Florida ~ Spring-Fed Waters & The Panhandle

When we were looking into where to stay near Ocala, we really didn't want to be in a park that had hundreds of people and were crammed in like sardines - really, who needs all of the "fluff" - since we like to go in search of new adventures.   So it came to pass, that our reservation at the Goethe Trailhead Ranch RV Camp about 12 miles from the town of Dunnellon because our home for the next month.  It gave us the opportunity to check out areas for hiking as well as several Jeep trips to see friends that we haven’t seen for quite some time. 

We especially loved the Sandhill Cranes which were regular neighbors in the campground.  Also on the favorites list, delicious gyros that we so love and can't find when were on the road.  I think we ate at this place twice!  And the iconic "Blues Brothers".  They really don't share anything special with this town other than the owner where the statue is, just plain liked the brothers!

  

  

Amelia Island ~

The Island is the southernmost of the Sea islands that the French visited, the Spanish developed, the English named, and the Americans tamed.  Whew!  It is the only U.S. location to have been under the dominion of eight different flags.  And they are:

         

          French Flag – 1562-1564

          Spanish Flag – 1565-1763 and 1783-1821

          British Flag – 1763-1783

          Patriots Flag – 1812

          Green Cross Flag – 1817

          Mexican Revolutionary Flag – 1817

          National Flag of the Confederacy – 1861-1862

          United States – 1821-PRESENT

Featuring over 13 miles of beautiful, beaches along the Atlantic coast, this barrier island is quaint yet lively and showcases a 50-block historic district in Fernandina Beach features a number of specialty boutiques, Victorian Inns and a variety of cafés and restaurants

The Salty Pelican had some of the best shrimp that we’ve tasted in a long time – fresh from the ocean – as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry is attached to Amelia’s cuisine.

We had a cold brew at the Palace Saloon.  Constructed as a haberdashery in 1878 and then transformed as the Palace Saloon in 1903, it survived the Prohibition years by selling Texaco gasoline, ice cream, special wines, 3 percent near-beer, and cigars.  The Palace is Florida’s oldest operating saloon.

One of five favorite beach spots that we toured was the historic Fort Clinch State Park where we stepped back to the year 1846 during the Civil War.    We explored the many rooms, galleries and grounds of the fort to learn how the soldiers worked and lived each day.

Goethe State Forest ~

We racked up many “steps” on our trackers at various trail heads in the State Forest, which contains one of the largest tracts of longleaf pine habitat in Florida.  Good walking for us, but the giant tree, on the Big Cypress Trail, definitely beckons from a forested trail about a half mile roundtrip.  Walking through what is a natural wonder of palmettos, Southern Magnolias, ferns, wild pine wrapped around a canopy of cypress we arrived at the towering botanical named, “El Dorado” or what is known as The Goethe Giant.  The cypress tree reaches about 105 feet and is about 30 feet in diameter. 

Crystal River and the Manatees ~

Situated on a warm, spring-fed bay on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crystal River is a place to explore and definitely check out the gentle manatees that flock in these clear waters during the winter months.  This is where we finally caught up with friends, we met about three years ago at Lake Pleasant.  (Note:  Rob and Carol were one of the many workcampers that helped maintain the RV sites at Lake Pleasant and it is there that we made a very unique friendship with them.)

Rob and Carol work at for the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and they were more than anxious to share this experience with us at the Three Sister Springs refuge that provided good viewing for us of the manatees on our eco-adventure.

Our visit at Crystal River was very memorable and we will never forget the natural beauty of this area. 

Rainbow Springs State Park ~

This spring is said to discharge 300-400 million gallons of water per day into the 5.7-mile Rainbow River, with water temperatures remaining a cool 72 degrees year-round.  Rob and Carol joined us on this adventure which is supposedly one of Florida’s largest springs in a beautiful park 1,472 acres in total. 

The waterfalls are really the highlight around this time of the year as the gardens really pop in the spring-summer with pinks, purples and white with its famous azalea blooms.  It was a beautiful day to get some really terrific photos.  The State Park also has a campground about six miles from the headsprings which also provides access to the river’s abundant wildlife, including otters, alligators, many species of turtles and fish and a variety of water birds.

The combination of limestone, high rainfall and underground water flow make up the reason why Florida has so many springs – well over 1000+

Christmas Day Picnic on the Gulf ~

We had planned to spend Christmas enjoying nature, so we packed up all of our homemade goodies (turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, etc.) and went in search of an area called “The Hidden Coast” of Florida, near Yankeetown.

Just driving around, we came across the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve where we climbed a tower to view salt marshes, have our picnic, and view the Gulf of Mexico via a tiny outlet

Jeep Trip to Ormond Beach ~

Good friends need to hook up occasionally which is why a trip to Ormond Beach was on our agenda to see Kay’s friend from, oh let’s say, some 40 years ago.  It might be about 8 years since we visited Christine (originally from Baltimore) who has made Ormond Beach her home for quite some time now.  With a pending retirement (January 31), we shared some awesome conversation, a relaxing Mexican meal together and having a first-time experience at an Airbnb – about 7 blocks from where Christine lives – for our overnight.

Happy Retirement, Christine!!!  We love you!!!

Panama City Beach ~

When we left Dunnellon to start our journey up into the Panhandle, we traveled to the town of Bonifay, not too far off the Interstate about 50 miles north of Panama City Beach.   The beaches here go for miles and miles and the pristine white sand and waters whose “glittering jewel tones” had made it famous are definitely beautiful.

But, on the day that we made the trip, a trip to the Russell-Fields City Pier, the weather could have been a lot better.  As one of the longest piers on the Gulf of Mexico, all we could do was take a picture of it, and that was fine with us.  We spent a few hours driving around the city which was pretty much quiet as this was only January, but we were able to see and imagine just how “insanely busy” they can be once warmer weather arrives.

Next on the agenda is Creole Country - the Big Easy!  Can you guess where?