Fort De Soto

 12/19 - Once I started seeing water crossing to St Petersburg and then to the island where Fort DeSoto is, I was super enamored with the beauty of the water.  Such a lovely blue, though I don't have any photos of it as I was driving.  Sometimes I do try to get photos when I drive, but it's pretty dumb and it was pretty windy and with the van being so tall, I was very focused on keeping both hands on the wheel!  I really didn't have expectations of this place, but this made me more excited.  I got to the campground and checked into site 144, which is a huge pull through site.  We really could have fit all our rigs on this one site!  It's not on the water, but it is fine.  

After checking in, I stopped here for a quick shot of this pretty spot.  The builder likes photos of the van in pretty places...  😆

Before even heading to my site, we headed to the dog beach and crossed paths with Marta, Annie, and new friend, Joan.  Zoe does seem to really enjoy the beach.  I guess anywhere there are dog smells and sunshine to lie in, it's all good in her book!

Zoe is obviously comfortable with Marta!

Good times at Fort DeSoto.  We had a bonfire with about 12 of us on the 19th and Carol organized the Yankee swap, or as she called it, the White Elephant game.  I didn't have a gift, but Carol had extra.  Apparently she planned for lame people like me...  😏  It was fun, as always.  I ended up with some salmon treats for Zoe and managed to keep them by guilting everyone that they wouldn't want to take them from sweet Zoe!  😀  I made some new friends while there - Joan and Kathy, and Cara and Colette. 

 

I caught this view by sneaking into an empty site.  

During the days, we went to the dog beach and the evenings were campfires.  On my third night, I had to switch sites and was supposed to go to site 119.  I think that has to be the worst site in the whole park!  It was small, with very little separation and covering from the next sites and practically totally open to the bathrooms.  Thankfully I was able to get a different site and it was on the water.  It didn't have much of an opening in the mangroves, but better than 119.  I did have to pay about $8 for making the change, but it was worth it.  

Annie, Marta, Joan

Joan, Carol

In new site, angled so I can see the small water opening from the bench!

Always seeking the sun spots

Everywhere where there were people fishing, there were Herons and Egrets (?) looking for a free meal

The storm that dropped a couple of inches of rain and created a surge flooded the campground.  I don't know exactly how bad it was, but there were still puddles 5 days later, which considering how sandy the soil is, that's saying a lot.  Thankfully there wasn't enough mud around for it to be a problem.  Thankfully!  I had a hard enough time with the sandy/gravely footing making a mess in the van.  I cannot imagine mud too.  I imagine, I will experience it at some point though!  

Zoe chose sitting in the sun over being in the van with me while I made my breakfast!

Annie's family came in for a holiday get together on the 21st and we had rotisserie chicken, Caesar salad,  potato salad, and cookies!  I really enjoyed everyone!  And the food!  :o)

Oh, I actually took a shower inside my van again.  This is the 2nd time, where the first time I hadn't turned on the hot water heater (hit the wrong button), and the water pressure is wonderful (too good, but I can turn it down) and the hot water is lovely.  I figured since I had access to water, why not, and I promised Beth that I would use it again, so here she goes.  😆   I did turn it off between rinses, but it was still good.   After getting out I heard a noise and realized the gray water was dumping on the ground.  Yikes!  It was off, but the water was coming out slowly and stayed under the van.  I tried flicking it on, then off, but same.  Then I turned it ON and it really poured out and when I turned it off again, it stopped flowing.  Thankfully, it was far from water and is all biodegradable soaps.