My next destination was to reach my family near Tampa Bay in Clearwater. It have not seen the my step dad’s family in more than 10 years so it would be a good time to visit them and catch up. For me to go there I would need to cross the alligator alley then head north along the Mexican gulf. My first stop is 140 miles Collier-Seminole state park. This right after alligator alley. Now remember I can’t use the interstate so I would have go further south to take US 41. This road will lead all the way north going to Clearwater then to Pensacola
The whole weekend it did not rain at all and the locals were saying they are having a drough season. They normally get a whole day of rain but so far they got none. This actually was in my favor and I wanted to take advantage of the clear weather
I hit the road and head down south to Miami. Traffic was ok and the weather was holding up. Crossing the alligator alley I kept my eyes on the road. It’s actually the swaps on both sides of the road. The water ways runs parallel along the road on the north side so I can clearly see if there a gator there that would be bathing or baking in the sun. After 30 minutes riding I got none. There were some changes in the weather. The clouds started to come in and this worried me.
It’s been close to two hours and still no gator. I was really expecting to see one in the road but to no avail I wasn’t able to spot one. Then after another 15 min riding I saw a sign for the visitor center for the Big Cypress nature preserve area. I decided to then stop by there to take a breather and maybe find a Florida state sticker since I have not found one to stick it to my scooter. The visitor center entrance came and I took the turn. There were some people parked already and though to myself “There’s plenty of people stopping by here.” Then walking I saw a small pool near the building and saw a sign of the alligators. I thought to myself “Too bad I could see one today.” I went to the office and asked if they carried a Florida state sticker. The lady at the desk then answers me “Sorry we don’t carry those. But we do have some stickers about the preserve area.” My head lit up and told myself “that would cool to remind myself I went through the alligator alley. I then ask where it was and decide to buy it. I then tell her “So you guys get a lot of rain here?” She then answers “We have received any so far but normally we get afternoon showers or sometimes it would rain the whole day but so far it’s been none.” I then tell her “It’s actually been working out for me since am riding around the state.” She then tells me “Well I would suggest you go on your way soon there should be some showers coming in the next few days.” I then thank her and went on my way.
I walked out and saw people staring at the canal next to the road. I got curious what they were looking at and to my surprise alligators! The visitor center actually has several captive gators. I watched them closely and took photos. They are actually big but motionless, probably resting or jaunt waiting for fish to swim by. I felt satisfied that my path to the gator alley was not a waste.
I was close to the end of gator alley and I know my campsite should come up anytime now. After another hour or so I finally arrived at state park. I asked the ranger for primitive camping. He then tells me “Sorry sir all campsites are closed.” I then reacted “All full?” Then he responds “all the site are actually under renovations and has been closed for the year.” My jaw dropped and replied “Wow they even did t announce that in the webpage.” He then replies “Sorry but there is another park close to us here. About another 40-50 miles. The Koreshean historic state park.” My first reaction was “Another 50 miles. It’s another two hours for me. Is there another camping area like KOA or RV parks that you know.” He replies they are double our price I wouldn’t really suggest them. By the way are you Filipino?” Then from there I knew he was Filipino and answered him “Do you speak the mother tongue?” He said “No I grew up here but I have a girl back in Quezon City. I was just there early this year.” We talked a little about his trip and where I grew up also. He hands a magazine of all the Florida state arks and their full list of amenities. I thank him and told him that I’ll trust him and go to the Koreshean state park instead.
In such cases, seeing a doctor immediately is recommended. cheapest generic viagra http://appalachianmagazine.com/category/news-headlines/page/24/ The generic drugs are made tadalafil 5mg buy from the genuine Karlovy Vary thermal spring salt is similar to the mineral content of human plasma. After you adopt prescription free tadalafil a positive attitude, there are several other things you can do that romantic weekend with your partner, leaving your kids at home, bring a nice bottle of wine and enjoy your time together. If you really wish to get over erectile dysfunction then go for buy tadalafil canada. It was still early so I know the parks close at 8pm and it was still 4pm. As soon as I reached the park I was greeted by the ranger and gave me some points at the camp. I told her a little bit of my journey and she tells me some stories she did when she was the ranger down the keys. I asked her “beside the local stops you gave me other than camping what else I could do at this site?” She replies “You should check out the Koreshaen community area.” I asked her “What is the Koreshean community history?” She then tell me a little bit about it. The Koreshean community is actually formed during the depression era like the belief Scientology. They believe that everything was inside the earth including the sun, stars, and other heavenly bodies. The only time they knew it wasn’t real was when we landed on the moon. Thus proving their theory wrong. The community got smaller and smaller until the last residents passed away and gave the entire Koreshaen estate to the State of Florida. It was then then maintained and preserved by Florida state parks.
I set up camp and decided to check the historic site. The entire community was set up in the whole park. They created their own laundry system, food and bread processing, school and medical building, even metal workshop have been developed by the community. They helped out each other to fend for themselves not asking much help from the government. They made their own machine systems, own food and even developed a laundry system for everyone that lived there. I was amazed how the community thrived for such a long time and their beliefs was intact. I was wondering how they faded, what went through some of minds to the generations that left? I took photos all over and went back to get some dinner and get some rest.
The following day when I woke up the skies looked dark and It’s coming from the sea on the west and heading east I land. I quickly prepared and broke camp to avoid the weather. I was intending on staying at camp. I checked the weather and saw its going to be raining for the whole week. then I thought to myself “this must be the rain the lady at the center told me. I checked the detailed report and rain should start at 11am. It was still 9am and if I head north it might head east and I should be able to pass it before it drops. I started heading out and not even an hour riding the clouds didn’t disappeared. It kept building up and moving on my direction. I looked at the weather and seems like it’s a big cloud forming with heavy rains. I kept looking at it and telling myself “if I stayed I would be there for a week. It’s. Lund to rain one way or the other might want to try and beat it to the punch. Not even 11am it started to fall. And it didn’t do light showers it just poured. Now I had this issues back in the carolinas and Georgia but this one didn’t move. It stayed there and kept going. I stopped at a gas station and took out my rain gear. I did not want to wait on it since after looking at the weather it was never going to stop. So I just kept on riding. the rain was too heavy and it was already bogging down my scooter. I knew this was the issue when I would encounter rain and there was no solution to this but wait.
When the rain has stop then I would go for another ride. This went on the whole day. And to make things worst there was no way for me to stop and then take shelter. I have to sit under a tree or out in the open to wait for the rains to stop. I only wore my top rain gear and did not bother wearing the pants. I knew while riding it’s always the pants that dries out first and it didn’t bother me much. What bothered me a lot ware my shoes. When it rain there’s just no protection from it. Unless you get rain boots which takes up so much weight and space. I rather have wet and squishy feet for now that having the burden of carrying rain boots. This continued until I reached Tampa Bay. As much as I wanted to enjoy the city, there’s just no way when rain comes in. What’s in your head is get there adapt and get dried. I basically drove in and passed by until I reach the bridge that connects Clearwater and Tampa Bay, this was already close to 7pm. The rain has stopped once I left Tampa and the skies got cleared. Fearing more rain will come I didn’t even took of my rain gear. I told myself “Not until I reach Tito Omar’s place then I’ll feel more relaxed.
Finally I was able to reach their house. I got off the scooter and rang the doorbell. It was answered by a barking dog and moments later an older person comes to answer the door. I greeted “kamusta na po?” That’s Tagalog of saying how are you. Not directly looking at me he then answers “Who are you?” I then said my name is Eric I am the step son of Oscar Barzaga. Then he replies “Ahhhh Iikaw ba si Eric? (So your eric) Come in.” I saw uncle Omar and Tita Nina. I haven’t seen them both in more than 12 years now. Their faces looked puzzled and Tita tells me “oh wow you don’t look like your mom.” Am like “Really actually out of all my brothers they always tell me I look like my mom the most.” I was still thinking if they remembered me because that question normally is asked after seeing a person for the first time. I have met them before back in Cavite but since it’s been lonng I dont blame them for not remembering. Turns out that Tita Nina’s parents stays with them and amazingly they are both in their early 90’s. Not only that they are still very mobile going about and their memory are still very sharp. Lola (Grandma) though has already the stages of Alzheimer’s but Lolo (grandpa) was very sharp. He is already losing his vision though and he also wearing a hearing aid but his memory complete with dates, names, and countries he did work for are impressively there. Both Lola and Lolo don’t even take special medicine, just multi vitamins and that’s it. Tito Omar is already retired and Tita Nina only works part time now dad a nurse in a hospital. She tell me “It’s too much work. It’s better I can stay with Lolo and Lola and were not that young anymore.” We chat up some more and even had dinner.
They told me Michael will be home late since he is the late shift. I asked about their other kids. Their youngest already moved San Francisco and the eldest is engage already in the Philippines. Our age gap were closer that’s why I still remember the three of them. I told Tito Omar and Tita Nina that I normally stay up late so am sure I’ll see Michael tonight. They went to bed and I did some work on the computer.
It was alread pass 1am and then I hear the garage door open. I knew Michael was already home and just waited for him in the kitchen. He comes in and then “Hey! Long time!” The last to,e I saw Michael he was thin and still looked younger than his age. I was older than him but only a year. Now he gained some weight but enough for his height and grew facial hair. We chi chatted a little bit and brought out a special drink. It’s more like jungle juice, beer mixed with liquor. He then proceeds to tell me “Sorry man can’t drink like before. You and my cousins always kill it and I was just catching up. Now it’s worst. I am clearly a lightweight now.” I just laughed and guzzled the special drink. We were cracking up about how his parents don’t seem to remember me and did some more catching up. I knew he was tired from work and told him that since it’s raining for the next 5 days I’ll wait for 2 days to see how it changes and we can hang out on his day off. I told him “Your parents convinced me to stay.” I only to stay two days the most but this rain will be a big problem if I push it.” He agrees and we both decided to call it a night.
