We previously did a day trip to visit Dry Tortuga National Park and learned that you can spend a night or more on the island. Leann said she would like to go back and camp so that was our destination for this trip. We planned to take our time heading South and back North.
This was the route we took South and the state parks parks where we camped. We stopped at any place that looked interesting along the way.First stop: giant metal bucket.This surface mined land was converted to the Wilds one of the largest conservation centers in North America. Our nephew was a tour guide at the facility.
Big Bottom State Memorial Park: is the site of a raid by about 25 Delaware and Wyandot warriors on Ohio Company settlements on January 2, 1791. The American Indians were attempting to halt the encroachment of European-Americans onto their tribal lands. The raid outraged the United States government and led to four years of bitter warfare. War ended with the defeat of the American Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the signing of the Treaty of Greenville.
Strouds Run State Park
We camped here our first night and it was a nice campground for a one night stop.
Roan Mountain State Park
Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee. Our first Tennessee state park was wall to wall campers and I wanted to throw up when we entered this one.Fortunately vans are allowed in tent only sites and ours was very niceI love hiking by boulder filled streams lined with rhododendrons.Roan HighlandsSammy celebrating at the overlook
Desoto Falls State Park, Alabama
This park had a lot of waterfallsDesoto Falls
We did a day trip to Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Rainbow in a water fall.flower from the Tulip PoplarLeann wanted to take an old couple selfieMushroom Rock
Blackwater River State Park, Florida
I liked this place: hiking, biking, kayaking and great camp sites. Only downside: there was a military training center for helicopter pilots nearby. They were loud.There was a kayak rental nearby and I would like to go back and paddle the river.Lots of trails from the campground but there was not much variety.Not sure what this Mockingbird is mad about, maybe he does not like having his picture taken.This bridge is not in the best of shape.Pitcher plants start with a specialized leaf (left) or petiole that expands to form an inner chamber. When fully formed, the lid of the pitcher pops off, releasing the scent of nectar to attract prey. They typically grow in poor soil and can live up to 50 years. This was a long drive from camp and not worth the effort. We did see a Prothonotary warbler and got to do another ferry ride.Mobile Bay Ferry took us across the bottom of Mobile Bay and saved us a lot of drive time and traffic.
Falling Waters State Park, Florida
This is the highest waterfall in Florida, Leann does not look impressed. It was more impressive when we got closer.
Scarlet Tanager
Torreya State Park, Florida
We always discuss if we would return to a place on another trip. The answer is hell no on Torreya: terrible trails and ticks.Leann and Anita are still having a good time.Torreya tree is one of the world’s rarest and oldest known tree species. There are only 200 trees surviving today. I have to be honest, they were not much to look at.This was a gem, we went here 3 straight days and will go back.Are we in Ocracoke?We saw about 8 spots where turtle nests were raided by some animal. There was a small hole by each nest so it might have been snakes.Pinky is a celebrity. Pinky was blown into Saint Marks on the winds of Hurricane Michael and never left. Flamingo’s are native to Central and South America. This is a terrible picture from my phone but I grabbed an image from the internet to do PInky justice..Sammy liked PinkyOsprey, Sammy’s long lost cousin?We saw a lot of alligators.
Wakulla Springs
This is one of the the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs.Common GallinuleOur first Manatees: mom and baby.Anhinga drying it’s wings after a fishing trip.
Holder Mine, Florida
Can I come out to play? Ed and Anita have 2 goldens: Cody and Sierra.Sammy’s first cave.The Florida Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States. It currently runs 1,300 miles, from Big Cypress National Preserve to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore. 1,300 mile hike in Florida? no thanks.Leann has a magic wand to knock down spider webs.Gopher Tortoise
Collier Seminole State Park, Florida
We will not be back, everThe refuge is part of the largest tracts of mangrove forest in North America. Great Blue HeronLittle Green Heron
Boyd’s Key West Campground (Stock Key, Florida)
Full disclosure: I was having nightmares about this campground. Campground in the keys? I imagined a parking lot with wall to wall campers. I was pleasantly surprised, we even had an ocean front site.
The wild life was very colorful but loud.We raised a bunch of foodies. Jenny & Mike plan their trips around restaurants. They visited Hogfish Grill and recommended we go. it was walking distance from the campground so we decided follow their recommendation. Of course I got the hogfish sandwich and apparently hated it.We should do this to Blaze.
Next stop: camping Dry Tortuga National Park…..
Maybe not…..
All revved up and no place to go: 60 mph winds and 9 foot seas led to the ferry service cancelling our trip.
We got up very early to get on the ferry then stood around while they decided what to do.
To answer your first question: the campground was booked solid for the next 12 months. What is Plan B? Stay tuned for part 2 of the journey.
