FLORIDA 2015 – Hillsborough River State Park

 

This week we were camping at Hillsborough River State Park near Thonotosassa, FL.  The park has a pool and café along with tours of Fort Foster, canoe trips, camper coffee “meet and greet” and various interpretive programs by the park Rangers.  One of our favorite features is the bike path that circles the park which we rode daily.   Temperatures here continue to be in the record setting high 80s each day and even drove us to the swimming pool one afternoon.
 

We depart here on Monday and have only one more park visit before heading home.  Next stop is White Springs, FL near the Georgia border at Stephen Foster State Park located on the banks of the Suwannee River.  See you up the road . . . . .

FLORIDA 2015 – Oscar Scherer State Park

Musical Jam Session - Oscar Scherer State Park

This week found Wayne and me at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, FL where we have visited many times before.  It is a favorite due to the many activities the park schedules.  Also they have free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities which are a treat.

Our visit found us riding on the nicely paved Legacy Bike Trail from Osprey down to Venice and back, a round trip of about 7 miles.  I like trails that provide a destination that might have ice cream involved.  Temperatures in southern Florida have been much higher than normal for this time of year.  We’ve had high 80’s for the last week and are expecting the same for next week.  This feels like July or August in Kentucky.  Weather is just weird no matter where you are this winter.

Legacy Bike Trail

The next stop takes us NORTH about 90 miles to Hillsborough River State Park where they also have good biking.  We are definitely headed toward home for the first time.  See you up the road . . . . . .

 

FLORIDA 2015 – LAKE MANATEE STATE PARK

The past week has been spent at Lake Manatee State Park in Bradenton, Florida where we met friends Dennis and Susie Archer from TN and Hoby Melton from IL.  We were also joined by Kathy and Bob Dolby from Wisconsin.  Each day the group enjoyed a different event which included trips to the dog races, horse show and Pioneer Park annual fair.  Nights found us around a campfire with each group trying to outdo the other in ambiance and refreshments.  Good times and good food were enjoyed by all.

Dennis & Susie Archer

Hoby Melton

Next week will find Wayne and I headed to Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, FL where we are looking forward to the 26 mile bike trail.  See you up the road. . . . . .
 

 







KORESHAN HISTORIC SITE STATE PARK - ESTERO, FL

The last week has been spent at Koreshan Historic Site State park in Estero, FL.  This is one of our favorite Florida parks.  There are lots of planned activities as well as the Koreshan Settlement to explore.  The park provides an abundance of paved roads for biking and the Estero River for watching kayakers and manatees.  Estero is just north of Naples and south enough that we didn’t experience any bad weather during the recent cold spell.  Daytime temperatures remained in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s.

We are now headed north about a 100 miles to Lake Manatee State Park near Bradenton, FL where we will meet up with friends Dennis and Susie Archer from Nashville, TN and Hoby Melton from Illinois and spend the week.

 

HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK - SEBRING, FL

The last week has been spent at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, FL where we attended the annual “Scamp Camp” Rally.  Here we connected with past friends from all over this half of the United States.  It was great to spend time with Dennis Archer and Hoby Melton, a couple of our special Scamp friends.  There were around 60 “Scamp” trailers as well as a few SOB’s (Some Other Brand) RV’s like ours. 

Today, on Valentine Day, my sister Ruth visited and we enjoyed a cookout as well as a fun bike ride.  We only get to visit one day a year and it’s always special to spend time with her. 

Tomorrow we head south about a hundred miles to spend a week at Koreshan State Park in Estero, FL.  I can’t believe it’s already the middle of February.  Time flies when you are having fun. . . .

MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK PICTURES

 

 

MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK #2

This is our second week at Myakka River State Park. It is about a 7 mile roundtrip bike ride to the Outpost Visitor Center in the park to get on their Internet system. Therefore, you probably won’t be hearing from me again until next week when we arrive at Highlands Hammock SP near Sebring, FL.

The weather continues to be beautiful with days in the 70’s and nights in the upper 50’s. We ride our bikes most days and visit different areas within the park. The rest of our time is spent reading or with me knitting. I have been trying some new patterns for the baby hats I knit for the hospital nursery.

This week a trip into Sarasota to locate Detwiler’s Farm Market was a real treat.  They had an unbelievable selection of fresh fruits and veggies.  We’ll be eating extra healthy for the next week or so.

Hopefully, this post will include some pictures if the Internet isn’t too overloaded. Until next time. . .