Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Round 1

We are in Clermont Florida and our new home is the Clermont Golf and RV Resort. There are approximately 1,280 RV sites that surround an 18-hole golf course. This is a tough course due to the water hazards on every hole. Denis and I played today and between us we lost at least a dozen balls. Not only are the water hazards tough but so are the alligators that surround this course. I saw a seven footer today laying in the sunshine close to where I was playing my ball. Denis said he saw it and thought it was a plastic joke alligator. I didn’t see it until Cathy from our foursome shouted “Dee, watch out for the alligator”. When I saw it I thought it was fake too. I was assured that it was not. It was flat and it just didn`t look real. I guess alligators are suppose to be `thicker`` Sorry no pictures – didn`t take camera on course. We are playing golf tomorrow and I promise pictures of egrets, large sand cranes and hopefully alligators will be posted on the blog.

Keisha is no longer allowed to play in the water near the course as she did this morning. When I was at the hot tub/pool this evening I was told that a chocolate Labrador went into the creek four years ago and an alligator came up and lunged at the dog, tearing the leash out of the owner’s hand and pulling the dog to the bottom in a death roll. It must have been traumatic for the dog owner.

We tie Keisha every time she goes outside the trailer because we are only 200 feet from a golf hole where we have been told that another seven foot alligator lives. For those who love Keisha, no worry we will guard her carefully and diligently. Promise!

An interesting fact about RV living is the mode of transportation. Those lining for extended periods (up to six months)use golf carts to move about the resort. It seems that the sales and maintenance of golf carts is big business in the South. Some owners really decked them out with fancy wheels, spinner and color coordinated upholstered seating.

The golf course is very busy and we have set up our rounds with league play as well as tournaments and scrambles. The resort also provides a multitude of activities such as golf, bingo, bridge, wood carving, painting, poker, bible studies, baseball, shuffleboard, aerobics, workshops , concerts, shows, special dinners and even an ice cream social (similar to a coffee or tea social). Anything you do in life... it`s here, the problem is fitting it into the month that we are here.

Disney and Universal Studios are booked and that will take up five days of the month. Three days for Magic Kingdom and two days for Universal Studios and Universal Studios Adventure land. Must bring wallet!!!! Expensive but it`s on the bucket list.

There is a big flea market about 18 miles from here. Opened on Wednesday`s. This is where the people here buy their supply of golf balls (after playing one round here I know why!), fruits, vegetables, books and pretty much everything else. We will be going.

With busy fun filled days and evenings of bingo (not Denis) bridge, poker and wood workshop, Denis and I will be home in Gatineau in no time flat. The weather has been spectacular with sunshine and 75 degrees temperatures. Even when it rains it is never for very long and the sun comes out. The ground just sucks up the water because it`s all sand base in Florida. Our site is really big and here are some pictures. Thanks for following us.