Orlando to Cedar Key

The cold weather around the country is also being felt here in Florida.  This morning we packed up the BBQ, lawn chairs, and all the other  stuff around the motorhome; secured all loose items; unhooked the utilities; raised the leveling jacks; and got underway by 10:30.  We ran the air conditioner in the motorhome to cool the high 70s morning temperature.  During the uneventful three hour drive we watched the temperature descend.   By the time of our arrival at Cedar Key RV Resort we were running the heater in the motorhome.  As I write this (about 10PM, Monday) it is in the 40s outside and is expected to hit a low of 31 during the night.  Tomorrow's high is expected to by only 43.  Not as bad as the 21degree high forecast for Woodbridge, but still quite a change from the high 70s of the morning. 

Although the past several days have been fairly uneventful, on Saturday we had a nice breakfast with Daniel at Keke's restaurant in Clermont.  Their omlets are large and delicious.  Keke's  gets my seal of approval.

Also on Saturday Ina's former co-workers (from the Marriott Courtyard), Reye and Edwin, invited us to attended a Puerto Rican Three Kings celebration.  The party was lively with plenty of drink, good food, and music.  The dance and Latin rhythm was really compelling.  As I listened I wished I had taken some Spanish classes.

Protestants know the Three Kings Day as the Epiphany.   According to Wikipedia:

In Puerto Rico, it is traditional for children to fill a box with fresh grass or hay and put it underneath their bed, for the Wise Men's camels. The three kings will then take the grass to feed the camels and will leave gifts under the bed as a reward. These traditions are analogous to the customs of children leaving mince pies and sherry out for Father Christmas in Western Europe or leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus in the United States.

Edwin & Reye's home in Kissimmee was very nicely decorated. 

No gift exchange at the party, but there was a lot of enjoyable talk and dance.

The band was good.  I was told that the group is well known appearing on Television in Puerto Rico.

Here's a link to a nearly complete song video. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjohnso3a/11845179525/

Edwin, Edwin's sister and mother, and Reye (L to R)












There was some wildlife seen during our stay at the Orlando Thousand Trails park. 

This tortoise had a den at the back of the next door campsite. Numerous other dens were present throughout the campground.

He would come out of his den daily and do some digging.











There were also several pairs of blue herons living at the park. 

This pair seemed intrigued by the camera.

Here's the new induction cook top I picked up at BJ's.  It has proved ideal for use in the motorhome.  The propane cooktop and oven in the coach works OK.  However, the combustion by products of its open flame would frequently set off our smoke alarms.  No flames and no alarms with the induction burner.  Also a quart of water boils in less than 3 minutes with none of the waste heat from a gas flame.

Here is one of the pets at the Cedar Key campground.  Probably a Saint Bernard.  It's got to be one of the largest dogs I've seen in an RV.

Finally, I found a sign to make the neighborhood safer for us old folks.