December, 2017 | Water Dog Site

Tampa and Largo/Indian Rocks

Friday December 29^th

Packing up and leaving the house at Stuart on our way to Tampa to visit Dan and Jenny for their New Years party which also happens to be their Wedding anniversary also. Lia has started working at a Vegan restaurant and provided use some great Vegan meals, yummy! We need to learn to use raw cashews soaked in water and pureed for cream sauces like Lia.

We had a great camp site with electric in front of the detached garage at their tampa house.

Thursday Jan 4^th

Left Tamp to drive over to Largo/Indian Rocks Beach to stay at our next camp ground next to Gary and Marsha’s house where we had electricity by plugging in to their house via extension cord. Dallas the 12 year old yellow lab rules the roost at this place from her tempurpedic dog throne!

Alex And Gary Try Jerry’s Siesta Key Rum

Next day went to take a walk at Walsingham County Park, the county here has done a great job in providing many very nice parks scattered across the county.

On the way back across the street stopped at the Florida Botanical Gardens where in the same park they have the Heritage Village where 20 or so historical houses and stores etc have been moved and put on display. The store was staffed with period correct dressed gentlemen whom described how the country store worked back in the day. Staff needed 6 cents per day pay!

Next day went to one of our favorite dog beaches North Clear Water Beach with Gary, Patty and Dallas.

Gary and Dallas, North Clear Water Beach

Apalachicola To Stuart

Tuesday December 12^th:

Moved to Phipps park in Stuart. Nice county park with camping. Also checked out core of engineer park which is often booked. The park borders the Okechobee canal which we took the trawler Water Dog over and back from Stuart to Clear Water Beach marina back in 2014 across lake Okechobee. When we ran the lake water level was at 12′ and we had plenty of water back then.

We went to early dinner at a fish place which was good then said our good buys.

Okeechobee Canal At Phipps Park County Campground

Wednesday December 13^tH: walked around park in AM then left and checked into rental house: Shady Oak 662 Cleveland Ave Stuart

16 nights in house: nice place, not too swanky but spaceous. Kitchen not super well equipped. AC worked well and we did use. Did rent center console boat one day which as very fun as we explored and allowed dogs to play.

James visited last week for Christmas and then Anthony came for our last night and we had dinner out at Bangkhok Thai restaurant.

Spent Christmas morning at Patty’s Mom’s and had Christmass dinner at our rental.

One of the best things about Stuart is that dog’s are allowed on most all beaches. Terra and Holly had daily walks on beach and had a great time.

Alabama To Indian Pass Camp Ground Then Apalachicola

Friday December 8th

Left dads around 9:45 AM, rainy and cold due to cold front. May snow in Alabama! Did snow in Atlanta per Frances Picture. Headed east on 98. Stopped in Fort Walton Beach at a Taco shack (james knew of it) and had fish tacos and tempeh tacos: very good. Drove on and stopped to get some liquor then along peninsula to the Forgotton coast of FL. Not much water driving but some. Went through Pt Saint Joe, checked out a couple potential overnight spots: one an “rv site” in a row of beach houses. We called number but after five and got emergency service who hung up on us. Looked at Presnell’s RV park and Marina: ok, on waterfront but mostly parking lot.
Went on to Indian Pass campground, very nice: small sites except we stayed on “tent island” site 5 so it was big. No electric. In middle of tent island is site that is not advertised but is RV site. If we go back should request that.

Saturday December 9^th: Got up to clearing skies and sun peeking out. By 10 am or so beautiful clear! Went for nice beach walk. Dogs off leash, had fun. This area has boat ramp and also ferry to a large island which is a national wildlife refuge: St Vincent Island

Drove back to 98 towards Apalachicola. Looked at the free site at Battery Park but ended up at Gibson Inn in town. They gave us dog friendly room and we walked about town and then went out for dinner.

Apalachicola is a very cool layed back town.

Went to local recommended hole in the wall restaurant at 6:20 and they were closed LOL so ended up at tap room which was ok.

Went to Bowery Station bar in afternoon and chatted with couple who had moved from the keys (which became too crowded for them)