Now that KatieBug has joined the ranks of Certified Therapy Dog, she was able to visit Mom in her room with us at the Waterford Health Center. We spent time with Mom, then KatieBug and I toured the center with the Activities Coordinator, visiting a few of the elder residents who needed a puppy fix. Next morning, we had no problem getting KatieBug to stand still when we put on her volunteer vest. We arrived at the Center, KatieBug happily trotting ahead in full visitation mode.
Our site at Jonathan Dickinson State Park was closer to the tent campers than the big rigs, which normally would be acceptable, except these tent campers had no clue how to start a fire. After hours of smoke blowing up against our rig from three directions, it finally got inside, chasing us out for more than 6 hours until the campers went to bed and put out their fires. It took all three air filters working on high after the fires were out and us driving around for several more hours to finally clear the smoke out so I could breathe. Asthma and a smoke filled motorhome are not compatible.
Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site is a tranquil boat ride down the Loxahatchee River in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Our tour guide was informative and tried to point out the local flora and fauna but it was a chilly morning and few things had rolled out of bed.
The river turns from a completely freshwater environment, through a blend of temperate and tropical vegetation, to the saltwater mangrove community. It’s largest resident, which we only caught a glance of, is the Manatee and several make the Loxahatchee River their home.
The Wildman of the Loxahatchee, as Trapper Nelson was called, became a local legend arriving in 1936 and staying for 38 years living on the banks of the river.
He built his own cabin, a guest cabin, a wildlife compound where boy scouts would come and spend the night 10 feet above the ground, cut his own firewood, grew and hunted his food and managed to make a living from a much-visited wildlife zoo.
One morning took us into Hobe Sound with TripAdvisor suggesting we try the number one breakfast restaurant, Harry and the Natives. Great food, fun atmosphere, relaxing meal.
Christmas was drawing near and Texas was calling us home. One more visit with Mom before the wheels on the bus went round and round and took us back to Texas for the holidays.
As is our usual practice, we took a side trip to see something we missed last time we had paused in Mobile Alabama. Bellingrath Gardens, with its colossal colorful mums dripping from the trees, bridges and trellises became a colorful twinkling wonderland at nighttime. Even with a cold snap chilling the air, exploring the wonders of the gardens in twinkling colorful lights was a magical experience.
