Florida, Phase I

Upon crossing into Florida, we looked at the map and decided about the distance we wanted to drive that day was to St. Augustine, and there was an Elks club there. What a treat! Didn't know it is the Christmas capital of Florida!!! We went on a tour of the city during the day, and on the Christmas light tour in the evening. Really a fun city filled with history and beautiful old buildings! Right now I am not finding the photos we took of the old buildings!

We are currently in Kissimmee, FL (close to Orlando). We parked for the last 2 weeks of 2011 there at Mill Creek RV Park, as it was close to the airport, nice people, but it was not the greatest park we have found. I flew to Seattle area to see all 3 of our kids, all 6 grandkids, brothers, neices, nephews, and ex-mother-in law who is 90 years old. Had a great trip. Al stayed in the RV with our kitties and kept busy puttering around and acquainting himself with the area. Before I left we went to a fun Al Capone's dinner show.

The month of January, we are booked into Ponderosa RV Park at Kissimmee (Al moved us while I was gone. Much nicer park, and closer to stores, etc. This week, Al had a tooth pulled, and got fitted for a replacement tooth. Happily, he did not have lot of pain ! There are so many things to do and see around here, and we need to make a plan to do them! Met and talked with the owner of the show, "Arabian Nights" (horse show), and he gave us 2 highly discounted VIP tickets, which we are anxious to take advantage of. We have reservations for Thursday, Jan 24, and are excited. Tuesday this week, we are taking our neighbors here at the park to a Mystery Dinner Theater to thank him for helping Al figure out how to install the new Satelite and get the Direct TV box hooked up, so we are grateful and looking forward to that night as well.

The RV Park had a spaghetti dinner last night, and we went, (not the greatest meal, but it was only $4 each). After, we talked with the neighbors for awhile then watched the results of the South Carolina GOP vote. Should be a very interesting election year! Not sure what to expect!

When we leave here Feb 1st, we will head for an FMCA RV Rally in Brooksville, FL for 4 nights, then on towards Tampa. From there, who knows! People tell us we HAVE to see the Florida Keys, and that it will get progressively hotter as the season goes on, so we will probably go after Tampa. Also, people tell us NOT to take the RV there, as the streets are very narrow. So, we will try to take a tour trolley or bus and see the area that way. Time will tell.

We finally got our bikes out of the RV and are riding a little most days then enjoying the pool. My knees are not sure about the bike, but think it is getting better each time.

We understand that you all in Washington and Oregon are having storms, wind, rain and snow! I will be very much relaxed when Jan gets back to Seattle safely, as she is driving her convertible with her cat! Jim is waiting Dr's decision as to what to do about his hernia surgery that never healed right last year, and Brent was in Milwaukie last we knew. hard to be so far away from loved ones. I am so grateful to have seen all the family over the holidays, and Al seems to have fared well in my absence.

Sorry not big exciting things to share, but wanted to check in.

Big hugs to all,

Al & Sylvia