The Paris Independent
21
February 3, 2024
T R AV E L C O L U M N Firstly, it is away from most large tourist areas and central to both coasts. The bigger cities, Tampa and St. Petersburg are about an hour and a half east of us. Orlando is a little closer. Secondly, the park has classes for residents that are not typically found in these types of communities, woodworking, metal shop and stained glass. Of course all other typical activities are also here. I have enjoyed art class, playing cards and completed a stain glass project. All very enjoyable. Next up is aqua fit and bocce ball. Roy is going to try the metal working class, as it mostly involves cars. The people in this park are very friendly. We have met several people, including a group from Ontario. Roy even grew up in the same area of Kitchener as one guy. Definitely a small world. Yesterday, a friend of Roy’s who has wintered in Florida for 18 years arrived at the site beside us for a week. This should be fun! Everyone here comments on the cold weather they are having. Definitely needed a sweater for a day or two. Also, I almost had to put socks on one day! Generally, the temperature has been in the high teens and low twenties. We’ve had sunbathing days and torrential rain for 6 hours one day. One day they are called for gale
force winds. Everyone battened Residents of the park are very down the hatches that day! good at suggesting things to do in the area. First off, seeing Staying away from the typical manatees, second seeing tourist areas is certainly a different alligators! Listening to the kind of Florida experience. It’s recommendations of locals is a living in the country. Very little to great piece of advice. no traffic until you hit a major city on the coast. Medium sized towns Seeing manatees was on my are about 45 minutes away, so also “definite” list this time around. In a bit of a drive. We’ve discovered the Gulf, Florida manatees can be some very nice eateries here, found west through to coastal Catfish Country being top of the Louisiana and are occasionally list so far! As the name implies sighted as far west as Texas. Prior they have a lot of different to winter’s coldest months, seafood, but also dishes for manatees migrate to warm water landlubbers like me and the best habitats in Florida. These warmcoleslaw I’ve ever had! water sites include artesian springs and power plant discharge canals. After three weeks of mostly rain Florida is at the northern end of and we’re finally drying out. The the manatee’s winter range and upside of all that rain is getting to these warm-water habitats play an know people in our park and important role in their survival enjoying the inside events that are during the winter months. offered here. We really lucked out with the random selection of Continued on page 22 Pioneer Creek RV Resort park.
The Tampa Electric Company (TECO) has established a sanctuary for manatees. As a byproduct of generating the electricity, TECO discharges vast quantities of hot, clean water into an estuary of the Gulf, which is adjacent to the power plant. During the colder months, manatees are drawn here for the warmth.
