A Different Life II

[Hittenstiehl]

"In my", not I'm. 😕 Obviously I proofread way to fast.

[Lily&Me]

Hmmm...manatee....I would love to see manatee in the wild.

There is a walkway out to the river here, that Lily and I took, but no signs or indications there are manatee.

We will go back.


Maggie

[Hittenstiehl]

The Manatee sign was at the bridge where 98 crossed the Wakulla River.

You are right beautiful trees.

I like how people can post photos onto Google Earth. Gives a nice perspective on scenic views and attractions.

[twobikes]

Wakulla springs SP is about 10 miles NW of you...one of the great spots in Florida. No camping...manatees guaranteed


Follow us at two bikes + an Airstream. http://Airgo.blogspot.com

[Lily&Me]

Ooooo, thank you, Al!!!

I will head there tomorrow!

Seeing manatee in the wild has been a dream of mine for many years.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

After skype-ing with darling daughter this morning, we left rather late...for us ...and headed to Wakulla Springs SP in search of manatee.

A beautiful place, full of families with young children but, alas, no manatee to be seen.

Started winding our way toward Lake City, leaving a dozen or so caps and scarves on the front steps of a church in session...I kind of like being the anonymous-leaver-of-warm-things here and there.

Looking for a Sunday dinner on the road, I found just that at the Mayo Cafe, whose buffet brimmed with fried chicken, ribs, mac & cheese, greens, corn, dressing, rice, and more.

I filled a to-go container, which fed me today and will feed me again tomorrow. Delicious.

An older couple leaving the Cafe stopped to admire the Interstate, wanting to downsize from their huge Class A, so I of course invited them to take a look and answered questions.

It's what one does.

We then found a non-electric site in the beautiful Ocean Pond Campground in the Osceola NF...temps are moderate, so electricity is not a need, they have paved roads, a W/D that takes your credit card, and a bathhouse.

We will stay here til Tuesday.

Maggie

[DIR1]

Nice view out the back doors... sorry no manatee sightings for you... enjoying "our" trip... keep having fun!! Hugs and love from here....

[Lily&Me]

Hi Gail!

This campground is a little NF gem, and no wonder it is full...1/2 price off low fees, already, for we oldsters, with amenity bennies one doesn't often find in NF sites...and, great signal. I like having good signal, what can I say.

Moss hung trees everywhere, and thru the foliage behind me is a nice pavilion on the lake.

We will walk in a bit, and bike ride these lovely paved roads...nice.


Maggie

[Paddledipper]

If you can make your way through Orange City, FL and stop at Blue Springs State Park a manatee will be found. They have a long boardwalk along the spring run and on very cold day you can see 200-300 manatee there. The warmer the day the fewer the manatee but usually always some this time of year. There is also a manatee cam so you can see the population ahead of time. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring

[Lily&Me]

Hi PD, and thanks for that tip.

I was hoping to meet you at CanOpener this year....maybe another time.

Love the web cam!


Maggie

[xrvr]

Manatee springs state park is another alternative for viewing.

[Lily&Me]

I'm heading to the coast, then north, but the webcam may be the way to fulfill that see-manatee-in-the-wild need.

We've had two walks and a bike ride already this morning....absolutely perfect weather, rear doors are open to the fresh air...


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Took a solo ride thru the entire campground, and saw one of these at the other, all electric, end...a Tiger Bengal RV.

There are a couple of Casitas, a Scamp, several older Class B's...I am the only Interstate.

[judyjudy]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

Took a solo ride thru the entire campground, and saw one of these at the other, all electric, end...a Tiger Bengal RV.

There are a couple of Casitas, a Scamp, several older Class B's...I am the only Interstate.

Then they have to all be jealous of you! Sounds like you are having such a great trip with Lily.

[Lily&Me]

Hi there!

We are having a good trip, tho I don't think anyone here is jealous of my 11 year old rig.

This is a really...lovely... place, great for walking and bike riding tho the warnings of alligators keep me away from the water.

I am in an available spot, not the prettiest spot...some of the sites here are large, and on the water...couldn't be prettier.

Lily is exhausted, and sacked out for the night...3 walks and two bike rides today.

She is doing extremely well, running along beside me, right past other dogs without faltering a step.

Good girl, Lily.


Maggie

[DIR1]

Good morning Maggie... were the older Bvans Airstreams??? Just wondering.... totally enjoying the trip... I lite a fire this morning to enjoy with my coffee, just cause... and of coarse, I always think of you.... hugs and love and pats!! Keep having fun!!!

[Lily&Me]

Hi Miss Gail!

They were both Pleasureways, I believe, older models not on the Sprinter chassis.

Waiting at LabCorp in Jackson Beach to have labs done....dumped the tanks this am and made our way on 90 out here, thru Glen St. Mary and Macclenny...must be some Irish there.

Found a farmers market with beautiful Florida navel oranges...I have been wanting those, and intend to enjoy them.

Next stop will be Talbot Island SP for the next three nights.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

We are settled into Talbot Island SP, where I don't believe we have ever been, and it is beautiful.

If you've ever been to Cumberland Island, it is like camping there, with W/E and a bathhouse. They had a walk in site available, so I switched to it and will stay til Sunday...a bird in the hand, you know.

Coastal sites are hard to come by on the weekends.

Will probably take the Interstate over to the beach most days while here...the beach where Lily is not allowed to run, but where we can have the comforts and watch the ocean... and where I will do a little beach walking.

Lily won't understand, but she will just have to handle it.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

A little online research last evening informed me that, while dogs are not allowed on State Park beaches, they are allowed on Nassau County/Amelia Island beaches.

And so, a short drive north this morning took us to a beach where Lily can run, and did with great delight and abandon.

We are going to explore Amelia Island a bit today, and check out all of them.


Maggie

[DIR1]

Yeah for you and Lily!! I'm sure she'd be crushed if you had a beach walk without her!! Hugs and love!.. enjoy the day!!