Florida Winter Wrap Up

The long overdue update is finally here from our last few weeks in the Sunshine State. We have a completely different agenda in Florida than at our home in Virginia. In Florida, we have many things to do either inside the RV park or outside in the surrounding towns. We seem to be out and about exploring new destinations and usually finding a great eating establishment. Whereas back home in the mountains, we enjoy the large home and yard and venture out only once a week or so. So, here is the final winter wrap up of some of those Florida activities!

Orchid Lake RV Resort

This is our RV park for the last three years. We love the New Port Richey (NPR) area and the people at this park. While the facilities are getting older and it appears they have no plans to update, except for some new street resurfacing. It used to be a lower cost RV park to spend the winter months, but the monthly fees have now increased to $890 a month plus electric. On the plus side, they have many activities that are all run by park volunteers. You can stay as busy as you want or just chill.

Pat and I have finally learned many of the several hundred people’s names. When we go for our evening walk it is truly like stepping back in time to a small town when everyone knew one another on a first name basis. We get stopped a dozen times or more during our walk to chat and catch up. In our Virginia neighborhood, people are friendly but are busy with work life or whatever and we only occasionally stop to talk. I think that is pretty normal in today’s fast paced society.

We plan to return this next winter for three months and then the following winter (2025-26) we may venture out west for a final time. Lord willing.

The photos below were from the annual Spam breakfast hosted by John and Barb, from western PA.

Below is a dinner of fine Italian dining with Stan and Debra. They are from Pennsylvania and also come to the RV park for a few winter months.

Tarpon Springs

We love this nearby historical fishing town. It has a few great seafood restaurants. We met RV friends from New York, Bob and Lois for lunch one day. The town began as a sponge harvesting endeavor by the Greeks. Still a huge Greek influence.

Beach Trip

We try to work in a few local trips to lounge on the Gulf of Mexico beach. Always fun and relaxing, but it wears me out! Go figure. There are many gulf beaches, and the trick is to find the smaller, out of the way places to avoid the crowds.

Cedar Key on the way home

Cedar Key is a great little stopover on the way home. Actually, it is a quick hop from NPR, not the normal 200 mile segment, but we always enjoy the small town that reminds us of Key West when we first saw it in 1973. And some great little eating joints. I’m guided mainly by my stomach!

Final Travel Home

The final two stops were the usual Savannah, Ga, and near Charlotte, NC. We have made these stops many times before. Actually, even when we were full time RVers we stayed at both. As I have mentioned before, Savannah Ga is one of our favorite destinations of all. The total trip home is 750 miles and pulling the 18,000-pound RV, we like to stop three times to rest and explore.

Wrap Up

The next update will include arriving back home, some home improvements, and our lovely daughter’s wedding. Thanks for following along and God Bless. Be sure to sign up for updates at the bottom of this blog!