Spring of 19 - #17 - Moving sites, boats going through the locks, Next stop Orlando

Tuesday May 14th, 2019
We were supposed to move sites today, but we decided to stay where we were.

I saw this boat about to enter the lock.  I took a range of pictures watching it go through the lock from afar.

Entering the lock from the higher level.  Watch the top of the mast in relation to the scenery behind, as it goes down in the lock, and through the lock.

The lock keeper going to operate the lock

Lockkeeper in the hut, operating the lock 

You can see the door/window in the boat

as boat lowers, the door disappears

You can just see the mast now

see the mast as the boat leaves the lock

The mast is just behind the tree trunk 

Finally, the boat emerges exiting the lock

and she's on her way

I took some more pictures from our campsite.

Looking across to site#1

We spotted this boat going through the lock in the opposite direction to the previous one.  It was quite colorful.

There it is coming out the other side and it was pushing a barge.  It was interesting to watch as it manoeuvred the barge around the upcoming bend in the canal.

Going on it's way

Bryan had seen otters at the back of our sites but hadn't been able to get any pictures and I hadn't seen them. I kept going out in the hopes of spotting them but no such luck.

I did take two videos though, in the hopes of spotting them, at the back of our site. I got some birds and you can see and hear how tranquil it is here.  VIDEO 1 and VIDEO 2.  Let me know if you spot any otters that I might have missed, ha!!ha!!

Wednesday May 15th, 2019
Bryan spotted the family of otters, through our side window, walking across the grass.  Unfortunately we weren't quick enough to get a picture but at least I did see them.  They were so cute, looked like they were going on a family outing.

Some more people came into the park and the problem we have with our power going off got worse.
We spoke to the ranger, and he told us it was a problem with site 2.  The camphost had told us that the whole park had the same problem, but it seems that might not be the case.  We decided to move to site 3 which was next to us.  There still wouldn't be anyone in our current site so we could walk down to the stream behind us without disturbing anyone.

We packed up the motorhome and Bryan took it to get the tanks dumped. While I waited for him to return, I saw this huge bird sitting on the fence behind us.  I thought it was a hawk but it's a Turkey Vulture.  I took this VIDEO of it, and Bryan returning in the motorhome after dumping the tanks and moving to the site next to us.

We spent the rest of our last day here relaxing. Tomorrow we leave this lovely park.  I have enjoyed our time here even with the problems we had in site 2 with our electric.  Next stop is Orlando and a hectic few days visiting Universal Studios!!!

Thursday May 16th, 2019
We packed up and left the campground, dumping our tanks again on the way out.  We spoke to the camphost and she gave us a DVD of the Corps campgrounds.

On the way out we saw these cattle.

Wait a minute, what's that in the middle of the picture.  Bryan recognized it as a Bramha bull.  He grew up with these in Texas.

As we drove along, we encountered the nasty love bugs that are in season at the moment.  What a mess their loving ritual makes as they are splattered on the windscreen!!!

We stopped at a rest area to stretch our legs and clean the windshield.  You could hardly see out of it.

We eventually got to Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, Orlando.  Hate driving through Orlando, especially in the motorhome!!! We have been here a few times before and the sites are a little tight to get into, but we managed.  The hurricane that came through here in 2016 damaged some trees, and we noticed that you could see through to the lake now from our site whereas last time we came you couldn't.

Ryan, Christina, Trystan, and the dogs arrived after we were settled in and are staying for a couple of nights, so we have a full house. Woohoo!!!!

Photo Credit: Christina Stewart

Spring of 19 - #15 - On the road, Ortona Lock Campground, Fishing and Bald Eagles

Saturday May 11th, 2019
Before leaving C B Smith Park & Campground I took pictures of 2 birds and an iguana. We like this park and all the iguanas.  An oasis in the middle of a large town.

On the road, we drove alongside the canal.  Our next campground is at locks on the canal.

We saw smoke ahead and realized they were burning the fields.

We arrived at Ortona Locks Campground.  This is a Corps of Engineer Campground and with our America the Beautiful Pass we get half price camping.  50amp Electric and water but no sewer for $15 a night.  Can't beat the price and the campground is beautiful.

Our view from our bedroom window in Site#2.  This was a river behind us.

and the canal from the front window. The boat had just gone through the lock which is just to the left.

Bryan didn't waste much time in getting his fishing rod out and tried the stream behind us.

Nice big space behind us.  Like having our own back yard.

There was a knock at the door and he caught one.  Yay!!!!

I took some pictures of the area around us.  There are a lot of empty sites.  It's hot here and everyone has left to head North.  This place is full in winter.

Sunday May 12th, 2019

Bryan decided to try fishing over by the lock.

He was there for a while when suddenly the heavens opened up and there was torrential rain.  Here he is walking back, already drenched and he didn't catch any fish. 😞

I took this VIDEO of the rain and watching for him to come back.  He was the last fisherman to appear and I was starting to get worried about him, when there he was casually strolling through the rain.  He said he already was wet enough there was no point in rushing, ha!!ha!!

The rain eventually stopped and we were sitting in our chairs, when Bryan looked out the front window and saw this Bald Eagle in a tree on the opposite bank. Here he is spreading his wings.

and just sitting there. He was there for a few hours.

Three hours later he was joined by another Bald Eagle.  How awesome was that!!  Sorry the picture is a bit blurred, it was the best I could do in the fading light.

After dinner, we went for a walk around the campground.  We are due to move sites tomorrow and we wanted to see what other sites were available.  We may just stay where we are as it appears to be available.

View from the site we are supposed to move to.

Lily in Site 2

Birds in nesting box by our site

Nice sunset

Tomorrow we are going to go and hopefully find a lighthouse.