sunsets – Towing Silver: Kim Davison's Travels

I love Lake Erie!

I know that many people consider Lake Erie to be the least great of the Great Lakes, but it holds a special place in my heart. It is “home” for me – the American and Canadian sides.

My campground was right on the shore, just west of Buffalo – Evangola State Park. Actually, the campground was on a bluff above the lake, but there was a beach that was park of the park, and we were allowed access as part of our camping fees.

While I was there, I made a couple trips to the beach. There was this archway constructed. On my way back up, I ran into the bridal party. It looked like a great day for a wedding.

The sun was shining and the sky was blue.

I headed to the beach on the Independence Day. People were in serious picnic mode, with tents and canopies galore. As much as I love sun, I think I love the shade under these beautiful trees even more.

If I had a dollar for each cooler in the park, I think I could have almost have afforded to buy a Yeti.

Yeti – the Airstream of coolers.

I headed down to the water’s edge and I saw something I haven’t seen in years. I saw a lifeguard on duty at a public beach!

I decided to wander down to the cliff and then back to where I started from.

What a beautiful day to be on the water.

It was also a great day to look at rocks!

Rocks and water! What a great combination!

I find the fracture patterns interesting in these rocks. They cleave into rectangular slabs.

I found a smaller slab and used it as a base for one of my catch-and-release rock collections.

First, a photo of it dry. Now let’s see it wet.

That’s more like it! The colors are so much more vibrant.

I did a few where if marveled at the dry-vs-wet rocks, but I decided that I really preferred the wet ones.

This composition reminds me of a snowman, well, except that it’s not white.

What a lovely array of colors!

I found this fossil, and I thought it was pretty interesting. What the heck! Let’s see it wet.

I came across a fellow rock aficionado – a young boy of about eight. I had picked up this one and was thinking of keeping it. After all, I was going to have a house soon. It wouldn’t turn out like Lucy’s collection in The Long, Long Trailer.

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43379887

But, I gave the rock to him and told him that it had fossils in it. I explained what fossils were and that he might find some more if he kept looking. I swear, I’ll be a teacher until the day I die!

One last photo of rocks arranged by Mother Nature and it was time to head up.

I was fortunate to catch a few lovely sunsets while I was visiting during this trip. Just because I feel like it, I will post them here.

I took this one from the beach at Evangola State Park.

I took this one from Hamburg Town Park. If you look one way, there’s Buffalo in the background.

If you look in the other direction, you see a glorious sunset.

It all depends on where you focus your attention.

Koreshan Miscellany

Koreshan Historic Site State Park has a great campground, but I have to say that the sites are just a wee bit tight. I got to experience two different sites because I didn’t book far enough out. However, I was pleased that I was able to book two different sites that kept me in the park for six nights.

The first site, was exceptionally close, but it only took me one pass to get backed in. I was so proud of myself that I had to document it.

Look how close the rear bumper is to the tree!

There wasn’t much room side-to-side, either.

But, I did it!

The wonderful thing about traveling around the country is getting to meet up with people along the way. While I was staying at Koreshan Historic Site State Park, I got to spend some time with my cousin, Coral Lee.

Coral Lee is a daughter of my mother’s cousin, Gordy. If I have read the charts properly, that makes her my second cousin. If not, maybe someone will correct me.

Coral Lee lives in Cape Coral. She was eager to meet my sweet cat, Cora. This all made me smile.

She met me at the park and took me to a favorite restaurant of hers. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of it, but I finally tried fish tacos. For some reason, fish tacos always sounded like an odd dish. Now I can say that I have had fish tacos, but I would probably order my fish prepared a different way in the future.

She showed me her lovely house with a pool cage. I guess you need a cage when there is a possibility of alligators. I also met her sweet kitties.

Another thing I did was go to Bonita Springs Beach to enjoy a sunset.

Is there anything more glorious?

I don’t think so.

And when the sun finally sank in the west, everyone stood up and applauded!

I could sure get used to this!

Another day, Coral Lee came and got me for a trip to Sanibel Island. I had always heard about the beauty of the island. It has a reputation for being a great site for collecting shells, and I was really eager to see it.

Coral Lee treated me to lunch at Over Easy Cafe, which was recommended to me by a Facebook friend. I had hoped to meet up with her, but she was completely booked while I was in the area. There is always next time.

Lunch was delicious and Coral Lee treated me as an early birthday gift. I was delighted to have the celebrations starting already. After lunch, we headed to the beach.

In spite of the blue skies inland, there was fog at the beach.

We walked the beach for a bit. I was a bit disappointed by the shells that were there to be found.

Someone had found shells earlier, though, and had left a nice little work of art.

Coral Lee took me back to the campground. It was so good to meet up with her! I hope I make it back that way again.

Before I hitched up and pulled out for Key West, I needed to catch one more sunset at Bonita Springs Beach.

The world is a beautiful place! I can’t believe how lucky I am.

Copper Harbor

I was at Fort Wilkins State Park for four days, but it was kind of a “down” time. I wasn’t disheartened, but did find out why black flies are so roundly reviled. I got a bite above my right eye, which swelled up mightily. I also got two on my neck.

I asked the locals what they do about them, and was told that they a) are used to them and b) they wear the Yooper Cologne – bug dope. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to apply any beforehand. A store keeper did offer to sell me something that she said would take the itch away. I didn’t buy it because it wasn’t itching, and the chemicals in the products didn’t sound like something I wanted near my eyes.

I did pop Benedryl on a regular basis, as I seemed to be having an allergic reaction to the bites. Either it was the Benedryl or “black fly fever” which I found referred to in an article published by Perdue University. It described the condition as “headache, nausea, fever and swollen lymph nodes” but they didn’t suggest a remedy. So, I just followed my body’s cue. I slept. And slept and slept some more.

In spite of my reduced tourism activity, I did managed to see a few things.

Since I plan to spend time in Florida this winter, it’s good to know that I am on my way.

If there is a harbor, there must be a lighthouse. They give tours, but to get there, you have to take a boat ride. I wasn’t feeling perky enough to find out when the boat rides were, let alone actually take one.

Looking at the Copper Harbor Light House

So, I joined this young lady in looking at the light house from the shore.

The Copper Harbor Visitor Center was a very welcoming place. The volunteers there did their best to help all who came in. They had a computer that you could pay to use, but they let you use their wifi for free. Since there were no cell phone signals anywhere in the area, this was most welcome. They had some beautiful lighting fixtures which I think were appropriate for Copper Harbor.

They had rest rooms open around the clock, a spigot for water and a bike wash rack! I had never seen bike wash rack before. These might be common, but I am not the most athletic type.