Day two at Naples.

Black bear

Spent the day at the Naples Zoo. After the zoo, we returned to the camper for a break and a swim at the pool. After pool time, we prepared to go to Tin City where we had dinner at Pinchers. The meal was good followed by a walk around the area.

the majestic lion

sleeping leopard

Laurel fig tree

First full day in Naples.

We spent the day site seeing around Marco Island. This is a beautiful vacation area with opulent high rises and jaw dropping homes. Our first stop was a recommendation to have lunch at the Sunset Grille which had access to the beach.

Lunch was excellent having appetizers such as tuna tartar, tuna sashimi, shrimp po' boy, coconut shrimp, chicken quesadilla and wings.

Following lunch we proceeded to the beach to experience the Gulf from Marco Island.  The sand is full of small shells as one enters the water. Little painful to walk on, but the water was clear. warm and tame.

After experiencing Marco Island, we drove back to the campground to check on Willow. We spent some to time at our camper before we decided to proceed to explore a segment of the Everglades. We drove to Carnestown, Everglades City, Plantation Island and ending up at Chokoloskee.

Chokoloskee is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located at the edge of the Ten Thousand Islands in Collier County, Florida, United States. The population was 359 at the 2010 census. 

Leaving for Naples RV Resort

Currently on the road to Naples RV Resort.  We stopped at Ellie Schiller Honosassa Springs Wildlife Park for a quick visit.

Manatee

Gator

We finally arrived to our campsite about ten miles outside of Naples around 7:30 pm. Our site is small and this campground is compact. The amenities are really nice though, especially th bathhouse/restroom which has Kellen's seal of approval. There we some difficulty backing in, but with the help of a couple residents we were able to squeezed in.

After set up, we settled in for the night.

A day at Manatee Springs State Park

Campsite

We spent the whole day at the campground enjoying what it had to offer. Michele and Kellen rented kayaks to explore the canal of springs and the mouth of the Suwannee River. They were afraid to enter the river in fear of encountering the Gulf Sturgeon (Click here to see one).

boardwalk through the trees

Kayaking Kellen

Suwannee River

Carina, Cesare and Willow walked around and explored the boardwalk through the trees to follow Kellen and Michele.

Swimming hole 

Upon Michele's return, we entered the springs for a refreshing dip. The water temperature is claimed to be 72 degrees, but if felt like 52 degrees. Cesare entered first with much apprehension then Michele follow with much more fear and apprehension. Carina was comical to say the least when she entered the water. Her expression and reaction was priceless. She did slip on the moss on the final step where she plunged all way in. It was a really nice place to spend the day to cool off in the 90 degree weather. The remainder of the day was spent around the campsite with another dip in the springs later in the day.  Our campsite was an easy walk to the springs Cesare left to go to town to buy a couple things when a big storm hit the campground. Cesare did not encounter the storm when he was away.

Carina feeling the chill

Manatee Springs swimming hole

Off to Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland, Florida

Today our drive was along route 98 from Panama City Beach towards Manatee Springs. On our route we passed by Mexico Beach to see the remaining destruction from Hurricane Michael. What a jaw dropping experience to see how almost all the buildings were shredded by the winds. Our arrival was about 6 P.M. when we set up camp. We walked to the springs which is about a quarter mile from our site to get a view and a knee high dip. The water was clear and cold. Refreshing treat to the heat. After exploring the area, we drove to the main intersection to get dinner at Taco Bell. We brought dinner back to the site and retreated for the day.

Second day in Panama City Beach

Michele and Cesare spent the morning at St. Andrews State Park walking and touring the area. The kids were back at the camper sleeping.

Upon Michele's and Cesare's return, the kids were awake awaiting a meal. After an early lunch, we decided to drive to Destin, Fl.. It took a while to get there with traffic, but it satisfied our curiosity. 

Destin Harbor boardwalk 

Tiki bar boat

Big Chair

more Harbor boardwalk

Crab Island

What is Crab Island? Click Here

 We arrived back to the camper in the late afternoon. We prepared ourselves for dinner plans with the Marconis' at Angelo's Steak Pit. Michele's friend is related to the owner and was recommended we eat there. The meal was delicious and received free appetizers. After dinner, Michele, Carina and Cesare went back to the camper while Kellen and Thomas went out together.

"Big Gus" the 20,000 lb. bull

First morning in Panama City Beach

Michele and Cesare woke up at 6 a.m. to start the day, first by walking to the beach as the kids and the dog slept. We returned back for breakfast and chores.  It is rather tropical here. Later in the day we meet up with Thomas and Felicia to check out the happening part of Panama City Beach.

Michele's first step in the Gulf of Mexico

Panama City Beach Pier

Raccoon River campsite

Thomas and Kellen at Pier Point

Felicia and Thomas

Paula Deen is back in business

Later we returned to the campsite were we all ate dinner. Thomas and Kellen went to Ripley's Believe it or Not in town while the rest of us hung out and conversed.

On our way to Panama City

We left Boss's RV park around 9 a.m. and headed towards Macon, Georgia. Michele spotted a landmark, The Earth Lodge at Ocmulgee National Park. We decided to check it out. Here are some photos.  The entrance canal to the interior had a height of four and a half feet. Click photos to enlarge.

 

The journey through Panama City and as entering Panama City Beach was jaw dropping. This area was hit by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018 and the trail of destruction was everywhere. Driving down highway, most of the trees were tilted in the same direction or snapped. Most of the buildings had some form of damage and if not all the business signs were blown out or gone. I noticed some of the roofs were either newly built or most had tarps covering them. There were a couple malls that were completely closed due to a portion of the structure had been leveled. I will add some photos to this post soon to show examples. 

We arrived to our campsite tired and little anxious. The heat and humidity added to the anxiousness as we set up camp. The air conditioner is working now, what a relief.  After setting up, we headed out to visit the Marconi's (Felicia, Thomas, and John Paul) for dinner. The Marconi's live here and were friends back in Baltimore. Thomas and Kellen were classmates in grade school at St. Michael's and we became friends with Felicia over the years. The boys haven't seen each other since eighth grade and now seeing how each have grown at the end of there senior year.

We really enjoyed spending the evening catching up; having dinner and playing games. The ladies did their nails as the boys played games. We retreated back to the RV for a well deserved rest. Willow is spent, not used to her being so mellow. 

Wrens, Georgia

We pulled into Boss's RV park in Wrens about 5 p.m. on Saturday night and were experiencing heavy rain. It was to much of a hassle to detach and level out the RV so it stayed hitched to the truck. The camp host was very helpful even when we were aware that the power connection was not working. The poor man ran around in the rain attaching power cords and adapters to get us power. Once we were set up, we rummaged through the refrigerator to eat what needed to go to make room.  There were celery and beets that need to be eaten. After the lovely feast of fiber, the evening was spent watching the movies Speed and ConAir until we fell asleep.  The morning was rather uneventful.  Cesare ventured to the roof of the RV to inspect the situation with the air conditioning.  Luckily the problem was not the capacitors, but rather a stuck fan blade.  The shaft had rusted to the point where the fan could not spin. So Cesare spun the blade to break the rust seal to loosen it and viola the fan was working. We packed up and left Boss's soon after for our long trek to Panama City Beach.

Leaving Floyd heading to Wrens, Georgia

We really enjoyed ourselves in downtown Floyd. First, we partaken in a lovely dinner at El Charro, a local favorite of ours where Michele enjoy a well needed frozen Margherita. Really good Mexican food. After dinner, we retreated to the main street Jamboree where various musicians formed small playing circles to showcase their talents. There must have been nine or so small groups of musicians playing bluegrass music while locals and visitors tap danced on wooden boards.

 

Here are a couple more photos of a lion dog and our campsite.

The rare Lion Dog of Floyd, VA.

Our campsite at Chantilly Farm RV Park

On a down note, we discovered our air conditioning in the RV is not working.  Luckily the weather was cool at campground. In search of finding the right replacement capacitor at a RV parts store. Our first attempt in Woodlawn, VA didn't prove successful.  Need to remove part from AC on roof to find right part number. An adventure within an adventure.

On our way to Floyd, Virginia

We are on US 81 about one hundred miles north of Roanoke, VA. Michele is getting in some RV driving time in on the beautiful Virginia landscapes. Kellen and Carina are chill in the backseat and Willow is whining with anxiety. This dog is so annoying at the onset of any of our long trips. She will settle down by the time we get to Florida. Our drive through Blue Ridge Parkway was beautiful where we stop for a photo.

 

 Looking forward to Floyd for the Friday night Jamboree at the General Store and our favorite restaurant, El Charro.

Welcome to the Ciccanti 2019 Summer adventure to Florida

It is Wednesday, June 19 and we are about to embark on a three week trek to and through Florida. Kellen has graduated from Calvert Hall and recently passed his driving test. Carina has finished her first semester at St. Elizabeth School and looking forward to returning in late July. Cesare and Michele are looking forward to our long awaited family vacation. Below is a map route of our camping sites.