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February, 2008 - We dashed across country, taking the long route via the Rio Grande and Gulf Coast,

to Florida. We planned to stay a month but had so much fun we stayed three months. We tasted the

salt water and watched the birds at Jacksonville Beach, saw swamp critters at Mt. Dora and witnessed

the clear turquoise pools of Alexander Springs.

March 2008 - We arrived in Daytona in time for the Daytona 200 motorcycle race. After that

exhilaration we wandered over to Daytona Beach where Spring Break was in full swing. Neither of us

ever participated in Spring Break as kids, and we felt like doddering old grandparents as we watched

the nubile young college kids on the prowl.

April 2008 - We made our way down to southern Florida, visiting Miami and then heading up along

the Gulf Coast to Sarasota and eventually on to the Panhandle. We swam several times and strolled

the glorious beaches of those areas. Months later when we had to run the heat in our trailer in July

because we were in cold country at the north rim of the Grand Canyon, it was hard to believe we had

been swimming in turquoise waters so much earlier in the season.

February, 2009 - We dashed across country from San Diego, CA to Panama City Beach, FL, stopping

briefly in Louisiana to experience horse racing first-hand. Spending time in Florida with special

friends and family, both as guests and as hosts, we took in some of the spectacular scenery on offer

along the "Forgotten Coast."

February, 2009 - From St. Joseph State Park to St. George Island to the Gulf Island National Seashore,

we found the Florida Panhandle to be filled with natural beauty. Sea shells, an alligator, a bald eagle

and the gorgeous water of the Emerald Coast were among the highlights of our stay.