Leaving our friends in Fort Myers with visions of our water adventures fresh in our heads the kids were less than pleased to stop by the local library to catch up on their studies. It was a warm, beautiful day with clear skies making it a total crime to be indoors but school work had to be completed. I am notorious for taking the family on adventures and pushing studies to the side. So the kids blame me when they have a heavy workload to complete. Guilty as charged.

With heads in the books our day got away from us before we had secured a campsite for the night. It was a holiday weekend and since the entire northeast comes to Florida for the winter I was having difficulty finding a spot. I walked out the front of the library to make some calls and low and behold there happened to be a church next door with a large parking lot in the back.

I walked into the church where I met Father Ray. I shared our story, offered to help with anything I could around the church and he gave us his blessing to stay as long as needed. He even invited our family to a pot luck dinner with the congregation that night which I graciously accepted. This stop was made memorable by the kindness of strangers.

Walking the dog early the next morning I stopped by the library next door to check the hours so the kids could continue their studies. They lucked out as the library was closed so we headed north towards Tampa Bay. Several of our close friends parents live in the area and we planned on making the rounds.

Landing in Bradenton we were greeted with open arms by two of the most wonderful people. Parents of our dear friend Stephanie, we soon realized why she is so amazing. She is a direct reflection of both of her parents. Jan and Jim treated us to a swim in their pool and a soak in the Jacuzzi, yes we checked for alligators before jumping in, it is Florida after all.

We greatly appreciate a home cooked meal and they spoiled us with several. We are so grateful for the opportunity to spend time and get to know them better.

Jan surprised us the following day by treating the kids to a day at Tree Umph adventure course. A high in the trees obstacle course. She was originally going to join us but had something come up so we found ourselves in Florida’s interior, high in the trees navigating an obstacle course complete with carabiners and zip lines. This was another first for the family. Challenging and strenuous with just a hint of danger provides the perfect recipe for a rewarding adventure.

Preparing for the challenge.

Trust your harness.

Mom displaying beautiful form. She had walked across the single cable only to realize you are supposed to swing by a rope into the cargo net. She came back to go at it like Tarzan.

Kyra crushing it hands free.

The Course culminated with a zip line spanning the length of a football field flying high over man eating alligators.Okay there were no alligators, but there could have been.

Upon completion of the course we didn’t know if we should thank Jan or curse her for the amazing day as we all left feeling sore and tired. Thank you Jan, it was a great day and left us wanting to do it again. After we recuperate of course.

Back in the neighborhood the parking police give us an option to leave the coach at the neighborhood park but we wanted to be surrounded by nature and opted for nearby Lake Manatee State Park.

Not far from the gulf but feeling like Florida’s deep interior Lake Manatee is a large recreational lake surrounded by dense Palmetto palms and pine trees.

The Palmetto palms are thick making short cuts nearly impossible. Couple that with a healthy population of dangerous snakes made me thankful I was not an early settler here.

 

Did I mention alligators?My early morning revealed a mysterious side of the park.Our campsite deep in the Palmetto forest.Is Irish Christmas in February? The campground host still waiting for Ol’ Saint Leprechaun.

Next stop Tampa Bay.