11/28 to 12/04 - Beverly Beach Campground-Week Two

  11/28 to 12/04

Week 2

Beverly Beach Camptown

Beverly Beach, FL

By the time you read this, you've enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day with family and friends and now, after dealing with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you may be back to normal. As the days flew by and into my second week at the Beverly Beach campground, they became chilly. Still, there were cloudless skies, gentle ocean breezes, warm sunshine and cool shade. One dismal, occasional drizzly day and no sun was okay. Temps were 10º below normal for this time of the year. At home it's 35º but feels like 29º.

More than 88 million Americans were expected to journey 50 miles or more from home for the holiday. This represented a 2.3% increase compared to 2023. I wasn't included in that statistic because I traveled a mere 35 miles south to Port Orange and spent my day with friends, Mark and Mya at home.

The day before, RV neighbors, Don and Paulette, had their son and family stop by to spend their holiday together.  That evening, having had already prepared and baked it, lasagna was to be served. And guess who was fortunate enough to receive a portion? Moi.

Along with my mini-feast, I enjoyed a glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The lasagna was awesome; what a treat!! Thank you Don and Paulette. 

Thanksgiving Day, Mark and Mya picked me up for the trip to Port Orange and there I enjoyed their hospitality and the holiday. That meal, with all the fixin's was a taste treat as well. Thank you, Mark and Mya.

So much to be thankful for.

Another calm day for the Atlantic on Thanksgiving Day.

The following day and weekend saw the greatest movement of comings and goings of RVs here. At one point all sites were occupied. If sites had to be vacated by 11 a.m., they were filled by 2:00 pm. Truly, a stopover location during this holiday season. 

For my last get-together and dinner with friends Mya and Mark, they chose and treated me to Panka Ceviche and Grill Restaurant in Ormond Beach, 23 miles south. The restaurant is said to provide an "authentic Peruvian culinary experience. Inspired by family recipes and using fresh ingredients, our dishes capture the vibrant essence of Peru. From classic ceviche to innovative fusions, Panka Ceviche & Grill is renowned for its quality and commitment to Peruvian cuisine. Enjoy a memorable dining experience full of flavor and hospitality at Panka Ceviche & Gril." And that we did.

Added to the delights of trying a different culture's cuisine was the unexpected addition of Mya's son, Zane and fiancée, Amanda. A very nice surprise. Congratulations to them on their December 13th special day.

Not exactly Peruvian, I chose Bang Bang Shrimp: Fried shrimp that was tossed in a mild, creamy sweet sauce and  served with fried yuca. My side was...

...fried tostones: made from green plantains that are sliced, fried, smashed, and fried again to achieve a crispy texture.

Cusqueña Pale Lager is a popular Peruvian beer named after the city of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire.

And with additional terrific experiences with friends and the enjoyment of an excellent campground under my belt, I bid adieu to Beverly Beach, FL. Consistent with "pushing the envelope," I've placed a deposit on site 74 for next November 7 through the 14th, 2025. I'll build next winter's itinerary around those dates.

 Yes, I miss my friends/neighbors, family and even my humble apartment. Yet, there’s joy in the journey. What I'm doing and where I'm going kind of overrides all that.  And to write about it in my journals is icing on the cake. I look forward to you being with me in Miami. 

I'm living a dream that most people only imagine. The road stretches wide and open, promising more to explore. The quiet moments at my campsite or while sitting inside my RV feel like a sanctuary, with every sunrise a gift and every evening a gentle reminder that the path I've chosen is mine alone. ~~ Me