Friday – March 3, 2023
We are, sadly, winding down our stay here in Freeport, FL and are preparing for our journey back north. But first, an apology to my loyal readers for not having posted in a little over 2 weeks. I have an excuse, a lame one but, it’s an excuse; the internet here at the park has been problematic over the past several weeks and now seems to be more reliable. And, we have been busy doing nothing!
Over the past couple of weeks we have been keeping ourselves busy with trips to the beach, visiting with other guests we have met here and getting out and exploring. We have enjoyed our time here at Live Oak Landing and we’re definitely, actively considering, returning next year. We’ve met people from all over the continent and everyone is eager to share their stories, including us! Several we’ve met are “full-timers,” which means they don’t own, they sold, their home and now live on the road full time staying at campgrounds throughout the country following the agreeable weather.
This type of lifestyle sounds quite exciting but does present several challenges. For example, how do you receive your mail and shipments, how do you address your health care, where exactly is home for tax purposes, and more.
We bumped into a couple a few times during our walks around the campground and they are full-timers. The have a beautiful 5th Wheel and roam the country in their moving home. They left this morning to head back to Colorado, home base, to address their health care, see family then, off to California and the upper mid-west. They are already planning their return to Florida next year and hope to travel down the east coast and back up the west coast during the winter months. The wife (maybe), is clearly very detailed and disciplined. They have two yellow Labs that triggered a Cassie reminder with us. They had four but lost two a little while back. They traveled with the four Labs (I can’t imagine the amount of hair that was removed from the trailer daily) everywhere and, not only that but, her elderly mother who used a walker. Wow!
Our time here has been very enjoyable and below is a snip-it of what we’ve been up to, in ascending order:
Wednesday – February 15, 2023
Today, first thing, Orian (Irish spelling) came by to wash the trailer. Young kid, early-mid twenties; he has quite a little business going. He arrives with his pickup with a small enclosed utility trailer in tow. Everything he needs, he brings, water, detergent, coatings, etc. He brought a helper today, girlfriend?, and they both get right to work. He gives the trailer a quick look, even climbed up on the roof to have a look and took pictures. They spend a couple of hours, at least, and the trailer looks great! He uses a service to communicate with his clientele including the initial proposal, invoice, appointment setting, and even a link to a video when they’re all done. Check it out!
Saturday – February 18, 2023
Grayton State Park is located along Route 30A that runs from Route 98 in Santa Rosa Beach to Route 98 at Inlet 
Beach, about 18 miles. The park offers a lovely beach, a campground, hiking trails and Western Lake. We decided on the 1 mile Nature Trail that runs through the dune ecosystem, along the salt marsh and circles back through the pine flatwoods. Not sure why we decided on this trail but we were quite surprised by what it offered. Along the trail and many intervals signage requested that you do not walk into/through the dunes as you would damage the ecosystem. On the loop back to the start, Mag spotted several deer and was able to capture several pics. We scrambled to catch up with them for some close-ups but they wanted nothing to do with us. As we drove out of the park we toured the camping area and made mental note it was a possible future spot. Below is a gallery with a few photos we took during our hike.
Monday – February 20, 2023
The pavilion here at Live Oak includes a hall with lots of chairs and couches, good size TV, a large table like the kitchen table at 110, some vending machines, a large map of the US where you can drop a pin on your home town and a ping pong table. On many of our walks around the campground, we’d stop in for a quick game or 5 and the competition has been stiff. When we stop in, if there is any else in the room, I warn them that the match could get heated and some profanity might be overheard. Check out some of the action here!
Wednesday – February 22, 2023
Today was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season and we were treated to a performance by the Sandy Feet Singers. It a family of 7; Mom, Dad and 5 children. They sold their home, camp full time and perform at campgrounds when they can. It was a special treat to see them perform on this particular day, they perform Blue Grass Gospel music (also a little Irish music). Mag captured several video of the clan performing and here is the Sandy Feet Singers. For additional samples, click here. The family was located in the site across from us in a travel trailer (tow-behind) and we were fortunate to have been able to watch this fine oiled family perform their daily duties, in addition to their musical prowess.
Friday – February 24, 2023
I hopped on my bike this morning for a 10-miler. It’s not a long ride but I ended up cycling 13.25 miles which took about an hour. Although they make accommodations for bikes on the state roads here, it’s not my favorite path. Mag clues me in on a quiet road Google directed her down recently when she ran to a Publix nearby. It was a quiet country road with almost no traffic; maybe 2 or 3 vehicles. I’m not certain it’s a safer path but it’s more comfortable for me. The road brings me up toward Route 20 and instead of pulling a u-turn, I venture off to make it a loop. What I hadn’t realized was this loop I choose would put me on Route 20 for about a mile. I’m not a fan of riding with vehicles driving 60 to 70+ miles per hour but I figure I can stick it out for a mile. Whew, that’s over and I’m back on a country road leading toward the campground. It was an enjoyable ride, the terrain is mostly flat here so, not too challenging.
Tuesday – February 28, 2023
Another trip to Dune Allen Beach and a beautiful afternoon. We see a number of folks fishing from shore, Surf Casting, and we have lots of questions. No one catches any fish that we notice and, if they do, I’m going to stop by to inquire.
Darlene had texted Marguerite earlier to ask if we were interested in joining them for a campfire at their site. We respond in the affirmative and head over after dinner. We meet Keisha and Mike from western Pennsylvania. It was a nice evening and we enjoyed the conversation and many laughs.
Wednesday – March 1, 2023
We had been conversing with Brooke about her recent trip to Guatemala. She shared her interest in Cacao and it’s health and spiritual benefits. I was intrigued and purchased some cacao from Whole Foods during a recent stop there. It wasn’t ceremonial grade but will have to do for now. I also picked up some pitted Medjool dates to add some sweet and a little almond butter for additional flavor. I measured out all my ingredients, took pictures as requested by my “instructor” and blended them all in the Vitamix with hot, but not boiling, water.
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It was a rich and delicious flavor that was like the best cocoa ever. Mag cautions me about drinking cocoa. Some of you know about my history with migraines and chocolate/cacao is a no-no so I’m monitoring that. I relaxed in my recliner to consume the treat and shortly following, I’m down for a solid 2-hour + nap and a hint of a headache. Although I really enjoyed the cacao drink, I’m not sure it is something I could consume daily. My plan it to drink it once a week and see how it goes and also experiment with the recipe. I’ll keep you posted.
Post nap we headed off to the beach but Mag’s driving because she is of the opinion that I’m acting as thought I smoked a big fat one; it must be the healing properties of cacao. It’s a nice beach day and we spend a couple of hours there, which has become our custom.
Earlier in the day Keisha stopped by to invite us to their site for a campfire this evening. She also invited Darlene and Rick, our Canadian friends, and another couple, Dave and Beth from western Ohio. Mike had a great fire and we had a boat load of laughs. Ten o’clock rolled around which begins “quiet time” and we head back to our site for the night.
Thursday – March 2, 2023
Off to Allen Dune Beach at ~1:00 for a few hours of late afternoon sun. The water is rough today and the red flag is still out and it’s overcast but we don’t mind. We people-watch, relax, and read our books. We returned around 5 for dinner and then off to play cards with Darlene & Rich from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. We played Skip-Bo, which we’d never heard of but after a couple open hands, we get the hang of it. The card game was fun, as well as, the conversation. We share stories of family, etc. from back home and there was plenty of laughs!
Friday – March 3, 2023 – Today
We’re off to Miramar Beach today to catch a movie, Jesus Revolution. We are planning on dinner there if we can find an agreeable menu, we’ll follow-up in our next post.
Sweet post, Tim! Loved the ping pong action, I remember when Jeff and Chelle used to play ping pong in the basement at 110. Lex xoxo
Tim’s killin’ me every single game!
This one is my favorite post. Sounds like you guys have got this down. Sunshine state looks good on you guys!! 🌞
Love the family band, cacao rsport and my favorite is the Ping Pong. Dang y’all good!
much Love and safe travels
especially on the bike too! Wow! Stay hydrated!!
🤙🌺
Loved your comment ❤️❤️❤️
Safe travels.
Thanks Cil ❤️❤️