Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Ocala area
Alexander Springs Campground is in the southern end of the Ocala National Forest and is one of H’s favorite campgrounds and springs. There is no electricity and no water hookups at any site. The 67 camping sites are all good for one kind of unit or other but finding the appropriate spot for a good sized trailer with a good sized slide is a bit more tricky than driving a Jeep and pulling an Aerolite! But we managed and parked in an ample-sized wooded spot with plenty of room for the slide AND the awning! In the high 80-degree weather – both the shade and the awning were much appreciated! The cacophony of birds woke us (ME!) each morning and the squirrels darted from tree to tree around us (ME again!) as “we” walked to the “facilities” via the leaf-laden path thru the woods behind our “condo”. As always in the “forest” we must go off road exploring - both the roads traveled with the Jeep and down other roads even less traveled by any vehicle. We revisited state forest roads 73 & 18, which led us back to the same river landing as last year. OK – here it is SPFB! Last years blog shows the Jeep with its nose and front wheels down in the river! Following yet another sandy forest road, the forest (jungle!) growth kept encroaching on the sandy track till it was barely big enough for the Jeep let alone the Big Blue Ox! And then, there it was in front of us - a huge, black, moss laden tree trunk crossing over the rutted sandy path like the slash mark in a percentage sign! Would we fit under it? Whew – JUST barely! As it happened when we ran out of road, we HAD to return and pass under it again! Back onto blacktop roads, we located the St Johns River and then drove back to camp thru the small town of Astor. Astor has a lovely new library with very friendly librarians and very good wifi, which we gratefully borrowed.
And then there is the spring itself! 70 MILLION gallons of sparkling water still gush from the wide, sapphire blue funnel each day! Our snorkel equipment was utilized more than once to view the deep crater and to watch the bunch of curious fish that called the underwater grasses their home. A well-weathered boardwalk winds thru the jungle, between towering palm trees and ends up at one scenic overlook where you can scan the swimming area and springs. Further up the walk you can look up and down the swift moving run that eventually ends up at the Ocalawaha River. One afternoon we wheeled the double stacked kayaks down to the canoe launch and drifted down that swift moving clear stream. Fish, turtles and even a squawking Limpkin were spotted along the waterway. Water lilies, Arrow plant and tall grasses lined the shoreline with various dead tree snags breaking into the water between them. A long skinny overgrown island was just a bit farther downstream and H led the way along the left side ahead of me. We were almost to the end of the island when it looked like he was entering into a section of white water rapids because the water surrounding his kayak was churning and foaming. Oh no - it was not a rapids - - it was H doing the back paddle like a Mixmaster on high speed! And why you ask was this sudden urgency to go in reverse? There was a VERY large dark alligator that wanted his turn at crossing the stream. He wanted it NOW and took it – right in front of H’s quickly back paddling orange bubble. Lucky for me, I can paddle faster than he can!
Out of the Ocala Forest and closer to Ocala for our good-bye visit with Dick and Sharon is always our semi official start to our push to head home. Ft Wilderness RV Resort on Rt 40 is the exact opposite of the wildernesses that we’ve been living in, and it was our next stopping spot on our journey! The first time we camped there it was a bit more of a campground than a “resort”. Not so now. There is a laundramat, a fitness building, a lodge, a restaurant with a general store and a delightful swimming pool! All sites have a black topped parking pad, full hookups, CABLE TV and we even had free wifi! Although the sites are now quite a bit more spacious than before, when you look out the back window or along side the trailer you don’t see the canopy of tall green palms, pines and live oaks of the forest or state parks - you see the alternating backyards in the zig zag line of parked RV rigs. Some yards were beautifully landscaped and manicured with equally beautiful rigs and occupied by some very nice folks. Maureen and Gary are from West Virginia and he and Harry swapped travel stories
Dinner with D&S on our return stop now seems to always end up at the Bob Evans in Silver Springs, probably because it’s a halfway spot for both of us. There are never enough hugs, never enough laughs and NEVER enough time to catch up on the last 3 months or to talk of hopes for the next 8 and half months till we can hug each other again. Time to go. In the morning we head north on 441. It’ll be a long day. It’s about 80 miles from Ocala to High Springs, just NW of Gainesville.
And then there is the spring itself! 70 MILLION gallons of sparkling water still gush from the wide, sapphire blue funnel each day! Our snorkel equipment was utilized more than once to view the deep crater and to watch the bunch of curious fish that called the underwater grasses their home. A well-weathered boardwalk winds thru the jungle, between towering palm trees and ends up at one scenic overlook where you can scan the swimming area and springs. Further up the walk you can look up and down the swift moving run that eventually ends up at the Ocalawaha River. One afternoon we wheeled the double stacked kayaks down to the canoe launch and drifted down that swift moving clear stream. Fish, turtles and even a squawking Limpkin were spotted along the waterway. Water lilies, Arrow plant and tall grasses lined the shoreline with various dead tree snags breaking into the water between them. A long skinny overgrown island was just a bit farther downstream and H led the way along the left side ahead of me. We were almost to the end of the island when it looked like he was entering into a section of white water rapids because the water surrounding his kayak was churning and foaming. Oh no - it was not a rapids - - it was H doing the back paddle like a Mixmaster on high speed! And why you ask was this sudden urgency to go in reverse? There was a VERY large dark alligator that wanted his turn at crossing the stream. He wanted it NOW and took it – right in front of H’s quickly back paddling orange bubble. Lucky for me, I can paddle faster than he can!
Out of the Ocala Forest and closer to Ocala for our good-bye visit with Dick and Sharon is always our semi official start to our push to head home. Ft Wilderness RV Resort on Rt 40 is the exact opposite of the wildernesses that we’ve been living in, and it was our next stopping spot on our journey! The first time we camped there it was a bit more of a campground than a “resort”. Not so now. There is a laundramat, a fitness building, a lodge, a restaurant with a general store and a delightful swimming pool! All sites have a black topped parking pad, full hookups, CABLE TV and we even had free wifi! Although the sites are now quite a bit more spacious than before, when you look out the back window or along side the trailer you don’t see the canopy of tall green palms, pines and live oaks of the forest or state parks - you see the alternating backyards in the zig zag line of parked RV rigs. Some yards were beautifully landscaped and manicured with equally beautiful rigs and occupied by some very nice folks. Maureen and Gary are from West Virginia and he and Harry swapped travel stories
Dinner with D&S on our return stop now seems to always end up at the Bob Evans in Silver Springs, probably because it’s a halfway spot for both of us. There are never enough hugs, never enough laughs and NEVER enough time to catch up on the last 3 months or to talk of hopes for the next 8 and half months till we can hug each other again. Time to go. In the morning we head north on 441. It’ll be a long day. It’s about 80 miles from Ocala to High Springs, just NW of Gainesville.
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
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