PREFACE!
Not to leave you in suspense for to long about the title, it will take some time to explain and for you to understand why I did use this Headline for Website # 29. All of you on the journey should remember the path of despair we travelled recently and the road we travelled literally and emotionally to finally ending here in Fort De Soto, it is to us like a part of Paradise. The Creator of this first place on Earth, kept his children safe and comfortable. He maintained over the centuries many similar places of the same ambience on mother Earth, for our enjoyment. The main reason, as you should remember, for us to come down here to find out and experience if camping might be a valid fill in for the extra time I gained by a change in my working assignment. With happiness in my heart, with many thanks to my Best Friend to
Not to leave you in suspense for to long about the title, it will take some time to explain and for you to understand why I did use this Headline for Website # 29. All of you on the journey should remember the path of despair we travelled recently and the road we travelled literally and emotionally to finally ending here in Fort De Soto, it is to us like a part of Paradise. The Creator of this first place on Earth, kept his children safe and comfortable. He maintained over the centuries many similar places of the same ambience on mother Earth, for our enjoyment. The main reason, as you should remember, for us to come down here to find out and experience if camping might be a valid fill in for the extra time I gained by a change in my working assignment. With happiness in my heart, with many thanks to my Best Friend to
PLEASANTLY SUPRISED - 29 -
True freedom is the capacity for acting according to one's true character,
to be altogether one's self,
to be self determined and not subject to outside coercion
- Corliss Lamont
to be altogether one's self,
to be self determined and not subject to outside coercion
- Corliss Lamont
Be blessed again, be kind to your neighbor, and look forward to our next stretch of the Journey, #30
Sincerely Alfredo De` Eljama
Sincerely Alfredo De` Eljama
"Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember" - Oscar Levant
whom I am very grateful I do not want to miss letting every one who reads this Know where to go when need is there and answers a few. Yes, we found what we searched far better and nicer than ever expected. That is the only reason to call the entire Website Pleasant Surprised. Attached to the Text one sees an Image of a very disturbed clouded Skyline. You will see a pair of holding Hands, depicting His hand, always holding and protecting us. Similar images we have displaced in our home, called "Foot Steps in the Sand" Our house seem to grow into a "Home". One of my goals materialized. The following text will be very interesting and I hope you find it as stimulating as it has been to me.
Fort De Soto, Florida, St Petersburg. 4/13/1974. 85 Deg. (Continued from pg #28) FORT DE SOTO!
From Fort De Soto Park - Early History
For over 400 hundred years, the Tampa Bay area of Florida has attracted a wide variety of visitors to its shores. Some of the first were the Tocobaga Indians, who enjoyed the bounty of the harvest from Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The savory claims, oysters, conchs, whelks, and fish taken from the pristine waters must have been delightful as well as plentiful. However, eventually all good things must end, and unfortunately, their paradise was spoiled with the coming of the first white man.
On April 15, 1528, a Spanish explorer by the name of Panfilol de Narvaez landed on the west cost of Florida. It is believed he came ashore somewhere between St. Petersburg Beach and Clearwater. He and his group of conquistadors explored the barrier island of this area before moving up the cost.
For over 400 hundred years, the Tampa Bay area of Florida has attracted a wide variety of visitors to its shores. Some of the first were the Tocobaga Indians, who enjoyed the bounty of the harvest from Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The savory claims, oysters, conchs, whelks, and fish taken from the pristine waters must have been delightful as well as plentiful. However, eventually all good things must end, and unfortunately, their paradise was spoiled with the coming of the first white man.
On April 15, 1528, a Spanish explorer by the name of Panfilol de Narvaez landed on the west cost of Florida. It is believed he came ashore somewhere between St. Petersburg Beach and Clearwater. He and his group of conquistadors explored the barrier island of this area before moving up the cost.
On May 30.1539, a well-known Spanish explorer came to Tampa Bay area and began a conquest which would change the world. Hernando De Soto came ashore on or near the south shores of Tampa Bay. He began his expedition of the southeastern region of what is now the United States, encountering Indians and hard times as he passed though this beautiful territory. He died on May 21.1542, and was buried in the Mississippi River to prevent his body from taken by the Indian. (The Cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Tampa are very close to the park)
Fort De Soto, Camping. A continuation from Website Pg #28
The recent days, our first days ever being in Florida, turned out to be somewhat confusing, about camping possibilities. The hint we had of the camping at Fort De Soto was good; however had a few shortcomings. The park overused around this and one could be very lucky to get a camping right away. It was very inconvenience but tolerable. We spent the time camping there with a lot a swimming and frolicking in the warm Waters of the Gulf of Mexico .It is much more attractive than swimming in a Motel swimming pool. As mentioned on Pg.28 the Sand Dollars are here in abundance and sometimes harvested, taking out of the Gulf in unreasonable numbers. We tried to be considerate, but could not resist completely. In the evening with the campfire going, listening to the sound of nature, one could really enjoy the ambience of Gods creation and all his creators. The night before we had to leave again a Raccoon visited us and entertained us to a point of unbelief. If one really looks and searches for the connection with nature, you will find it. The next day Wednesday 4/17/1974, we left to a place across from St Petersburg, 250 Miles east to a Place called Melbourne, direct on the Atlantic Ocean. In the morning, after we awakened parked on Prohibited Parking lot, looked around a bit and walked some steps down to the Ocean Front. The beach was full of stones and was hard to walk on and the wind was blowing so strong that it was nearly impossible to keep ones balance. What a different situation comparing it with the place we left. On top of all, it was not freezing; however, it was to cold to enjoy. There was no need for our usual family Pow Wow. Not many words exchanged and one could see us, not flying but driving westwards to sonny and warm condition of St Petersburg, Particular our lovely accommodating campground at Fort De Soto. We arrived later in the evening at the Fort and had permission overnight at the entrance Parking Lot. That movement of their part
The recent days, our first days ever being in Florida, turned out to be somewhat confusing, about camping possibilities. The hint we had of the camping at Fort De Soto was good; however had a few shortcomings. The park overused around this and one could be very lucky to get a camping right away. It was very inconvenience but tolerable. We spent the time camping there with a lot a swimming and frolicking in the warm Waters of the Gulf of Mexico .It is much more attractive than swimming in a Motel swimming pool. As mentioned on Pg.28 the Sand Dollars are here in abundance and sometimes harvested, taking out of the Gulf in unreasonable numbers. We tried to be considerate, but could not resist completely. In the evening with the campfire going, listening to the sound of nature, one could really enjoy the ambience of Gods creation and all his creators. The night before we had to leave again a Raccoon visited us and entertained us to a point of unbelief. If one really looks and searches for the connection with nature, you will find it. The next day Wednesday 4/17/1974, we left to a place across from St Petersburg, 250 Miles east to a Place called Melbourne, direct on the Atlantic Ocean. In the morning, after we awakened parked on Prohibited Parking lot, looked around a bit and walked some steps down to the Ocean Front. The beach was full of stones and was hard to walk on and the wind was blowing so strong that it was nearly impossible to keep ones balance. What a different situation comparing it with the place we left. On top of all, it was not freezing; however, it was to cold to enjoy. There was no need for our usual family Pow Wow. Not many words exchanged and one could see us, not flying but driving westwards to sonny and warm condition of St Petersburg, Particular our lovely accommodating campground at Fort De Soto. We arrived later in the evening at the Fort and had permission overnight at the entrance Parking Lot. That movement of their part
was very gracious and never will I forget such courtesy. A much bigger surprise was in store for us when we were informed by the Park Administration that we could have a parking Permit for a duration of six weeks; the maximum continues time allowed in this Park. Now we have a certain Campground until 4/23/1974. I always come back to the involvement of my Friend to make life a little more bearable when there is a need. "GOD NEVER CLOSES ONE DOOR, WITHOUT OPENIG ANOTHER ".Believe it, He will! Returning to Fort De Soto felt like being Home away from Home. If you ever have, opportunities do not hesitate only to visit; you will appreciate the wonderful closeness of nature one feels. After we arranged our new campsite, similar to the Image shown above, went to St. Petersburg shopping and bought a Birthday cake for Lottie, one of our daughter 16 young. Devoured it at the campsite and spend the rest of the day
bathing in the Gulf, recuperating from our trip to Melbourne and conversed with each other and with our raccoons, adapted to the family. During the next few days, we spent most of our time between Bathing in the Gulf, with an average temperature of 80 to 90 Deg most the time, looking for more Sand Dollars and playing with some of our Raccoon friends. The female part of the family spent a little more time with shopping inasmuch our remaining time is getting shorter. A very interesting and worthwhile undertaking in the part is the nearly untouched Spanish fortifications at the time conquer. Joachim, my son and I spent more time investigating the old military presentation from a time long gone. The image included showing cannon posted in the middle of court is on of many other installations depicting the readiness of the inhabitants to defend
them. The whole fortification directed to Gulf is very preserved and actual the reason the naming of the Park. It was to no surprise that the female portion of the family more interested to go with Mom shopping. The preparation of our departure did not keep us from spending many hours bathing in the Gulf. On of these afternoons we saw a big portion of the Beach covered with stranded Horseshoe Crabs. The children and their mother try to return some back into the water. Having a last walk thru the campground becomes the feeling of saying good bye. Did not say good bye; however "Auf Wiedersehen "(see you again) and we will! After an early supper we all started packing to a point were only the folding of our Pop UP remained to do in
the morning. The next day we departed at 8:00 AM, clouded up, maybe the Angels cried with us, we liked to
travel in there Company. On the way back to Waukesha twice did we to stop for sleeping. The total distance Waukesha – Treasure Island/St. Petersburg approximate 1300 Miles. The route travels as follows: St. Petersburg over Tampa Bay Bridge to Tampa, going straight North on US 41 to Atlanta, turning westerly to Chattanooga, Nashville Turning North Evansville, still on US 41 to Chicago, IIL. Milwaukee, Waukesha being Home. Like always, Thank You my Friend, my Lord, thank You again. Some of you might think this thanking is going a little far, not far enough for me. I tell you something what happened not once in my Life but constantly. If you can beat it, be blessed and let me know. Many, Many years ago, I earned my Driver License in a foreign country. Sine that time, far back, never did I caused, or was involved in any Accident. Not even One, None. That is not because I am a most considerate driver or any different person than anyone, No I am not! My Friend knew that we need some guidance in this valley of many miseries caused by his children. He assigned a Guardian Angel to me .Every time I enter the car and asked kindly to do his Job. After the trip, short or long I say thanks to him, the Angel and without any hesitation to my Friend. I hope you changed your mind and thank Him, too for all the blessing you have received because He loves you.