Southern Camping Trip 2026 (aboard "Elsie" the land yacht). cont. 26

8 February 2026

Collier Seminole State Park 

Naples, Florida   

The blockhouse Ranger residence (second floor) and visitor center (first floor).

Interior framing of the blockhouse.

Marc-  We had some excitement last night from a water leak in the rear of the camper.  There was no stopping it so we just let it slowly leak.  This morning I went over to Lowes and found enough parts to replace a plastic valve assembly that had worn out.  No more leaks!  We saw some of the Park sights including the blockhouse and the old dredger.  I love mechanical stuff and this machine still works.

We are off to Donna and Frank Maher's house in Bonita Springs this afternoon for a Patriots - Seahawks Super Bowl party.  More details tomorrow.

Sue is working on a cat quilt and ha two sections completed.

Southern Camping Trip 2026 (aboard "Elsie" the land yacht). cont. 25

7 February 2026

Collier Seminole State Park 

Naples, Florida  

Crossing the beautiful Loxahatchee River on our way to Naples.

Marc-  We had a beautiful travel day.  Our main stop was in Sunrise, Florida to have lunch with Rhonda Fleming and her Mom at Grand Lux Cafe.  The food was very good and the company was great. We parked our rig in the far corners of the Mall parking lot.  The rig was surrounded by cars by the time we returned.  We managed to slowly make it out without touching any cars but we did take a small branch from a overhanging tree.  

Our route West was across Alligator Alley (otherwise known as Route 75) and it lived up to its name.    We passed dozens of alligators sunning themselves on the banks of the canal that paralleled the road.  There were also many great egrets and great blue herons. There were several fishing ramps and viewing areas along the route.  No problems finding our new campsite.  We will explore the park tomorrow.  Our only excursion was a trip to Marco Island. We needed a few items from Ace Hardware and Publix and saw some nice scenery along the way.  Marco Island is a high end beachfront community with numerous canals and beautiful water and beautiful beaches.

The lunch crowd.

Marco Island waterway.

Marco island beach.

Marco island resident pelican.

  

 

Southern Camping Trip 2026 (aboard "Elsie" the land yacht). cont. 24

5 February 2026

Jonathan Dickinson State Park 

Jupiter, Florida    

Anhinga drying out.

Marc-  Today we stayed close to Jupiter for doing some shopping and filling another propane tank.  We also went on an excellent guided forest walk learning about the varieties of trees that grow here. Finally there was a bike ride up in the "scrub" looking for birds.  Success in seeing two more scrub jays, an anhinga, and even a black vulture. 

Red mangrove trees line the Loxahatchee river near the campground. This tree can filter out the salt in brackish water.  

Bean from a red mangrove complete with roots.  The bean drop off and floats to shore and then somehow sinks its roots into the shore.

The mangrove beans grow vertically into new trees.

This bush-type vegetation is actually a Florida scrub oak tree complete with acorns.

Live oak trees are also found here along this bike trail.

Flowers along the bike path.

Entrance to gopher tortoise burrow.

Gopher tortoise on the way home to its burrow.

A campground visitor (white egret).

Scrub jay along the bike path.

Northern mockingbird.

Black vulture.

Southern Camping Trip 2026 (aboard "Elsie" the land yacht). cont. 23

4 February 2026

Jonathan Dickinson State Park 

Jupiter,  Florida     

Cow display at the Dania Beach Quebec style poutine restaurant.

Marc-  Today was a very special day visiting my French-Canadian relatives who live here in Florida during the Winter.  My aunt Monique has been coning here for the past 34 years.  Her daughter Danyelle and her husband Martin have owned a home here for many years and own a home in Dania.  It was great to see them again.  I also enjoyed the authentic Quebec poutine.

Martin and Danielle.

My Aunt Monique's kitty.

Sunset at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

Southern Camping Trip 2026 (aboard "Elsie" the land yacht). cont. 22

3 February 2026

Jonathan Dickinson State Park 

Jupiter,  Florida    

Scrub Jay.

Marc-  We were upon out early to meet up for a guided Scrub Jay hike at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.  Our guide described the habitat of Florida Scrub.  It consists of rolling hills with oak bushes and oak trees, pine trees, saw palmetto palms, cactus and other plants. We saw many Scrub Jays and Northern Mocking birds (the Florida State Bird), and there were cat birds and cardinals, too.  Only the Scrub Jays came near us.  They are not afraid of people.  They are only found in Florida in the scrub.  It was a thrill to see them.

The saw palmetto palm.

Prickly pear cactus.

Prickly pear fruit.

Well worth the effort.

Southern Camping Trip 2026 (aboard "Elsie" the land yacht). cont. 21

3 February 2026

Jonathan Dickinson State Park 

Jupiter,  Florida     

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Marc-  Our mission today was to go south to Ft. Lauderdale to meet Steve and Paul in their new co-op.  It was a cool 50 degrees but the Florida sunshine helped a lot.  Their co-op is fantastic and well located between the Atlantic Ocean beach and the ICW.  It has a lot of window looking North.  I took a video and will try to post it.  Steve & Paul took us out to dinner at an excellent Greek restaurant:  Ethos Greek Bistro in Wilton Manors.

Earlier in the day we stopped by two quilt shops and came out with just one spool of thread from each. The shops were Quilt a Bit in Greenacres and Once Upon a Quilt in Dania Beach. 

Sue on the beach.

Beautiful beach.

View from the condo.  Note the several boats tied up behind homes on canals.

ICW behind the homes.

Nearby state park.

Strangler fig tree on a live oak tree.  

Once Upon a Quilt in Dania Beach.

Just one section of fabric of many at Quilt a Bit in Greenacres.

Cinderella's carriage in Once Upon a Quilt.