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Brevard County Sheriff’s Office “Sheriff’s Parade” Wickham Park – Melbourne, Florida March 26, 2020

This evening Anna and I received a wonderful and totally unexpected treat during our evening walk around WICKHAM PARK in MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. Soon after our walk began we noticed a tremendous amount of traffic within the park, which was completely out of the norm. We also noticed lights in the distance from what we throught were police cars on the main vehicle park loop. Obviously quite curious, we headed in that direction, only to learn that the BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE was holding a drive-through, social distancing responsible “SHERIFF’S PARADE” within the park. How awesome it was to witness dozens of Police and Sherriff vehicles, including a bomb squad truck, mobile command center vehicle, helicopter, police dogs, dressed inmates, and so much more, all within the park. That was the “GEM” of our day!!!!!

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Patrick Air Force Base – Tables Beach (Beach Day With Anna, Social Distancing-Corona) Satelitte Beach, Florida (March 25, 2020)

Today I spend an incredibly relaxed day with my beautiful bride, Anna, at TABLES BEACH located at the north entrance of the PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE in SATELITTE BEACH, FLORIDA. The day was picture perfect in every way, and provided the down day we had wanted and expected. With “SOCIAL DISTANCING” requirements in place, we found this the absolute best place to be. The only people closer than 1/4 mile from us was a couple about 150 yards away. The beautiful birds and crabs were the only things within 6 feet of us. This was the perfect day, with a warm, comfortable breeze, brilliant blue sky, crashing waves, and sun kissed skin. Wow, it doesn’t get any better than this!!!!

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Brevard Zoo Linear Park Trail – Viera, Florida (Linear Trail, Bonneau’s) March 22 & 24, 2020

Anna and I experienced the beautiful 5.8 mile roundtrip BREVARD ZOO LINEAR PARK located in VIERA, FLORIDA twice this week, first by bike with our friends, GARY & SUSAN BONNEAU, then by foot.  We hiked a portion of what was the OLD HERNANDEZ-CAPRON TRAIL, running north from HISTORIC FORT CAPRON. The trail runs along a small section of the ATLANTIC COAST RIDGE, a rock formation stretching from the Florida Keys to southern Georgia. During Florida’s last ice age, approximately 10,000 years ago, Florida’s habitat shifted from a dry savannah to swamps and tree hammocks. The change coincided with the arrival of the first human beings in Florida, being the WINDOVER PEOPLE more than 7,000 years ago. It is a tremendous feeling to be traversing the same path as MASTODONS, SABER-TOOTHED TIGERS, SPANISH EXPLORERS, AND NATIVE AMERICANS. Great two days!!!!

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Viera Elks Induction Ceremony – Viera, Florida March 16, 2020

Today I attended a formal initiation ceremony hosted by the VIERA ELKS CHAPTER located in VIERA, FLORIDA and was proudly sworn into the BENEVOLENT & PROTECTIVE ORDER OF THE ELKS. It was an absolutely wonderful evening being chosen to join the GREATEST FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION in the country, a tremendously civic minded and giving organization, as well as a CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION. As a member of the VIERA ELKS we have full access to all the Elks lodges across the country, many of which have ACCESS FOR RV RIGS to park and enjoy their lodges as well, which is of huge interest to us. Enjoy the initiation pictures!!!!

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Melbourne, Florida (Wickham Park, Family Get-Together, Hiking, Corona) March 15 – April 14, 2020

After a short, but absolutely wonderful TWO MONTH RV TRIP around northeastern Florida visiting some of our state’s historic sites, family members and friends, we are NOW BACK IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. We will be here for a month, then move to our place in THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA until May 20, 2020, at which time we begin our GREAT LAKES/SOUTHEAST CANADA/EASTERN UNITIED STATES trip. No one can foresee the events of a CORONA VIRUS event happening, requiring social distancing of 6 feet from others, and the economy literally shutting down short term, but we are making the best of our time in what we feel is one of the best places to be, in an open fresh air space, natural activity-filled, camp ground, such as WICKHAM PARK IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. To be right next to our precious family and friends and not see them is tearing our hearts out, like everyone I assume, but we will do what is right and necessary during this time. Enjoy the pictures of the park!!!!

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Cypress Creek Preserve – Northern Section: Post 3 Land O’ Lakes, Florida March 11, 2020

Today is our last day in the gorgeous and very peaceful CYPRESS CREEK PRESERVE located in LAND O’ LAKES, FLORIDA. This has been an absolutely wonderful “BOONDOCKING” location to totally unwind before returning home for two months to the MELBOURNE-TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA area. We chose to hike a few of the trails in the northern section of this unique public land managed by the SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION. The eco-diversity within the preserve is absolutely beautiful and inspiring. Once again we thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet nature of the area, as well as the wide variety of wildlife. We will return to camp here!!!!!!!

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Cypress Creek Preserve – Land O’ Lakes, FL: Post 2 (Hiking, Animals/Birds, Night Animal/Bird Concert) March 10 – 11, 2020

The weather has been incredible here the last few days. We have been taking full advantage of it enjoying the outdoors, relaxing in our hammocks, but also hiking the balance of the trails in the southern section of the CYPRESS CREEK PRESERVE. The preserve, which has become one of our FAVORITE “BOONDOCKING” LOCATIONS is situated in LAND O’ LAKES, FLORIDA. It is public land managed by the SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION. The terrain is unique, eco-diverse, and absolutely beautiful. For days all we have seen and enjoyed is peace and quiet, and a large variety of animals and birds. Within the preserve we have witnessed ALLIGATORS, COYOTES, OWLS, TURTLES, HAWKS, WATER FOWL, numerous species of BIRDS, and above all, gorgeous BUTTERFLIES in all colors and shapes. While sitting outside at midnight last night, I listened to the totally quiet surrounding, except for the constant hooting of owls, coyotes yipping as they were apparently hunting their prey, and birds of all types singing and chirping in every direction. It was a virtual ANIMAL AND BIRD CONCERT which I thoroughly enjoyed. Love this place!!!!!!

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Air Force – Airman First Class Braedon Clark (Technical School Graduation – Texas) March 9, 2020

Have you ever been SO PROUD of someone and felt like you just have to tell the whole world about it. Anna and I are SUPER PROUD PARENTS and feel just that way. We are truly amazed by the wonderful growth and maturity we have witnessed in our son, AIRMAN FIRST CLASS BRAEDON CLARK, since joining the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. Honestly we COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF BRAEDON!! He absolutely loves what he is doing. His dedication and accomplishments throughout Basic Military Training and Technical Training have been evident to his instructors and everyone who knows him. He will move to his first full time position in the Air Force tomorrow at a base on the U.S. eastern coast. To stay within the Air Force security guidelines, we are purposefully not divulging the details of his new assignments and/or location. WAY TO GO BUDDY. KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK!!!!!!

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Cypress Creek Preserve – Land O’ Lakes, Florida (Boondocking, Biking, Relaxing) Post #1 March 8 – 11, 2020

After an absolutely wonderful time in the north Clearwater area visiting a few FAMILY MEMBERS, our son, Tim Beacham, and cousins, Steve and Jan Harris, as well as FRIENDS, Drew and Carina Valk, we have moved farther north of Tampa to the LAND O’ LAKES, FLORIDA area. We are “BOONDOCKING” (free, dry camping) on the 7,400 acre Southwest Florida Water Management Division land within the beautiful CYPRESS CREEK PRESERVE. The camping area is extremely quiet and spacious, with the perimeter forest filled with tall, gorgeous ponderosa pine trees and palmettos palms. The only sounds we hear are the chirps of small birds. The three other RV’s camping in our area are almost invisible from our site, making it tremendously peaceful. Frankly, it is one of the BEST “BOONDOCKING” LOCATIONS we have stayed at across the country over this last year of traveling. Yesterday we took a 5-PLUS MILE BIKE RIDE through the preserve. Honestly, it was a fairly difficult ride through bumpy, sand filled paths, but the scenery was gorgeous as we took in the swampy areas of the park filled with gorgeous cyress trees and water fowl. GREAT PLACE, now time to relax!!!!

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Clearwater Beach, Florida (Beach, Pier, Cooters Rest., Tim Beacham) March 5, 2020

After our wonderful day at Chestnut Park, we visited the downtown section of CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA. We had a delicious dinner at COOTERS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT with son, TIM BEACHAM, who lives 15 minutes from the downtown area. ANNA and I had some free time before dinner, so we explored the impressive, powdery white sand on CLEARWATER BEACH, and a unique (weather-wise), but fascinating GULF OF MEXICO sunset. The area is quite upscale, Pier 60 is the place to be, the beaches are exceptional, and the seafood restaurants and night life are abundant. Great place to spend some time!!!!