Finally Warm

I promised myself I wouldn't blog anymore about dumping...you know....emptying the black water tank, but I just have to say that dumping in driving snow and sleet is about the worst camping experience to date.  Not only are all the hoses and valves cold and wet and stiff because they're plastic, but the dumper (me) is cold and wet and stiff.  I am happy to report that despite the conditions during the dump:  mission acccomplished.  We finally got out of Alabama and their freak snowstorm and kept heading south arriving in Panama City, FL on Thursday night.

We pulled into St. Andrews State Park just as it was getting dark.  In the dusk, some nearby dunes gleamed whitely and Robin exclaimed, "Look, snow!"  "Robin, that's sand".  "Oh."  Given the weather of the previous few days, who could blame her?

St. Andrews snow

 We found our beautiful campsite right on the water and jockeyed around to back in just right so that the electric hookup would line up with the pedestal on the side of the site.  "But wait, we won't see the view if we're backed in, shouldn't we have pulled in?"  "But will the electric reach then?"  "Maybe."  "Try it?"  "Ok". " It will!"  "Quick, pull out, drive around the park and pull in!"  "Whee, we have a view."   "Robin, it's pitch dark."  The view was lovely the next morning.

Chuck enjoying the view at St. Andrews State Park

Seaside food trucks

 Friday was warm (60 deg) and sunny and we drove to Seaside, FL, the planned community lampooned in the Jim Carey movie The Truman Show.  Seaside has matured a bit and settled and actually has some appeal.  It's safe, convenient, attractive, on the water and somewhat charming.  It's also spawned a bunch of copycat communities nearby that give the whole area a slightly surreal feel. 

Seaside, staying hip and trendy has a collection of food trucks near the town center.  Being Seaside, the food trucks are Airstream trailers.  Terminally cute or charming?  You decide.  The barbeque was tasty.

Deer at sunset in St. Andrews State Park, FL.

We are finding good food on this trip, from local farm-to-table cafes to outstanding Thai food.  We were tempted by some venison when we got back to the park, but opted for hunting with the camera.

Yesterday we reluctantly left St. Andrews as the locals flocked in for the weekend.  We will be finding more state parks to camp in during the week.  Florida makes it very appealing with great locations and scenery, all the amenities (except WiFi hence no blogging lately) and very reasonable prices.

We had a long drive yesterday (400 miles/7 hours), to get to Tampa.  We are heading for the RV SuperShow here and today is the last day of the show so we had to pull the marathon drive.  I'm sure it will be worth it.  What could be better than exhibit halls filled with RV accessories and a fairgrounds filled with new RVs?  Heaven, right?  Don't be too jealous.  Oh yeah, 70 deg and sunny today.  Shorts and sandals finally!

Chuck and Smoky at a rest stop half way to Tampa