Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARRIE!! and Moving on to Highlands

Friday February 5-Sunday February 7, 2016                              Most Recent Posts:
Highlands Hammock State Park Campground                            
Kayaking the Myakka River
Sebring, Florida                                                                       Back to Back Biking – Bird Walk and The Legacy Trail

 

 

The most important thing in this post is to wish our daughter Carrie  

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y !!

I asked her for a recent picture of her.  She had a couple taken on her birthday.  Here is what she sent.  Don’t they look happy and doesn’t she look great!

CCB & MI

CCBA

 


Happy Happy Birthday Carrie! 

Only 100 days until the birth of our first granddaughter Celia Claire!!

Yes this is the same couple whose wedding we were celebrating last May and whose first child will be born this May.
When you are 35 and 36, you don’t waste any time.   LOL!!


I’ll get back to what we did on Sunday Carrie’s February 7th birthday but first

 

FRIDAY

On Friday, our last day at Myakka,  we pile into Nancy and Bill’s truck for a trip to W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam where friends Terri and Mike and Laura and Bruce are work camping for another month.

 

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Laura and Bruce have just gotten a new 42’ Class A and it’s a beauty.  We take the tour and then sit around chatting about anything and everything including how you always know people as either him and her or she and he.   For instance, Mike and Terri.  That’s what everyone but Terri’s family calls them.  It’s Bruce and Laura, not Laura and Bruce, Sherry and David, not David and Sherry.   Bet you could list a number of couples you know who have that same situation. 

After such weighty conversation among full time RVing friends, it’s time for lunch.  Laura has picked out the Olga Mall in downtown Olga for lunch at the Antiques and Deli.  Well I don’t think that’s what it’s actually called but that’s what they sell.


The town is called Olga and this is the mall.  They are located at the corner of Olga and Olga in Olga Florida.  Seriously that’s what they give as their address.  From what I can see, they may be the town of Olga.   Although I’m told 1942 people had an Olga address in 2014.

 

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David is the doorman as we all head inside.

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It’s definitely a combination Deli/Antique shop with fun signs. 

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Everyone ponders the sandwich choices and most end up with the same thing.  Only Terri bucks the gyro trend and orders a turkey wrap.

 

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The tables and chairs are early 20th century oak but only seat 4 so we have to split up into teams unfortunately.  Nancy and Bill sit with Bruce and Laura.

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David and I enjoy lunching with Mike and Terri.

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The proprietress makes a delicious sandwich.  So good in fact, I take no pictures of it since it’s gone before I think about that.  So if you are ever in Olga, stop by and take a look around.  Thanks Laura for a nice lunch spot.  It was great seeing you four again.

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SATURDAY

Today is moving day.  We drive 70 miles of backroads mostly through orange groves I’m pleased to say and arrive at Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring Florida around 1:00.  Of course it starts raining as soon as we arrive.

Our drive is on very nice flat straight back roads.  No shoulder but  lined with orange trees.

 

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Too bad we couldn’t stop and pick some.  I didn’t see one pick your own stand or farm stand along the way unfortunately.

 

 

Yup, more rain!  What a surprise – LOL!

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Because it rains all  night long, the pictures below were taken the next day.

 

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The park opened in 1931.  It was created by local citizens concerned that the hammock was about to be turned into agricultural lands. They promoted it as a candidate for National Park status and although that never happened, it did become one of the four original Florida State parks when they system was founded in 1935.  It was largely constructed by the CCC.  The Florida Civilian Conservation Corps museum is here and it is excellent.  The largest museum dedicated to the CCC in the state.

The park consists of 9000 acres on a slight plateau so thankfully the grounds are not flooded though the water is high.  It contains a true virgin forest with some of the largest trees we have ever seen and certainly the largest in this state.  One is reputed to be over 1000 years old and one has a girth of over 36’. There are elevated boardwalks through some of the most beautiful cypress swamp I’ve ever seen.    From this description, you can see why we love it here.

 

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The park has a number of trails, all of them short but connectable for longer hikes.  There is great biking here as well.

Usually we take a site in the small back circle but I couldn’t get the one I wanted there so I thought I had reserved one of the 5 paved sites but when we arrive I find I am one site off. We are right next to the last paved site. Oh well, au natural is more our style anyway. There are large live oaks and provide wonderful shade in some sections of the primarily pine woods campground.

 

 

IMG_7220The campground has over 100 sites. They have water and electric, a dump site and laundry facilities (cold water wash only).  $1.00 to wash the same to dry.


As you can see, the campground roads are level, wide and smooth. The trees are big and beautiful. One caution, the sites are in some places a bit helter skelter and the hook ups are often at the rear of a long site. Some sites are really level, some not. We have one of the not so much and put Winnona’s back wheels on our horse mats in order to avoid dangling tires.  The park has a few sites that can accomodate up to a 45’ rig which is pretty amazing in a state park in my experience.

We get good Verizon service both phone and data.

 

SUNDAY

It rains steadily all night but the sandy soil soaks it all up and there are no puddles in the campground.  Very nice!

When we look out our window this morning David declares that the kitty out for a walk across the road from us looks exactly like his family’s childhood cat.  Carrie loves kitties so I include this picture of the Beauregard look alike for her and for David’s family if they are reading.

 

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Today is Carrie’s birthday and I call her in the morning to wish her Happy Birthday!  Actually we talk to her twice today both long fun calls.  She has a great day planned and I know she’ll have a wonderful time.  Both the presents and the card we sent arrived on time so that’s great too.

The temperatures don’t get over 50 until around noon.  David is having his crash day and doesn’t feel  like doing anything so I hop on my bike to take a look around the park.

First I go over to what was the Highlands Inn.  It is sadly no longer a a restaurant, nor does it have Wild Orange ice cream or milkshakes.  I am told by the volunteer inside that no vender could make a go of it with only enough customers during the winter months.  Now it is used only on week-ends with a volunteer to attend natural history exhibits.  I’m more disappointed than I thought I would be.

 

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There are numerous exhibits of the local fauna.  Skulls and skins among other things.

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But the most amazing thing today is the Gopher Tortoise shell. Well he probably wasn’t a gopher tortoise since he lived during the age of the Mastedons and was nearly as big as our dinnette table.

 

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The shell was unearthed in Highlands Hammock in the 30’s when the park was being built.  Luckily archelogists were called in after some mastedon bones were also discovered and left in the air they disintigrated.  They carefully excavated and preserved as they went.  It is one of the most complete speciments of its kind in existence.  The species became extinct at the end of the last ice age around 10,000 years ago.

 

After a wonderful conversation with the kindred spirit who enthusiastically shares her natural history knowledge, I go across to the CCC Museum.  The CCC Boy statue stands proundly on the left side.

 

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This really is a wonderful museum and a must see.  This map has a pin for every CCC camp in the country.  Such an amazing program.  So beloved by the boys who served and the families who benefitted.

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From there I bike down the park road toward my destination which is at the far end of the park.

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On the way I stop to admire this horse drawn grader.   It’s placed across the road from what was the homestead of the pioneer who may well have used one.

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In 1831, Jonathan Skipper and his wife Leticia settled in the forest then known as Hooker’s Hammock.  They cleared the land, no small task, and planted orange trees and built livestock holding pens.  They raised their 10 children here and they in turn theirs.   This is the Skipper family in 1903.

 

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Behind my bike is the original piece of land that held their homestead. 

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From there I bike on down the park road further through the hammock.  My destination is at the farthest point on the park drive so I will bike the entire loop going to and from.   It’s only 3 miles but it’s a wonderful ride.

 

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I’m bound for the Cypress Swamp Trail.  I reallly do love all of Highland Hammock’s Trails.  They are beautiful.  But this is my favorite and it is the first one I want to see this visit.
Last time we were here I had a fantastic encounter with a barred owl.  He was my Morning Blessing.

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I’m playing around with my camera and black and white, black and white with a single color and full color. 

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The trail starts off with a wide boardwalk that snakes and bends through the swamp.

 

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The still black waters make for dizzying reflections.

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There is a nice bench and standing area just before the boardwalk turns into a narrow one rail walkway over the water.

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The high temperature is only going up to 60 today and a predicted 38 tonight, so I imagine the gators are prefering a sunnier spot for hanging out than the Cypress Swamp.  I don’t see any waders either other than these two Ibis.  I’m surprised to see these two given how high the water is.

 

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Still the swamp is magical.  Without the boardwalk I would never be able to see into the interior of this swamp.  In most places, the cypress knees are far too numerous to kayak in.

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At the head  of the single boardwalk I come to a large wide area with a long bench for sitting and contemplating what I see.

 

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After that rest area, the rest of the trail is on the single rail boardwalk back to the parking lot.  Ferns and Cypress line the way.

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I suspect there others who are not so happy with how the palms are growing out over the walkway but I really love the feel of being closed in by the swamp.  You can see the boardwalk ends in a short sandy trail which leads back to the parking area.

 

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When I reach my bike, the Tram Tour is going by.  For those who aren’t able to go on a ranger led hike and want to find out about the history and trails in the park, the Tram is a great way to do it.  The Tram also goes places it is more difficult for bikes to and would be long hikes for many. 

 

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Time for me to get pedaling.  I’m making soup for dinner.
Seems like the right thing as the temperatures drop to 38 degrees.

19 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to your daughter!

    The kitty looks adorable, but I'm biased where cats are concerned!

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  2. Happy Birthday Carrie! I have been by that mall but never thought to go in:)

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  3. Thank you for the birthday wishes!! Matthew would have you know he's still only 34-lol. But, true...why wait for me at this point? ;) It was an estimated 100 days til Celia...can't really know for sure-still very excitng!!! Beautiful cat! That gopher turtle is quite impressive! I like the black and photo on your walk.

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  4. I know you have had a ton of rain, but it sure was nice to see all those sunny photos. Almost a grandma! So much fun.

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  5. Happy Birthday Carrie and congrats! Can't wait for that baby. So is it a girl?
    Lynne

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  6. Carrie is looking wonderful! We're heading to NC for the last 2 weeks in April, are you going to be heading back to Virginia by then or elsewhere that month? Figured I'd see if I can route a meet-up on my way back home if possible! Might be just me, Wayne and I are traveling separately on the way down and back. Let me know if you have any idea of your whereabouts in April.

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  7. Happy Birthday Carrie!! Looking radiant.

    I think I remember this boardwalk walk trail with a meditative bench. Hope it stops raining so you can get out and hike some more.

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  8. How nice for you to be able to meet up with all the clan!!

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  9. Carrie looks wonderful:)

    Love your swamp hike! Your mix of photos is great. I especially like the one color. The cypress trees and swamp water were a super place to experience. Very nice reflections:) I sure hope you see a change in your weather very soon. Enough rain and cool temps! I wish I could send you a little of our heat:)

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  10. I laughed when I saw the announcement of this blog in the feed. Carrie's pic was a head and shoulders shot. I cried foul....I wanted to see the baby bump.... So I was pleased to see the whole pic!! You look terrific!! Wishing you wonderful thoughts and blessings for this next portion of your life!!

    Loved the swamp and all the wonderful pics, especially the stark lines and reflections in the swamp water. I could sit and drink in those views for a very long time. I also love that there are options in the tram to view the splendor for those who are not able to either hike or bike the distance.

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  11. I know you can't wait for that grandbaby, we've been through that wait 8 times and each grandkid is a blessing! :c)

    One of the fun things about RV living is meeting up with friends again and again. Nice that you got out with the "gang" for some fun and food.

    We are so fortunate to be able to enjoy the work of those boys from the CCC, what would our parks look like if they hadn't been around?

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  12. I like the black and white photos with the green. We've played around with those settings, too, and they can make for some interesting shots.
    But the cat on the leash is my favorite!

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  13. Love the teeny, tiny mall :-) - your party filled it up. The beautiful swamp photos almost distracted me enough to forget there was no Wild Orange ice cream - no!!! Love your granddaughter's name, and know you and David are so looking forward to her arrival :-) The soon-to-be parents look very happy. Looking forward to more sunny pics from the hammocks.

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  14. Happy Birthday AGAIN Carrie! You are looking great IMHO - unbiased of course!! Highlands Hammock is indeed a wonder filled park and another example of how good the Florida State Parks are. – David of David & Sherry :-)

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  15. Loving the beautiful photos of Florida.....palm trees and mangroves make me smile. Seems like you have had more than your share of rain this year in Florida. The upside to that is lush greenery! Carrie looks great... tolerating her pregnancy well.. and counting the days.. as I am sure both you and David are doing too. As AI write this, we are waiting on a mini snowstorm... less than 5 inches. Roger is ready with his snowblower. We will spend the month of March in sunny Arizona... and return home just in time for some exciting springtime. Enjoyed the Beauregard look-alike kitty. I remember the Boyd family kitty well.

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  16. Highlands Hammock is so beautiful -- we would love the boardwalk, the biking, and the museum. I'm trying to imagine a tortoise the size of our dining table -- wow. Carrie looks radiant -- exciting times ahead for all of you! :-)

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  17. Like you I enjoyed the Cypress Swamp trail. and thank you for the memories. Those reflections are really mesmerizing and sometimes look unreal.
    Carrie looks so blooming and radiant. Im sure the grandma is very excited !

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  18. Feels like I just read about the wedding and here it is just 100 days to the birth of your first grandchild. Times a flyin' for sure ... as are the days you're covering in these posts. I have not even started photos from our trip, but at least I am staying on top of the journal so the words will be mostly ready when I finally get around to bogging about our time in the Texas southwest.

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  19. Happy Belated Birthday to Carrie! She looks great, and we're excited for all of you as you await Celia's arrival. As always, we really enjoyed our visit with the two of you and Bill and Nancy! The Olga Mall is such a neat place -- a local favorite for sure -- and I get a kick out of its name.

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