I grew up “camping” , 4 days in the DAF to cover 1000km stopping at every church , vineyard and Castle in Belgium and France . They were good times for a young man .
Playing on the lakefront beach in Lacanau Near Bordeaux was the highlight of the year for us.
These days we’re spoiled with an incredible home on wheels , time to use it and already some really great memories in our pocket .
This year we have planned 4 months to the West , starting in South Florida , I’m driving to Vegas with Beau, our Lab,I’ll take about 1 week to cover 2600 miles Deidre will join me there , flying in and we’ll spend a few days seeing the sites
After sun city our first stop will be The town of Virgin close to Zion National park and many other great locations . Stayin about one week .
I’ll leave you today with a nice scene from a few years ago on Anna Maria Island when we were entertained by a group of manatees.
The Ted Smallwood Store, located in Chokoloskee, Florida, holds a rich history as a significant trading post in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Established in 1906 by Ted Smallwood, the store provided a vital link between the remote Ten Thousand Islands and the outside world, offering essential supplies, purchasing local produce, and serving as a hub for the Seminole Indians and early settlers. This historic establishment provides a window into the past, showcasing the unique blend of cultures and lifestyles that shaped the region’s development. Today, the Ted Smallwood Store stands as a museum, preserving its legacy and offering visitors a glimpse into an important chapter of Florida’s history.
In 1910, Edgar J. Watson purchased the Smallwood Store from Ted Smallwood, seeking a fresh start after a turbulent past. However, Watson’s arrival in the local community was met with suspicion and unease. The tension culminated in a violent encounter on October 24, 1910, when Watson was fatally shot on the porch of the Smallwood Store. The circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in mystery, with various accounts and theories circulating to this day, contributing to the enduring folklore of the region.
The killing of Edgar Watson at the Ted Smallwood Store reverberated across the Chokoloskee community, sparking intrigue and speculation that continue to captivate historians and visitors alike. The unresolved nature of the incident has woven a compelling narrative into the fabric of Florida’s history, fostering a sense of enduring fascination with the enigmatic figure of Edgar Watson and the events that unfolded on that fateful day in 1910. The legacy of this pivotal moment endures as a haunting reminder of the complexities and contradictions that characterize the annals of the Smallwood Store and the storied past of Chokoloskee, Florida.
Our “im born here” Captain has it on good sources that Watson was a SOB who killed people left and right and pulled his double barrel shotgun first , his bullets were wet, it misfored and the townspeople then as a group killed him !
After each long trip in an RV ,things are broken ! So after paying a kings ransom to the RV shop we hope all is well again and ready for the next trip. We include oil changes for the Engine as well as for the Generator. We have them check the sliderooms and levelers, airbags and many more systems. Won’t bother you with these. So after all that we make a short trip to check if repairs are done correctly and everything works as it should . Driving your house on bumpy roads for 6000 + miles takes a toll!
We choose to go a long weekend to Everglades Isles RV Park. A beautiful little Rv park in the middle of the Everglades. We face a working marina across the channel where fishing boats drop off their stonecrab pots everyday. Tourists on airboats visit the gators and speed across the river of grass. Shaking down is a tough job but someone has got to do it!!😇
This is my first try on WordPress , love to get any comments and tips how to make things better.
The Long West Coast Summer Trip. 