After leaving Estes Park we headed for Florida and home by way of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and a whole lot of Florida, as we came across the Panhandle. We were in "headed for the barn" mode, but did still manage some high points.
Kansas really does grow sunflowers and they looked ready to be harvested to us. Missouri we had travelled before, and I didn't take out my camera. In Arkansas, we camped for a few days in Murfreesboro in order to hunt for diamonds. This is the only diamond mine in the USA as we understand it. A volcano coughed up the diamonds right to the surface here and you can take your chances finding them in the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Unfortunately, the diamonds are found in soil that is so much clay I think you could throw pots with it. After a few hours of searching through this sticky goo we decided we didn't need to find our own diamonds afterall. The clay stuck to everything - our equipment, our clothes, and the inside of the RV. Yuck. No photos again - didn't want to muck up my camera.
There were two high points still waiting, though, as we hit the road toward Florida. In Louisiana we were able to spend an afternoon with Monty and Carolyn (the folks we camped with through Yellowstone and Glacier). We visited their lovely home and had a wonderful lunch, followed with beignets from a Cafe du Monde outpost. They drove us through the area along the lake that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and it was fascinating to see all the new construction. Many of the homes have been completed remodeled and raised so they won't be so susceptible to damage the next time. How I wished for my camera on the drive, so I could share the rebuilding with you.
The last highlight of our five month trip was a stay at Topsail State Park. This park is legendary among Florida RV'ers as the nicest state park in Florida, and that is saying a lot since Florida has so many lovely state parks. Registering online, we took the last available site long enough for the RV. As a result, we didn't expect to have Internet access or satellite TV while we were there. But the site was perfect and both satellites worked. Most of the other sites would not have worked because of all the trees.
Topsail's campground is located about a mile away from three miles of unspoiled public beach on the Gulf of Mexico. There is a paved path to the beach and most people ride their bikes to get to the beach, though there is an occasional tram. The distance results in some interesting sights. People who camp there often have devised many ways to carry their stuff to and fro to the beach. I asked two men if they would mind my taking a photo of them - although there were many others who appeared to be similarly loaded down. Here they are, headed home after a day at the beach with their fully loaded trailer!
I hope these photos will give you a feel for the beach at Topsail. There are, of course, pelicans and herons in addition to these plovers, who spend their time running back and forth along the waves digging up cocinas to eat. The beach appears to be well protected by dunes that are off limits to people. And, I like my photo of wave patterns and footprints in the sand. It lets me bring back that delihtful feel of walking barefoot along the beach with Larry.
Well, we knew we were getting close to home. I took another photo of that quintessential Florida picture - an older couple happily sitting side by side, book in hand and fishing line in the Gulf.
And we wandered up and down the beach, fossil hunting, people watching, bird watching and just enjoying the feeling of being back in Florida. The weather had cooled and it was a delightful weekend. We cut it short to get home because Larry's mother had had a down spell. I hope we can spend more time at Topsail sometime soon. However, it is a long drive because it is in the western Panhandle and the Atlantic Ocean, which Larry prefers, is much closer. I want to go over there this winter, too, to do the conservation drive that allows observation of the migratory bird flocks.
We enjoyed two sunsets while we were at Topsail and that seems like a fitting ending to this year's Gypsypals journal. We were quite ready to be back in our house for a while after our five month journey. Before long, though, we'll start to feel that itch to be back out on the road. Thanks to all of you who have enjoyed this summer's blog and complimented me on my photography. I always enjoy knowing who is reading this little corner of the Internet. 
Bye for now! The Gypsypals, Mary and Larry P.
1 comments:
a fitting end to your 2008 gypsy-dom. the color in your photos is outstanding!!
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