Pensacola down to Sarasota, Fl.

     As you can see, I've been severely neglecting my job in updating our travels.  I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've last put ink to paper so to speak, but we seem to have settled down now, and there's time to bring everything up to date.  Since we departed South Padre Island, our journey has been a series of short visits as we get ready to settle in at Sarasota, Florida and spend a week with MAE as she tries to get some of the cold out of her bones.
     Leaving Louisiana, our next stop was at Fort Pickens National Park, across the bay from Pensacola, Fl. This is our second visit to Fort Pickens, and if you've ever been out here enjoying the Gulf Islands National Seashore, you'll understand why.

 It may be the stunning white powdery soft sand, that draws you to the beach.  The Gulf waters are clear and warm, and the crowds seem to be non existent.  There are numerous fortifications out here, dating back to pre Civil War times.  Fort Pickens played a vital role in the defense of the deep sea port of Pensacola.  I didn't take the opportunity to attempt any surf fishing, but there were many other fisherman out here trying their luck.  I did go for a walk out into the water checking out the fishing access, as Debbie enjoyed sitting on the warm beach.

 I guess we're just going to have to come back again and again, till we accomplish all there is to do out here.  We did get the opportunity to have dinner with my Cousin Annette, and that is always a great time. 
      If you get the chance to visit the area, take a day and travel over to the National Naval Aviation Museum, located on the Naval Air Station at Pensacola.  The numerous displays throughout the museum all have a story to tell.  And the only way to hear the story is to tag along on one of their free guided tours.  The tours are conducted by retired Navy personnel, and each one has a story to tell.

     The Museum contains hundreds of restored aircraft used throughout the history of Naval Aviation.  On display you'll find the training aircraft flown by President HW Bush (41), when he was student at Pensacola.  Another display is of a restored aircraft that survived Pearl Harbor and Wake Island, before crashing into Lake Michigan years later on a training mission.  After spending 50 years on the bottom of Lake Michigan, this A/C was recovered and restored and now sits at the Museum.

 Plan on spending the day, and probably another, to complete your visit to the museum.
     Our next stop would be a few days visit with Aunt Anita in Gainesville.  This is a must do activity for us everytime we come to Florida.  She makes you feel right at home, and the conversation and laughs never stop.  It's always fun to run into a few of the cousins who live close by and keep an eye on their mother.  We always enjoy trying to talk them into coming north for a visit, but they never seem to want to leave their precious Florida.
     After a 2 day visit in Gainesville, it was time to continue south along the Gulf Coast.  On March 10th we arrived at the Sugar Sand Beach and RV Resort, located in Matlacha, Fl.

 My school buddies, Tommy, Dave, and Sheri, along with Tommy's wife, Rosie, were renting a house on Pine Island, and while looking for an RV spot closeby, I stumbled on this little gem.  After reading reviews saying "don't go there" and "don't tell your friends, cause we're definitely coming back", I took the gamble and booked a week at Sugar Sand Beach.  From the time you arrive and are greeted by Billie and his wife Becky, until it's time to depart, the resort is like one big family.

 It can only be described as a parking lot, not a resort, but the guests and the surrounding area certainly make up for any comfort loss.  There is a small beach/waterfront area where the guests seem to congregate and watch dolphins playing in the bay.  There may be a little alcohol consumed at the Tiki Bar, but we don't like talking about such things.  Kayak rentals are available, but the wind kept the bay pretty stirred up during most of our visit,  Tommy did decide to take us for a boat ride, and tried to sink the boat, but that's a story for another time.

     Pine Island and Matlacha are very typical of old Florida.  The boating and fishing are exceptional and the intercoastal passes right by the island.  There are numerous canals into the island, and many houses are backed up to the canal and have a boat tied up out back.  The restaurants are cozy with the local fisherman providing fresh shrimp, oysters, crabs, and fish on a daily basis.  Debbie and I really enjoyed our visit to Matlacha, and I'm sure we'll be returning to the area again.

     On the 17th, we moved still further south to the Sun & Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, Fl.  MAE arrived on the 21st, and we've been quite busy enjoying the Sarasota area.  But that's where we'll end for now, and continue on with this story another day.  The sun is shining and the pool is calling!