03 South Florida

Thursday, December 21, 2023
Collier-Seminole State Park, Florida, United States
After Turkey Day in Miami, we headed to the Everglades National Park (NP) for a couple of nights camping. The Long Pine Key (LPK) campground was almost deserted with less than ten campsites taken. The water levels in the park are very high so I guess the drainage work along the Tamiami Trail is working to give the Everglades more water. We drove to the Keys so Yukon could swim at Anne's Beach and we picked up some Yellowtail to blacken for dinner which was delicious. The weather was warm during the days and cool at night – cool enough to have a campfire both nights.
Returned to Zach and Shari's to babysit while they went to Shari's work/holiday dinner. The girls made pizza which fed all of us well, then they watched a movie. Besides soccer practices and games, a Christmas tree was also erected and decorated.
On our way to Tampa, we stayed for three nights at Myakka River State Park (SP). The bird-life is phenomenal, especially the Limpkins, Spoonbills and Glossy Ibis. Walked all the trails with Yukon on a leash though considerable tree damage was still visible from Hurricane Ian; the park also is in the process of reestablishing potable water.
Harper had a tournament on the weekend; they lost to a good team from Ohio in their first game on Friday afternoon though Harper played well, especially in the second half. They won their second game while I ferried Hadley to her soccer game in a different part of Tampa; Hadley will likely be a star soccer player as well if she keeps up her aggressive approach to the game. Harper tied their third game which was shortened by ten minutes due to lightning and a deluge of rain. While the girls were playing soccer, Danny and Henry had a Boy Scout camping weekend at the MacDill Air Force Base.
Off again, we headed to Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for a couple of days where we had a great visit with Kate and Scott; we had great fires and toured the local cemetery.
After a four hour drive, we arrived at an empty Mitchells Landing in the Big Cypress National Preserve (NP) (priced themselves out of business?); the night sky and no noise is well worth the visit. We are hoping Whittington (LE: Law Enforcement) is not here this year so we can visit Bear Island without getting another ticket for Yukon being off leash.
Returned to Miami for Dahlias's dance recital which was a big hit (she has great dance moves) before heading back into the wilderness; off again to Collier-Seminole SP until it is time to share Xmas holidays. Found a great seafood market at the edge of San Marco Island.
Next Blog will be Xmas pictures...
Tidbits:
  • Michigan killed Iowa in conference final but face dreaded Alabama in New Year
  • Greenbay Packers still hoping for a playoff spot
  • Disturbed singer's (Sound of Silence) children go to Pinecrest School
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Comments

Debbie
2023-12-22

Merry Christmas Tom & Cindy and all the best in 2024

tracy
2023-12-23

Great reading, once again! Love the picture of you, Cindy and Yukon!

2025-02-11

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