Beverly Beach, Florida

The kids own and love watching the Pink Panther (Steve Martin) on DVD. So when we saw advertisements for the Pink Panther months ago we earmarked Friday, February 6. We went to a Cinemark Theater because we had free everything coupons from Century Theaters (Cinemark acquired Century). As with many sequels the first one was better than the second one. Actually can anyone think of a movie where the follow-on was better? I thought Toy Story II was better than the first athough I enjoyed both. Tanner says the Harry Potter movies. BTW, Tanner just finished the 7th, and final, Harry Potter book. A major accomplishment!

I just watched a beautiful sunrise his morning over the might Atlantic. We'll get back to that.

After the movie we drove south, hopefully to warmer parts Florida. Actually the warmer weather is headed into the entire state. I picked out an RV Resort right on the beach but at $85 per night it would break our high night record and since it was late we crashed in a Camping World parking lot (with the other 6 overnighters). First time overnight in a Camping World, but I bought some stuff there in the morning which help makes it OK. Then, after topping off the Monaco diesel tank we locked Beverly Beach into "Lola" (our navigation system). We paid $2.15 per gallon. OK, no one is going to get too excited about this but I sure did. Every time we're about to refill our 100 gallon diesel tank we log onto gasbuddy.com. This is a website that helps find the cheapest gas prices. Well... last week after we reloaded our motorhome with the 11 pieces of luggage, dragged on the plane, and left the Atlanta area, I needed to "fill 'er up." I found a Kroger Supermarket gas station with diesel for $1.97! This was at least 15 (where is the cents key? It used to be on our OLD typewriter when I was growing up) cheaper than any other place. But more importantly it was $1.97! I even joined there dumb Kroger Club for 12 seconds (that's how long I had their Club Card before I threw it in the trash can). (Question for our English readers? Do you call it a Rubbish Can?) By joining their club I saved an additional $.03. So I paid $1.94 per US gallon (not Imperial gallon). That is definitely a record and far from the $5.00+ I paid in Canada. OK, where the BEEP was I?

On our way to Beverly Beach we passed through St. Augustine. This cities claim to fame is --> where North America was Discovered. Alright we've been traveling for 9 months (less the 7 week Christmas break we took back in CA) and do you know how many places claim to be thee first? In Massachusuetts we learned it was the Pilgrims, but that was 1620, then we went to Virginia where the Virginians said Jamestown was settled in 1607. St. Augustine says they have the first historical site where Ponce de Leon (I remember this guy from the 5th grade--explorers) came ashore to landmark and record "for all time the first moment of our nation's history -- the Discovery of North America." Wait a minute. What about, "1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue?" He hit some islands considered to be part of North America, right? What about Leif Ericson who landed in NewFoundland in the year of our Lord 1001! Huh? ... Huh? Not to be out done we ALL know who really discovered North America though -- the North American Indians!!! Approximately 10,000 years ago!!!! Much earlier on our motorhome trip we did visit the oldest continuously inhabited village in North America. It was a Hopi Indian Village called Oraibi, settled around 1100. We have our winners!

Back to Ponce de Leon. You could say that he pretty much failed actually. He was looking for the Fountain of Youth. Fool! A fountain that keeps you young forever. He sailed all the way across the Atlantic thinking he'd actually find such magical waters. Didn't they have Bibles in Spanish back in 1513? All he had to do was read one. You know, the part that says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Oh well, hope he eventually found that one. I HAVE! ... HAVE YOU? You all better say "yes" blogger friends. I want to see you all later.

Anyway we passed on the not so magical waters and made it to Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort. Our RV spot was right on the beach. It was awesome! I would have loved to stay and kick back for several days but because the Daytona 500 is next weekend the 85 bucks (58 quid) Saturday rate was elevating to $115 so we just stayed for 1 night. The kids and I had a great time on the beach. Tanner favors golf, Sterling football with a little baseball mixed in and Peyton castles and digging serious holes looking for treasure. I managed to get a 52 minute run (scratch that--jog) in early in the morning after I woke up early and watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean and a few scattered clouds. It was beautiful. Only Cindi would have made the scenery more beautiful. It's places like this that are worth it.

(I'll try to post some pics at some point)

We are really excited that my folks, Pop and DeeDee, are flying out this Wednesday for a week to visit us. Unfortunately the Space Shuttle launch set for Thursday has been delayed but the Keys won't escape us!