Monday, November 30, 2015

Apalachicola NF - 11/30/15 - Sumatra, FL

Monday – November 30, 2015
Apalachicola National Forest
Wright Lake Campground
Sumatra, Florida

We spent a restful night at a Rest Area at mile-marker 346 on northbound I-75, near Ocala, Florida. We plan to spend tonight at the Wright Lake Campground in the Apalachicola National Forest near Sumatra, Florida. We had spent a night camping here in 2013 and really enjoyed our stay.

The Thanksgiving Day, bumper-to-bumper, holiday traffic had cleared out on I-75. We had an uneventful drive on northbound Interstate 75 to Interstate 10. We continued westbound on Interstate 10 to Live Oak, Florida to purchase a few groceries at the Walmart store there.

The Apalachicola National Forest is located southwest of Tallahassee, Florida. This region of Florida is one of our favorite places to visit. Very few campers, no traffic, two-lane paved roads, bordered by tall pine tree forests lining both sides of the highway as far as the eye can see.

The entrance to the Wright Lake Campground is on a two-mile, hard-packed, sand road. Wright Lake Campground is a very scenic and well-maintained campground with 20 campsites.

The campground host occupies campsite #1. Campsite #20 has an electric hookup. All other campsites are dry camping. All campsites will accommodate tents or RV’s. Amenities include a restroom facility with flush toilets and free hot showers. Several water spigots are dispersed throughout the campground. There is one dump station.

Camping rates are $10.00 for campsites 2 through 19 and $15.00 for campsite #20. All campsites are First-Come, First-Serve. America the Beautiful Pass, Golden Age Passport and Golden Access Passport receive a 50% discount on camping rates.

A hike along the Wright Lake Trail offers amazing views of the following communities:

Baygall Community
The Baygall Community appears to be a solid wall of trees, shrubs and vines. Its name may have been derived from two common plants of this community: sweetbay and large gallberry.

Continuous water seepage on and at the bases of sandy or peaty slopes is ideal for development of a Baygall Community. The presence of water and masses of moisture-laden vegetation make the area flame resistant. The Baygall Community may experience fire only once every 50 to 100 years or more.

Basin Swamp Community
Basin Swamps occupy larger water-retaining depressions. The Basin Swamp Community is similar in some respects to the Dome Swamp, although the Basin Swamp is considerably larger. Vegetation in the Basin Swamp tends to be more varied than in the Dome Swamp, but is still dominated by water-loving trees and shrubs. Like the Dome Swamp, the Basin Swamp usually dries out each year, and fire burns the swamp’s perimeter. As with the Dome Swamp, fire only occasionally reaches the Basin Swamp’s interior.

Blackwater Stream / Floodplain Swamp Community
A Blackwater Stream is so named because its waters are very darkly stained with tannins, suspended particles and dissolved organic matter drained from its adjacent Floodplain Swamp. The dark waters reduce light penetration, so little or no vegetation grows beneath them.

A Floodplain Swamp occupies the depression, or floodplain, along either side of a stream or river. A variety of trees, shrubs, vines and other plants that tolerate wet conditions thrive in this area. Because the Floodplain Swamp is generally too wet to burn, it serves as a refuge for animals fleeing fire.

The Blackwater Stream / Floodplain Swamp Community supports an abundance of animal life. An array of invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are found here.

Dome Swamp / Depression Marsh Community
Dome Swamps and Depression Marshes form in smaller depressions that hold water for much of the year.

Dome Swamps are scattered throughout the Pine Flatwoods of the Wright Lake area, and are either completely vegetated or have open centers. Water-loving trees such as pond cypress, blackgum tupelo and myrtle-leaved holly are dominant vegetation.

When a marsh occupies the open center of a Dome Swamp it is called a Depression Marsh. Depression Marshes are dominated by grasses, sedges and beakrushes. Maidencane is one of the more abundant grass types. Other aquatic plants, such as white water lily, may also grown in the Depression Marsh.

The Dome Swamp / Depression Marsh is an important breeding site for a number of frog and salamander species, including the rare Flatwoods salamander.

Pine Flatwoods Community
This community is comprised of open canopies of stately long leaf pines rise high above swaying strands of broomsedge and wiregrass. Scattered among the breeze-blown grasses are smaller trees and shrubs, like turkey oak, yaupon and saw palmetto.

The Pine Flatwoods Community needs fire to survive. Without fire, this community ceases to exist in its typical state and loses its park-like character and quality.

The Pine Flatwoods Community is the main natural community at Wright Lake, and occurs here in several variations.

Seepage Slope / Wet Prairie Community
For almost half the year the water table is at or near the surface in this community. Insect eating plants such as pitcher plants, sundew’s and butterworts thrive here. Many other kinds of wildflowers can also be seen. Among these is the very rare and endangered Harper’s Beauty. It is found only within a few miles-radius of this area, and nowhere else in the world!

Swamp Lake Community
Wright Lake is the largest of three Swamp Lakes in this vicinity. The waters of the Swamp Lake are darkly stained with natural substances from adjacent swamps and shoreline swamp vegetation. Sunlight penetration of the water is limited by its darkness and depth, so aquatic plant growth is severely reduced. Although the waters are very dark, they are clean and healthy. These waters support substantial populations of animal life, such as alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs and a variety of fish and invertebrate animals. Wading birds, waterfowl and other birds continually visit the lake and its environs. Otters swim, play and catch fish in the lake while raccoons forage for food along the shoreline.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Ocala, Florida
Departure Time: 6:00 A.M.
Arrived: Sumatra, Florida
Arrival Time: 12:50 P.M.

Campground: Wright Lake
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: N29.99981 W085.00127 (see note)
Camping Fee: $15.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Passport)
Campsite: 20
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Free Hot Showers, Dump Station

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service

Total miles traveled today: 259
Route Traveled:
North on Interstate 75
West on Interstate 10
South on Florida Highway 297
West on Florida Highway 20
South on Florida Highway 65
West two miles on Wright Road to campground

Note: GPS coordinates will get you close to Wright Lake Road. My Garmin GPS kept trying to take me on the wrong roads just south of Sumatra. Wright Lake Road is located 2.5 miles south of the intersection of CR 379 and Florida Highway 65. The entrance to Wright Lake Road will be on the west side of 65.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Ocala, FL - 11/29/15

Sunday – November 29, 2015
Ocala, Florida

We spent a delightful seven days with my sister and brother-in-law at their lovely home in Naples, Florida.

My sister is a wonderful self-taught gourmet chef and each day she amazed us with her culinary skills. Her attention to detail in the preparation of any food group, rewards her guests with a dining experience that would rival one found in many upscale restaurants.

On Thanksgiving Day, her preparation of a 21-pound turkey with stuffing, gravy, vegetables, and sweet potatoes left the dinner party of eight totally satisfied and appreciative.

With our visit to my sister and brother-in-law complete, it is time to continue on with our Winter Adventure 2015 / 2016.

We had planned to spend the night somewhere close to Lake City, Florida. However, very heavy holiday traffic, combined with a multi-vehicle collision on northbound I-75, north of Tampa, Florida, altered our plans. All northbound lanes on I-75 had been closed, creating an 11-mile backup with all traffic being rerouted onto the shoulder. After finally clearing the collision area, we decided to spend the night at a Rest Area at mile-marker 346 on northbound I-75.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Naples, Florida
Departure Time: 12:35 P.M.
Arrived: Ocala, Florida
Arrival Time: 6:05 P.M.

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G, 5 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars

Total miles traveled today: 238
Route Traveled:
North on Interstate 75 to Ocala, Florida

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Naples, FL - 11/22/15

Sunday – November 22, 2015
Naples, Florida

We spent a delightful five days at the Flamingo campground in the Everglades National Park. During our stay the days were sunny, warm and humid, but brisk winds from the Atlantic Ocean made for comfortable accommodations outdoors in the shade.

Mosquitoes were still very prevalent this time of the year. Mosquito spray was required during the day. However, at sunset mosquito spray was ineffective against the swarms of mosquitoes that invaded the Everglades during the night. No campers dared to venture outside after sunset.

We leave the mosquito infestation behind as we depart the Everglades National Park and travel to Naples, Florida. We will spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with my sister and brother-in-law.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Everglades National Park – Homestead, Florida
Departure Time: 11:00 A.M.

Arrived: Naples, Florida
Arrival Time: 3:15 P.M.

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G, 2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpak - 5 Bars

Total miles traveled today:
Route Traveled: 196
North on Florida Turnpike
North on Interstate 75 to Naples, Florida

Thursday, November 19, 2015

New Casita Friends - 11/19/15 - Everglades NP

Thursday – November 19, 2015
New Friends
Everglades National Park
Homestead, Florida

We met some new friends today, Vincent and Debbie, traveling in their 2014 Casita, Liberty Deluxe, fiberglass travel trailer. Vincent hailed from Louisiana and Debbie from Santa Fe, New Mexico. They decided they would spend the next two years living full time in their Casita to determine if this was something they would like to do over a longer period of time.

During our conversations we discovered, like us, they too enjoyed the western regions of the United States. The mountain vistas, desert regions and less populated areas are major attractions to those of us who enjoy a nomad type lifestyle.

Like ourselves, Vincent and Debbie’s travels brought them to Florida to visit friends and family during the Thanksgiving holiday. Since outdoor activity is limited due to the abundance of mosquitoes, they decided to shorten their stay at Everglades National Park.

We look forward to seeing them somewhere in Arizona or New Mexico this winter.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Everglades NP - 11/16/15 - Homestead, FL

Monday – November 16, 2015
Everglades National Park
Homestead, Florida

We spent a delightful weekend with two of my cousins (brother and sister) that live in the Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Florida area. It’s been about 20 years that we had seen one another. It was so nice to reunite after all those years.

One of my cousins shared pictures of our families dating back to the early 1900’s. She also had a handwritten notebook of a chronological log that one of our relative’s had recorded of our family history dating back to the early 1900’s.

On Sunday our families met for dinner at The Catfish Place in St. Cloud for dinner. This restaurant definitely lives up to its reputation for serving up the very best catfish in the area. Great food, great company, great way to end our visit until the next time we get together.

We departed Kissimmee, Florida via the southbound Florida Turnpike. After traveling for about thirty minutes, we were shocked when an idiot driver passed us on the shoulder at a high rate of speed.

Our destination today is one of our favorite Florida locations: Everglades National Park. There are two campgrounds there: Long Pine Key and Flamingo. Long Pine Key is dry camping only and is located six miles from the entrance. Flamingo has dry camping and electric campsites and is located forty miles from the entrance. We prefer Long Pine Key. Its campsites offer more privacy and it is closer to shopping in Homestead, Florida.

Flamingo is open all year (restroom facilities are closed April through October) and Long Pine Key is open November through April. Long Pine Key was closed when we arrived. It was scheduled to open on Tuesday, 11/17/15. We proceeded to Flamingo and secured a campsite with an electric hookup. The Flamingo campground is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west.

There are five camping areas within the Flamingo campground:

Walk-In Section:
65 campsites. Tent camping only allowed. Located in an expansive, treeless area adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. No hookups. Water spigot at restroom facility with flush toilets.

Loop A:
55 campsites. Campsites for tents and small recreational vehicles. Some shaded campsites. No hookups. Water spigots available at two restroom facilities with flush toilets and solar heated showers. One dump station.

Loop B:
58 campsites. Campsites for tents and small recreational vehicles. Some shaded campsites. No hookups. Water spigots available at two restroom facilities with flush toilets. One restroom facility has solar heated showers.

Loop C:
56 campsites. Campsites for tents and small recreational vehicles. Some shaded campsites. No hookups. Water spigot available at restroom facility with flush toilets.

Loop T:
65 campsites. Camping restricted to recreational vehicles only. Campsites 1 through 41 have electric hookups. Campsites 42 through 65, no hookups. Water spigots available at two restroom facilities with flush toilets. One restroom facility has solar heated showers. One dump station.

This was our first time visiting Everglades National Park in November and we were surprised to see how few campers were visiting the area at this time of the year. In our previous visits in February 2012 and 2013 camping at Flamingo campsites with electric hookups were by reservation only, AND there were no mosquitoes! During this visit no reservations were required.

During our stay here through Saturday, 11/21/15, the weather forecast shows sunny, warm and humid days will prevail, with temperatures in the mid-eighties and matching humidity.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Kissimmee, Florida
Departure Time: 10:35 A.M.

Arrived: Everglades National Park - Homestead, Florida
Arrival Time: 4:30 P.M.

Campground: Flamingo
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: N25.13783 Longitude: W080.94160
Camping Fee: $15.00 (with Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 27
Campsite Hookups: Electric
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, Flush Toilets, Showers, Dump Stations

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: No Service

Total miles traveled today: 294
Route Traveled:
South on Florida Turnpike
South on U.S. Highway 1
West on Florida Highway 9336 to Everglades National Park

Friday, November 13, 2015

Mill Creek RV Resort - 11/13/15 - Kissimmee, FL

Friday – November 13, 2015
Mill Creek RV Resort
Kissimmee, Florida

We enjoyed a restful night at the Florida rest area on Interstate 75, mile-marker 346, near Ocala, Florida. Now we will head to Kissimmee, Florida to spend the weekend while we visit with two of my cousins that I haven’t seen for about 20 years.

But first, we have to find a place to stay! Staying true to our traveling lifestyle, we do not reserve campsites in advance. We prefer not to be constrained to be at a certain place by a certain time. In our 25 years of enjoying the RV lifestyle, we have always been successful in securing a campsite without a reservation.

While in route to Kissimmee, Florida, "Navigator Sharon" consulted our Allstays Camp and RV app on my Android LG G4 smartphone. The app provided numerous private campgrounds within the Kissimmee area. Further research showed the Mill Creek RV Resort offered a special daily rate of $19.00 through December 21st. Their regular rate is $36.00 per day. Upon our arrival at the Mill Creek RV Resort, they honored the $19.00 daily rate. This will be our home for the weekend.

Mill Creek RV Resort offers accommodations for all ages. It is a mix of permanent trailer structures, travel trailers and motorhomes for permanent residents. The remaining campsites are available for Snow Birds. The resort is typical of private campgrounds; closely spaced campsites that offer minimal privacy. As much as we dislike private campgrounds, the price is right while we use this as our base camp while we visit my cousins in the area.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Ocala, Florida
Departure Time: 9:10 A.M.

Arrived: Kissimmee, Florida
Arrival Time: 10:40 P.M.

Campground: Mill Creek RV Resort – 2775 Michigan Ave. – Kissimmee, FL 34744
Type: Private
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: N28.32824 Longitude: W081.38883
Camping Fee: $19.00
Campsite: 503
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Showers

Cellular Service: Verizon - 4G, 4 Bars
Internet Service: Free WiFi throughout campground

Total miles traveled today: 79
Route Traveled:
South on  I-75 toward Tampa.
Then 23.67 miles
Keep left to take FL-91 S/Florida's Tpke S via EXIT 328 toward Orlando (Portions toll).
Then 59.54 miles
Take the Osceola Parkway exit, EXIT 249.
Then 0.32 miles
Keep right to take the ramp toward Kissimmee/Disney World.
Then 0.05 miles
Merge onto E Osceola Pkwy.
Then 0.38 miles
Turn left onto Michigan Ave.
Michigan Ave is 0.2 miles past Bill Beck Blvd
VALERO is on the corner
If you reach Old Dixie Hwy you've gone about 0.3 miles too far
Then 0.86 miles
2775 MICHIGAN AVE is on the left.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Ocala, FL - 11/12/15

Thursday – November 12, 2015
Ocala, Florida

We enjoyed a restful night at the Gunter Hill campground near Montgomery, Alabama. The weather here is overcast, cool and damp with the temperature in the fifties. We are looking forward to reaching warmer weather. Our next stop will be an area close to Kissimmee, Florida.

About fifty miles north of Interstate10 we were rewarded with clear, sunny skies. A welcome relief from the dreary, cool weather we left behind in Montgomery, Alabama.

During our travel east on Interstate 10 we decided we would spend the night in one of the Florida rest areas on Interstate 75, south of Interstate 10. Florida rest areas have nighttime security and in our experience offer a safe place to spend the night. Some of the rest areas offer separate parking for RV’s. After consulting our Rest Area Guide, we settled on one near Ocala, Florida. We will spend the night at that rest area.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Montgomery, Alabama
Departure Time: 10:15 A.M.

Arrival: Ocala, Florida
Arrival Time: 8:45 P.M.

Campground: Rest Area, Interstate 75, Mile-Marker 346
Type: Rest Area
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: RV Parking Area
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets

Cellular Service: Verizon - 4G, 3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack

Total miles traveled today: 396
Route Traveled:
South on U.S. Highway 231
East on Interstate 10
South on Interstate 75

 

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Gunter Hill CG - 11/11/15 - Montgomery, AL

Wednesday – November 11, 2015
Gunter Hill COE Campground
Montgomery, Alabama

We enjoyed a restful night at the Fort Massac State Park campground in Metropolis, Illinois.

We are anxious to depart Illinois and get as far south as we can today to avoid the severe weather that is expected to cover Illinois and mid-south region of the U.S. later today.

We enjoyed favorable, sunny weather for the major portion of our travel to Montgomery, Alabama. A few miles north of Montgomery, we encountered overcast skies. Upon our arrival at the Gunter Hill campground, standing water throughout the campground suggested the area had experienced a considerable amount of rain recently.

We will spend one night at the Gunter Hill campground.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Metropolis, Illinois
Departure Time: 8:50 A.M.

Arrival: Montgomery, Alabama
Arrival Time: 5:15 P.M.

Campground: Gunter Hill – 561 Booth Rd. – Montgomery, AL
Type: Army Corp of Engineering
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: N32.36667 Longitude: W086.46667
Camping Fee: $12.00 (with Golden Age Passport)
Campsite: 51
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Showers, Dump Station

Cellular Service: Verizon - 4G, 1 Bar
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack

Total miles traveled today: 432
Route Traveled:
East on Interstate 24
South on Interstate 65
Take the US-31 exit, EXIT 186, toward Prattville/Pine Level.
Then 0.23 miles
Keep right to take the ramp toward Prattville.
Then 0.03 miles
Turn slight right onto Highway 31 N/US-31 S/AL-3. Continue to follow US-31 S/AL-3.
Then 13.89 miles
Turn right onto US-31 S/AL-3/AL-15/West Blvd.
US-31 S is 0.5 miles past Capital Plaza Dr
Then 1.40 miles
Turn right onto Old Selma Rd.
Old Selma Rd is just past Well Rd
If you reach Mace St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
Then 4.78 miles
Turn right onto Booth Rd.
Booth Rd is 0.3 miles past Wedgewood Ave