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Man, did it rain! It threatened most of the morning and before we reached Lithia Springs it started! We parked in the rain and I believe it rained all thru the night. Thankfully it was not as incessant as the last all-nighter downpour. It’s been a few years since we’ve parked in this Hillsborough County campground and it hasn’t changed any. The electric and water hookups are still goofy. Imagine a deep, secluded, picturesque campsite carved out of the jungle, complete with fire ring and picnic table – but the hookups are way up at the edge of the road - - - on the wrong side of the drive! We were assigned our spot first and it was great – deep, almost level and hookups in the right spot. Ron was given the big spot next door – deep but not level and had a big Live Oak limb hanging a bit too low for him – and, yes – hookups up by the road and on the wrong side. He ended up out of yelling range, a half dozen sites down the way before he found a site that fit. Good thing we had walkie-talkies and bikes – and nobody camping between us. The lousy speed bumps are still lying across the roadways everywhere. SPFB! The views are still great tho, and the spring is still clear, cool and inviting so when the weather warms- we’re going in! The Camp Hosts are a hoot. George is from Pennsylvania and Joe and Bev are from Shelby MICHIGAN. When we rode our bikes past their site and saw the Michigan tag on his truck, I couldn’t contain myself and yelled “GO BLUE”! \
On our 1st full day, it was H’s
turn to drive and we ended up at our favorite lunch spot – Brandon Farms for
their ever so yummy strawberry shortcake!
On Wednesday we all climbed in R’s big gray truck and headed to Ybor
City (EE-bore) the historical community of eclectic Cuban shops and restaurants
just north of Tampa. The last time we
were in the Tampa area, Bud and Carol joined us to explore and we road the
trolley from downtown Ybor to downtown Tampa and back. A really nice ride – past the Florida
Aquarium, the cruise ship docks and the convention center and then back. Once back at the campground, the temps had
hit a new high of 85 degrees so off we went – over or around the stupid speed
bumps to the spring! OH – did the cool, clear water feel great! It was H’s turn to drive the next trip out
and we headed back east towards Plant City.
We had no problem entering the 2nd of the 3 Hillsborough
County Parks – Edward Medard. We still
had our Lithia Springs tag hanging from the mirror! The campground was empty except for the campground hosts. What a shame for such a lovely park! We had heard that the lake was still drained
because of dam problems from several years ago but the lake level was plenty
high and the parking lot had a good share of empty boat trailers just hanging
around with nothing to do. We did
finally arrive in Plant City and the “boys” let us “girls” go shopping on our
own - antique shops and a great quilt shop.
I resisted the urge to buy any more fabric that I didn’t need! Nancy didn’t!
Friday
was a stay at home day for H and I.
More miles on the bikes; knitting and reading; and finally we headed
back down to the spring with our snorkel masks this time! The “pond” was totally ours and we took
advantage of the peaceful setting! H
took his new camera that can go under water and got some pretty neat
shots. He thinks it’s funny to take a
picture with the camera half in and half out of the water. The results are cool – but definitely NOT
flattering to a lady’s mature figure!
Oh well. And, if you stood still
for more than a few minutes, all those fish would come and nibble on your feet
and ankles which is quiet a shocking feeling the first time their little
suction lips pull on your unsuspecting flesh!! More than once, H had to remind me not to make so many funny
noises!!
