Koreshan Historical Village

We started the day visiting the Koreshan Historical Village within the Koreshan State Park. It's a nice, easy walk to see the preserved buildings and machinery this self sufficient cult used in it's time.

Very interesting to see and read what kind of people were inspired by this Koreshean ideology and left their earthly belongings to create a new community in this (at the time) untouched, Alligator infested swamp land. Most of the members had no matching skills to do so, but they learned and they did. 

They created this thick bamboo forest that is now mixed with palm trees an other intertwined plants and trees. Bamboo serves a dense and hard to penetrate protective fence. It is also a versatile resource from construction to food and many uses in between.

The sound of the old baboo forest is very unique. Almost like distant gun fire. The wind makes them rub against and hit each other to create the sounds. 

Turtles and Alligators roam free.

From there we moved on coastal roads north. Through Cape Coral, Ft Myers, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte  to our sleep spot for the night at Myakka RV and Resort.

Tonight we put the refectix foil in the windows. It's going to be pretty cold tonight and the foil is a good insulator. Besides, the spot we are staying has not much privacy. Nice people around this campground. We arrived at Myakka RV and resort and were immediately invited to participate in their DAILY community dinner gathering. They don't sell beer but gave Tom one right away. I needed a little bit of ice and they provided without making me purchase a whole big 5 lbs bag. The wash house is sparkling clean and the grounds seem to be well taken care of.

9:04 pm and it is absolute silence around here. I think I'll sleep well.

WEST COAST OF FLORIDA

 

Good morning from the Koreshan State Park just north/West of Naples Florida.

We arrived after sunset at about 5:45 pm and the main gate was closed. Luckily somebody was about to leave and we were able to get in.  The campground is nestled in a forest of palm trees and other vegetation. Even between the campsites, it's a pretty dense jungle. All sites have power and water. 

We spent some time at the Big Cypress Wildlife Preserve and encountered alligators of different sizes sun bathing next to the road. Multiple different birds also posed for some photos.

This one was rather large

ADVENTURES IN VAN CAMPING

Tonight we stayed at Cedar Point Campground. It was cold and windy and I decided to prepare an egg salad for sandwiches. 

I'm in the passenger seat with all the ingredients and tools. With the cutting board on my lap, I'm chopping and slicing and dicing. Then transferred it successfully to a bowl. Mixed it all with mayonnaise and seasonings and was ready to scoop it into the sandwich bread. That's when it got difficult. Not sure what happened, but the bowl, the sandwiches, the egg salad....it all started moving at once. I tried to catch it (which made it worse), but suddenly there was egg salad everywhere! Thank goodness there was enough left in the bowl for two sandwiches. 

The initial cleanup revealed that mayonnaise does a much better job shining your dashboard than Armor All. I found chunks of boiled egg for days, even in the compartments inside the passenger door!

A non-slip mat is now on the shopping list.

01 - 01 - 2021

Welcome 2021! After the global challenges the past year presented, I'm hopeful that the next 365 days are filled with happiness, health, prosperity and excitement.  

Looking back at the changes in our travel habits, I must say that we really enjoy roadtripping and van camping.  I don't foresee us traveling to any foreign countries anytime soon and the idea of getting vaccinated to do so, does not appeal to me.

There is so much to do and to see right here in our own vast and beautiful country. One area we have neither visited nor traveled through is the upper North West of the USA. North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. That trip is in the planning stage for the month of May and June 2021. 

Considering the fact that we will complete our current Florida trip in March (or so), we have just enough time to take care of a few changes, do taxes, switch and reload our clothes to match the destination. 

But for right now, let's focus on Florida. It has been very windy here for days. Of course it is similar to being on an island, and it is probably normal since there is nothing in the way to break the wind pattern. We don't mind the wind when it is not bone chilling cold.

From our current location, Ft Lauderdale area, we are planning a few day (or so) trips for the week ahead. Then we cross over to the west coast. Follow along by signing up for email notifications!