Our Stay at Grand Gulf Military Park, Port Gibson MS

October 12-22, 2016.  Grand Gulf Military Park, 
Port Gibson MS

Travel to Grand Gulf was mostly uneventful, but there were a few high points.  

A cotton field - my first!  

First we had to find the park which was at the end of a 7 mile road, not well-marked I might add.  I was a bit nervous as we navigated the narrow road in our motorhome and fearful that we would probably fall into a ditch.

We didn't, and finally arrived at this beautiful and scenic park.
  

As we drove down the road, vines were taking over the landscape. They were eating up trees, homes and buses. 

We had to see the Mississippi River right across the road from the park. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the pole showing the high-water mark from prior floods.  However this river is mighty indeed! 

As a result of the floods, many local residents elevate their homes.  

We toured the military park taking in the sights of which there are many!  A small museum is housed in the office and surrounding grounds.  

We saw these hearses and then the cemetery at the top of the hill.

I wonder what the story is behind this stone.

We took a ride into the town of Port Gibson MS and this abandoned factory and theatre caught my attention.

This abandoned theatre, a relic from times past. 

Next time, Vicksburg National Military Park

See you soon!

Our Stay in Pensacola FL

September 22-October 4, 2016 - Ocala RV Park, Ocala FL
October 5 - 12, 2016 - Pensacola RV Park, Pensacola FL

After we left Myakka State Park, we returned to Ocala RV Park for 2 weeks before moving on to Pensacola FL.   

The host was very nice and even brought us dog treats to welcome us once we were set up.  We were on the outer edge and best of all, the lake was directly in front of us!  It was a great place to walk the dogs and just sit in the shade under the giant trees.  

We were only there for a week, but we visited the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens Area and the Pensacola beaches.  

I thought this vacant house was a stark silhouette...

Most buildings were abandoned and fenced.

Pensacola Beach

.

We met our neighbors in a vintage RV but it looked new.  
They let me see the inside and gorgeous doesn't even describe it.

We hope to meet them again again someday...

Next Stop:  Grand Gulf Military Park and Vicksburg MS!

Back to Tampa then off to Myakka State Park FL

September 7 - 14, 2016 - Lazy Days, Tampa FLSeptember 14 - 22, 2016 - Myakka State Park, FL

This time, we are in the bays for about a week to change out the braking system and at the same time, decided to have our yearly maintenance done.  Once we had the correct braking system installed, we've been trouble-free.  

It was pretty uneventful.  We walked the dogs...

Then we set off to Myakka State Park for a week..

Watch our for snakes and alligators!

and Buzzards who will peck your tires

Canopy Walk

I went on the Canopy Walk which is a bit scary as I'm not a fan of heights. I walked the bridge holding on to both sides but obviously did not climb to the top of the tower.  This walkway, completed in 2000, is the first treetop walkway in North America.  It is suspended 25 feet above the ground and extends 100 feet and the tower soars 74 feet tall.

  

The tower.

Bird Walk

Another day I went to look at water birds...

Sarasota Beaches

Some scenes around the park...

I visited my friend Jill in Nokomis FL one afternoon and it was so good to see an old friend after  so many years.  We connected as if we'd never been apart and she and her husband Gus had dinner with us at the campsite before we left.  He is an artist and now tattoos to express his creativity.  We also connected with him right away - such an interesting person!  They have the most awesome trailer that has everything you need.  It's smaller but  I never felt claustrophobic in the least and I hope they can use it real soon and meet up with us on the road! We also invited our neighbors over for home-made crab cakes and I think everyone had a great time.  I really fell down on the job and wish I had taken some pictures but for some reason, I didn't.  My only regret, sadly.  

So long Myakka, it's been real.

Next stop - Ocala Park again 

then on to Pensacola RV Park..