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Vol. 1 - Florida & Southeast 11/08
Vol. 2 - the Southwest 11/09
Vol. 3 - The Southeast v.2 11/10
Vol. 4 - Southeast v.3 11/11
Vol. 5 - Southeast v.4 11/12
2012/03/12 - Big Bass Lake Campground, Ocala National Forest, Altoona, FL
Posted 03-30-2012 at 09:59 AM by Phantom
2012/03/12
Day 119, Camp 21 (7 nights @ $5 per night)
Big Bass Lake Campground
Ocala National Forest
Altoona, FL
ALL PHOTOS RELATED TO THIS BLOG
(AND ALL PREVIOUS TRIPS)
ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW AT:
https://www.picasaweb.google.com/pshoemaker49
A QUIET CAMP ('cept 'fer the dang road!)
Drove north on US 27. North of Clermont turned north onto SR 19, through Howie-in-the-Hills, Tavares, Eustis, Umatilla to Altoona. Left at CR 42 (west) about 8 miles, then right on FR (forest road) 13 to camp. Look close for the small sign. The forest road was just past CR 452 (which goes south only). Total of 105 miles.
This is a nice little campground. No electric but at least 7 water spigots, good water, clean, modern pit toilets, 19 sites. Only downside was a bit close to SR 42. Some traffic noise. The lake is now a dry prairie. Lots of birds including many Sandhill Cranes. Quiet and peaceful and dark, after the airboats and flood lights of Lake Arbuckle! Also saw tons of Gray Squirrels, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Palm Warblers, Carolina Wrens, Eastern Towhees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Met two interesting guys here. One guy reminded me of Forrest Gump. Never got his name. If he'd a told me 'Forest Gump' I'da not been surprised, no sir. He walked into our camp and said 'seen any bears?' Nice conversation opener. He lived in Orlando but had gotten interested in hiking some years ago. He had done the Florida Scenic Trail (1400 miles) 4 times! Also, the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. OMG.
The other guy was our neighbor, slept in his civilian van for 3 nights, gone all day. He came over one day to say hi. He was 93 years old and on a walker. Had been down to visit his brother on an island off Ft. Myers. Only boat access. Boat slid off the trailer too fast and hit his foot. Broke a couple bones, also hurt his back and his leg. Had cancer on his nose and had to have it removed. Not his nose… the cancer. Big scab. He was on a walker, moving very slow, no cast. I gave him a carved and knotty walking stick (that another old man had left behind the day before)… for when he got off the walker. He seemed thrilled. Headed off in the a.m. for Iowa, in 4 days. WOW.
Another day we drove south on CR 452, about 8 miles and found the Emeralda Island Marsh… a neat drive-through of restored wetlands. Saw lots of Glossy Ibis.
Day 119, Camp 21 (7 nights @ $5 per night)
Big Bass Lake Campground
Ocala National Forest
Altoona, FL
ALL PHOTOS RELATED TO THIS BLOG
(AND ALL PREVIOUS TRIPS)
ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW AT:
https://www.picasaweb.google.com/pshoemaker49
A QUIET CAMP ('cept 'fer the dang road!)
Drove north on US 27. North of Clermont turned north onto SR 19, through Howie-in-the-Hills, Tavares, Eustis, Umatilla to Altoona. Left at CR 42 (west) about 8 miles, then right on FR (forest road) 13 to camp. Look close for the small sign. The forest road was just past CR 452 (which goes south only). Total of 105 miles.
This is a nice little campground. No electric but at least 7 water spigots, good water, clean, modern pit toilets, 19 sites. Only downside was a bit close to SR 42. Some traffic noise. The lake is now a dry prairie. Lots of birds including many Sandhill Cranes. Quiet and peaceful and dark, after the airboats and flood lights of Lake Arbuckle! Also saw tons of Gray Squirrels, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Palm Warblers, Carolina Wrens, Eastern Towhees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Met two interesting guys here. One guy reminded me of Forrest Gump. Never got his name. If he'd a told me 'Forest Gump' I'da not been surprised, no sir. He walked into our camp and said 'seen any bears?' Nice conversation opener. He lived in Orlando but had gotten interested in hiking some years ago. He had done the Florida Scenic Trail (1400 miles) 4 times! Also, the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. OMG.
The other guy was our neighbor, slept in his civilian van for 3 nights, gone all day. He came over one day to say hi. He was 93 years old and on a walker. Had been down to visit his brother on an island off Ft. Myers. Only boat access. Boat slid off the trailer too fast and hit his foot. Broke a couple bones, also hurt his back and his leg. Had cancer on his nose and had to have it removed. Not his nose… the cancer. Big scab. He was on a walker, moving very slow, no cast. I gave him a carved and knotty walking stick (that another old man had left behind the day before)… for when he got off the walker. He seemed thrilled. Headed off in the a.m. for Iowa, in 4 days. WOW.
Another day we drove south on CR 452, about 8 miles and found the Emeralda Island Marsh… a neat drive-through of restored wetlands. Saw lots of Glossy Ibis.
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