Final week in Lake Pan

Sunday 14 to Sunday 21 March 2021

We are just hanging out here in Lake Pan enjoying some great weather until

Spring time in Florida.

Friday when it got cool. High's in the 60's low in the low 50's. Here are the highlights:

Places we had lunch:

Artman's BBQ great food brought some home

Ramschackle a unique dinner style place

Flippers a pizza joint leftover breakfast for me 2 days

Odd Couple's small in town dinner

Things we did:

Flea market of Marion found several items we needed and some veggies

We went to look for new truck top and then back to have it installed

We stopped at a roadside seafood place for "fresh seafood" The place had everything we ended up getting some shrimp and two dozen clams. We got home and the shrimp are the farmed raised crap you get at the grocery store. Who the heck sells shrimp from Indonesia when you are 40 miles from the ocean, but the clams were good.

Only one good story:

    We were setting outside one night enjoying some wine when I noticed the start of a birds nest's above the storage bin, in the slide out track. We didn't see any birds going in and out, so I just pulled it out and put it on the ground. The next evening we are sitting outside having some wine when we look over and the nest is back in place. So I remove the nest threw it away, vacuumed the area and hung some bags from the bottom of the slide out. We didn't have happy hour the third day so I need to look and see if they came back.

I lied another story is the satellite antenna:

     When we arrived the first week of January the satellite was not working. I took it over to Len's to see if we could order a new one. On and off for the past two and half months we had tried several different things. We changed receiver cards, receivers old and new with different configurations and different remotes and even changed batteries nothing worked. We called the antenna company several times thinking we broke the antenna. and still nothing worked. In the mean time Diane was not happy with our over the air reception so we bought a hang on the ladder antenna, a booster for that antenna readjusted it a hundred time and still poor reception. She would be watching a show and it would simple go away. Finally I went over to Len's on Wednesday he called Direct after 30 some minutes on the phone they agreed to send a new receiver. Saturday it arrived and he came over for dinner and we installed it. Short version: he was on the phone with Direct for most of a hour and couldn't get it to work. Oh my what a bummer. They hung up we change one thing and poof we were in. You should have seen the biggest smile on Diane's face we have satellite!! After 6 weeks and just a week before we leave it is fixed.

Side note to this story while Len was here Shane called to thank him for helping with Gracie's recent health crisis. We learned more listening to them talk to each other than from when they talk to us.

I should get back on track with the blog. We will be heading north some time next week hopefully going to some different places.

 This is the start of the bird's nest and the next picture is after it was removed and what we used to keep them from going in there again!!

Back to Lake Panasoffkee

 Sunday 7 March 7 2021

   Headed out this morning(it was before noon) over to Sebring to a flea market and gun show.  The flea market was a bust.  Not many vendors and the ones that were there were closing up just as we walked in.  Walked next door to a gun show but that was $10 each just to get in so we skipped that.  Lunch time by now Diane found The Sunset Grill right on the lake so we headed over.  We parked and walked up to the door there was a line of folks waiting so we waited, and we waited,  people pulled into the parking lot and left but we waited.  After a while we waited some more and were about to leave when poof they seated everyone.  The food was very good I had the seafood platter and Diane picked the seafood linguini.  She definitely had the better of the two.  Pasta with tons of seafood, shrimp, scallops, fish and crab.  That pretty much shot the whole day.  Back to the Moho salad for dinner and walks for Rudy.  

Monday 8 March 2021

    Mostly a hangout at the Moho day.  We had a nice breakfast hit the grocery store and walked the river trail and around the campground.

Tuesday 9 March 2021

   Today we were off the Highland Hammock State Park with our friends for a day of bike riding and hiking.  It was another beautiful day.  We biked, we hiked and talked until the mosquitoes drove us back to vehicles at 4:30.  Always so much to learn as you walk around the swamps, highlands and fields.  There were several old cypress trees there over 1000 years old, oh what Florida must have looked like to the first settlers.  A nice long walk for Rudy before having tacos for dinner.  A lot of exercise today and we faded fast after dinner.

      We made sure Brad went first and tested the cat walks over the swamps before the rest of us headed out.  

Below is Brad with Will and Ella on one of our walking tours

Wednesday 10 March 2021

   Today was a travel day going back to Countryside RV park. We packed up and did a very slow 150 mile drive and it took us all day to get there.  Today the campground did away with the lottery system for spots and left people check in "all day long".  Now I never realized what a disaster that would become when RV's start pulling in a 9 am. before people leaving could get out.  We had to wait while the guy pulled into the spot beside us.  To make the long story short people were trying to use the dump station,  people trying to pull out, people trying to park, people saving spots and people driving up and down the rows looking for a spot.  The whole ordeal was crazy!  Oh and I forgot kids running back and forth the whole time. Anyway, we pulled out at 10:45 drove up the back way, stopped for lunch, fuel, propane and still made here by 3:45.  And thank you president O'Biden gas is now $3 a gallon and diesel $3.45 that is almost a penny day since he took office.  Burgers for dinner.

Thursday 11 March 2021

    We did a bunch of stuff around the camper then over to The Fisherman's Cove Restaurant for lunch, it seems to becoming one of our favorites.  Back to the Moho Diane got ready and took our prescriptions over to Walgreen's.  She didn't notice the tailgate was down and the bed cover was open and not latched.  As she headed up I 75 going between 60 and 70 mph the loudest bang she has ever heard made her slam on the brakes and pull over.  The bang was the bed cover blowing shut.  It hit so hard it bent the cover and broke off the bars that keep it locked.  She continued on her journey but rest assured I will never forget to close that cover again. Wraps for dinner with a side of nerve pills for Diane.

  Brad is not all that sad, he has been wanting a different bed cover, I just gave he a reason to get one!!  😏

Friday 12 March 2021

    The weather has stayed exceptionally nice lows in the mid 50's highs around 80.  We had to run back to the drug store and over to see about a new bed cover for the truck.  I was on the phone a bit to long and it was lunch time before we even left.  We got stuck in traffic in Wildwood right beside one of favorite restaurants Oh Shuck's.  Darn our luck!  So we pulled in 1lb shrimp for me and wings for Diane.  To top that off they gave me the wrong beer so that was free, can anything else go wrong.  After picking up prescriptions we hit an antique mall and found a few pieces of Pfaltzgraff  we needed.  One unique piece we found was a trivet about 6 inch square.  Loaded up the truck and headed back to the Moho never made it to look for bed cover.  

Saturday 13 March 2021

   We were supposed to go to Len's today but couldn't get ahold of him so we suffered with a grilled breakfast.  The sun has been warm so we had to put the sun shade on the awning this morning.  Diane and I were working on it up and down the ladder a little at a time when the neighbor came over (he is about 6'2" or more) and just pulled it right across.  Thank you neighbor man.  Diane did several loads of laundry including a trip to the in-town laundromat to do the quilt and covers.  

I swear it keeps that side of the Moho 10 degrees cooler.  

Back at Peace River!!

 Monday 1 March 2021

    We were on the road at 9:30 went 9 miles to Love's truck stop to hook up after Diane made a quick stop at the store.  Hooked up and on the road again at 10:30.  uneventful ride down to Torrey Pine camp ground in Bowling Green about 85 miles.  A very nice CG a bit pricey $59 a night.  Very warm this afternoon but still managed a few walks. The few people we meet were very welcoming especially Santa Clause, he went to Santa training in Indiana and now is assigned to Jacksonville Fl. We now know more about being a Santa than you ever wanted to.  We did mix it up a bit today we had steak and mushrooms for dinner instead of the usual burgers.

 Tuesday 2 march 2021

   Another very warm day the air conditioner ran all day and night. Spent the day at campground walking around just checking the place out.  We did manage to do all the banking that needed done, bill paying and all that other stuff that shows up at the beginning of the month  

Wednesday 3 march 2021

    A very short travel day.  We pulled out about 9:30 after a couple of hard downpours.  We traveled the

Just a pretty cactus
growing at the CG.

whole 10 miles without stopping.  Back at Peace River we went and parked in the holding area by 10am and had to wait until 2 pm to get a spot.  But we did get our first choice so all was well.  Back to burgers for travel day even though it was a short one.

Thursday 4 March

    Had plans to meet some friends in the afternoon so decided to make breakfast.  Quite cool today especially after the few days in the high 80's.  Had to wear sweatshirts most all day.  Meet with our friends who are actually the couple that were selling their Moho from Virginia.  We sat by the river and chatted until almost 4:30.  Back home and then we walked Rudy around the park for awhile. 

Friday 5 March 2021

   The temp's were back up a bit today.  We had a quick breakfast and went down to Zolfo Springs to Pioneer Days, a tractor show and flea market etc.  We walked around for 5 hours taking a couple breaks for food.  First let me back up, we rode our bicycles down thinking we wouldn't find much. It is good to get out doing something again.  I'd guess less than 40% of the people were  wearing masks but most kept their distance.  Back to walking around a "large" flea market in no time at all we had three bays full of stuff.  Tired and ready to go home.  More stuff than we could carry I had to ride my bike back get the truck and drive down to get Diane, her bike and the bags of "important items" we purchased.  We made it back wore out sausages for dinner and big walk for Rudy.

     The rows of vendors were long, but we did manage to go up and down every aisle.  

                The next pic is part of the tractor parade.  The actually had quite a few in the parade. 

There was a Pioneer Village and the Blacksmith was there working and then

Diane just had to get this jam and try it.  The lady had given it a very unique name and it got Diane's attention  (it is very good).

Saturday 6 March 2021

  Rain steady all afternoon.  I've was a bit "belly challenged" today so I stayed home while Diane got to have fun going to Bealls Outlet, Tractor Supply and the grocery store.  In between running she even managed to do a couple loads of  laundry and made a nice dinner. 

Time back in Lake Pannasoffkee

 Friday 26 February 2021

     A bit of a return to our old camping life(pre Covid).  We left the house heading to Homosassa to a The Freezer for lunch.  We have been there several times and love the steamed shrimp.  We pulled in just after lunch and there was no where to park.  So we drove up the street to try a new restaurant "The Shed".  A little apprehensive at first, 15 or so motorcycles parked by the door.  But the place was nice.  You have to order at the bar but the beer was cold and the shrimp were good.  Diane had a blackened fish sandwich  with fries all very good.  We drove around Homosassa stopped at two campgrounds to check them out, first one had very small sites and the second had narrow road for our rig.  We like the area, lots of things to do and lots of nice restaurants.  We also found a antique place.  It was an old farm house and barn all full of stuff.  We spent a hour or so there found some really unique stuff but left empty handed.   

The view from our restaurant.

Saturday 27 February 2021

Down right hot.   We cooked breakfast outside, did things around the Moho and that was about it.  It did keep us busy for the day.

Sunday 28 February 2021

   Very warm again today.  We left at 9:00 drove over to Hernando Beach to meet Len for a day on the boat.  We had a really nice pontoon boat stored at the marina.  We packed some waters, snacks and a few beers.  We boated out to the edge of the gulf anchored and floated on the tubes for a while.  What a nice time in the water and talking with Len.  We went back in had a late lunch at the Zigzag Scallop restaurant just up from the Marina.  Len and I had grilled shrimp and believe or not Diane had the Zigzag scallop special.  Everything was very good and the beer was cold.  We didn't get back to the Moho until 5pm and poor Rudy was locked up for almost eight hours.  We took him for a nice long walk but I don't think he forgave us until he had his dinner.  Leaving tomorrow for Bowling Green staying at a new camp ground.

These guys were swimming around all afternoon.

Brad and Len on the boat while I floated in the water.  At least they didn't cut me loose.  😊

   

Anddddddd so the story goes!!!!

 Tuesday 23 February 2021

   Woke up with half a headache after a terrible night's sleep.  Our heads just a spinning.  We hit the floor running with so much to do.  I called Len to see if we can use his garage for storage.  By 8:15 I was at the DMV office in Bushnell to see where we can get the title work done.  The first thing we needed was to find out where the buyer will title the Moho.  Diane texted the guy around 10am while she was looking at a camper for us to rent.  The buyer texted back title will be in Florida.  By lunch time we had it all planned.  Diane had rented us a camper(that allows pets).  I had the storage unit on hold.  So we were ready.  Just before noon I call the guy to tell it is a deal.  He tells us it is just to much stress and they have changed their mind.  WHAT THE *&$%#@.  At ten he still was buying and by noon he changed his mind.  And just like that it is over.  Diane calls and cancels the camper.  And we commence a little day Drinking. What a waste of two days and most of our brain cells!

Wednesday 24 February 2021 

   Life goes on.  We had breakfast on the grill and tried to regroup.  A nice warm day and still a bit wound up.  We had a good exercise day bike ride and walks.  Diane also made a trip to the store.  We had pork chops in the crock pot so as not to stress our brains on "what do you want for dinner"

Thursday 25 February 2021

   We are almost back to normal.  Each day has been getting a warmer so we have been exercising before noon trying to beat the heat.  I took my ride and was back before 10:30.  Diane did some laundry took her walk all before noon. Did a few chores around the camper and then went over to the Jumper

Creek Wildlife area.  We figured there would be some hiking/biking trails along the creek.  We were wrong.  We drove down the access road passing a Wild life Officer on his way out he looked at us a little funny.  It wasn't long before we found out why.  The first road ended in a rutty swampy area but enough room to turn around.  We didn't learn our lesson we tried road number two.  As we traveled along it got smaller and smaller until the brush was rubbing both sides of truck with marsh on both sides.  Soooooo I had to back the whole way out, then we went home.  We got back and it took two glasses of wine before my neck was back to normal.

Brad has been in Florida tooooo long,  74⁰ and he has a sweatshirt on already.  What is he going to do when we get back to Pennsylvania?

Peace River Visit!

 Wednesday 17 February 2021

     Nothing much happening today.   Calling for rain and temps only in the 60's.  The rain quit around 10 but we had a heavy mist/drizzle until 3 or so. Diane did manage to get to the Bealls Outlet store but that was about it.

Thursday 18 February 2021

    Today we had big plans for a fun and exciting day.  We headed over to Sebring (30 miles away) for lunch, a couple of antique stores and coin store. A nice day temps in the low 80's but not real sunny so it was comfortable.  We couldn't find anything so we stopped for lunch and a chance to search google.  We ate at a road side place called Mango's Cuban Café.  Guess what the special was, that's it a Cuban, so we split a sandwich and water not all that exciting but we did end up finding the stores.  The coin store closed, the flea market was only on weekend, antique mall was large but disappointing and second antique store no longer in business.  As we were leaving Diane saw an estate sale sign we made a U-turn and pulled right in.  I found two kerosene lanterns for 20 bucks and Diane scored big with a cheese grater. It was a nice day and all in all we had a good time. Pot roast was cooking all day so the house smelled so good when we got home.  Wine on the patio and then dinner.

OK, as I was walking past this Moho I noticed this Minion tracking me.  It just made me laugh, I had to go back to get Brad and show him.  As we were checking it out the owner came out and said it was a tracking camera.  We just had a hoot with him the rest of his stay there.  😂😂😂😂😂

Friday 19 February 2021

    We finally accomplished what we set out to due today.  A nice day, temps in the mid 70's and mostly sunny.  We went down to Arcadia for lunch and some antique shopping.  First was lunch at Magnolia Street Seafood and Grill, I had broiled seafood platter with shrimp, fish, scallops and a crab cake (which was actually pretty good). and Diane had the Blackened scallop platter.  The food was great, the first good seafood we have had in a while.  We headed to the antique store which turned out to be at ‎least‎  ten stores, maybe more.  We had to head home before we hit them all.  I guessed we needed to save some for the next time. We got back around 4 pm a couple of nice walks around the park.  Salad for dinner.

Saturday 20 February 2021

   A lovely day today temp's in the low 70's and plenty of sunshine.  We drove down to Alva to visit with Jen and Greg.  The ride down took a lot longer than we thought, first we stopped at the antique store to double check on an item but the store was closed.  When we got back in the car Diane noticed a coffee shop right at the car,  so we went to get coffee.  Back on the road for a while and we finished the coffee and not long until we needed a bathroom break.  We finally arrive about 11 visited for awhile then went down to the river for lunch.  Again what a nice day.  After lunch we went back to their camper chatted a while and headed home about 3:00-3:30.

                                            The McCurdy's at the Folk's.

  Sunday 21 February 2021

    We had breakfast cooked on the grill and slowly started packing up for our trip north tomorrow.  We took a few walks down by the river and to check out the rest of the campground.  There are quite a few "full timing families" here.  You know winter camping used to be mostly retired folks.  Parents were working at the office and the kids were in school but now with COVID and home schooling the little buggers are out during the winter months.  They are starting to take campsites meant for the old people.  Next was a call about our RV and was it still for sale.  They were very interested in it and were coming down to see it.  We told them we were moving and they would called us tomorrow.  We were excited started planning our next  adventure.  Chicken on the grill and off to bed to toss and turn and think, just couldn't turn off on minds.

Beautiful trail down by the Peace River.  

Monday 22 February 2021

   We were up early still half excited about the interest in the Moho.  We were packed and on the road about 10:40 for the 100 mile drive back to Country Side campground.  After a short stop for lunch we pulled in at 2pm. Way to early for happy hour.  We got every thing arranged and ready for the evening. Diane had to go get propane for the grill while I put up the TV antenna.  There were a lot of ant hills around the camper so I sprayed (saving Rudy I hope).  Just before happy hour started the phone rang and the RV buyer wants the RV and wants it by Monday.  Plan is he flies down Saturday to look and drives it home on Monday.  Well Holy Crap  We dropped the wine and started making phone calls Diane was looking for a place to stay while I looked for storage unit and a place to transfer the title.  By bed time we were exhausted but our brains were in high gear.  How or even could we pull this off.

Busy Tampa to a peaceful river front CG!!

 Thursday 11 February 2021

     Starting to pack up.  I took the ladder back to Len's but didn't even get a chance to say Hi, he was in surgery with another dog.  Diane went to get her nails done while I took one last bike ride for this place. We got a new neighbor last night his name is J.D.   Now J.D. has a very long fifth wheel (toy hauler)and truck.  He put the ramp down on the back of the unit which turns in a deck.  His deck and our picnic table almost touch, I'm glad we are leaving tomorrow just a little close for me. I made chicken on the grill and talked more with J.D. than Diane, he was closer. Cleaned up and got ready for tomorrow. 

Friday 12 February 2021

   Today was another warm sunny day. We are traveling 61 miles to Lazy Days campground.  Originally we were going there to see Kate but she is in process of moving so that all got cancelled.  Now it is just a spot to Moho shop. We left after filling up with diesel fuel which was 2.69 a gallon at a gas station and 3.19 at Love's truck stop on the other side of the road.  It took a few tries put I got this beast into the gas station and filled it up.  We hooked up the truck and headed down the road.  An uneventful trip.  We arrived at 2pm and were parked in a $65 a night premium 45ft site by 2:30.  Happy hour came at the usual time(maybe a little early today) and burgers on the grill for dinner.

Saturday 13 February 2021 

   Oh what a terrible night's sleep.  We are backed up to the highway along the front of the campground and the road noise was horrific.  After we were done complaining to each other we went over to

Our very tight site right
on the road at Lazy Days!!

Camping world for a rug and a few other things.  We stopped for lunch at this little restaurant joint, Martha's, after passing up two BBQ places because there was no inside seating.  Diane had a cuban sandwich and I had roast beef sub that must of had American cheese on it.  No need to go back. We went to an antique store when the cheese hit me, then we were on the way home.  

Sunday 14 February 2021   Happy Valentines Day to Everyone

   We had a better night's sleep last night very little truck traffic roaring past the camper.  After breakfast we searched the four big dealerships for a shorter Moho.  First was Lazy Days, they had two units in our wheel house one way over priced and one with the ceiling falling down  and water stained.  Next was General RV we waited twenty minutes to see a salesman who took all our info and told us they don't have any.  Camping World had three units, one Diane wouldn't even go in next was a Country Coach to long and lastly was a 2020 Allergo which met all of our requirement except it was over 300k.  Last place was RV One Superstore they also had three the one we really stopped to look at was sold.  So the salesman (who obviously  had us confused with another customer) took us to see a "leftover" A 2020 Dutch Star on sale for 414k and a 2021 Dutch Star for 480k.  Not even one coach in the four dealerships.  Back to the Moho and started packing for our trip tomorrow.

  Monday 15 February 2021

   Today was a new experience for us.  We packed up and were rolling down the road  by 10 am.  We are making the 76 mile trip to the Thousand Trails Campground, Peace River in Wauchula.  Diane navigated us down the road and did a good job keeping us off the highways.  Now the one road was a weeee bit narrow like one tire on the yellow line and one tire on the white line narrow but we made it.  Here are the rules for the campground you may not arrive before 12 noon, there are no reservations, you park in an electric only spot first then go look for a spot you like, go back and wait for a lottery  drawing at 2pm to see if you get full hook ups or not.  A long day but we got a nice spot, set up and had wine by 4pm.

Our very nice site 

off the road at the

Peace River CG

There is a nice nature trail at the edge of the river.  I've seen this guy every time I took a walk!!

                              

Tuesday 16 February 2021

   Started with breakfast on the grill with a change to Spam and eggs this morning.  A bit cool this morning I had to wear a sweatshirt to cook.   A nice walk for Rudy then a short drive around the area.  We hit an antique store and two restaurants in Wachula.  No luck at the antique store but the restaurants looked good but we weren't hungry yet so we drove down the road a bit to Zolfo to check out a couple campgrounds.  There were 5 campgrounds one was really nice but you can't get in, next was ok very tight with gravel roads, two were trailer hoods no way, and the last was a county park but had only water and electric.  Exhausted by now we stopped at the country diner for lunch Pioneer Kitchen, the food was ok no need to go back.  Back home a couple long walks for Rudy and ribs for dinner.