April 8-11, 2013
Southern Oaks RV Park
Summerfield, Florida
We had four intentions in choosing to stop at this Passport America park near The Villages: to see family friends who live across the street from the park, to say adios to my oldest brother who lives in Dunnellon—about 20 minutes away, to go kayaking in the Chassohowitzka River—about an hour away, and to dance on the square at Lake Sumter Landing during their daily happy hour and live music event. We accomplished all but one: it rained the two days we reserved for kayaking.
With stormy weather the first two days, we took the opportunity to finish our taxes and submit them on-line. I also got back into my knitting project which is quite ambitious, a linen-stitch scarf which requires casting on 450 stitches. (The scarf is knit lengthwise.). This is what I am hoping the finished project will look like. Sure am missing Karen, my knitting teacher at Holiday Cove, and my friend Jean who could help me learn to "unknit" when I make mistakes.
Day three was sunny so we took advantage of the brighter weather by making a short trip to The Villages. We enjoyed a walk around Lake Sumter then settled in on the square for their nightly happy hour. The music turned out to be just okay—good songs by a one-man band, but the dancing was great. We joined in on a few favorite songs, but especially enjoyed watching the line dancers and other enthusiastic couples on the square.
The couple in the photo above were quite a kick to watch—especially the man. Gotta love her boots too. The only way to fully appreciate these two is with a short video.
Old timers in the Village Square at Lake Sumter Landing
entertain the crowd with their moves
Our last day in the area was a full one. We had a great visit with my oldest brother, Bob, first visiting him in his element at the National Parachute Test Center that he runs and then going to lunch at the classic old Florida Blue Gator on the Withlacoochee River in Dunnellon.
He told me he never had a photo of the two of us, so this is for you Robert.
That same night we had my parents’ close friends, Will and Sharon Leino, over for dinner. They are from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan but spend their winters in a Dell Webb community right across from where we were staying in the motorhome. Sharon was very close to my mom; listening to her reminisce about their special times together bring me joy. Will lost his vision quite a few years ago, but thanks to Sharon and his guide dog, Lily, from the Southeastern Guide Dog school, he gets along quite well. Not the best photo, but the only one I managed to take.
That wraps up our stop near The Villages. Our next destination has become an annual favorite: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park near Destin in the Panhandle. We are ready for our spring travel adventures to begin.
