Area Covered:

Nancy Miller (President)
(812-933-0466)
nemiller@seidata.com

Maxine Calvert (Secretary)
nemo@psbnewton.com
 

BT Cruisers’ Rally

“Fun in the Florida Sun”

Arriving from far and near, the BT Cruisers RV Club began our “Fun in the Sun” Spring Rally with a great potluck dinner. Seeing old friends and meeting new members were as heartwarming as Florida’s March sun.

We had an early first day start, heading to Myakka River State Park. It is one of the States’ largest and oldest parks, developed in 1934 by the CCC. The park covers 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammock palms, and pinelands. We took an airboat ride on the upper Myakka Lake, where we saw sand hill crane, rare white pelicans, alligators, and other wildlife too numerous to list. We passed an island where the alligators go in July to lay their eggs. They do this by digging holes in the clay earth to form their nests. We learned that the sex of the young depends on the location of the egg in the nest. We also learned that turtles sometimes use the same nest to lay their eggs.  

The tour guide on the “Tram Safari” drove us into the back country of the Myakka Park to see what life in old Florida likely would have been like. All during this four-mile hour-long trip, we were gaining altitude while the guide explained the intricate workings of a natural ecosystem. We also learned how the early settlers used this knowledge of green life over growth, and we also saw evidence of wild animals such as wild boars and determined the location of their homesteads. We, too, could see these changes in the vegetation, once it was pointed out to us.

Some of the group took the Myakka Canopy Walkway tour that included an elevated walkway that is suspended 25-feet above the ground. Only four adults at a time could cross this 100-foot span through the hammock canopy. One can climb a 74-foot high tower that presents a spectacular view of treetops, wetlands, and prairies. Looking over the tops of a semi-tropical rainforest in the middle of Florida was spectacular.

Our second day, we caravanned to the Mixon Fruit Farm, which was established in 1939. While riding the Orange Blossom Express Tram through an orange grove, we saw a variety of citrus trees. Some fruit had already been picked, while others were trimmed and beginning to bloom for the fall harvest. We saw the smoke pots and heating system using steam to help keep the trees from freezing in cold weather. This farm is just a couple of miles from downtown Bradenton; thus, there was evidence that parcel of land had been sold to developers as the trees were no longer being tended.

The highlight of this tour, however, was visiting the butterfly garden and Matthews Wildlife Preserve. Since it was cooler than 80 degrees, butterflies were scarce; however, there was a lot to see in the preserve. This preserve is dedicated to rescuing injured and orphaned animals, birds, and reptiles. Here we saw an alligator, owl deer, turtles, hawk and a very large python. A brave BTer, Pat Oakes, consented to a photo op with the Python as a wrap.

No tour is complete without a stop at a gift shop. The Mixon Shoppe was filled with the usual fruit, jam, jellies, and gift items as well as special items such as orange muffins and orange bread.

We enjoyed a wonderful view of the bay during our two-hour lunch at MarVista Restaurant on Longboat Key. We were entertained for about 15 minutes with the dolphins out in the bay. The remainder of the afternoon was on our own with beach combing, shopping on Anna Marie Island, or enjoying a quiet siesta near the city pier. The activities for the day were complete with dinner at the Sandbar Restaurant and a great view of the sea; however, our lovely sunset became obscure as the fog rolled in.

The South Florida Museum, Aquarium, and Bishop Planetarium are all in the same vicinity, which made our third day a one-stop location. We had a guided tour that included the art work of John J. Audubon. We were surprised to learn that Mr. Audubon killed his subjects and, using wire, posed his subjects into the shape that he wanted to paint them.

The aquarium consisted of a 60,000-gallon tank of water, 40 feet by 20 feet and nine feet deep, and is the home for Snooty (a West Indian manatee) born in 1948. He is the oldest manatee living in captivity. Snooty was joined by three other younger manatees. Other sections of the museum contained examples and history of early inhabitants of Florida.

There were two shows at the planetarium where we learned about black holes and infinity. These were both intellectually challenging and so much to process after two-and-a-half days of sightseeing. The environment for the shows included soft lights from the ceiling “sky” and padded theater seats which laid back. The only thing missing from the reclining seats was a La-Z-Boy style footrest. However, it didn’t stop several from taking naps. How many fell asleep? There was never an accurate count.

Our last “Fun in the Florida Sun” dinner together was at the BeachHouse Restaurant on Holmes Beach. This was another great dinner, with a great view of the sea. The weather was cooperative this time as there was a beautiful sunset over the Gulf.

We gathered for a continental breakfast and farewells. We expressed our thanks to Cliff Oakes and Wagonmaster Pat Oakes before heading to other destinations.

The next BT Cruiser Rally will be at Diamond Caverns Resort & Campground in Park City KY, September 17-21. Some of the sites we hope to visit include Mammoth Cave Tour, Chaney’s Working Dairy Farm, Corvette Assembly Plant & Museum, Lost River Cave Boat Tour, and Kentucky Repertory Theater. Contact Wagonmaster Ray Cone for more information. Email coner@prodigy.net or phone 615.449.3981

For more BT Cruiser Chapter information, email President Nancy Miller at nemiller@seidata.com or Secretary Maxine Calvert nemo@psbnewton.com.

Rally Dates

September 17-21 2008 - The BT Cruiser Rally will be Diamond Caverns Resort & Campground in Park City, KY.  Some of the sites we hope to visit:  Mammoth Cave tour, Chaney’s Working Dairy Farm.  Corvette Assembly Plant & Museum,  Lost River Cave boat tour, Kentucky Repertory Theater.  For more information, contact Wagonmaster, Ray Cone. Email   coner@prodigy.net ;  phone 615.449.3981.  Or email Nancy Miller at nemiller@seidata.com 

Spring, April 2009 - Branson, Missouri:  Contact Nancy Miller email: nemiller@seidata.com

Fall 2009 - Niagara Falls, New York:  Contact, Nancy Miller email: nemiller@seidata.com

Contact our president at nemiller@seidata.com to get the updates for our schedule, to be placed on our emailing list (to receive information about our activities), or so you can learn how you, too, can to become a member of the BT CRUISERS.