Saturday, March 10, 2012
Spring in central Florida
It must be springtime in Central Florida! From Moss Park our northern trek led us from south of Orlando to just north of Orlando and the small town of Apopka and Wekiwa Springs State Park. Around the corner and up the road, it was on to Kelly Springs Campground. Next we’re going to Alexander Springs Campground in the Ocala National Forest!
Yes, we’ve been here before but to refresh – Wekiwa means “spring of water” and the 42 million gallons of crystal clear water are still being emitted everyday from the deep blue crevice. There is still an abundance of small fish and when the weather warms – still lots of folks who cool off in the wide walled swimming area or relax on the sloping grass slope nearby. There are 2 camping loops and there is not a bad campsite in either loop. Some are open and some are surrounded by palmettos and pine trees, making them a bit more secluded. We were parked on site 32 for several days but because of the “ site specific” reservation system we had to move to site 33 for our last 3 days. This spot was sideways to the road so we put the tailgate down and displayed my dishcloths and potholders! Great conversation starters and several dollars ended up in my pocket!! The winter must be over down here. The tall pines are no longer dull army green; the live Oaks are showing off their new bright green leaves, as are the Cypress and their lime green new growth! Outside of the park there are Dogwood, Redbud, and Azaleas in gorgeous colors from white to coral and pink. The tall tan wild grasses in the woods and meadow just outside the camping area have now endured a “ prescribed burn” to clear out the dead undergrowth and allow the new grasses and wildflowers to emerge and grow. Pretty un-nerving when they light the fire just feet from the perimeter of the campsites!
Apopka is on the east side of Lake Apopka and Winter Garden is on the south side. Back before 1950 the lake was clear and a busy with lots of fishermen and families wanting to get away from the big city. Today the grimy green lake is full of fertilizer run off and other noxious pollutants. The lakeside park is still cared for but the small boat harbors are full of weeds and scum. What a shame. According to the information kiosk, there is a group working to make changes and bring the lake back to its previous life. Lets hope it works.
Unlike Moss Park with her pretty lakes, Kelly Park has a crystal clear spring like Wekiwa State Park, however this spring originates in a cave. Kids of all ages can tube or float down the swift moving “run” that opens up to a wide swimming area then on to another jungle lined stream that leads to the Wekiwa River. The river flows north to the St Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville. We arrived on Friday and were anxious to get our suits on and take our turn at floating on down. No water adventure that day! The ranger who was guarding the area said there was an “alligator issue” and there were trappers on their way to the park. NO – the creature was not captured that day – nor was it captured on the following 90 degree day when the park was FULL hot kids and frustrated parents. Nor was it captured during the entire week that followed. The stories that evolved vary from how big the gator was (or is) to whatever actually happened to it. It’s again a Friday and the swimming area is now open – the first day of bike week AND spring break!! Once again the park is full of boisterous teens cooling off and enjoying the refreshing clear waters. Is there an alligator or isn’t there?
Thankfully there are other wildlife! There is a tom turkey that is far bigger than the toms at Moss Park. This one is in love with the shiny bumper on H’s truck when he and his friends are not rambling thru the park. There are butterflies that can’t stay away from the deep red petunia blooms that keep our amaryllis company in the white pot on the picnic table. By the walkway to the bathhouse is a deep hole that looks as tho a beagle had been digging there. A Gopher tortoise lives there and shares the warm sand with a 4 ft long Rat Snake. Cardinals, Pileated Woodpeckers, Blue Herons, a Swallowtail Kite Hawk and all kinds of happy sounding birds call this haven their home. It’ll be our home for one more night and then we’re heading north again – to beautiful Alexander Springs.
Yes, we’ve been here before but to refresh – Wekiwa means “spring of water” and the 42 million gallons of crystal clear water are still being emitted everyday from the deep blue crevice. There is still an abundance of small fish and when the weather warms – still lots of folks who cool off in the wide walled swimming area or relax on the sloping grass slope nearby. There are 2 camping loops and there is not a bad campsite in either loop. Some are open and some are surrounded by palmettos and pine trees, making them a bit more secluded. We were parked on site 32 for several days but because of the “ site specific” reservation system we had to move to site 33 for our last 3 days. This spot was sideways to the road so we put the tailgate down and displayed my dishcloths and potholders! Great conversation starters and several dollars ended up in my pocket!! The winter must be over down here. The tall pines are no longer dull army green; the live Oaks are showing off their new bright green leaves, as are the Cypress and their lime green new growth! Outside of the park there are Dogwood, Redbud, and Azaleas in gorgeous colors from white to coral and pink. The tall tan wild grasses in the woods and meadow just outside the camping area have now endured a “ prescribed burn” to clear out the dead undergrowth and allow the new grasses and wildflowers to emerge and grow. Pretty un-nerving when they light the fire just feet from the perimeter of the campsites!
Apopka is on the east side of Lake Apopka and Winter Garden is on the south side. Back before 1950 the lake was clear and a busy with lots of fishermen and families wanting to get away from the big city. Today the grimy green lake is full of fertilizer run off and other noxious pollutants. The lakeside park is still cared for but the small boat harbors are full of weeds and scum. What a shame. According to the information kiosk, there is a group working to make changes and bring the lake back to its previous life. Lets hope it works.
Unlike Moss Park with her pretty lakes, Kelly Park has a crystal clear spring like Wekiwa State Park, however this spring originates in a cave. Kids of all ages can tube or float down the swift moving “run” that opens up to a wide swimming area then on to another jungle lined stream that leads to the Wekiwa River. The river flows north to the St Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville. We arrived on Friday and were anxious to get our suits on and take our turn at floating on down. No water adventure that day! The ranger who was guarding the area said there was an “alligator issue” and there were trappers on their way to the park. NO – the creature was not captured that day – nor was it captured on the following 90 degree day when the park was FULL hot kids and frustrated parents. Nor was it captured during the entire week that followed. The stories that evolved vary from how big the gator was (or is) to whatever actually happened to it. It’s again a Friday and the swimming area is now open – the first day of bike week AND spring break!! Once again the park is full of boisterous teens cooling off and enjoying the refreshing clear waters. Is there an alligator or isn’t there?
Thankfully there are other wildlife! There is a tom turkey that is far bigger than the toms at Moss Park. This one is in love with the shiny bumper on H’s truck when he and his friends are not rambling thru the park. There are butterflies that can’t stay away from the deep red petunia blooms that keep our amaryllis company in the white pot on the picnic table. By the walkway to the bathhouse is a deep hole that looks as tho a beagle had been digging there. A Gopher tortoise lives there and shares the warm sand with a 4 ft long Rat Snake. Cardinals, Pileated Woodpeckers, Blue Herons, a Swallowtail Kite Hawk and all kinds of happy sounding birds call this haven their home. It’ll be our home for one more night and then we’re heading north again – to beautiful Alexander Springs.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Moss Park Fl.
SPFB !!! In case you have forgotten, it means: See Previous Florida Blogs!!
Moss Park is yet another SPFB!! Go back to last year’s blogs to read about me blathering about the 2 pretty little lakes or the narrow little river that joins them and how when the sun sets, the trees on its banks glow as the blasts of golden shards of bright light hits them. On Lake Mary Jane, the park’s beach is usually peaceful and quiet during the winter months. This year, several groups of high school students from New York and Connecticut congregated there for a training camp to fine-tune their talents of team rowing in those long narrow vessels called sculls. 8 oarsmen manned those 40 to 50 foot long boats and rowed in unison out onto the calm water for 2 hours of intense training followed by a quick lunch and 2 more hours out in their skinny crafts. Either 4 or just 2 oarsmen handled the shorter boats. Ally and Tommy were a team of 2 from Long Island and were very patient with all my questions about their sport!
And Moss Park still has animals! The person who cares about them the most is George, Moss Parks Camp Host and Resident Wildlife Photographer! Each morning the herd of white tail deer, the Turkeys, the Gray squirrels and several pairs of tall gangly Sandhill Cranes gather for their breakfast of corn and grain. The crows overhead announce the arrival of daylight and the Pileated Woodpeckers begin their incessant pounding out of a nesting cavity in the top of the dead pine tree behind George’s parked motor home. During the day, the bright colored Northern Parula Warblers flash their silver blue backs and yellow tummies as they flit from branch to branch and warble their little hearts out. As always, the Sandhill Cranes clatter and squawk from sunup to sunset! Each Saturday evening, George shares his love of photography and the animals of Moss Park during a movie he crafted and presents to the campers. Last year, we congratulated him on the birth of his last batch of Sandhill babies. This year we got to do it again! What a delight to have these doting avian parents lead, feed and protect their long legged tan youngsters while still letting all of us take picture after picture! Last year we met “Gimpy” an injured Sandhill with a terribly crooked leg. He is still in Moss Park – painfully limping thru the campground to visit each campspot as always but now he has a girlfriend. They stayed in our site quite awhile, hoping for a treat from bookworm H. NO Sandhill gets a treat from H – but Gimpy does from Grandma B!
Sherman Squirrels, Armadillo and Gopher Tortoise are still in Moss Park too! And the Baby Barred Owls are just a ways outside the entry gate in the 15-foot high crook of a sprawling Live Oak Tree. The parents nervously perch in nearby trees, watching over their children while George takes their weekly photographs. We were invited to go with George to see the babies for this 3-week portrait update. After we crawled carefully under a raggedy old barbed wire fence we climbed the 15 feet up the ladder and cautiously peered down into the oakleaf lined nest cavity to see the 2 buggy eyed, fluffy white babies that were crowded together in that deep niche.
As much as I enjoy the experience and the memories of these creatures of God, I cherish the friends we’ve met along our camping adventures even more. Our Georgia, dulcimer-playing friends, Bobbie and Gene are 2 of those special friends! We met them several years ago, here in Moss Park when G was only able to get around in a wheelchair pushed cheerfully by his best friend and wife, B! He now rides his bike around the park and tells lots of stories about their times together. Our travels lined up once more and we spent time together here in Moss Park where our friendship began. Campfires, conversations, Sour Orange Pie and lunch out at the Catfish Place are now added to the growing list of not to be forgotten memories.
The condo is almost packed down and Sunday is moving day once more. From southeast of Orlando we’ll be moving northwest to Wekiwa State Park for 5 days. This weekend is the NBA All Star Basketball game in Orlando and the Daytona 500 races are running this weekend too. Getting around this town is never easy and dragging the trailer will not make it any better with these 2 mega events going on.
Moss Park is yet another SPFB!! Go back to last year’s blogs to read about me blathering about the 2 pretty little lakes or the narrow little river that joins them and how when the sun sets, the trees on its banks glow as the blasts of golden shards of bright light hits them. On Lake Mary Jane, the park’s beach is usually peaceful and quiet during the winter months. This year, several groups of high school students from New York and Connecticut congregated there for a training camp to fine-tune their talents of team rowing in those long narrow vessels called sculls. 8 oarsmen manned those 40 to 50 foot long boats and rowed in unison out onto the calm water for 2 hours of intense training followed by a quick lunch and 2 more hours out in their skinny crafts. Either 4 or just 2 oarsmen handled the shorter boats. Ally and Tommy were a team of 2 from Long Island and were very patient with all my questions about their sport!
And Moss Park still has animals! The person who cares about them the most is George, Moss Parks Camp Host and Resident Wildlife Photographer! Each morning the herd of white tail deer, the Turkeys, the Gray squirrels and several pairs of tall gangly Sandhill Cranes gather for their breakfast of corn and grain. The crows overhead announce the arrival of daylight and the Pileated Woodpeckers begin their incessant pounding out of a nesting cavity in the top of the dead pine tree behind George’s parked motor home. During the day, the bright colored Northern Parula Warblers flash their silver blue backs and yellow tummies as they flit from branch to branch and warble their little hearts out. As always, the Sandhill Cranes clatter and squawk from sunup to sunset! Each Saturday evening, George shares his love of photography and the animals of Moss Park during a movie he crafted and presents to the campers. Last year, we congratulated him on the birth of his last batch of Sandhill babies. This year we got to do it again! What a delight to have these doting avian parents lead, feed and protect their long legged tan youngsters while still letting all of us take picture after picture! Last year we met “Gimpy” an injured Sandhill with a terribly crooked leg. He is still in Moss Park – painfully limping thru the campground to visit each campspot as always but now he has a girlfriend. They stayed in our site quite awhile, hoping for a treat from bookworm H. NO Sandhill gets a treat from H – but Gimpy does from Grandma B!
Sherman Squirrels, Armadillo and Gopher Tortoise are still in Moss Park too! And the Baby Barred Owls are just a ways outside the entry gate in the 15-foot high crook of a sprawling Live Oak Tree. The parents nervously perch in nearby trees, watching over their children while George takes their weekly photographs. We were invited to go with George to see the babies for this 3-week portrait update. After we crawled carefully under a raggedy old barbed wire fence we climbed the 15 feet up the ladder and cautiously peered down into the oakleaf lined nest cavity to see the 2 buggy eyed, fluffy white babies that were crowded together in that deep niche.
As much as I enjoy the experience and the memories of these creatures of God, I cherish the friends we’ve met along our camping adventures even more. Our Georgia, dulcimer-playing friends, Bobbie and Gene are 2 of those special friends! We met them several years ago, here in Moss Park when G was only able to get around in a wheelchair pushed cheerfully by his best friend and wife, B! He now rides his bike around the park and tells lots of stories about their times together. Our travels lined up once more and we spent time together here in Moss Park where our friendship began. Campfires, conversations, Sour Orange Pie and lunch out at the Catfish Place are now added to the growing list of not to be forgotten memories.
The condo is almost packed down and Sunday is moving day once more. From southeast of Orlando we’ll be moving northwest to Wekiwa State Park for 5 days. This weekend is the NBA All Star Basketball game in Orlando and the Daytona 500 races are running this weekend too. Getting around this town is never easy and dragging the trailer will not make it any better with these 2 mega events going on.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Up The Atlantic Coast
Phipps County Campground is next door to the Port Lucie Locks and Dam. This man made canal leads from the Atlantic Ocean thru this extremely northern edge of the Everglades and into Lake Okeechobee. From there the canal passes one of our other favorite places to park – WP Franklin Lock and Dam (SPFB) and out to the Gulf of Mexico at Ft Myers. Improvements have been made to Phipps Park and it was our parking spot for a few days – just to get us thru the weekend. The campground folks said the park was full but they would accommodate us by allowing both trailers to park on the same spot. It was tricky but we managed!
The park backs up to the canal and is within sight of the Florida Turnpike and Rt 95. Stuart has several nice beaches and our day was spent exploring – the beaches, the quaint “historic” downtown area and a good-sized flea market. Even tho we came away empty-handed from the flea market and the marine salvage store, our tummies came away full after a great lunch at Manatee Island Grill an open aired seafood spot right on the dock in the harbor!
Sunday was our moving day again. It was time to part ways with R&N since they were headed inland to Davenport. We lucked out and moved around the corner to the Lock and Dam campground. There are a total of 9 camping spots and only ONE “walk in” space that is available for 3 days at a time. H and I watched many an interesting vessel lock thru and head west! While we were parked there we also went out exploring again! We discovered Hutchinson Island – one of the many barrier islands that protect the mainland of this sandstone peninsula called Florida. Beaches, grass, palmetto and mangrove covered dunes; lofty condos and marinas dot the long skinny island. Towards the southern end of the island the map showed a “lookout” which turned out to be Gilberts Bar – House of Refuge. The “house” is one of only 9 commissioned in 1875 for U S Life Saving Service. Keepers provided shelter, food, clothing and transportation to survivors of shipwrecks and storms at sea. In this area, the coastline is a jagged outcropping of huge rough rocks that would remind you of lava boulders in Hawaii that are subjected to the voracious wave action of the sea or the enormous boulders on the coastline of Maine!
Steadily we’re moving up the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. This time a hop and a skip up to Sebastian Inlet State Park for a few days before hopping and skipping up to Manatee Hammock, a Brevard County Park and Campground, just south of Titusville. The park is situated off Rt 1 and borders on the Indian River. On the other side of the river is the Kennedy Space Center with its easily visible tall white Assembly Building standing proudly on the horizon. The park is woodsy, with narrow roads that wind around tall pine trees and spreading live oaks, which have blanketed the ground with their tiny shiny brown leaves. There is a lovely pool but since the water temp was a chilly 64 degrees – no one was in it. Some silly soul also posted a sign on the enclosure wall that stated “ Swimming Prohibited – Beware of Alligators”. On the waters edge is a long fishing pier extending out into the river and the resident Blue Heron was stationed on the railing, keeping guard this VERY windy afternoon! As we inched our way out onto the dock, slowly as not to scare (HA!) him away, H kept on snapping his picture. We got eyeball to eyeball with this windblown-feathered soldier before H lost the staring contest and we moved to the other side of the dock! While in Titusville we visited with my dear high school girlfriend Lois and her husband Dave. Out to dinner at Boston’s Beef and Seafood one afternoon after the morning was spent exploring parts of the islands and walking the beach. Most places along the coast there is just one barrier island but in this area there are two that stand together – Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island. Between them and the mainland are the Banana and the Indian Rivers. There is a canal that has been dug (imagine that!) and a lock has been built to subdue the tide and the waves and allows the larger boats a short cut from the ocean to the rivers. Over this canal there is a high bridge. The road leads out to the Cruise Lines Parking lots and Shipping Docks. The bridge is almost high enough but still has to be opened for the tall working vessels that use the channel. H and I were compelled to watch over several tugs and barges that struggled to maneuver against the currant and lock thru. There were also a half dozen manatees milling around in the lock, seemingly trying to assist in the operation!
One day was spent out on north end of Merritt Island where the Kennedy Space Center and the Shuttle Launch are located. Way too crowded and too late in the day to attempt taking a tour but we did stop and visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Museum where the full sized model of the shuttle Inspiration is on guard. The size is amazing! We learned that the Delta 5 Rocket was to be launched on Thursday evening from the Kennedy Air Force Station, adjacent to the actual Space Center. We postponed our departure one more day and invited R&N to come up to watch it with us from the fishing pier at the campground. We froze for one whole hour out on that dock while the launch was moved back by 5 or 10 minutes at a time. At 6 30pm it was cancelled - due to high winds aloft. Oh well – it was dark and we were cold and hungry - out for seafood we went!
Friday morning the winds were calm and we headed west! We’re going to Moss Park!
The park backs up to the canal and is within sight of the Florida Turnpike and Rt 95. Stuart has several nice beaches and our day was spent exploring – the beaches, the quaint “historic” downtown area and a good-sized flea market. Even tho we came away empty-handed from the flea market and the marine salvage store, our tummies came away full after a great lunch at Manatee Island Grill an open aired seafood spot right on the dock in the harbor!
Sunday was our moving day again. It was time to part ways with R&N since they were headed inland to Davenport. We lucked out and moved around the corner to the Lock and Dam campground. There are a total of 9 camping spots and only ONE “walk in” space that is available for 3 days at a time. H and I watched many an interesting vessel lock thru and head west! While we were parked there we also went out exploring again! We discovered Hutchinson Island – one of the many barrier islands that protect the mainland of this sandstone peninsula called Florida. Beaches, grass, palmetto and mangrove covered dunes; lofty condos and marinas dot the long skinny island. Towards the southern end of the island the map showed a “lookout” which turned out to be Gilberts Bar – House of Refuge. The “house” is one of only 9 commissioned in 1875 for U S Life Saving Service. Keepers provided shelter, food, clothing and transportation to survivors of shipwrecks and storms at sea. In this area, the coastline is a jagged outcropping of huge rough rocks that would remind you of lava boulders in Hawaii that are subjected to the voracious wave action of the sea or the enormous boulders on the coastline of Maine!
Steadily we’re moving up the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. This time a hop and a skip up to Sebastian Inlet State Park for a few days before hopping and skipping up to Manatee Hammock, a Brevard County Park and Campground, just south of Titusville. The park is situated off Rt 1 and borders on the Indian River. On the other side of the river is the Kennedy Space Center with its easily visible tall white Assembly Building standing proudly on the horizon. The park is woodsy, with narrow roads that wind around tall pine trees and spreading live oaks, which have blanketed the ground with their tiny shiny brown leaves. There is a lovely pool but since the water temp was a chilly 64 degrees – no one was in it. Some silly soul also posted a sign on the enclosure wall that stated “ Swimming Prohibited – Beware of Alligators”. On the waters edge is a long fishing pier extending out into the river and the resident Blue Heron was stationed on the railing, keeping guard this VERY windy afternoon! As we inched our way out onto the dock, slowly as not to scare (HA!) him away, H kept on snapping his picture. We got eyeball to eyeball with this windblown-feathered soldier before H lost the staring contest and we moved to the other side of the dock! While in Titusville we visited with my dear high school girlfriend Lois and her husband Dave. Out to dinner at Boston’s Beef and Seafood one afternoon after the morning was spent exploring parts of the islands and walking the beach. Most places along the coast there is just one barrier island but in this area there are two that stand together – Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island. Between them and the mainland are the Banana and the Indian Rivers. There is a canal that has been dug (imagine that!) and a lock has been built to subdue the tide and the waves and allows the larger boats a short cut from the ocean to the rivers. Over this canal there is a high bridge. The road leads out to the Cruise Lines Parking lots and Shipping Docks. The bridge is almost high enough but still has to be opened for the tall working vessels that use the channel. H and I were compelled to watch over several tugs and barges that struggled to maneuver against the currant and lock thru. There were also a half dozen manatees milling around in the lock, seemingly trying to assist in the operation!
One day was spent out on north end of Merritt Island where the Kennedy Space Center and the Shuttle Launch are located. Way too crowded and too late in the day to attempt taking a tour but we did stop and visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Museum where the full sized model of the shuttle Inspiration is on guard. The size is amazing! We learned that the Delta 5 Rocket was to be launched on Thursday evening from the Kennedy Air Force Station, adjacent to the actual Space Center. We postponed our departure one more day and invited R&N to come up to watch it with us from the fishing pier at the campground. We froze for one whole hour out on that dock while the launch was moved back by 5 or 10 minutes at a time. At 6 30pm it was cancelled - due to high winds aloft. Oh well – it was dark and we were cold and hungry - out for seafood we went!
Friday morning the winds were calm and we headed west! We’re going to Moss Park!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
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