Still in Florida and still waiting for the wonderful winter weather we've heard so much about!  We experienced record-breaking heat (with the humidity to go along with it) in December, and since then we've had lots of cold winds, below zero temps, dodged FIVE January tornadoes that passed by too near us, and, oh, did I mention the very heavy rainstorms?!?  I guess I'll chalk all this up to the super El Nino that is making itself known everywhere, because everyone we talk to down here says the same thing, "this is NOT normal Florida winter weather."  At least it has not snowed, but I probably shouldn't mention that and tempt fate!!!  And, for me at least, the best part of a cooler than normal weather pattern is that it is too cold for all the creepy critters to be out playing!  Whew!  Just the other day I saw a picture and article about a 15' Diamondback Rattlesnake caught down here.  Yikes!  Come on cold weather!!!

Even with all the weather drama, this is truly a unique area.  The beaches and wildlife are amazing.

 

   We've been having great fun taking in all the cultural activities that are so numerous in this neck of the woods.  The Thomas Edison laboratory is just as it was when he was working there, and we were fortunate to be in the neighborhood when a wonderful music festival took place, bringing in musicians from all over the region for some incredible pickin' and grinnin'.

And, of course, I couldn't resist making some images of all the things these folks do so well!

It has been a real pleasure to be able to visit some outstanding public gardens and see all the plant life that is normally dormant in other regions at this time of year.  The flowers and exotic plants make you feel like you are in a jungle in some far-off location.

 

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We've been surprised at the differences in the local populations in the various areas of this state.  The locals in the southern part of Florida have totally different lifestyles and ideals from those folks who live in the panhandle areas, where some consider themselves to be more like southern Alabamians (is that even a word???  Not sure, but I'll use it like it is!)  While staying in the northern/panhandle region, we've had many opportunities to hear serious southern accents, been blessed with that amazing hospitality and friendliness that really does exist in the south, and had wonderful southern comfort food usually found in Louisiana, Alabama and Texas.

 The Florida scenery continues to delight and amaze us.  Very exotic, and so very different from our home base landscape in the pacific northwest.

Normally in these blogs, I have some unforeseen RV lifestyle lessons to pass on from our experiences on the road, but luckily, this time things have been pretty quiet and uneventful in that department.  No, we haven't 'learned' it all, but I do think we are making progress!  Ha!

When we leave Florida we're going to be heading toward the Ozarks and the mid-west before turning back west.  Our summer destination will be back in Washington for several months where we are going to try our hand at work camping - - in our case, we'll be museum docents!

I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures and seeing the photos we post.  We'll be writing more as our journey continues.  Until then, take good care.