Lily Pad Travels: February 2021 - Madison Golf&RV Resort & Wildlife, Moody AFB & Campground

February 2021

February 1st - 11th

We got settled into our life at Madison Golf & RV Resort. This is a new park and we got a great price for a month with free golf and a golf cart for our own use.

They gave us a different site that was on the small lake as the cheaper site we had booked was occupied. We were a little aggravated at first as we had picked out the site we liked when we visited. It worked out quite well though, as we got a waterfront site that was more expensive for the same price.

It rained on and off for the first few days but once the rain stopped Bryan took full advantage of the free golf and played several times.

There are pickle ball courts and a swimming pool here as well, as well as a clubhouse and small bar.

The first chance we got we put our awning out and a small frog jumped(fell) down, bounced off Bryan's head and landed on the ground. Wish I had a camera to catch the expression on Bryan's face, as we didn't know what it was until it landed. Of course, I was then more concerned about if the frog was Ok, than if Bryan had recovered from the shock of something unknown bouncing off his head!!!!

It seemed fine although probably dazed, but by the time I went for my camera to get a picture he had hopped off and I couldn't find him. Probably headed straight for the pond. I was a little sad, as these frogs always seem to choose our awning to travel around with us and I suspect he had been with us since Jacksonville as we had them living in the mud under the back of the motorhome. We're still trying to work out how they get in the awning, hmmm!!! I soon decided that he would be a lot happier in the pond.

They are continually working on this campground as it is relatively new and they are making improvements. It was good to see that they maintain the gravel roads as one day they spread more gravel, where wear and tear had caused small dips, and smoothed and flattened it.

The only wildlife/birds that we saw in the campground was this White Egret but I continued to watch for anything else.

On one of Bryan's golf rounds I asked him to tell me when he was on Hole#2 and then I managed to get a couple of pictures of him from the front window of Lily, using the zoom on my camera.

This was the best sunset we got, the sunsets are not as good or as frequent as Mayport.

A couple of days it was misty when we got up. It created an eerie but somehow magical picture.

February 12th

Bryan had a follow up ear appointment back in Jacksonville. As it was a long drive we decided to stay in a hotel overnight and treat ourselves for Valentines. Of course, I made sure it had a bath, so I could have a long bubble bath!!! It was nice to have a drive out as we have become hermits as we get used to traveling again and staying cautious due to Covid at the same time. We stocked up on food on the way back. There is a small supermarket in Madison but the prices are expensive.

February 13th - 16th

We spent most days playing golf, watching sports, and continuing to plan our summer trip; although we have halted booking any more campgrounds until we determine if it is realistic to plan to travel to quarantined States in the hope they lift the quarantine before summer. We will make a decision in the next month.

February 17th

We made a day trip to look at a military campground run by Moody AFB just across the border in Georgia.

Grassy Pond Campground is off base.

It wasn't a bad campground, a bit dark due to all the trees and the bathrooms were bad. We probably wouldn't bother going to stay there.

We then went to Moody AFB. They have limited access to the base and commissary for retirees to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. We chose a Wednesday as we felt the commissary wouldn't be as busy and we were right. We didn't need very much but got a few items we needed.

We also visited the aircraft displays they have on base.

Bryan was in his element. I stayed in the car while he walked around.

P-40 Warhawk

A-7 Corsair

F-86 Sabre

C-130 Hercules

T-33A Shooting Star

F-105 Thunderchief

Driving back through Madison, I took some pictures. There are some lovely houses here. Mom would like it.

Going back to the park.

Entrance Gate

The next day the camper on the opposite side of the lake left, and we had a slightly better view through to the golf course.

February 24th, 2021

I finally joined Bryan while he played golf. I chickened out of playing though but took lots of pictures.

Campground in the distance

The ball went over the water, yay!!!

then went in the bunker!!!

Our Golf Cart

The water had flooded over the fairway

Clubhouse

Luckily missed the lake

Railway just outside the gates

There's the house with the satellite on the roof

Bird Nest

We did 18 holes and I really enjoyed riding around.

February 25th, 2021

Someone told us they had seen a baby alligator in the lake and so we started to look for it. Sure enough I saw a shape at the far end of the lake. I got my camera and zoomed in as far as I could.

Baby Alligator

Turtle??

February 26th, 2021

We are leaving here tomorrow and heading to Eglin AFB which is near to the Courthouse fo Jury Duty starting on March 1st. Later in the day, Bryan received a message saying he was excused from Jury Duty. We thought about staying an extra few days here, but decided to stick with our plans and leave tomorrow.

It seemed that all the animals came to say goodbye.

The alligator is getting braver and came down to our end of the lake.