Here we go again!

Hiyo my pack peeps! Another year has rolled around, and we're gearing up for some wild new adventures. We ditched the travel trailer and are now cruising in a van! Our journeys have taken a twist because now we can stop at all those quirky roadside attractions, letting them steer our course instead of a boring old campsite. With this newfound freedom, don't be surprised if you catch us snoozing at a Cracker Barrel for the night. I'm pumped about our upcoming escapades, but I can't say I'm totally sold on the van just yet. My hoomans have a knack for forgetting to secure things before we hit the road. In the trailer, if stuff tumbled off the shelves, it was no biggie to scoop it up when we parked for the night. But now, if things fall, they might land on me, so I'm a bit on edge during our drives. I wouldn't mind if a bag of treats or cookies took a tumble, because I'd gladly clean those up, but of course, they always remember to lock down those goodies. One day, we were navigating some tight S turns and a plate nearly gave me a nose job as it flew off the shelf! I've taken to sitting between the seats, keeping an eye on the back of the van so I'm not caught off guard if something decides to make a beeline for me, like a rogue can that once rolled my way. Oh, the trials and tribulations of living with my hoomans.

And off we go, into the wild blue yonder of adventures! Armed with a fresh travel mindset, we zoomed up Route 98 along the west coast, determined to hit every quirky roadside attraction like it was full of treats. It took us three whole days to escape the clutches of Florida, but trust me, it was worth every mosquito bite and sunburn!

Our first stop was at the Richloam General Store in Richloam, Florida. In 1921 the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) decided to relocate its depot in Riverland to Richloam. Soon after, in 1922, Postmaster Lucius Sidney "Sid" Brinson moved the Riverland Post Office to the growing community of Richloam and opened a general store. The 1920s were a chaotic time in Richloam. In 1926, Pasco County Deputy Sheriff was shot and killed east of the store while attempting to arrest a worker at the local turpentine still over the theft of a dog. In January 1928, the store was robbed and burnt, likely from arson, but was rebuilt soon after in February of that same year. The store and post office continued to operate until the late 1930s, when the Great Depression forced the ACL to close the depot. John Brinson's son, Eric Burkes, renovated the general store and reopened it in 2016. This general store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and is the only remaining building from the Richloam community.

Let me tell you, they're as choosy about dogs as a cat is about bath time! There's a giant sign on the door that practically yells "Service Dogs Only," and the looks they gave me were like I had just led in a parade of squirrels! But hey, I'm a happy camper because we got some ice cream, and that totally made up for the frosty reception when we walked in.

Our next adventure took us to Homosassa, where we met Bubbles, the colossal fiberglass manatee statue. Yep, you heard right—because who wouldn't want to see a giant manatee named Bubbles?

Bubbles was chilling just outside the Wildlife Park, which had just made its grand reappearance like a celebrity comeback. Since this adventure was all about exploring fresh hangouts, we thought, "Why not?" and decided to waltz right in. We jumped onto the pontoon boat to head to the entrance, and I quickly discovered my new calling in life: hooman ballast extraordinaire, keeping the boat from doing the cha-cha. Apparently, I was so good at it that the guy running the boat decided to turn into a living statue, leaving me to do all the heavy lifting! But hey, at least he was still clutching those ropes like his life depended on it.

To make sure you believe I was actually there, my hoomans insisted on snapping my photo with the sign, just like every other tourist!

We strutted around the park, checking out all the furry and feathered residents. I got a tad overexcited when we stumbled upon our cousins. Naturally, they gave me the classic cold shoulder, so I did the only logical thing—I ignored them right back!

As we strolled through the cougar exhibit, I suddenly felt this majestic presence looming overhead. In that moment, I found myself apologizing to the feline overlords for every snarky comment and judgmental thought I'd ever had about their whiskered kin.

We made a pit stop in Cheifland, Florida to check out the old jail in the woods. This place is as mysterious as your grandma's secret recipe! All we know is that it was used way back when dinosaurs roamed—or at least that's what it feels like. It’s a dusty relic of the city’s past. When it was built and how long it served as a "time-out" spot are mysteries waiting for a history buff to solve. Spoiler alert: it seems like air conditioning and heating were just figments of imagination back then. And running water? Let's just say, if you wanted a shower, you might have to wait for rain. As for the guest list and their length of stay, well, those are other juicy tidbits we’re still waiting to uncover!

There's a giant grinning Humpty Dumpty statue chilling by the front entrance at the Wakulla County Library in Crawfordville, Florida. Looks like they finally figured out the whole "putting him back together" thing! Plus, the wall isn't too high, so if he takes another tumble, he should be just fine. There is a sign on the wall that says "The wonderful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." Wise words Mr. Dumpty.

Our next adventure took us to Carrabelle, Florida, where we checked out the World's Smallest Police Station. Back in the day, when Carrabelle (current pop. about 1200) didn't have a proper police station, the officers used to park their cruiser next to a telephone booth at the main intersection, giving them a front-row seat to all the action. For years, the police hotline was basically the phone in that booth. Do you think anyone noticed me giving the station a little sprinkle? I figured it might help it grow!

Just call me Officer Rownen, the superhero in a badge! I'm here to make sure Carrabelle stays as safe as a dog in a phone booth!

This is where the fun begins on the trip to Mexico Beach, Florida. I'm just a simple guy who can't quite wrap his head around time zones. As long as my breakfast, dinner, and treats show up on schedule, time zones are no biggie. But apparently, down at the beach, they need a gigantic chair sliced in half to remind folks what zone they're lounging in.

You've had your dose of serious history, now let's dive into the goofy stuff! Why on earth do my hoomans insist on snapping my photo in a doorway that looks like a shark's mouth? And seriously, what's the deal with those shiny silver tips? Get ready, folks, because this is just the first of many snapshots like this!

Meet Big Gus, the 20,000-pound heavyweight champ lounging in front of Angelo's Steak Pit. Now, claiming ten tons of fiberglass might sound like a tall tale, but trust me, Gus is one colossal critter. Hurricane Michael tried to give him a nudge in 2018, but Gus bounced back faster than a rubber ball. Honestly, I reckon we should sign him up for the next running with the bulls—he'd definitely steal the show!

Alrighty, folks, that's a wrap on Florida! Thanks for tagging along on our 2025 escapades. I hope you have as much fun as we are—unless you're one of those who gets roped into posing for goofy photos but I guess that is part of the fun. Until next time, Rownen out!