As we moved into 2020, we started getting reminders from Facebook about what had happened a year ago. And there, in front of us, flashed the comments and pictures of our first days without “sticks and bricks”, figuring out how to live and love life in 400 feet of rolling house (with two dogs!). Needless to say a lot has happened since we embarked on our new life. Everyone we see and talk to (new and old friends) always ask us how we are doing and if we are still happy with the decision. And our answer is a resounding “YES, WE LOVE IT!” We’ve become quite a team (not that we weren’t before) and have both picked up skills we never thought we’d have. Jill is a master in Lola’s small kitchen, making meals out of whatever happens to be in the fridge, using a small microwave/convection oven as well as an Instant Pot to make more and better meals than we ever had in our last “house”. Dan has been able to tackle more and more technical issues that Lola throws at us, saving tons of money in mobile RV tech fees along the way.
Life in the winter is definitely slower paced as we are staying places longer and stretching things out, trying to blend in with the “snowbirds” who have come down to Florida for up to 6 months. On January 1, we departed Navarre to return to Carrabelle, further east on the Florida panhandle near Apalachicola. We traveled thru Mexico Beach and Panama City where damage is still very evident from Hurricane Michael, more than a year and a half later. We stopped for just three nights in Carrabelle but were lucky enough to meet up with Jill’s cousin Howard and his friend Karen who were over on St. George Island. We had two great days of visiting and eating!
Parked in Carrabelle 
Friends at lunch
Next stop was Cedar Key, an out-of-the-way area north of Tampa on the west coast. Cedar Key is a throw back to old Florida, just a small village where most folks seem to be in the fishing and related businesses. Likewise, our selected campground was a bit of a shout out to the 60’s with 9 campsites, 5 motel rooms and their own Tiki Bar out back! Cedar Key is known for its clams (who knew??!!) and we had some of the BEST clam chowder ever! We also had a chance to catch up with a childhood friend of Jill’s, Cheryl Siler and her husband Bob. We had some great visits including a fun evening at the Tiki Bar.
Tony’s Clam Chowder – Yum! 
Tiki Bar 
Welcome to Low Key Hideaway!
Our one major excursion was a trip south to Crystal River to see if we could find some manatees. Large, peaceful creatures, manatees need warm water to survive so when winter arrives they move to places where the water remains warm. And that means that a large contingent congregate around the warm springs that bubble up around the Crystal River area.
Three Sisters Spring 
Warm water bubbling up
A “herd” of sea cows (manatees) 
People pay to swim with the manatees 
Coming up for air
The springs are very special and protected by roping off the areas where the manatees congregate and also ensuring that any boaters are specially approved to go thru the areas to ensure the safety of the manatees. This means the land and water areas are protected too. Of course, some people just can’t follow the rules, no matter who clear they are…
As mentioned earlier, this stay was pretty quiet, visiting and just enjoying some down time. We enjoyed many beautiful sunsets during our week in Cedar Key and would love to go back soon!
Relaxing on the pier 
Hawk or falcon? 
Jill & Adele watching the sunset
It was finally time to head inland and say goodbye to the Florida gulf coast on January 11th and head south to the world of Disney! Up next, a month in Kissimmee, Florida.