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April 18, 2006
We spent the last couple days in Savannah enjoying Skidaway Park. The wildlife and mossy trees were great for biking and hiking. After Easter, the park was about ten percent full and the dog thought he owned the entire island.

We hooked up and headed north to Myrtle Beach. We drove through Charleston and as we traveled, we could see a noticeable difference in the flora. There are more types of trees and the deciduous are replacing monocots. The moss is replaced with several types of vines and creepers. We were definitely leaving the South.

Myrtle Beach is the first major destination since we hit Florida, three months ago, that lacked the tourist markup price on staples. We were able to replenish supplies for the trailer and ourselves. Several items included window-blind straps, an ironing blanket (that turns the dining table into a double width ironing board), some art supplies, books and Starbuck’s coffee. I also upgraded the towing mirrors, as the rest of our trip will include lots and lots of traffic.

Myrtle Beach is a gulfing destination with great beaches. We were a half block from the shore and the beaches were similar to San Diego’s with regards to size, color and water temperature. I fished a couple days off the fishing pier and caught a dozen keeper Whiting and a couple Blues, some stingrays and three small Dog sharks. We were able to ride our bikes along the beach and on Park trails and build campfires. K practiced her French with a few of the many French-Canadian neighbors. This could very well be the last we see of the Atlantic as we are heading inland from here.

Catch up
April 16, 2006
Happy Easter. Yesterday, we traveled to Hilton Head Beach for the day. The Verizion Invitational was proceeding and the beach areas were packed.

Here is a brief history of the area. Throughout the area forests, mounds of oyster shells can be found leftover from the Indians, around 2000 BC. In 1520s, the Spanish left their mark and named the area Port Royal. French Huguenots in search of religious freedom settled in 1562 and these two counties fought over the territory until 1663, when the Roman Catholic Pope gave it to Spain.

In 1698, England made her bid for the place in the new world as Sir William Hilton sailed in and conquered the port. In the early 1700s, plantations were cut out of the woodlands. With the presence of successful and wealthily Brits, the Revolutionary War (1776) found the area pro England.

The Civil War was one of the busiest for this area as 30,000 Union troops, housed at Hilton Head, was the southern most strongholds for the North. It was this fort that Sherman was headed towards during his infamous march through Georgia. Only Savannah was saved from his scorched-earth policy. The City Business men realized they were helpless against Sherman’s progressing army. They approached General Sherman and offered him a deal to save Savannah. The agreement is said to include surrender of Savannah on the condition that it was not harmed. Additionally, Sherman could give the City as a Christmas present to President Lincoln (intact). To sweeten the deal for Sherman and guarantee the City from harm, Sherman was given a large mansion in the middle of the city.

Much has remained the same since then. Originally, indigo was the cash crop of the area. Then cotton and tobacco were grown and the invention of the Cotton Gin expanded the area to a modern day Middle East. Inasmuch as cotton textiles were in such demand that any price could be asked and paid, much like crude oil nowadays. Currently, the plantations are being divided into gated golf communities.

Catch up
April 13, 2006
Heading north out of Florida, we found ourselves at Skidaway State Park. It is located on the barrier island of Skidaway and is one of the great secrets of the south. We are twelve miles from downtown Savannah and is connected to a wildlife preserve. Development consists of gulf cart trails and high-end retirement communities. On this island, competition is fierce. If you don’t own a Mercedes’ gulf cart, you are slumming it. The wealth here requires at least two generations and 70 years of solid investing. The village square consists of eight investing institutions, two pharmacies, a gourmet deli/ grocery and a gas station that services gulf carts.

The Park itself is one of the nicest we have stayed. Skidaway has great sites, clean areas and a lot of wildlife.



April 8, 2006
We visited Cape Canaveral today. It is huge and very interesting. The museums are fascinating and we were able to touch a moon rock. The base is posed in the middle of Merritt Island wildlife sanctuary. Kennedy Space Center is where the Mercury, Delta, Gemini, Apollo, Atlas, Saturn and Space Shuttle all launch.





April 7, 2006
Our stay at Gator Park was eventful. We have seen hundreds of alligators with the largest at eight foot. We road an airboat and were able to see many of the animals of the Everglades. In fact, the Everglades is a 150-mile wide river that is slowly moving at one mile per day. This fact makes it fresh water and not stagnant. The spring rains cause the river to raise about three feet and a seven-year dry cycle allows about half to dry and burn periodically.

While casting a fishing rod into a bog, my rod broke leaving only the handle in my hand. The rest landed about ten feet off bank, while the fiberglass rod floated the metal reel quickly sank. I retrieved the broken rod with my second tackle but the reel was snagged on bottom. I asked a local resident how deep this area was and he said 35 foot. I asked if anyone had swam in it and the replay was he saw a couple people swim but he knew of three alligators living in it as well. I opted to blow up the raft and paddle past the snagged spot hoping to dislodge the reel with an opposing angle. It worked, however I found myself 25 foot off shore. K was jumping hysterically on the bank while watching, so I paddled back without incident.

An alligator incident happened about an hour later. As I continued to fish the area using crappie eggs, I was after a five-pound largemouth bass. I could see him in six foot of water, so I was trying to annoy him enough to take my bait. When he fed, I noticed his mouth was about the size of my fist. In a split second, he darted away and I saw a mouth five times bigger take the bait. I hoped it was a 20-pounder and he fought like he was. I couldn’t see him, but he pulled big and I could see the wake his tail made about five foot away from where my line entered the water. We fought for a half hour before I was able to raise him to the surface. I turned flush when I found out that my 20-pound bass was a five foot alligator. While the fight was on, I managed to call K and she came running with the camera.

Now I realize that I have a problem. How was I to get my line free? I didn’t want to cut the line and have the hook or line snag and harm the poor guy. But, I really didn’t want to pull the hook out myself. So, just off the shore was a three-foot deep ledge. I stopped pulling and let the alligator settle down. It worked. He was tired. He sat on bottom blowing bubbles at me. After about three minutes, I started gently tugging at the line. Earlier, I was watching while he took the line and had pulled quickly and set the hook. It was just inside his teeth. The gentle tugging annoyed him and he calmly reached up with his back claw and followed my line into his teeth and easily pulled out he hook. All involved were relieved. K took a couple pictures (this time in focus), and he surfaced then hissed at me. I had enough fishing for one day and retired to clean my existing stringer.

Catch up
April 4, 2006
We are departing the Keys today. After five weeks, we feel we are done here and ready to move on north. I think a vacation of 4-12 days would be optimal for the Keys. Less leaves One feeling rushed and more finds One bored. The 70-degree nights and high 80s during the day is heating the water quickly. Clouds are forming more regularly and closer together. Soon the storms will start and then organize to tropical depressions.

We are spending a couple days in the Everglades and hoping to ride an airboat.

March 30, 2006
The last two weeks have flown for us. The sun has deepened our tans with the help of the water’s reflection. Snorkeling and fishing have kept me busy, while K has been biking and reading. Klep enjoys the solitude of our spot with the exception of the Key deer. There are many roaming the streets and occasionally, they check out our lush front yard for food. Although concerned, he has sized them up accurately to 1.5 times his height. Thanks to his priorities of food, rubs and sleep, he nearly matches the deer’s weight. Key deer are a subspecies of Virginia White tail that, much like the Key Lime, are stunted at nearly half the normal size. Other than Man’s vehicle (killing 100 per year), the deer’s only predator is the alligator.

The snowbirds have schooled us in many ways of the RV. On this key, there is a swap meet that seems better equipped than Camp World or Cabellas for the RVer. They have everything from water heater elements to wind straps for the awning. The swap meet also has a boat direct fresh fish market and- thanks to my success with local fishing- they keep us supplied with shrimp and fresh fish.

March 15, 2006
We secured a location on Big Pine for a three-week stay. Snorkeling, swimming, biking and March Madness are the plans. It is 80F during the day and 69F for a low at night. I have a sports bar two blocks away for college hoops. We have a friend coming into town that has never been to the Keys and he wants to do the Key West thing. I have picked up a fishing license so we are ready to get back to vacation.

Catch up
March 15, 2006
We secured a location on Big Pine for a three-week stay. Snorkeling, swimming, biking and March Madness are the plans. It is 80F during the day and 69F for a low at night. I have a sports bar two blocks away for college hoops. We have a friend coming into town that has never been to the Keys and he wants to do the Key West thing. I have picked up a fishing license so we are ready to get back to vacation.

March 14, 2006
Two weeks have been very informative. K and I refer to this HFH as a rogue build. They rehab anything including 50-year-old travel trailers that are termite infested and wiht dry rot to a point of zero integrity. Mold and mildew, not only from Wilma, but also many years of leaks and neglect, is on the menu. Instead of building to local code, they skirt it by quickly covering up work. New building codes require any modification to include raising the building to a footing of eight-foot above sea level. Rather than conform to the requirements, HFH does not modify the exterior and piece mill the dilapidated interior. They don’t bother with any mold protective wear or containment. K had one day in the field then worked out a deal to do office work. I was relieved for her.

After struggling with five electrical configurations, I was able to get a 30 amp connection. Water was hosed in when needed and sewer was carted out using blue shuttle tanks. We survived and received a pen and certificate for our efforts.

We were able to find a couple of beaches and bike paths for relaxation during the weekends.

March 1, 2006
We have arrived at Big Pine Key to start a two-week build with HFH.