Roadtrekingmike

As we wait to set off on our next trip, I’m thinking about all the things I like about this new small motorhome lifestyle we have embraced. Waking up to sunlight streaming around the edges of the shades of our Roadtrek and the smell of that first cup of coffee brewing as I start the day. The first peek out the window at our surroundings. We boondock a lot so often, it’s wildlife I see. I love to sip that coffee and quietly watch the world wake up. The smell of bacon frying as I start to make breakfast on the picnic table outside. Taking Tai for his morning walk in a new campground or forest. Walking with Jennifer, exploring our surroundings, hand-in-hand Doing my morning blog work from a campchair next to the Roadtrek. Watching the landscape which unfolds like a high definition movie on the other side of the windshield as we head to our next destination. Changing our mind on route and stopping on a whim to spend the night at a spot we didn’t expect to find but looks inviting Quiet, two-lane state or county roads, the “Blue Highways” that let us see the small towns and farms and wide open spaces far off the hurried interstates. Finding a local “Mom and Pop” restaurant or market or local produce stand that lets us experience local and regional foods that aren’t pre-packaged, frozen or microwaved. Taking a nap in the middle of the day in our “look-at-the-sky” chairs outside the Roadtrek. Meeting new people who share our live of travel and the outdoors. Everybody has a story. Everybody has something to teach us. Watching a sunset from a new place. Seeing the clouds pass by in a bright blue sky, with some birds way up high coasting on the thermals. Or seeing the stars in a jet black sky far from big city light pollution. This is why we call our tilt-back chairs “look-at-the-sky” chairs. The smell of a campfire Watching the fire sitting next to Jennifer, with Tai behind us with his back to the fire. Not saying a word, just being together, content, relaxed and listening to the wood crackle and burn as it turns into a bed of hot red embers Hearing an owl late at night just before we drift off to sleep in our king sized bed atop the four inch mattress topper that makes it so comfortable. There you go. That’s my list. What would you add?

It ain’t pretty. But it isn’t as bad as I though it would be, either. I knew something was wrong as soon as I got up that morning. I was queezy feeling and very chilled. Yet the sun was shining and it was already in the 70′s outside. We had arrived in Naples, FL the afternoon before. We ate dinner at a local restaurant and, 12 hours later, I could feel that dinner still sitting in my belly like a brick. I’m not sure whether it was food poisoning or the stomach flu or if there is really a difference between the two. But for all of that day, I was ill. You know that saying we have on the Roadtreking shirts – Small House, Bg Yard? Let’s just say that Jennifer spent as much of her time that day in the big yard. I stayed curled up, covered up, shivering in the Roadtrek, grateful that the bathroom was two steps away in our small house. It’s not fun being sick. Ever. But this only lasted about 18 hours or so. I even drove Jennifer to a local shopping center and she did some shopping while I slept in the back of the Roadrek. When your home is your RV, your home is wherever you are…in a campground, a boondocking spot or a shopping center It was cozy and comforting and despite feeling miserable, the day passed surprisingly fast, By the next day, I was back to normal. If you travel enough in your RV, it’s inevitable. You will get sick on the road. According to a recent survey commissioned by World Access, a travel-insurance and assistance company, more than 35% of business travelers said they or a colleague have become seriously sick or injured while away from home. We carry a small first aid kit. Included in it is a thermometer. I had no fever, despite the chills. But if I had a fever, we would have gone to a local doctor or clinic. Usually, RV campgrounds have a list of local doctors and emergency clinics that they can provide ill guests. And because many illnesses are contagious, there is always the danger of your traveling companion coming down with whatever it is you have. So keep your distance as best as possible and – everybody – wash your hands a lot when someone nearby is ill. Fortunately, Jennifer never did get sick. The biggest mistake we could have made was to carry on that day as if I was well. We took the setback in stride. We just put off our plans for a day. Jennifer relaxed outside, spent some time in a nearby gym and attended a water exercise class. I cocooned and … got better. How about you? Have you ever gotten sick in an RV trip? How did you cope? Any advice? Use comments below to share.

We’ve sure enjoyed the warm weather down along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and throughout Florida the past few weeks except for one thing: Bugs The mosquitoes are hatched down south. As are the No-See-Ums, Biting Midges and Sand Flies. They are particularly bad at night. With the warm weather, that means it can get pretty hot inside a camper van or Class B motorhome. We could have run the air conditioner. But that’s pretty loud. And it tends to make it too cold late at night. So we rolled down the driver and passenger side windows. And the bugs never got to us. That’s because we used Skeeker Beaters. We’ve been offering them on the Roadtrek Store for a couple of months now. But this was the first opportunity we had to really test them out. They worked great! Skeeter Beaters are magnetic vehicle window screens made out of mesh fabric that allows air to flow freely through open windows while keeping out not only mosquitos, flies and other pesky bugs but also the tiny, blood sucking midges and No-See-Ums. These screens adhere to your metal window frame using non-abrasive, high-energy magnets that will not shatter or break. The magnets are sewn in around the hemline. The screens come as a pair in a set, one for both the driver and passenger side windows. We put them on most every night. When the wind kicked up strong one night they held fast. They pack in their own drawstring bag and fit easily into a suitcase, the glove box, a door pocket, or the map pocket behind your seats. They fit all models of the Roadtrek and most other Class B campervans on the Sprinter, Ford or Chevy chasis. Check the video to see them on our Roadtrek eTrek. Click here for more info on them.

There are few animals as universally popular and liked as much as the Florida Manatee. Yet there are few animals in more danger. The Florida Manatee, a large and slow moving aquatic animal, is protected by the federal Engangered Species Act of 1973, primarily because they are too big and slow to get out of the way of speedboats. As Florida’s boating population has exploded, the manatee has declined to an estimated statewide population today of under 5,000. They used to be everywhere. And despite gallant efforts by wildlife managers to protect it, each year there are fewer and fewer. But if you want to see one, perhaps the best bet in all of Florida is the Blue Springs State Park, in Orange City, FL, less than 45 minutes northwest of Orlando. Here, every winter from November to mid-April, a spit of water called the Blue Springs Run is filled with the gentle giants, often called sea cows. The Blue Springs Run flows into the St. Johns River and emanates from a deep underground spring that burps up crystal clear water that never varies from a temperature of 72 degrees. That’s what draws the manatees. Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. Some years, as many as 350 of them have wintered in the run, which is only about a half mile long and 100 feet or so wide. For RVers, the state park has 51 large and private campsites, all with picnic tables, a firepit and full electric and water hookups. Jennifer and I found it a delight of a place. It is quiet and remote – there are signs warning about feeding the bears which are often seen in the park – and while the springs are a half mile walk away, a shaded walking path starts from right next to site 18 and takes you right to the boardwalk that parallels the Blue Spring Run. Towering old live oaks grow from the banks of the run with Spanish Moss dangling down right to the waters surface. Although they call it Blue Springs, it has a distinct green shade to it because of the algae in the area caused by agricultural runoff into the St. Johns River. The water is amazingly clear. Right from the boardwalk, you can see giant largemouth bass, longnose gar, channel catfish and more than 40 other species of fish cruising past. And then there are the manatees. On the day we visited, a ranger told us the morning count was 30. As the weather is warming up here in central Florida, the manatees are moving into the river and its tributaries. By the middle of March, they’ll mostly be gone and the river will open to swimmers, snorkelers and SCUBA divers. We spent several hours strolling the boardwalk and just watching the manatees. They are huge, 800 to 1,000 pounds and ten feet long. Some have grown to nearly 3,000 pounds. We were surprised to learn that they are a relative of the elephant. But when you study them up close, you can really see the resemblance. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer, or sometimes crawl, through shallow water. They also have powerful, flat tails that help propel them through the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see and hear quite well. Most of them bore deep scars on their backs from boat propellers. As if that wasn’t enough, the manatees are also being harassed by an invasive species -the sailfin catfish. These are the same exotic species that are used by fish hobbyists to clean the sides of their aquariums. How they ended up in Blue Springs Run isn’t known for sure but someone likely someone dumped them. The species thrive there and they are now all over the place. They fasten themselves to the backs of the manatees and try to eat the algae that grows on them. This drives the manatees nuts and they twist and roll trying to dislodge the parasitic hitchhikers. That means they burn more calories. Which means they need more food. And since there is nothing in Blue Springs Run they eat, that means they have to roam out into the St Johns River. The St Johns River in the wintertime is much colder than the springs and the prolonged exposure to cold endangers the manatees health. It’s the classic environmental domino effect. We sat and watched the manatees for an afternoon and part of the next morning. We could easily see them lying on the bottom of the Blue Springs Run. About every two to four minutes, they’d slowly rise. Just their nose, and only the nostrils at that, would break the surface. You’d hear them exhale, and then inhale, making a deep puffing sound. Then they’d drop down again. A couple of the manatees had calves with them, bringing smiles to all those watching. The Blue Springs State Park instantly became one of our favorite Florida memories. In summer, when the manatees are gone in large numbers and the springs turns into a giant swimming hole, it can get quite crowded. Even now, the campground is filled most weekends. But bookmark this or make a note of it. You’ll thank me once you visit it.

I didn’t know what to expect when I pulled into Okeechobee, Fla., but I can defiately say that I didn’t expect it to remind me of West Texas, right down to the city calling itself ”Cow Town.” But this is a western style town in the middle of the sunshine state, it’s dry and windy and surrounded by wide open spaces and lots and lots of cows. Rodeos are a big deal here and the name of the best local restaurant tells you what the local culture revolves around. It’s simply called “The Cowboy.” In July, they have a big cattle drive – right down main streets of town. There are rodeos all year around. Okeechobee, with a population of just under 6,000, is located smack in the middle of south Florida, about equal distance from both coasts and hard up against the western shoreline of Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida and the seventh largest in the United States. But locals stress another claim to fame about “The Lake,” as everyone around her refers to it. It is the largest freshwater lake completely within a single one of the lower 48 states. The word Okeechobee in the tongue of the Seminoles who first settled here, means “big water.” It gets its water from the Kissimmee River, which links Okeechobee to Lake Kissimmee, some 60 miles to the west. Tourism has most been limited to fishermen – - the lake is also known as the speckled perch capital of the U.S. - and rodeo fans who come for the many Cow Town events, especially the big one in July. But a new RV resort here is bringing in lots of new seasonal snowbirds and passing travelers. That’s what led us here, a chance to visit the Silver Palms RV Resort, located a half mile from Lake Okeechobee on the town’s eastern limits. We came here from Naples, where we stayed at a sister resort, the Naples Motorcoach Resort. Both parks are owned by Sunland RV Resorts, which operate high end RV resorts in California and Bay Harbor, Mich. There are a couple of older RV parks in the Okeechobee area, and a KOA Resort park right across the street, but the Silver Palms caters to owners who buy a lot as well as renters. Overnight rentals start with a 40 by 70 foot spot on the grass with a concrete pad for $35 a night. Silver Palms is a master planned, gated community. Lot ownership starts at $55,000 and runs to $80,000, depending on size and location. An aggressive expansion will soon give the place well over 300 lots and a major footprint on the local economy, which has been clearly struggling, as evidenced by lots of shuttered businesses. There’s also a paucity of the traditional Florida tourist places like fancy restaurants and bistros and upscale shopping. This is the cow country out here and if touristy hustle and bustle is what you seek, better head elsewhere. If, however, you are looking to slow down, chill out, warm up and enjoy an area where the attraction is fresh air and lots of social activities with your RVing neighbors, this may be your diamond in the rough. What the town may lack in activities, the RV resort more than makes up for in planned parties, events and gatherings around the swimming pool, clubhouse and members lounge area. On the week we were there, there was an old car show on Sunday, Margarita Monday – with free drinks and nachos from 2-4PM, a Mardis Gras parade and potluck party with free hurricanes on Tuesday and a boat tour of the lake on Wednesday. There are also poolside lunches three days a week and a big Saturday night dinner party. And every day, starting early in the morning and going till dark, there are pickleball games. Pickleball, a racquet sport which combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis and is played on outdoor courts, is reputed to be the fastest growing sport on America. The folks here take their pickleball very seriously but are always glad to explain it to a newcomer and offer newbie tips. These people may like to party. But they are also pretty fit. There are water exercise classes, line dancing lessons, a fitness center and fishing around several manmade lakes that are stocked with largemouth bass, some reputed to be in the 10 pound range. The RVs include everything but trailers and popups. There are Class A, B, and C motorhomes as well as lots of Fifth Wheels. The more deluxe lots have pavers and owners can decorate them how they like. Many have installed tiki huts and small cabanas that hold washer and dryers or are an extra sleeping room for guests. A lot of the residents also have their own golf carts. Some have scooters. Everyone seems to ride a bike, which they use to drive to the community trash container, located at a remote end of the resort. Again reminding me of Texas were the sound of cattle several times a day. A pasture borders the north end of the park and the black angus grazing there add to the bucolic, laid back vibes. A wetlands preserve borders the south end of the property. We hung out at the pool on the days we were there. One morning, I borrowed a bike and rode a dozen miles or so along the Florida Trail, also known as the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Built atop the 35-foot high dike that surrounds the lake and protects the nearby community from flooding, this trail runs for over 110 miles. It’s pancake flat and offers beautiful views of the lake and surrounding wetlands. The weather here is usually among the warmest in Florida. Because of the flat ranch land around here, there is almost always a breeze. During our visit the first part of March, the daily temperatures were in the low eighties every day. We found the town and area to be refreshingly unlike any other place we’ve visited in Florida. It’s a great spot to relax. The residents I got to know during our stay here said they never intended to end up here but that the quieter pace of life and the friendliness of the people at Silver Palms kept them coming back, year after year. Occupancy of the resort seemed pretty close to 90% or so, hence the expansion project. The whole complex is extremely well maintained and the rest rooms and showers are spotless. Besides the many on site activities, the lake and the 110-mile bike trail were my favorite things to take in during our time and enough to bring me back someday. Below are some photos of the lake to show you what I mean. Our guide was Captain John Campbell, who has fished Okeechobee for more than half a century. He regularly takes folks out from the Silver Palms RV Resort and likes to weave in local history and information about wildlife as he takes them to the best fishing spots.