Supposed to be something ‘to do’.  It was ok.  A bit pricy but I guess some of the price is the experience.  Dessert was ice cream from the ice cream shop (next to the butter beer shop).  That would be a fun place to go back to.  Lots of different and very intriguing flavors.  Left the Potter area and walked through the rest of the Universal Studios park.  This is the original park.  Took several rides in that park.  Back to Potter area to take train again (10 min wait this time).  Over to Jurassic Park ride.  30 minute wait but fun ride.  Back on train.  Another butter bear(both frozen) and then walk to park exit.  On the way out we came face to face with a parade headed our way.  Stood on sidewalk and watched parade/show.  Large floats, costumed characters, performers, etc. The parade stops and the entire cast does a dance routine.  Interesting to see three blocks of dancers lined up doing the same dance routine.  Somehow dancing Minions and cartoon fish didn’t quite do it for me though.  Finished our exit and back to car.  Judging by vacancies in garage, our day out lasted many who came after us.

Two more days for rest up, laundry, etc. and then we start our Disney Experience.

Aug. 20, 2016

Marking Time on the West Coast

The last few days we have been slowly working up the west coast of Florida, marking time prior to heading inland.

Mostly just sight seeing.  Like the Atlantic side, the Gulf side of southern Florida is pretty well developed non-stop.  There is an ocean but seeing it is difficult.  Homes and hotels on just about all the beach front.  Where there is a narrow access path there is no parking for blocks, if at all.  We did find one very nice public beach with good parking on the southern tip of Anna Maria island.  Mid-week, off season so not crowded. 

Went to DeSoto National Historic Site.  Interesting to learn about him and his quest. 

This tree is outside visitor center.  A Gum tree.  It is in crisis.  It has lived well beyond the normal time for that species.

Today we went to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.  Long time tourist attraction now owned and run by the state of Florida.  Fun place.  Two sides to it. One side is a waterpark with slides, pools, playgrounds, volleyball courts, lots of lawn space.  Very well attended by families with kids of all ages.  The other side has three attractions/shows and space for functions.  One show is an animal (actually reptile) demonstration.  Brief, up close introduction to several different reptiles. Second attraction is a boat ride down the out flow river from the springs.  Short trip on the meandering, jungle like river to see some wild life and nature.  Third attraction is the Mermaid Show.  Under water theater where ‘real’ mermaids perform for about 45 minutes.  Fun show.  Well choreographed and performed.

 

Stand in.

Tomorrow we head inland.

August 15, 2016

Leaving Everglades

After dinner last night we took a stroll around the pond in front of our campsite.  Met this guy.

 

In the Everglades there is a plant called the Strangler Grape.   Seeds of the grape take root in the bark of trees deposited by birds or wind. 

Young Strangler Grape (broad leaves) attached to Palm.

 

The grape sends roots down the host tree to the ground.

 

The roots of the grape spread and expand around the trunk of the host tree eventually surrounding the trunk.  We saw trees with trunks completely surrounded and covered by thick Strangler Grape roots.

 

Only time the carbus has briefly dropped into low gear was over Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet.  Handled the one above with out any problem.

Smallest post office in the United States. 8’x8’.

 

 

On to the west coast of Florida.

August 14, 2016

Big Cypress & Everglades

Last night we had a spectacular light show.  180 degree panorama of almost non-stop lightning – both sheet and forked.

Hope this video works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKdpdaCt1E4&feature=em-share_video_user

 

Started the day with a drive along a dirt back road through Big Cypress.  Have to go slow at the right places and keep your eyes open.  Might be rewarded.

 

 

After the drive through Big Cypress on to Everglades again.  Took tram tour to overlook tower.  See any swamps?

August 13, 2016

Everglades National Park &

Big Cypress National Preserve

Yesterday we toured Everglades NP.  Drove the whole 38 mile length of the park road to the Flamingo visitor center on the shore of the gulf.  Took the concession boat tour at this point.  A bit disappointing.  The ‘Captain’ giving the tour and his one man ‘crew’ had no enthusiasm.  Both were rather robotic.  Information was presented but felt like it was totally scripted.  They put in their time and pointed out (not very distinctly) some sights but a movie might have been better.  Don’t think anyone left the boat feeling better for having taken it.  We (some of us) did see a baby crocodile.

Along our drive we stopped at several informative walks.  Interesting to see the different types of vegetation areas differing in elevation by just inches.  None of these areas is swamp as many believe the Everglades to be.  Grassy river and cypress hammocks prevail.

 

Today we drove to a campground in the heart of Big Cypress National Preserve.  From there to visitor center for some orientation and then to western edge of the preserve to Everglade City.  In Everglade city we took an airboat tour through the mangrove rivers.  Had not been on an airboat before.  Fun ride.  Felt much like our jet boat but more responsive at slower speeds.  Our ‘Captain’ was enthusiastic, talkative, and informative.  Looked very hard to find wildlife and at the same time give an enjoyable ride.  We saw (within feet) alligators, raccoons, and a mother and baby dolphin swimming through the harbor. 

 

View from front seat of air boat.

 

 

Hard to see but he sees you.

Hanging out in tree next to river.

Getting a closer look at the river.

 

 

There are several walks and some drives in the preserve.  Also tours led by the Seminoles.  Took one walk on a boardwalk that passes through several vegetation areas along it’s  half mile length and really gives you the feel of being totally surrounded by nature.

This guy was in canal next to visitor center.

These kids have been doing Jr. Ranger programs all across the US.  Hats and vests were covered with awards from 49 parks and monuments.  Great educational experience!

 

 

August 11, 2016

Fruit & Spice Park

Short drive of a couple of hours up the northern half of the Keys and on to the mainland at Homestead, FL.  Got situated and connected and then looked for something to do for the afternoon.  Came across a reference to the Fruit & Spice Park.  Part of the Miami/Dade County park system the park is a unique 35 acre display of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world.  Visitors are invited to taste their way through ripe displays.  The office/store/visitor center has samples of 10-12 different exotic fruits cut up for sampling. There are hundreds of different fruits.  Visitors are welcome to wander the park looking at all the different trees and plants and to sample any fruit that is on the ground.  Couple of rules:  fruit can not be picked from frees and you must know what you are eating.  That is important because some fruits are hazardous.  The wandering approach would be difficult and frustrating as the hundreds of trees and plants are planted in an apparent random park like fashion with little organization.  Each plant is identified but there are so many that posted  information about each would be impossible.  There is an organization to the park layout but a novice would not recognize it.  There is an alternative to wandering on foot.  They have a tram tour.  Great tour.  Covers the whole park with full time narration by driver.  Describing nearly every tree passed.  Complete description of fruits and other useful parts.  How fruits are used. Tastes. Much more.  And yes, there is an organization to layout of park.  Different areas have plants common to different parts of the world.  Driver was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.  She stopped several times and gathered fruit (she picked it from the trees – she worked there, she’s allowed) and gave us all a taste sample. Tour was supposed to be 45 minutes – took nearly 1 1/4 hours and might have gone longer but had to get back for next tour.  Learned a great deal that would not have happened if we just wandered.  At end of tour she gave us some Moringa Tree seeds.  Just about every part of this tree can be eaten and it is loaded with nutrients.  Buying the processed plant through health food stores, etc. can be pricey.  Looking forward to trying to grow a tree when we get home.

August 10, 2016

Key West

Drove to Marathon, FL yesterday.  Half way down Florida Keys and location of RV park with decent price (for the Keys).  Today we drove another 50+ miles to Key West.  Old (historic) Key West is a grid of very narrow streets, little to no parking ($$-$$$ where available), lots of bicycles,  even more tourists, many cars and even large trucks,  trolleys, and tourist attractions and shops of all kinds.  There are a number of museums and historical spots but most have gone commercial and if you do want to visit them there is no parking near them.  We opted to take another Home Town Trolley tour so we didn’t have to deal with traffic and got to at least see (if not visit) many interesting spots and get an informative narration of what we were seeing.  Not a place we would chose to spend a vacation but many do.  The whole length of the Florida Keys is a mixture of water related tourist activities. Fishing, diving, snorkeling, jet skis, kayaks, tour boats and helicopters, restaurants, museums, etc., etc. Occasional communities with ‘normal’ retail.  The lone road that traverses the Keys is pretty filled both ways with traffic.  Must be quite interesting if there is a mandatory hurricane evacuation.

 

 

As with much of south Florida, Key West has a huge historical and cultural tie to Cuba.  Chickens are a large part of Cuban culture where they run free.  That bit of culture was transported to Key West.  For some reason the chickens became protected.  Killing them is a $500 fine.  They are everywhere.  We saw roosters, hens, and chicks of all sizes all over the city.

 

Key West cemetery.  Graves are above ground.  Not because of high water table (which does exist) but because ground is essentially a coral reef and digging is nearly impossible.

 

Closer to Cuba than the US mainland.

 

Hemmingway’s favorite bar.

Hemmingway’s house is beyond wall.  Big tourist attraction (and $$$).

Beginning of US Route 1.

Southern most drivable point in the United States.  We have now been to all four extremes.

Not as prolific as chickens but these guys are here if you know where to look.