TAMPA BAY AREA

Lake Louisa State Park would remind you of the Irish Hills up in lower central Michigan with it’s rolling hills and beautiful lakes. The well-groomed roadsides held back the thick foliage but still gave peeks of the lakes nestled down in the valleys.  This is a campground I will be happy to revisit in the future!  The real reason we stopped for the night at this park is because our beloved Rockwood has been traded in for a new trailer.  Since the Rockwood’s problem was not going to get solved, H bit the bullet and chose to replace it.   This park was the closest to the dealership.  That and we’d not been to this state park before - - so there is a new patch for my jacket!  We took advantage of the afternoon to get boxes emptied and things semi settled in our new winter home.

EG Simmons means Ospreys!  Their penthouse nests, made of sticks and moss, are even higher than all the utility poles that line each roadway.  Almost every one had at least one large black and white bird taking up residence and glaring down at us each time we passed below.  EG Simmons is one of our “must do” campgrounds on our annual rounds of Florida.  Since the new trailer also has a large picture window in the back, we still could look out thru the mangroves and the dark salty water that hid behind them.  Each morning a pair of Yellow Crowned Night Herons stalked along the edges looking for tiny little crabs that hid in the muck and sand.   Our bike rides took us from one view of beautiful Tampa Bay to another.    Along the way were open areas where fishermen dotted the shore.  Thru one opening you could see one of the white sand lined peninsulas where horseshoe crab shells end up and across the way, one of the many fishing docks. 

 

On this stay in Ruskin, we ventured up the coast to Tarpon Springs again.  The last time involved the Greek Ceremony of Epiphany where the priest throws a gold cross out into the water and the hoard of teen boys dive in and grab for the sunken cross.  This time we went hunting for the famed sponge docks!  The streets bordering the docks were lined with small shops that sold souvenirs and local sponges.  The docks were lined with colorful boats laden with strings of drying sponges and across the way, large commercial fishing boats.  We even ate at the same Bayou Café that we ate at on our last visit.  On our way back home we drove all the way down Alt 19 to the Skyway Bridge, which is Florida’s version of the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge that connects the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  The wind was strong as we approached and H noticed all the brightly colored kite board sails flying back and forth across the open water.  Of course we HAD to stop and watch.  Those kites that were not flying were lined up on the beach like a field of bright tulips in a flowerbed.

One of H’s high school classmates, (another) Bud and his wife Nancy, live in a lovely gated community about a mile from the campground so we spent some fun time with them.  The Red Barn Flea Market down in Bradenton was one day’s venture.  Nancy and I even got to spend a girl’s day out for lunch and shopping!  One afternoon, the four of us climbed into B’s truck and drove up around the bay thru Tampa and Clearwater and out over the causeway bridge to Clearwater Beach to watch the sunset from the fishing pier there.  Each afternoon, vendors lined the pier with their booths of crafts and trinkets.  The sea wind was strong so large multi colored patio umbrellas hugged the backside of the railing to protect the folks and their wares.  Out on the pier was a large dolphin that was painted with a mermaid.  (Ocala has horses – and Clearwater Beach has dolphins!)   In the park at the base of the pier was a plethora of various street entertainers – a juggler with a stunt dog, acrobats, a magician and even a pirate who chatted with all the kids and allowed the parents to take pictures.  This guy really looked like Capt Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean! 

As the sun started to spread its golden glow across the horizon, a pirate ship (an evening dinner cruise) appeared and crossed in front of the sinking orb, slowly cruising back and forth until that bright orb finally sank into the sea.  Gold changed to coral and then pink and bounced off the lingering clouds and jet streams that formed a tic tac toe grid in the sky.

The week has passed quickly. Anna Marie’s Oyster Bar has been visited and coconut shrimp has been sampled at Crabby Bill’s.  We’ve had fresh, deep red, juicy strawberries!  We may as well move on!  WP Franklin Lock and Dam Campground is the next place we’ll call home for awhile.

Apopka and Winter Garden

Rock Spring  Kelly Park

Apopka is a growing and expanding town.  It is still surrounded by all the various greenhouses that advertise orchids or other exotic foliage or plants. Where there are no greenhouses is Wekiwa Springs State Park and her adjoining county park – Kelly Springs 

Rock spring run under water

(Yep – SPFB!).  According
 to the staff at Kelly Park, the mosquitoes were especially bad this winter because there has been no killing frost.  The campground is in the middle of the woods and the bugs were thriving!  There was no sitting outside without bug spray on the warm sunny days.  Thankfully down at the spring area it was wide open with a great cooling breeze, hence no biting bugs.  The turkeys were still wandering thru the park – just not thru our campsite – and the gopher tortoise had dug her burrow under a palmetto palm about 20 feet behind our condo.  Some days it was just easier to climb in the truck and use the excuse of “exploring” to escape the hungry bugs and go revisit our favorite areas - Sanford, Winter Garden with her still beautifully decorated downtown boulevard and Christmas tree and Mt Dora with her quaint shops and sprawling old flea market.  We even bravely ventured down to Orlando!  And of course we made our annual trek to The Catfish Place in downtown Apopka for scallops!

Winter Garden

Last year my nephew Rich from Indiana, wife Susan and son Brady drove from Lakeland to Ocala to visit with us while we were at Ross Prairie.  Last time we took them to Rainbow Springs.  This year we were happy to show them another one of Florida’s hidden treasure – the crystal clear waters of Rock Springs.  H took the first float down the run with R&B while Susan and I manned the stash of shoes, shirts and glasses!  She just had more surgery in October and was still wearing a bulky air cast on her right foot and calf so she was confined to a wheelchair.  While the boys were out playing “salmon”, I wheeled her along the wide cement sidewalks that lined the swimming areas and over the arched steel bridges that allowed a great view of the entire area including any bobbing bodies floating down the winding clear stream.  My camera was still laying on the table in the condo so I was depending on S to snap some good shots with her cell phone!   Next it was my turn to jump in the cold refreshing water with R&B and “bob” on down the run along with all the others trying to cool off on a hot Sunday afternoon.  We chatted the entire way down and then chatted some more while we stood in the waist deep waters of the open area.  H even came over to the edge to see if we were all right!  It was decided that we should “bob” further down the stream and then walk back up – against the currant.  That job was easier said than done – but we did it and it was an excellent workout for my flabby old thighs!  Of course R & B made it look like a walk in the park instead of a push uphill in a swift currant!   Back in the air-conditioned condo, we visited until way after dark.  They climbed into their SUV and left our campsite, heading for the exit.  Then returned  - - they had seen a bear in the campground!  All these years that we’ve camped here and THEY see the bear?!   Go figure.

Monday was moving day once more.  Down thru Winter Garden for breakfast and on to Lake Louisa State Park for more of this winter’s adventure.

Late Christmas Post

Ocala was dressed up for Christmas!

 Dick and Sharon’s home was no exception!  The tall tree in the living room was beautifully covered with a kazillion bright colored poinsettias and miles of gold mesh garlands and icicles.  Yes, in the beginning, the bottom was full of gaily-wrapped gifts of all sizes.  When D&S, D’s son Rick, and his daughter Terri and her husband John started opening gifts, the pile soon dwindled and all that was left was the gold lame under the tree.  The giant boxes disappeared and the stack of gift cards began piling up!  R manned the large black trash bag and we each had to quickly hone our basketball skills with our spent gift-wrapping and tissue paper wads!  Somebody walked in front of me as I was preparing my pitch from across the room.  I deftly arched the angle higher and applause soon erupted as my sphere found the depths of the black bag – with “nothing but net”!  Not even a single hair was disturbed on the unsuspecting passerby’s head!

Downtown Ocala has a lovely green square, complete with a white-railed gazebo and a stately tall Christmas tree that was adorned with bright lights and big red bows.  Christmas music was floating out from some hidden source.  The next block over was the “ice” skating rink decorated with different Disney characters.   But seeing a pretty young lady dressed as the littlest mermaid and a plastic “ice” rink didn’t quite make our day!

 

On several downtown corners and on several commercial properties were almost full sized fiberglass horses all painted brightly to represent a particular aspect of Ocala – the thoroughbred capital of Florida.   The one on the downtown square represented the Ocala National Forest and had a cougar and a deer painted on it’s sides and flanks.

The horse at the Central Florida College depicted founders of that institution.  We had gone to the college to see the miniature train set up that had been advertised for the Christmas Season.  It was a very nice setup but could not hold a candle to the display that the Swanton Ohio model train club puts together.

We’ve been to flea markets, done a little shopping, visited with dear friends from home and renewed past friendships here in the campground.  The trailer problem, however, once more reared its ugly overheating wheel on our way in from Salt Springs and has been fixed again.  The tire that was replaced last winter in Mt Dora has now been replaced.   

We will get to spend  Saturday evening out to dinner with D&S and then prepare to move on to Apopka and Kelly Park.

Salt Springs Area

December weather in North Central Florida means heaters on at night and shirt sleeve temps during the afternoon so by the time the morning news is over and the coffee pot is empty it’s either time to ride the little wheels up to the office for emails or climb in the big blue wheels and head off for a day of sightseeing (aka exploring!).   H was determined that we should head up thru Palatka and over to the coast in the St Augustine area.

Ravine Gardens

Those of you who have seen my “jacket of many patches”, know that I am missing at least 6 already visited Florida state park patches.  Ravine Gardens in Palatka is one of them.  On our third attempt for a patch, we finally were able to purchase one.  It was quite an ordeal for just a one inch by three-inch patch – at first the ladies in the office could not find them, then didn’t know the price and then were unable to break a $5.  H finally put the amount on his credit card – the entire $1.65.  The ladies were left with the dilemma of how to account for that enormous sale on their records!  

Ravine Gardens

We were finally able to meander down the asphalt drive and stop to gaze over the side of the deep grotto that was lined with mature oaks, magnolias and azaleas.  Down the middle was a small winding ribbon of water that extended from one end to the other.  High over the gorge were several  long narrow suspension bridges and steep wooden steps leading up out of the deep cut.   As we approached the backside of the main building we passed thru the formal garden areas that were outlined with low block walls that were build in the WPA era.   Pools, fountains, arches and brick paths completed the scene.   Then we climbed in the truck and drove the entire 1.8 mile drive around the ravine, past where we had just walked and saw even more of the park!

Fort Matansas

Fort Matansas

On the southern edge of St Augustine, the beach access was open and the truck steering wheel involuntarily made the left turn and we ended up out on the swishy sand once again.   The end of the beach trail puts you on A1A and the entrance to Fort Matansas.  With a 30 minute wait for the pontoon boat ride up the river to the 16^th century, small stone structure, we watched the introductory movie and then walked the small beach and noted how far out the tide had gone, leaving smelly damp rocks and crustaceans behind.  Our boat captain was very knowledgeable and explained the French and Spanish interest in the fort and the river leading to St Augustine that it protected.   On our last visit, the day was gray, cold and windy but today the sun was shining and from up on the fort, still guarded by big black cannons, you could see St Augustine to the north and A1A and the ocean that lay beyond to the south.

Heading back home thru Palatka, our stomachs began to complain about being ignored for so long.  Someone had recommended Corky Bell’s Seafood Restaurant and so we put it in the GPS.  We found it right by the bridge on the wide lumbering St Johns River.  Our meal was good but the view from the sprawling outside terraced patio was the highlight.  The sun was setting and its golden light glowed on the wooden docks with their tall pylons and the over grown jungle that clung to the rivers edge.  The reflections on the calm still water made it hard to tell where the water ended and the real docks began.  

View from Corky Bell's

On Saturday Santa and Mrs. Claus came to visit all the little and big kids at the campground!  What a jolly couple they were as they rode thru the park, greeting everyone and inviting all to come and say Hello at the holiday setting the camp hosts had prepared.   Santa chatted with each small child for a few moments before letting them select a gift out of his big gift box.  Just like any old married couple – they bantered back and forth and the jovial old gentleman chortled and Ho-Ho Ho”d between each banter!   The office staff acted as his assistants in their green shirts and big green hats complete with large pointed elf ears!

Merry Christmas

On to Ocala we trudge!   By the looks of Dick and Sharon’s brightly lit tree, Santa has beaten us there!   

May your Christmas find you with family and friends, remembering that Jesus IS the reason for this season!

North central florida

We made it - - - NO PROBLEM!    Down I 95 to Jacksonville, around the west side and on down to Salt Springs in the Ocala National Forest. See Previous Florida Blogs for our pictures of our past stays here. Management here was so strict last year that most of the campers who stayed here all winter moved on and never came back.  Our favorite camp hosts are gone and there are even fewer campers.  Now under new managers – some of the stupid rules have eased – support jacks can now be off the pavement for one. 

We enjoyed B&C’s company for another day and took them around our favorite local sites including the beautiful crystal clear springs with its swarms of massive Mullet fish swimming in slow motion.  While enjoying the view a Bald Eagle flew over!  Out to dinner at the Bass Champions Restaurant was the great end to a fun day.  On Tuesdays thru Thursdays they feature a “Beat the Clock” pricing system.  The time the waitress takes your order is the price of your meal!  Ours was $4.20!  Our friends have left now to finish their journey south to Lake Placid.  Later this winter we’ll meet up with them when our journey leads us closer to their neighborhood.  

 

Things are calm now – we’ve settled in to a routine – riding our bikes each day, meeting new folks from a lot of different states, enjoying the freshly prepared chicken livers from the local grocery, adding up all the sightings of the variety of birds, always “hunting” for deer or bears and always out exploring!  HAD to head to Daytona Beach and drive on the beach and see how things have changed.  On and off the beach and then to the boardwalk and watch the screaming teens swing up and down in the double bungee ride that towered way above even the tall round ferris wheel.  The fishing pier stretched out into the ocean and gave an even better view of the rolling waves, the wide sandy beach, the forever line of towering condos and the ribbon of boardwalk that lay between the sand and the towers. 

As long as we were on the coast we wandered farther south and ended back out on the beach.  We drove on the hard packed sand till it ended at a fishing jetty lined with some serious looking fishermen.  From out on the jetty we turned and saw the tall stately red light house standing watch over the beach and dividing inlet.  Upon closer inspection we found the 175 ft tall Ponce      Inlet Lighthouse. It is the highest lighthouse in Florida!  H also drove by a 1942 Willys Jeep but didn’t think to get a picture of the bright red vehicle!

Back closer to home we finally yanked the kayaks out of the back of the truck and plopped them into the water of the Salt Spring Run – just outside of the walled in spring itself.  Several years ago we had been greeted by several manatees when we were out in our fat orange bubble kayaks and H even got some great pictures.  This time we paddled around and around, past the Anhinga lined buoys that kept the boats out of the spring before we spotted a big lump just floating in the deeper water.  The water was cloudy in that area due to its depth and vegetation.  H stuck his camera under the water and started clicking away.  I sat very still and the “lump” moved ever so slowly towards me but did not dive down.  I was able to see the two scars on his forehead, possibly caused by a boat propeller.  I reached out and touched his thick leathery skin and scratched his neck and back.  Very slowly he slithered down and slid calmly under my vessel.  Our boat ride was complete after we paddled into the mirrored waters of a narrow creek that lead off the run and H scared TWO gators and a multitude of fat turtles!!  

 

Yesterdays exploration venture started out to be snorkeling at Alexander Springs but it was a tad too chilly and we chickened out.   Sighting a pair of Pileated woodpeckers squawking at each other up in the trees made up for our disappointment tho.  As long as we were that far south we kept going and ended up finding Lake Eustis and the pedestrian dock and adjoining clump of Cypress Trees still dressed in their fall colors.  The patch of sea grasses was home to a neat brown snake, curled up on a stump and a wet Anhinga drying her feathers after fishing for her lunch.  If you double click on the picture to make it larger – you can see her!

 

We’ll be here in Salt Springs for a few more days and then it’s on to Ocala for Christmas.

South to warmer weather

Happy Thanksgiving!  Like a lot of folks, our holiday was filled with family and food.  And then we repeated it on Sunday at a bountiful buffet brunch at a wonderful old 1923 school building that has been restored for display and for use for special events.  This special event was called Christmas with 2 of our kids and 5 of our grandkids!  The time was short but it was good to have them all together.

Monday morning came early - - well, that and we woke up early!  Last minute chores and packing done, we rendezvoused with our dear friends, Bud & Carol at our designated Kroger parking lot and off we went. We got in line with the “go to work group” of drivers and wound thru and around all the orange barrels and lane changes of the I 475 construction. No Problem!   We forged ahead to Rt 68 and breakfast at a good truck stop restaurant in Mt Victory.   NO PROBLEM - and so far we had only missed one turn!   H checked the wheel temps on the trailer – all 4 were fine and the truck was doing great!    On to the Columbus bypass, Rt 270 and the rain started.    NO PROBLEM!   South on Rt 23 to Circleville, where we stopped for gas.  It was still raining and the wheel was now smoking.  (See blog from our return home trip from Florida last spring).  We sent B&C on to Kentucky ahead of us and we hunted for a repair shop.  We finally found Barnitz Automotive Shop in a tiny town called Kingston and he got us right in.  Barney works out of his home garage and we parked in his circular driveway, next to his home and just in front of his 3 bay garage for the night.  No one close had the parts we needed so H and I drove back up to Columbus to the Redneck Trailer Supply so Barney could repair the wheel in the morning.  While the two men worked on the injured trailer together, his wife Fran and I got acquainted. 

Dreher Island St. Park  S.C.

On the road by noon, we stayed the next night at the Paintsville Lake State Park where B&C had stayed the night before. It looked like a nice park but it was raining and getting dark when we arrived.   Again we woke up way too early and pulled out at 7am.   That’s when the deer came out across the road in front of us!  We pushed on across Virginia and Tennessee, without too much more trauma.  The day was fog, rain, sunshine and repeat.    We waved as we passed the Tennessee Welcome Center where we spent an afternoon last spring!  The map showed that Dreher Island State Park was fairly close to the interstate but we ended up following the GPS and it lead us on a much longer, out of the way route.  The park really was not really on AN island – it was a chain of jagged forested islands that was formed when the river was dammed and the valley flooded.  Of course the campground was on the last island of the chain!  Our spot was high over the clear water below and was carpeted in falling oak and sweet gum leaves.  Thankfully none of the pinecones fell and hit the trailer since they were the size of small footballs!

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island 

North Carolina was now behind us and on across South Carolina we drove.  H checked the temps of all 4 wheels - like a hovering mom and her ailing children, each time we stopped for gas or a bite to eat.   No problem.   The problem this day was all the either blind or ignorant drivers who did not see the headlights on our bright blue truck, pulling a big white bulletin board of a trailer and going speed limit on the expressway!    One semi truck pulled out from the side of the road and RIGHT into our path.   Luckily H managed to brake quickly enough to avoid a collision.  We endured several more such incidents before we pulled into the campground in Charleston where B&C were already parked and waiting for us.

Jekyll Island 

Thursday we again hit the road and headed for Georgia.  H was still checking the wheel temps.  No problem.  We made it to Georgia when a passing truck driver motioned to us that a trailer wheel was smoking.  This time H had a spare bearing and switched it, right there on the side of   I 95 while 3 lanes of traffic roared by.  This time we were directed to Walker’s Trailer Repair just off the exit for Savannah.    This time all 4 wheels were checked and the other 3 were replaced. 

We have finally made it to the campground on Jekyll Island and are parked next to B&C again!   We’ve now toured the island and enjoyed all the Thomas Kincaid Christmas lights of the historic areas.  We’ve been here before but it was fun showing our friends the sights!

Tomorrow is Florida – hopefully, with no more problems!

Jekyll   Island 

Michigan Sunrise Side

Autumn in Michigan is synonymous with color!  Red sumac, orange maples, gold birch and aspen and dark green pines!  Our Fall Color trip was just a few days before prime color but it did NOT disappoint!   Crisp, cool mornings, dark rolling storm clouds interspersed with periodic bright blue skies kept our senses guessing.   This time, our venture started out on the Lake Huron side of the state, beginning in Pinconning and pausing in Tawas City where we parked at a Passport America campground that was okay for the price we paid but certainly not for the price without the discount.   The good part was that since it was not right on Lake Huron, as the city park is, the gusty lake winds were buffered somewhat before they slid into the campground.   Breakfast was the first day’s agenda and we found a tasty one at the local restaurant in downtown East Tawas!  Exploring was next and we headed north - towards Alpena, stopping every little bit to check out a park or shop or a lighthouse.  The upcoming weekend was the local lighthouse festival so we missed the doings at the Sturgeon Point lighthouse and school but the views of the threatening storm clouds over the expanse of empty beach was impressive.

  On our way back to camp we traveled the “River Road National Scenic Byway” which is a 22-mile rambling road, which runs west from Lake Huron in Oscoda and follows the always beautiful Au Sable River.  We stopped at dams, checked out the campgrounds where we have stayed before, revisited the Lumberman’s Memorial Monument which is a 15 ft bronze statue that represents the 1800 lumber industry.  We even managed to descend the 300 steps at Iargo Springs to view the natural springs ¾ of the way to the rivers edge.  We took advantage of the several viewing decks and thankfully managed to ascend those 300 steps back to the top!  Further west were several more viewing areas with awesome views of the winding river and her wider pond areas with hillsides splattered with bursts of color

 The next morning, after another good breakfast at another good restaurant in town, we did get to climb the close together, circular, open steps of the Tawas Point Lighthouse and scan the horizon from the very narrow top!  We climbed slowly and came down more slowly - me with my eyes fixed on the back of H’s head, one hand securely on his shoulder and the other gripping the cold metal railing!

From Tawas we moved farther west to Rose City and secured a good spot in the Grouse Haven campground in the Rifle River Recreation Area.  H did see a grouse!  We also saw a deer and 2 of her teenage fawns and a handful of huge black turkeys!  As always we retraveled the gravely, one way, VERY narrow roadway that meanders thru the park, past the 5 secluded pristine lakes and the primitive campgrounds snuggled into the dense woods.

One of H’s favorite things to do in this area is to “hunt grouse” - - from the drivers seat of his truck!  And we did!  Once we left the city limits of Rose City we found a sandy two track and followed first one and then another and another – going north, then east, then west and then north again!   After one of those turns we ended up on a power line trail.  At the top of the big soft sandy hill, which was obviously very popular with other 4-wheelers, you could see the light tan ribbon of trail lying out in front of us!  We ended up in Mio and never drove on a paved road till we reached that city limit!

The weekend was approaching and we were to be at the Bay City Conservation and Gun Club so H could participate in a Sporting Clay Event on Sunday so on Saturday morning we headed south.   The fella’s at the club welcomed us and assisted in getting us set up and hooked into their electric power for the evening.  With the afternoon open, we asked for directions on finding the Dow Gardens in Midland, which was about 20 miles away.  We had seen signs for the gardens on our previous trip thru that town and were anxious to see them up close.  I am so glad that we did!  The grounds are on 110 acres that was the original family estate of Herbert H Dow the founder of the Dow Chemical Co.  He and his wife Grace raised their children there and their son, Alden B Dow built his modernistic home there in 1942.  He studied under Frank Lloyd Wright before becoming a famous architect in his own right.  His home and studio seem as if they are growing in the middle of a pond!  Some of the buildings and features in the garden were designed by Alden, including the “Sun Bridge” which casts a perfect circle on the calm waters of the stream that pass below it.  Even tho the bright colors of the summer blooms have faded, the fall foliage still glowed along the stepping stone walkways, or near the bouldered passageways or around the bend from the bridge built out of clinkers.  It must have been prom night in Midland because the park became overrun with pretty girls dressed in their finest, escorted by lanky teen boys in their matching tux.  Helicopter Moms with busy cameras hovered over and around all of them!!  It was indeed a great spot for prom pictures!!!  But the sun was sinking lower and the temps were dropping and getting colder so we knew it was time to head back to base.

The Bay City C&G Club sure put on a nice event for their shooters.  Bob fixed breakfast for everyone and while the guys were out “hunting” for those wary bright orange clay pigeons, he prepared chili, brats, beans, hotdogs and brownies for the cold, hungry hunters!   Since H shot in the first group that went out, he was back fairly early so we enjoyed a good meal, said our thanks and good byes and headed south and home. 

Another great adventure completed and logged!   Just think – it’s now November and in a month we’ll be leaving home and headed south.