First Week at the RV Park

We’ve been here a week now but to me, it seems already longer. After the initial shock of adjustment to the upper 20C/80F temperatures here, with a peak of 35C/95F on Friday afternoon, it has cooled down now to more seasonal temperatures like 23C/73F for today. Actually, yesterday afternoon it was cool enough for us to pour us a cup of hot candy cane flavoured coco. Both, the cups and coco a gift from Teresa, our neighbour friend at home. Thanks again it was delicious!

We were almost finished when I remembered to take a photo

Of course it wasn’t long until we had the urge to explore what kind of stores Okeechobee had in the offering. I found all the usual grocery stores and Benno was satisfied to know that Harbor Freight, TSC, ACE and Home Depot were in a short distance of each other. As for clothing, Bealls and Marshall are across from one another but at this time of year I am not keen to visit.

Our boat has a couple of deck plates that were leaking. The only replacements are sold here at a marine store in Ft. Lauderdale but the company doesn’t ship to Canada.  So you might guess it right, Benno took that as an opportunity to drive to the manufacturer downtown and get them. Now Ft. Lauderdale is not around the corner, but it’s a doable drive of about 100 miles/160km. However, we got caught in a horrendous rain storm on I-595 right approaching the city with heavy traffic. Benno said he cannot recall ever to have driven in such a storm. Not even the biblical downpour on the South American Orinoco River matched that, which we had experienced some years ago on the boat. Comparable to driving through a carwash and the windshield wipers on fast making no difference. We went through an underpass and I heard Benno muttering “I hope the truck floats like a boat”. We had a big plash and made it through ok and later the sunshine evaporated all evidence.

For all the sailor blog readers here, you know this place, don’t you? No question about it, after getting our deck plates and looking over the merchandise in that store, we visited West Marine’s flagship store, Boat Owners Warehouse and of course Sailorman, a famous second hand boat supply store, but we didn’t buy anything.

At the doggy park

On my walks with the dogs to the doggy park and around the paved roads I have noticed something I’ve never seen before. There are palm trees throughout the park, but some of the palms are totally enveloped by roots from another tree that seemed to have been planted on purpose next to the palm tree. I presume it’s the roots of Ficus trees, but I’m not sure and I find this totally interesting. Maybe someone with knowledge can enlighten me?

The palm tree trunk in the upper middle

The palm tree trunk to the upper right

A view from afar to see another palm tree encircled 

Oh yes, we've got coconuts too!

And, I spotted this little cutie that sits forlorn waiting for sure for some TLC here in the park. 

Thanks for dropping in again. More next time.