100% Humidity

Ocala, Florida

Weather: low 72 degrees, high 98 degrees, clear skies

I've mentioned the humidity that's present in the summer in the south, but I saw something today that I don't remember before. At 0700 hours, the humidity was 100%, and that was with clear skies. Now, that's real humidity.

We're still tired from the trip down to Florida, but are slowly getting our wind back. A couple more days like today, and we should be okay. We didn't do anything or go anywhere until after lunch, when we went over to Carolyn's mother's house for a visit. After visiting for awhile, I decided to go back home and do some chores around the RV, as well as try to get some meditation in. The work outside didn't last long with the heat as bad as it was, and neither did the meditation. My respiratory issue is trying to rear it's head again, so I'm trying to stay ahead of it by taking things easy. This humidity doesn't help.

When I went back to pick up Carolyn, we decided to take a short ride around the area to see how things have changed since we were here last year. We drove north toward the Citra area and took state road 318 east for several miles, and guess what we found? There is an area along this road that is so reminiscent of what we remember Florida as being like 25 years ago or more. Huge oak trees, tall palm trees, swamp cabbage, bay trees, orange trees, beautiful pastures..... It was a blast from the past that caused Carolyn to get a little melancholy.

Both of us love the old Florida that is harder and harder to find. The ongoing economic recession has slowed down the pace of development here, which helps save the old Florida, but it comes at a price for the people who depend on construction for their livelihoods. Unemployment is high in the area and the state has a rate of 12%. So it's a double edged sword: we hate to see the old Florida disappear, but we also feel for all the people who are unemployed.

That's about it from here. We'll trying to stay cool and dry, and enjoying family.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Citra, Florida: Home Of The Pineapple Orange

Not all who wander are lost.