For our 1st shakedown RV trip we met friends at Vero Beach. We left home on Sunday August 10th. This was the first time that we have hooked the car up to tow. We hooked it up in the driveway to test out the drop hitch and lights. We are very happy with the way the car is set up to tow.
To get to Vero Beach we can go right across State Route 60 and then go north, just a bit. You can tell that Charlie is happy with our purchase of the RV... can you see the smile on his face? State Road 60 is an east–west route crisscrossing Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the portion of SR 60, we traveled on has several different names, including Hopewell Road in Plant City, Canal Street in Mulberry, West Main Street west of Bartow city limits, Baker Street in Bartow and Hesperides Road in Lake Wales.
Bob Jones and Tammy Varney had this trip planned for a while. They were coming down to see a specialist. Charlie and I invited ourselves and we invited Gary & Sheryl and Kathleen. Technically the campground is in Brookside / Fellsmere, but the mailing address of the campground was Vero. Encore Communities were offering great deals on stays. Gary, Sheryl and Kathleen jumped on that deal. Plus its maybe 60 miles north of them, easy trip! Bob & Tammy have a Thousand Trails membership, so their stay was all set, no cost. Lazydays and Thousand Trails gave us a 13-month membership when we purchased our rig. So, our cost was zero. It makes camping a no-brainer. The concept reminds me of our years in timeshares....
We stayed at Encore's Sunshine Travel RV Resort. It offered a convenient location, right off I-95, on Florida's unspoiled Treasure Coast. There were nearby beaches, but in the 100 plus heat, we did not visit. We enjoyed quality time together with our friends. Every morning I enjoyed walking, sometimes with Sheryl or Tammy. On one morning walk, Sheryl and I passed this unique plant. I goggled it and it is called a mother of thousands, alligator, or Mexican hat plant. It is a is a succulent plant native to Madagascar, so it thrives in the Florida heat!
On Tuesday the 12th, we ventured out to Mulligan's Beach House for a late lunch. Mulligan’s is located in the authentic Treasure Coast waterfront community of Sebastian on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon next to River View Park. It was a fun and relaxing place to dine.
We even caught a glimpse of a manatee swimming by!
Launched back in 1997 by George Hart, Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill was founded with the goal of bringing fresh, affordable seafood to local Floridians in a beautiful waterfront setting. The Mulligan’s brand now includes four Florida locations – all with waterfront views – in Sebastian, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, and their newest location in Singer Island.
We all had something different, except Charlie and Nancy both went for the BLT! The food was very good!Wednesday morning, I walked with Tammy for a bit and she found this HUGE slug! I Goggle Lens the picture and it came back as a Florida leatherleaf. Yuck, it was huge and ugly!
Kathleen and Gary & Sheryl headed back home in the morning. We enjoyed our time together with our friends, but it is sad to see them go.
Bob & Tammy and Charlie & I went out for a late breakfast we were looking for a place Bob & Tammy had seen the other day. We could not find it, but we found The Hen House. We went in for breakfast, which was awesome! But we will go back because of the service! Sandy was our waitress. She made us feel like we have been customers and friends for years! The 4 of us got very different items. Each was cooked to perfection and presented beautifully! Everything was hot and our coffee never ran out! If you have never been.... you must try it out! Tell Sandy "shut the door, Charlie" sent you! The four of us enjoyed some pool time on Wednesday afternoon and evening!
Thursday morning I walked alone and found this uniquely wrapped RV. I can honestly say that I have never seen an RV, in a campground, that was wrapped in a band's record. I did a bit of research and learned that it it the former RV of a Led Zeppelin Tribute Band. If you judge a tribute band by their tour bus, then In The Light of Led Zeppelin is epic! Actually, the new owners of this RV are Led Zeppelin fans, but they are not the tribute band. The band upgraded to a 45' diesel pusher!
Thursday night we have a bluegrass show to go to. But before that, Charlie and I did some touring of Vero Beach. We stumbled upon the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary. As Paul Harvey would say... "here is the rest of the story." After World War II, the Intracoastal Waterway was slated for dredging and Mr. Alex MacWilliam, a veteran and member of the Florida Legislature, persuaded the Federal Government to realign the existing Vero Beach channel to make way for a modern drawbridge and to create a Memorial Island with the surplus dredging material.
This Island was purchased by the City of Vero Beach in May of 1947 and it was dedicated in the early 1960's as Memorial Island Park. On July 6, 2004 the name was changed to Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary. If you're looking for a place that humbles you and lifts your heart at the same time, this is the place. Veteran's Memorial Island Sanctuary is not just a park, it is more like stepping on sacred ground wrapped in sunshine, trees, monuments and serenity.
The first thing you see, before you cross the bridge is huge by engraved stones marked with words like Honor, Devotion, Sacrifice. You don't just read them, if you are a Veteran or understand the sacrifices of a veteran, you feel those words.
The American flag stands tall at the end of a peaceful, tree-lined brick path, swaying like it's saluting every visitor who comes to reflect and remember. Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary is a quiet haven for reflection on the sacrifices made by the men and women in the Armed Forces of our Country. It contains memorials to the men and women of Indian River County who died in combat while defending our Country. It has been said that this is one of the most beautiful Veteran Sanctuaries in the Country. Everyone is welcomed to visit, take a walk, or sit on a bench and remember the sacrifices of all our Veterans of the Armed Forces.
Thursday night, we went to see Ian Lane and Southern Flavor at "The Loop" at the Riverside Theater. The Loop is a place where family-friendly live music happens under the oak trees in front of the Riverside Theater. This live music occurs year-round every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
They offer a wonderful, diverse selection of musical acts that perform outdoors on the grounds of the Theatre in Riverside Park. Since these shows are free, we took the time to secure a seat and some overhead cover, by booking a "cabana." It was very worth it! We would do it again!
We have followed Ian Lane, since we first heard him at the Yeehaw Junction Music Festival, several years ago. He has his own band now and they are a great group of musicians! Ian Lane is the band leader of Southern Flavor. He plays fiddle with the group and sings lead. He has played twice on the Grand Ole Opry and toured with Rhonda Vincent and several other acts. Keith Bass, a 7 time Florida state Banjo Champion. He has been playing bluegrass music all of his life. He plays banjo with the group and sings baritone. Tippen Padgett plays guitar and sings lead and tenor with the group. Alton Padgett who is Tippen’s older brother, plays mandolin and sings tenor and high baritone with the band.
Friday morning came and we were supposed to stay until Sunday morning, but Tammy & Bob decided to head back to Virginia early. So, we hung around for a while after they left and said... "let's go home!" Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures
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