December 10-12, 2009. Days 144-146 Daytona Beach FL.

We just spent three fun days here in Daytona Beach FL. We got here on the 10th after driving down from Savannah, mostly along the coast of Florida from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach along the A1A Highway. We took that route to see the ocean and to see if we could find an RV park right on the water. For most of the drive however, between the highway and the ocean are houses, built up on a mound so you cannot see the water at all. I think they are built up on a mound to act as a high water protection for the houses and the highway. We did have some periods where we could fully see the ocean so it made the drive worth it. We also found one RV Park on the ocean that we could have stayed at but it was too far from our destination and it was high priced too. We stayed in Daytona Beach at the Nova Family Campground. It was a nice park with very friendly staff in the office. Mary, who claimed to be the owner, was very fun as she gave Jim and Kevin just as much trouble, maybe more, as they gave her. We also met some nice people that live there for extended periods. One was Mr. Mike, an elderly man Kevin got to know, who was going to be 90 on his next birthday. The 11th was mostly a day spent at the RVs doing school work and business for Kevin and Jim. Kathleen, Jamey and the girls did go do some shopping too but mostly the day was spent in the park. On the 12th, we all went to a huge flea market to do some shopping. We had also gone there the day before but got there right before it closed so we had to come back. They say if you walk up and down every aisle you will walk 3 miles. It certainly seemed like it after we were done. After the flea market we went down to the beach and Kevin and the boys actually got in the water and body surfed in the waves for a couple hours. Rachel and Maddie got in a little too. It was very cold at first but then they got used to it. The waves were good and high enough to really have fun. We all enjoyed driving on the beach too. Kevin had come here 32 years earlier for his senior trip after graduating high school and he pointed out the hotel he had stayed in which was still open. Unfortunately much of Daytona Beach is nothing like it used to be. Many places are in poor shape or closed. There are some new buildings south of the old area, that look good, but the main area is very depressed. It was sad to see. When we got back to the RV park Kevin took the kids to the pool to swim some more. It was also to wash all the salt water and sand off themselves too. We really enjoyed our time here in Daytona.