Leaving Stuart

We have a lovely New Years Day!

A sleep in first. In the early afternoon Tim and Carolyn take us for a late lunch at Shuckers restaurant at the Island Beach Resort on Hutchinson Island. Hutchinson Island is a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River.

The restaurant is practically on the beach - it's great to see the ocean! What a lovely place to have a leisurely lunch. Caroline and I each have a strawberry daiquiri. Now they could become addictive!



We are leaving tomorrow after 11 days at Stuart made so memorable by Tim, Carolyn and their family.  Our grateful thanks!

He's quite good at windows!

Tim, Carolyn and Luke

Even the birds say farewell!

At 9.15am on 2 January 2013 we leave Phipps Park. We call in to say goodbye to Tim, Carolyn and Luke. Carolyn has been mapping out ideas for our further travels in Florida and has printed out a very comprehensive trip with all the driving instructions.  How easy it is to get onto the Florida Turnpike!

We leave the Treasure Coast heading north west through central Florida to the Ocala/Silver Springs area.



The Florida Turnpike is a north-south toll road that runs 312 miles.Over 1.8 million motorists use it each day; it is considered one of the busiest
highways in the country. There are 8 service plazas on the turnpike, spaced about 45 miles apart. Open 24 hours a day and located on the centre median for access from both directions they provide fuel, restrooms, public telephones, internet access, fast food restaurants, travel and tourist info, gift shops and many more services.

And they serve espresso coffee!!

It shouldn't fit!

We drive first through flat, rather scrubby country; then citrus farms and agriculture, then country that looks as if there should be alligators! Finally the scrubby vegetation gives way to taller trees.
As we approach Orlando the highway widens to 4 even 5 lanes.  It is much busier. There are signs to Disney World.
Trevor has a busy day waving to other motor home drivers. It's hard to tell if they wave back across a number of traffic lanes!

We arrive at Ocala early afternoon.   We need some stores so shop at Sam's Club. We find an RV park on the edge of town.
Ocala,  in Marion County is one of the major thoroughbred centres of the world with over 1200 horse farms and 900 thoroughbred farms. It is known as the horse capital of the world, one of only 5 cities (4 in the US and 1 in France) permitted to use this title based on the annual revenue produced by the horse industry.
Ocala plays host to one of the largest horse shows in the country - Horses In The Sun - HITS - a Dressage/Jumpers event lasting about 2 months.
Nearby Silver Springs is the site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world.

But the next morning turns out to be drizzly, overcast and very foggy.  Much cooler too. The forecast is for rain. We decide to start heading west toward the Florida Panhandle.

We are intrigued by these cars on the roof of an automotive business.