February 12-17 Alexander Springs- Carolyn-Since this is considered a primitive campground (no water or electricity at site) it did not take long to set up. It is amazing what you can get used to doing without-yeah right -on board we have fresh water tank, generator, propane and water pump. Oh well, so much for primitive. Went on long hike around beautiful natural springs -consistent temperature of 73 degrees aquamarine color hard to tell depth of water because of clarity.Caverns formed by spring erosion about 27 feet deep. Lots of snorkeling and scuba diving done here. There was a boardwalk constructed through a tropical forest and then hiked old Timucuan Indian Trail (lived here about 4,000 years ago). Plaques along the way told how these Indians used the plants. For example, ground up shells of hickory nuts (pignuts) ate it because high in calories and mixed meat with water to make a liquor ! I guess they had their "happy hour" also. At one of the viewing areas along crystal clear water saw huge otter moving through water chasing a big bass-caught it and took it to shore to eat it. Saw lots of alligators,fish in sand boils, birds, racoons, and turtles.Next day walked 8 miles on the Florida National Trail. Do not think we will hike the 1400 miles ! Callie, Brett, Tyler Parker, Lawson and Cullen came for the weekend and we all had a blast. The boys were brave enough to go snorkling over the caverns. Saw lots of different types of fish and turtles. They brought tents, but it was pretty chilly so most of the boys ended up in rv with us especially since we had sat around campfire telling stories (some scary) and going for walks in the dark woods doing double dares. Callie and Brett slept in tent with heated black frying pan wrapped in a towel and heated rocks. It actually worked! Callie said she was warm all night. Now that is improvising. Went hiking trails, canoeing and fishing. Hated for it to end. And to top it off we all ate roasted bacon and cheese crickets. Gave some competition to our campfire smores!
Chelsea-I loved having the boys here. I sure have missed them. But I had not missed Ella -was hoping they had left her in Charleston, but no she shows up also and was jumping all over me and gnawing on me.What a pest! I had to go hide in the bushes to get away from her. Oh well, she is cute,but just needs to mature.
Heading Out!!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Juniper Springs, Ocala National Forest
Carolyn-It has been a while since I have recorded anything on my blog(I am doing well to keep my written diary updated!!). So since we are in a very primitive camp area (no water, electricity or dump station) at Lake Okeechobee I have some time to play "catch up" on my blog.
Sandy and and I decided to camp on as much of our property (and yours too) that we all own-The National Forest and Parks.
Feb. 10-11 After Salt Springs we headed down to Juniper Springs in Ocala National Forest. Another national campground with no electricity or on site water but very nice and had bathhouses with nice toilets and showers. As we walked over to check these out, we saw bear scat next to bathhouse (guess they did not make it!). When we went back to set up campsite, we had visitors-2 wild tom turkeys and 6 hens just strolling around our campsite. They visited us about 3-4 times a day. Too bad not turkey season-they would have made a nice dinner! Later in the afternoon went on hike on boardwalk through the woods and swamp with botany info plaques along the way and a bridge with large bubbling springs underneath. Then to the area that the CCC built for the springs. This program created by Roosevelt in 30's was amazing. Check it out. Back to rv for wine time and dinner. Our rv has a monitor panel that lets you know levels of fresh water, black and grey water, battery level. We have decided that something else should be added to this monitor- level of wine in the "wine cave".You do not want this to be empty because so far there have been no places at our CGs to buy wine! Next morning as we were lying on our stomachs looking out our rv back window we looked at each other and said this feels like we are in back of covered wagon looking out back. However, reality hit-I did have my own rv bathroom and fresh coffee brewing on the gas stove! Hiked 12 miles on the Florida Trail (1400 miles through fl). A lady we met at springs invited us to come over that night for campfire. When we arrived there were about 15 men and women 80 and over sitting around fire talking. They told us they had been there for 5 mos. During the day together they forage for wood and other supplies and assist each other with repairs of rvs or whatever anyone needs assistance with. That is what I call quality assisted living. They were so happy and independent. Most were 87-90 years old. I say lets do that!!!
Chelsea-Well, all has been going great except I have to be on a 6 ft. leash at all campgrounds-state, national, private (don't they know that most dogs behave better than humans), but I am getting used to it. Also, dogs are not allowed on some trails. I do love being with my family all the time-riding between them in the rv and hanging out at campsite meeting new people (who always pet me and give me treats). I have also enjoyed eating my meals outside lying down on my bed-sort of like the ancient Romans. However, I did get put in time out in the rv for chasing the turkeys. I could not help myself they just walked right up to me.They sure did look tasty. Just wait until turkey season. Must go and recline for my next meal. What a life!!
Sandy and and I decided to camp on as much of our property (and yours too) that we all own-The National Forest and Parks.
Feb. 10-11 After Salt Springs we headed down to Juniper Springs in Ocala National Forest. Another national campground with no electricity or on site water but very nice and had bathhouses with nice toilets and showers. As we walked over to check these out, we saw bear scat next to bathhouse (guess they did not make it!). When we went back to set up campsite, we had visitors-2 wild tom turkeys and 6 hens just strolling around our campsite. They visited us about 3-4 times a day. Too bad not turkey season-they would have made a nice dinner! Later in the afternoon went on hike on boardwalk through the woods and swamp with botany info plaques along the way and a bridge with large bubbling springs underneath. Then to the area that the CCC built for the springs. This program created by Roosevelt in 30's was amazing. Check it out. Back to rv for wine time and dinner. Our rv has a monitor panel that lets you know levels of fresh water, black and grey water, battery level. We have decided that something else should be added to this monitor- level of wine in the "wine cave".You do not want this to be empty because so far there have been no places at our CGs to buy wine! Next morning as we were lying on our stomachs looking out our rv back window we looked at each other and said this feels like we are in back of covered wagon looking out back. However, reality hit-I did have my own rv bathroom and fresh coffee brewing on the gas stove! Hiked 12 miles on the Florida Trail (1400 miles through fl). A lady we met at springs invited us to come over that night for campfire. When we arrived there were about 15 men and women 80 and over sitting around fire talking. They told us they had been there for 5 mos. During the day together they forage for wood and other supplies and assist each other with repairs of rvs or whatever anyone needs assistance with. That is what I call quality assisted living. They were so happy and independent. Most were 87-90 years old. I say lets do that!!!
Chelsea-Well, all has been going great except I have to be on a 6 ft. leash at all campgrounds-state, national, private (don't they know that most dogs behave better than humans), but I am getting used to it. Also, dogs are not allowed on some trails. I do love being with my family all the time-riding between them in the rv and hanging out at campsite meeting new people (who always pet me and give me treats). I have also enjoyed eating my meals outside lying down on my bed-sort of like the ancient Romans. However, I did get put in time out in the rv for chasing the turkeys. I could not help myself they just walked right up to me.They sure did look tasty. Just wait until turkey season. Must go and recline for my next meal. What a life!!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Leaving Osceola heading to bear country
Carolyn and Sandy:After spending 3 wonderful days at Ocean Pond we headed down to Ocala National Forest-known as bear country Have not seen any yet but we were warned to be on alert. Left no food out last night for them to snack on! We got a little lost finding this place even with gps, ipad, iphone but we just stopped at a tackle shop and asked (my friend ,Stephi who is 95 taught me "if you have a tongue you can find Rome" and we did. )After setting up camp which is getting easier and faster each time (yeah) we went for a hike in The Big Bear Swamp. Very nice boardwalk through most of it. This CG is a bit more open and larger than Osceola and not as scenic. We plan to stay only 1 night. Meeting so many interesting people along the way-couple from Eastern Montana living on 40 acres 4 miles up a mountain off the grid, Baptist minister and wife who have been rv for 12 years. We have found that most people at the CG love to come visit and talk-especially if you have a campfire going (were told that was an instant invitation to your fellow campers to come visit)
Chelsea: Talking about interesting people! At Ocean Pond while hiking in primitive area I met "Ernest" I named him that because he looked and sounded like Ernest Hemingway! He saw me walking by and said could I see that beautiful dog. He wanted to know my name (he has good taste) and said he used to have springers and he misses them-so everyday when we walked by he came over to talk to me and pet me. On the day he left he came by our campsite and said "i had to come by to tell Chelse good-bye."He was going camping for a few days alone in the woods. At Salt Springs my owners took me on a bear hike but to my relief we did not find one-I was anxious to get back to campsite for my evening meal and a good nights sleep!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
February 6
camping 3 nights at Ocean Pond CG in Osceola National Forest in Fl. 23 miles of scenic trails-(hiked 6 yesterday)longleaf pines, red cockaded woodpeckers, site of Olustee Battlefield-Confederate troops pushed back Union troops on way to Tallahassee. Quiet campground on big pond-more like lake with good fishing. Sandy is trying his hand at that but no luck yet-hope to get some for supper tonight! We are adjusting to our new life on the road. Sharing small space is challenging but we are improving in that area. More importantly is sharing our new adventures, stories and people. How refreshing it is to have time to appreciate the beauty of this country and also enjoying the interesting positive people we have met-all with different stories. we will write more about the process for beginning this venture later. Now a word from Chelsea-I love being with my family everyday. I have 3 beds in the rv which makes me happy and I get treats everytime I do not bark at someone or a car so I am learning very fast. I like hanging out outside the rv on my bed watching my family set up camp and cook out. This may be a dog's life after all.
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