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Category: Florida

Two Habitat Builds and Some Tourist Time

Two Habitat Builds and Some Tourist Time

Mid-March through April 2023 “The Cove” in Dade City, Florida, is the name given to a street of ten homes being constucted by Habitat for Humanity. We signed on as Care-A-Vanners for a two-week build commitment in March. You never know exactly what you’ll be doing on one of these builds. It could be trim details, siding, painting, cleaning, yard work, or working your way through the task punchlist to ready these homes for their new owners. We’d worked on…

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Gulf Coast Wanderings

Gulf Coast Wanderings

February into March 2023 Cancelling our February AIRbnb reservation left us with an open six-week stretch on our calendar. We had scheduled a Care-A-Vanner commitment in Florida for the last two weeks of March, but we needed a travel plan to bridge the time between then and now. We chose a route out to Rockport, Texas, and a return one that would bring us back to the New Orleans area for Mardi Gras on February 21st, and our Florida commitment…

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Early 2023

Early 2023

FLORIDA to TEXAS Late December to early February Northerners imagine that Florida is always sunny and warm. In reality, Florida can have some damp, bone-chilling weather. We spent some very cold days before Christmas at Fort De Soto County Park and Hillsborough River State Park. Wind, rain, cold, and unheated shower houses – not a good combo. Woodsy campsites turn muddy, potholes appear in dirt roads, and hiking trails become a hop-scotch around puddles. All you can do is layer…

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Autumn in PA and Heading South

Autumn in PA and Heading South

Late October into December 2022 We followed our routine of returning to the Philadelphia suburbs for about a month in the fall. This time off the road gives us an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. No matter how carefully we plan, we always run out of time for visiting before we run out of folks we’d like to see. We feel lucky to still have so many wonderful friends from our life in Delaware County. On the more…

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Gulf Coast – Mississippi Style

Gulf Coast – Mississippi Style

Early to Mid-February 2022 From Carrabelle, we went to Florida’s Panhandle, returning to Fort Pickens campground in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. We’ve stayed here before and it always feels like coming home. This time around, it was a bit chilly, with rain and wind that cut down on our beach walks and bike rides. But it’s still Fort Pickens, with its old timey feel, great sunsets, and lovely shore birds. This time, we were fortunate to meet up with…

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Carrabelle, FL

Carrabelle, FL

January 2022 We took a break from the road to regroup and make some travel plans. It’s been cooler here than we’d expected, but we’ve managed to do some van maintenance, get a jumpstart on campground reservations, and see some local sights. This is off-season on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Our Airbnb is a condo in a marina complex. In the summer, I’m sure it bustles, but it’s quiet in January. Frequently, we’re the only folks around and our van is…

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Florida-late December

Florida-late December

Late December 2021 to January 1, 2022 We bounced around Florida during the last few weeks of 2021. We returned to some favorite campgrounds and visited some that were new to us. At O’Leno State Park, we hiked the familiar trails along the Santa Fe River. O’Leno is one of Florida’s earliest state parks. You can still see hallmarks of the CCC’s construction, especially in the stonework. The camp sites are small and wooded, which goes along with its old-timey…

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Florida

Florida

November 2021 Daytona, Florida On our way to Daytona, we spent one night at Anastasia State Park. With beach access, lots of places to hike and bike, and campsites stashed in the woods, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. It’s also just outside charming St. Augustine. Our reason for going to Daytona this time around was to visit my Aunt Gayle Bolles. It’s been ages since we visited in person. I’m so glad my cousin Linda encouraged us…

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Wrapping Up 2020

Wrapping Up 2020

December 2020 During our early December stay on Santa Rosa Island, we were fortunate to reconnect with the Campbells, a couple we met last year. During our first trip to Fort Pickens, Judy and I bumped into each other in the laundry room. We chatted and discovered that we were on similar paths. They’d sold their house, too, and were also traveling full time in a conversion van. (In camping speak – a Class B) With some people, you just…

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Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

December 2020 We wish everyone Happy Holidays and a bright, sparkling New Year! We aren’t exactly sure where our travels will take us in 2021, but we’re looking forward to the journey! Hoping that happiness is a big part of your 2021! Cheers! John and Sally (View this post under Travels, if you don’t see photos here…)