Heading South, October 21, 2021 The first night we stopped at our normal stop, South of the Border. There are several sites that can handle our entire caravan. The second night we stopped at Flamingo Lake RV Park in Jacksonville, Floirda. This was our first time at this park and the park was very accommodating to our long length. They gave us a nice pull through site and allowed us to park the Jeep and trailer across the street, for no additional charge. Randy had to back out since he did not think he could make the sharp right turn out of the site . He still had a tough time getting around the corner at the end of the street. Flamingo Lake RV Park in Jacksonville, Florida. View from Brian’s house where we parked the Dirt Yacht. Looking out over the peanut and cotton fields between Brian’s house and Aunt Rene’s house. The bales are peanut vine bales that the cows love. Randy listening to Aunt Rene’s stories on her front porch. Randy with his Aunt Rene Randy enjoying time with Aunt ReneAunt Rene with Randy and Karen at her 100th Birthday Celebration Randy with his Aunt Rene at her 100th Birthday Celebration! Beautiful decorations for Aunt Rene’s party. There were also photos of Lorene and even some of Randy’s mom decorating the tables. Randy visiting with his cousin, Charles Reichert Jr. during Aunt Rene’s birthday party. Entertainment for the kids during Aunt Rene’s 100th Birthday Celebration Kids having fun in the tractor ridesAfter leaving Aunt Rene’s in Georgia, we stopped in Ocala Ranch RV Park in Ocala, Florida. The sites were huge. Ocala Ranch RV Resort had plenty of room for everything! Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum Outside the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Randy with Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat I. This was Don’s first Chrysler Hemi powered fuel dragster that he built in his home garage in Tampa, Florida. On November 10, 1957, Don set his first World Record of 176.4 MPH in 8.79 seconds, the first over 170 MPH in the Quarter Mile. Restored in 1978 by Don Garlits and Tommy Lemons for the Museum. Early model dragsters. 1959 T.V. Tommy Ivo’s Buick Dragster. Tommy Ivy was known as the “King of the Dragsters.” This twin-engine, gas, unblown, Buick had a top time of 180 mph with a low ET of 8.69 seconds. Shirley Muldowney’s 1980 Top Fuel car. Shirley “Cha-Cha” Muldowney considered the first woman of drag racing, is a 3 time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion. We were in the stands when the 1983 movie, “Heart Like a Wheel” about her life and drag racing career was filmed in Pamona, California, during the Winternationals. Randy loved the 1973 Triumph Bonneville on display at the museum. 1934 Ford Coupe and 1948 Ohio George Anglia One of several Moonbeam cars designed by Bill DevinConnie Kalitta’s Bounty Hunter 1962. Don Garlits was named “Big Daddy” when he drove the Bounty Hunter so Kalitta could observe the run when the car was not performing as expected. Don set the NHRA National Record (180.36 mph) during the run and the announcer , Bernie Partridge, nicknamed Don, “Big Daddy”. Swamp Rat X – 1965 – 1967John Force’s Funny car body on display at Don Garlits’ Museum of Drag RacingJohn Force Funny Car Tom “Mongoose” McEwen’s Funny Car Jungle Jim Funny Car The only remaining Shirley Muldowney Funny Car that she drove before switching to Top Fuel dragsters. Purchased from the Bowling Green Hot Rod Reunion and scheduled for restoration. 37 Willys Coupe – The first woman in drag racing history to receive an NHRA license for driving supercharged cars, Barbara Hamilton and her best friend Nancy Leonello campaigned this 37 Willys Coupe from 1964 through 1971. Barbara won the 1966 NHRA Springnationals and runner-up at the 1968 Indy Nationals, all the while holding the NASCAR C/Gas Supercharged E.T. record of 11.94 seconds. Barbara is one of only a few women who built, owned, wrenched and drove her own car. She was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. 1904 Orient Buckboard on display in the Antique Car Museum. Built by the Waltham Manufacturing Company of Waltham, MA. Original cost $375. 1 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent slot machines on display at the Antique Car Museum 1923 Ford Depot Hack on display at the Antique Car Museum. The beginning of the station wagon, these cars were called depot hacks because they were used to transport people to and from the train depot and hotel. This particular car is still driven occasionally. More model cars! More model cars The museum had LOTS of model cars Juke Box in the Don Garlits Antique Car Museum Great spot at the Upriver Campground RV Resort in North Fort Myers. There was plenty of room for everything. We unhooked the trailer and parked it on the patio. Standing next to the small boat ramp at the Upriver Capground RV Resort in North Fort Myers. No Swimming sign! There were several signs warning about alligators near the boat ramp at the Upriver Campground RV Resort. I believe the only canal at the Upriver RV ResortSpent part of the day looking for shells on Turner Beach on Captiva Island. There were sandpipers all over Turner Beach. Based on a recommendation from Deb Stewart, we had dinner at the Lazy Flamingo on Captiva Island. There are several Lazy Flamingo restaurants. This restaurant was very close to Turner Beach. The conch chowder at the Lazy Flamingo was outstanding! The fried grouper and conch fritters were fabulous. Some of the best ever! Randy liked the sign at the Lazy Flamingo “Free Beer Tomorrow”It was great catching up with Larry and Karen again! Dinner with Larry and Karen at the Shrimp Shack! The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel. This is the only accredited museum in the US devoted soley to shells and mollusks. Some of the fish in the aquarium in the Shell Museum More fish in the aquarium in the Shell Museum Sea horses in the Shell Museum Chambered Nautilus Shells reminded me of the shape of my cochlea when learning about the implant I had in 2017. Parking at the Naples/Marco Island KOA was very tight but the hosts at the campground were very accommodating. We parked the Jeep and trailer in the camping spots across from us. Those spots were not open due to high water levels. Crossing over to visit Marco Island Marco Island Enjoyed our walk on Via Miromar Beach in NaplesVia Miromar BeachIt was a windy day so perfect for parasailing. We had to stop at the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge since we spent the summer at the Thousand Islands! Grasslands with a hammock in the background at Shark Valley Alligator spotted during the tram tour around Shark Valley Momma alligator hiding in the grass. Alligator eyeing us ! Close up of alligatorMomma alligator watching over her babies Baby alligator spotted during the tram tour around Shark Valley Baby alligator Blue Heron spotted while on the tram tour at Shark Valley We made the hike up the tower at Shark Valley Egret Anhinga Blue Heron in the sawgrassHalloween Pennant Dragonfly Anhinga in the pond apple trees White Heron Gar
