Craig's blog

Kelli and Maddie decided that we should get to our next destination (Clearwater Beach on the west coast of Florida) as quickly as possible so that we could maximize the number of days we spend there.  I pulled out at 6:30 with the girls still sleeping.  We arrived at Sherwood Forest RV Park at 3:30 PM having stopped for about 30 minutes total along the way.  I couldn’t decide whether to take I-10 to I-75 (which is about 60 miles further) or take Hwy 19 more toward the coast line.  Eventually I decided on the highway 19, and boy am I glad I did.  It was gorgeous, newly paved and divided.  It was better than most of the interstates we’ve been on.  We ate breakfast and lunch while driving, but I did stop for gas.  We were slowed by incredible downpours for about 20 minutes where I could only drive 40 mph.

We chose a site and then immediately drove to the beach.  It turns out it is another 25 minute drive to the beach (and then it took us 20 minutes to find somewhere to park), so it was about 5:00 when we finally arrived at the beach.  It also was windy and raining.  However, I’d been cooped up for far too long, so we went in the water anyway (well all of us except Katie and Maddie).  I had a blast.  The water was toasty and while it was very choppy, the waves were ridable, so we stayed out there about an hour in the rain.

We eventually drove back, stopped at the grocery store to stock up and then I made enchiladas.  It was long day and we didn’t eat until 8:30.