Last Day At Lake Manatee - (Bradenton, FL)

It was a beautiful day with temps in the 70s.  This was the view from our picture window.

 

 

Though the campground loops aren't on the lake, we can see the lake in the distance.

I got out and ran the two loops again this morning and then rode my bike around all the paved roads in the park.  What I noticed is, although our campsite is sort of close to our neighbor, the campground is really nice with large sites and lots of space and vegetation in between many of them.

I originally said our campsite doesn't have the "it" factor, but it's close.  After a further review, lots of sites definitely would have the "it" factor in this campground, and we look forward to visiting again - perhaps on our way back north.

While I showered and finished up a few business items, Linda walked about three miles.  After we both got ready, we headed into Bradenton.

We're glad the delayed package caused us to check out Lake Manatee State Park, but I was anxious to get farther south.  Fortunately, the package arrived last night and was ready for pick-up today.

While in Bradenton, we hit the post office to mail an RV-Dreams Family Favorites Cookbook, and Linda knocked out a couple loads of laundry.

Pretty boring stuff, except for the contents of the package.  Well, part of that was boring too, but Linda was really excited about ..... her new Kindle ereader.  :)

 

 

She's been wanting one, and we were going to get it for her for Christmas.  We didn't want to order one online, and tried to get one in Jacksonville.  BUT, they were sold out everywhere.  I made phone calls and drove all over town, but there was not one to be had.

So, we finally ordered one from Amazon and we now have it in hand.  She's so excited.  It didn't take her long to figure it out, and she quickly downloaded a book sample.

These things are absolutely perfect for RVers.  I'm glad the price finally came down enough to give one a try.  Perhaps we can get Linda to give us a full review or even a video demonstration one of these days.  :)

Well, that was it for another day.  Tomorrow, we're heading to the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve.  The sites at the two preserve campgrounds are first-come, first-served only, so hopefully there will be an opening.

One of them, Midway, has electric, but the other, Monument Lake, has no hook-ups.  There are only about 8 miles apart, so we'll shoot for Midway and have Monument Lake as a back-up plan.

Stay tuned to see what we get into.  I can pretty much guarantee that you will get tired of alligator photos.  :)

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Comments

[Nancy and Bill]

We saw Howard driving the Cambridge by Oasis Visistor Center Wed afternoon about 1:30. We had just checked out Midway Campground, but are not set up for no hook-ups with the Van. We are camped at Collier-Seminole State Park and are heading out of the area Thursday morning. Be sure and check out Shark Valley and take your BIKES!! You will love it. Also Ten Thousand Island Wildlife Preserve was great fun also, but that is east of Rt 29 on Rt 41. You guys may never leave this area with all the birds and wildlife....Have Fun!!

[Sherry]

Thanks for the heds up on Midway and Monument Lake. Everglades is definitely on our kayaking agenda. We just need to get out of Virginia. :-)

Funny to see that Nancy Mills spotted you guys. She definitely has the eagle eye for RV Dreamers! She caught us twice in S.C. :-)

[Brenda]

Linda is going to love her Kindle...got mine for Mother's Day...400 books later...not all read of course...most of them free! Also read USA Today and Reader's Digest on my Kindle. Can you tell I am addicted?

[MaryAnne]

Your Droid 2 has a kindle app! I love it because I may not always have my kindle with me, but I always have my phone. :-) You can access all your kindle books on it.