We seem to be settling into spring and fall visits to our Florida family. Our stays include 2 weekends so we can watch the boys play sports and can spend more time with the family. This first post covers our drive south and our time with them. The next 4 posts cover some exploring we did on this trip and what we came home to.
To avoid driving through Atlanta during the day, we spent the night hooked up at our friends’ home. They even fed us dinner. (Thanks Tom and Sintya!)
At 5:00 a.m. we took off. Lots of cars were already on the road, but we all kept moving.
After a couple of hours driving, we stopped at Buc-ee’s for breakfast.
You know, the dark roast coffee wasn’t that bad. It’s a do-again if I don’t have electricity for my Keurig.
We’ve stayed at the campground next to Carroll’s Sausage & Country Store on Interstate 75 a couple of times. If you’d like to see inside pictures from a previous visit, click here.
Boy was it windy when we were here.
Across the way we saw this peanut. Don’t remember seeing it before.
While many states may want to have the title of The Largest Peanut, the King of Giant Peanuts is actually along Interstate 75 near Ashburn (south Georgia). By state law it is the Official Peanut Monument of Georgia and cannot be blocked from public view. The original statue was on a cylindrical brick perch that was knocked down during Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018. Rebuilt (in steel), it was restored to its spot in June 2023. (RoadsideAmerica.com)
Now you can see how tall it actually is!
We spent our 2nd night around Daytona with our friends Jay and Rhonda. Such a treat to be with them in the spot they created for us (with hook-ups for electricity and water).
Rhonda loves plants and uses her She Shed to manage them.
For years Barney’s been wanting to weigh our RV and truck. We were way under the maximum weight.
We made a deal with each other before this trip to work out and walk while we were at our campsite that’s along the first lock on the waterway to Lake Okeechobee.
So proud of ourselves for trying to keep in shape.
While on a walk, we saw this young alligator trying to make its way to the canal.
While many of the boats using the waterway are big and sleek, some are older and more practical. Tugs are always fun to watch.
The locks are in the distance. Because of all the rain in this part of Florida, lots of water was being let out.
family
One night our son Brian dropped off the grans so he and Jana could go out for dinner.
We enjoyed hotdogs and s’mores around the fire.
The boys wanted to see the locks open and close, but the entrance gate had just been locked for the evening. Phooey.
Cash and Colson saw this box turtle.
He didn’t seem bothered by us but eventually turned around and went back to his home.
When Brian and Jana came back, we played a couple of rounds of Skyjo, a family favorite.
sports
Throughout the year, the boys are involved in sports. Because it’s so hot in the summer, basketball teams are really popular for the Saturday league games.
Cash (left) is getting ready for high school and Colson (right) will be going to middle school.
What really impresses me about the boys when they play sports is their intensity. They always keep their eyes on the ball and stay in the game.
Cash (in the middle) is ready to get the ball. He excels at defense.
He’s ready for the rebound.
Colson (red shorts) plays forward and is always moving the ball down the court.
Stealing the ball is his forte.
Will he make the free throw?
Yes! Constant practice in front of their house paid off.
On Sunday afternoons before it gets too hot in the summer, the boys play soccer or flag football. This spring Colson was invited to play with the senior team made up of coaches, staff, and other players.
Colson is the short player in gray on the right; he makes most of their goals.
Soccer teams weren’t available for Cash this year since he’s older, so a coach asked him to assist him for a flag football team.
When the lead coach can’t make the game, Brian takes over and coaches with Cash.
Close to the end of our stay, we went out for a Saturday night dinner where kids eat free off the kids menu. Even Oreo, under the table, joined us.
We so enjoy our time with this family and look forward to our next get-together in the fall. Now on to some sightseeing that we did during the week when the family was working and going to school.
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