The leader in the clubhouse is .....

John here.

We started our trip this year on Christmas morning. It was a good thing, too. If we had left a day before or a day after Christmas, we would have been in trouble, weatherwise. Poor Penny was sick with a bad cold all the way down, but made it down here in one piece. The park we are at, High Banks, is a very nice park in Debary, Fl., which is about 40 minutes from Daytona Beach and 1 1/2 hours from Tampa. It has a nice restaurant and a boat dock, with fishing available on the St. John's River. I would say we might be here at this park the entire stay unless something really attracts us.

Park activities, so far has been a dud. We went to an ice cream social and only five people showed up and that included the activity director. In Texas, the number would be 40-50 easy. They play poker here, but like in Texas, women are not allowed. The people are friendly though and the huge majority of the folks here are full time residents. There are several golf courses nearby and one, Glen Abbey is only $26 for 18 holes.

We got over to Daytona Beach Kennel Club last Thursday to play in a poker tounament. All of the dog tracks in Florida have an Off Track racing facility and a poker room. The one in Daytona is fairly large. We didn't cash as Penny finished 10th and I went out in 9th. Went we left the Kennel Club and got on the main highway heading back to Debary, we looked up and there was the main grandstand of Daytona International Speedway. Hopefully sometime on this trip, we are going to take a tour of the Speedway.

Today, we met up with our good friends from Decatur, Barney and Margaret Foster. Penny said I was so exited, I was chattering like a little kid. I guess so, since I was exited to see a friendly face from home. I was happy to see barney, also.

So far, I would say that Texas is in our rear view window. There is so much to see and do here. We are looking forward to the rest of our adventures here in Florida.