Well, here we go……

Yup, it’s getting real now! On April 2 2024 I left My hometown, the place I once loved didn’t feel the same way towards me. Yes, it has changed and change isn’t always bad, I guess it’s how it happens. Some of it isn’t the city or the counties fault, a rogue governor should except much of the blame, as he told Americans come to Florida where you can live in “freedom”. And they did, little did they realize it’s not really that free. It’s ridiculous how expensive it has become to live in “Free Florida”, unless you are rich or working your ass off until you die to live in “freedom”. I couldn’t afford to live in a place that has been my home for over 60+ years, I had to make room for the “Freedom seekers” oh, and the developers, had to make room for them and their cronies. So I have…

My removal from the place I have loved and defended wants me no more.

I loaded my 21 year old truck with over 280,000 miles with much of my life and with a rooftop tent, and my Bicycle, and left. Now I have been questioned by some of my closest friends about what the hell I am doing. They asked what’s your plan? Where are you going? How will you survive, what about money? Why don’t you get a job and stay here, this is where your friends are? My answer to most questions was “I don’t know?”. I really have no plan, yes there are places I would like to see and people who were important in my life I would enjoy seeing, but no “real” plan. Some of these friends, had a hard time understanding. You see they have families, kids, a wife, a nice home, and some very successful business’, I on the other hand have none of that, and some only saw me when I visited them and rarely the other way around. So why stay, find a job at 66 years old and pay exorbitant rent to stay, where these friends are. So I left. I have my SS check every month, I have my bicycle tools and some parts so I could fix bikes along the way and a camera that some day maybe a picture might help bring in a couple bucks. I don’t know. But I had to leave.

I made reservations at Rainbow Springs State park which is in Dunnellon, Fl. just north of Brooksville off of Highway 41, good ol’ 41 . It wasn’t far but I’m not in a hurry. It was nice there, except for a day of rain. The rain turned out to not be as bad as I thought, but ruined any thoughts of renting a kayak that day. I put my rooftop tent back in it’s “box”, as there were gust’s of wind in the 30 MPH range. I ran my electric cord into the rear sliding window on my truck , had my computer, WiFi hotspot, snacks, drinks and settled in to my make shift space capsule for the storm. Like I mentioned it wasn’t as bad, even with tornado warnings as they thought. I made it! I had a few chances to wander about as the rain lightened and was able to take a few pictures. Later in the afternoon I was able to set my tent back up and move back in to the upstairs. The weather was cool and I slept well.

As I said before I had made these reservations a month or so ahead of time, thinking it was on my way out of Florida. But my good friends Phil and Teresa who live in the south Florida area needed me to watch their dog Cooper one more time, so I headed South.

I spent a week or so in Naples With Cooper as we perused the neighborhood looking for the rascally rabbits, cooper loves the rabbits. It was a relaxing time to get things in some sort of order and there was a hot tub! It was nice to spend time with Phil and Teressa too. While they were gone I helped out by having garage sale for them too. But then it was time to go.

I headed north on I 75 towards Ft Myers and highway 80 heading East towards the lake, nice drive. A few small towns and of course Clewiston. I stayed on the back roads that circle Lake Okeechobee heading north on the 715/98 . The sugar cane fields had been harvested for the most part with some fields still waiting to be cut. The harvested fields had been turned and the dark dark chocolate color of the soil was hypnotizing as I drove past, it looked as if you could grow anything with it. A friend of mine explained that it was called “Muck soil” a moist dark soil found in that area, you can buy this type of soil in bags, it’s called “top soil”.

The road took me East towards US 1 and to Ft Pierce were I would jump on A1A towards Sebastian Inlet State Park. As you head north on A1A you will see the Navy SEAL museum on the right. I had been hoping to stop, but didn’t stop much against my unwritten rules to get to my destination. It looks awesome, as they have many displays outside, boats and such. It was a mistake on my part for not stopping but I hope to get back to it.

As I continued along the coast I couldn’t help but notice the how many state and local parks they have ON THE BEACH, with parking, restrooms, and walkovers to the beach. Some or most were paid parking, and guess what no one seemed to mind. I’m not talking a few but several of these places up and down A1A.

I arrived at Sebastian and I had a nice space on a small hill and a nice view of the Indian river. It’s a beautiful park and is divided by the famous inlet. The south side is the camping and has a boat ramp. The North side has a cafe, swimming area, surfing, and both sides have a fishing jetty.

While I was there I didn’t realize I was becoming dehydrated although I thought I was drinking enough water and Gatorade, I wasn’t. It takes awhile for your body to get back working right and I didn’t feel 100% for several days. Drink your fluids!

After two days at Sebastian I drove North to Jetty park campground at Port Canaveral. I have stayed there before and I liked it. I rode my bike to Cocoa Beach pier and hung about a bit, still not 100%. The second day at Jetty park was a space X launch which I was able to watch and was cool!

The next day which I believe to be April 18 I headed north again and stopped to see an old buddy from Working at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Joe and his better half Diane in Daytona Beach. I can’t get over their house there. It was built I think they said in 1947, You can see the beach from their front yard as it’s on a hill, or dune. The neighborhood is awesome, the homes are all different and split-level in design so cool. Joe and I went to lunch on “Beach Street” and on the way Joe pointed out the baseball field where Jackie Robinson played his first MLB game. After a nice visit I carried on, I was invited to stay but thought I would get down The road.

I made it to St Augustine. I was hoping to make it farther but decided to stop at a cheap hotel and rest up.