Friends and Family on a Southern swing, Pt 3

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We left Jacksonville and headed for Daytona Beach to see our friend Carol (Howk) Lockwood. Carol was the HR Director when we were in Japan in 2000 and we had worked a number of projects together. She returned in 2001 to the Navy Annex and after surviving 9-11, decided to retire and move to her condo in FL. We had visited her there later that year and several other times. She met a wonderful man, Chuck Lockwood, retired Air Force, and they married. We saw that they were very happy. Carol and Chuck had come to VA a few years ago and we met them at the Air and Space Museum in Dulles. Unfortunately, Chuck passed away a month earlier and we did not get down in time to say good-by or be with Carol. So we wanted to spend some time and share old memories.

We had hoped to spend one night at a state park right on the ocean, but the reservations got screwed up so we headed inland and stayed in Ormand Beach for a night before heading to Port Orange for 2 nights at a lovely campsite. When we got to the Daytona Beach Carefree RV park, we had a great site under a tree with shade and a cement patio. We got set up and called Carol. She gave us directions and we drove over. Carol and Chuck have a lovely home in a relatively new development with trees and nice lawns. We hugged and got a tour of the house, then sat and reminisced for several hours. Finally we decided to head out for dinner and we went to a great spot on the water right under one of the causeway bridges. This was a great choice and their clam chowder was excellent. (A young woman in front of us recommended it, saying it was the best she had tasted. She was currently living in Boston, so I took that as a good sign.) We had fried oysters, flounder and hush puppies. Everything was tasty and the scenery, with boats up and down the inland waterway, sun setting, pelicans swooping in to nest for the evening and gulls soaring was delightful.

Next morning, in the campground, we went swimming in the heated pool and relaxed. Nothing better than an early morning swim in a warm pool on a warm, soft, breezy Florida morning. Carol came to pick us up for lunch and gave us a tour of “old” Daytona, which Trish remembered from having visited with her parents and then when she worked there at the local hospital almost 40 years ago. Trish and I had stayed at a motel Trish and her family had stayed in when we visited Daytona in 2003, so it was nice to drive around and see some old spots had been maintained and were still going concerns. We drove up A1a to Flagler Beach and had lunch on the top deck of a seafood spot and again had great dishes. Trish and Carol both had Grouper sandwiches that were yummy. We sat under wind swept umbrellas and watched the waves crash on the beach and really relaxed and enjoyed the food, the scenery, and the company. After a brief rest in the afternoon-- Carol having things to do and Trish wanting to get some laundry done-- we went over to her place one last time for more great conversation and some Key Lime Pie. We left, giving Carol a hug, and promising to come back in the near future. Living less than a day away and having the kids so close in Jacksonville made that a promise we can easily and eagerly keep.

The next day we headed for Ocala National Forest. We have wanted to camp there for some time and this time, we would be camping at Alexander Springs. Ocala (and much of central Florida) has numerous springs bubbling up from deep underground and forming rivers. This spring put out about 60,000 gallons a day at a constant 72 degrees. We hoped to camp in a primitive campsite (no electric or water) and swim in a natural spring. We got to the forest and pulled in and had a chance to use our “older than dirt” card. This is the Senior card for National parks, forests and other sites that allows (for a one time $10 fee) free admission and half price on campsites. There are 4 loops of campsites at Alexander Springs and we had multiple choices; actually, out of about 64 sites, there were only 3 or 4 campers in. We took a site right next to the trail to the spring and backed in. It was narrow and tight; good thing we didn’t have slide outs! But it was camping in as close to what Florida was like long ago as we could get. After quickly setting up, we headed for the springs.

I took our snorkel gear “just in case”. There were 2 or 3 others in the water and so we put on our surf shoes and waded in. Actually, there were concrete steps down to the river with a hand rail—quite civilized. Yep, 72 degrees is a bit chilly. But once in we got used to it. The river was mostly sand bottom and rarely got over knee deep. After wading a bit, I went back for mask, snorkel and fins and got back in. Water felt much warmer now. We donned the equipment and slowly swam towards the spring entrance itself. As we came up to it, the water deepened and suddenly I felt like I was at Weeki Wachi. There was a deep hole, with rocks below, water pouring out from below causing plants to wave and a bit of a current. I took a breath and dove done about 12-15 feet and felt the force of the on rushing spring, saw the beautiful sparkling sand, the bright green plants, some purple plants in another corner, small fish playing in the current and it all felt surreal. I surfaced and Trish was paddling above, watching. Spring swimming was awesome!! We paddled around some more and headed for the steps. Suddenly, ahead of us, was a very large turtle, totally unconcerned about our presence.

We walked back to the campsite, marveling at the spring and the beauty around us. That evening, as the sun went down, it got dark. Simple statement, but I mean...DARK. Here were palm trees, jungle ferns, and we were in Ocala Forest. It was, honestly, a bit spooky. A sliver of moon came out and that was all the light we saw. National forests don't have yard lights every hundred feet. This was real camping. Next day we went for a hike on the nature trail and then went in the spring one more time. It was amazing and quiet; we were the only ones in the spring. We got back to the RV and called the cats so they would be in when we started to pack. Domino, the male, came and was good. Slinky, the female, figured out we were moving and protested by hiding under the coach, up on some struts. Finally, I had Trish start the RV, put it in gear, and I laid on the ground (well) in front and watched. As soon as the cat jumped down, I blew a whistle, Trish stopped, and I went to get the cat. Good plan; poor execution. As soon as the cat saw me she took off into the forest.

That was at 10 AM. We were supposed to be in Inverness that afternoon. We called, we pleaded, we actually drove the RV away while I waited at the site for 40 minutes. No cat. Finally Trish came back, we set up camp again, and I went and paid for another night. In frustration we went out for dinner that night (really good food on a river watching fish jump) and when we came back, it poured rain. Still no cat. We were just getting ready for bed when she finally showed up, not even looking contrite. She did not get dinner. (Besides, if she had, she would have thrown up the next day when we started moving.)

We left Ocala (finally) and drove through Ocala horse country. What beautiful rolling turf! This is great horse country and we saw large and small farms with horses in all the fields. We were going to Inverness to see our nephew and wife, Steve and Denise. They had visited us at our new home in Alabama in June and we had hoped to spend some time camping with them in Florida. Steve is a bicyclist and was in a race that coming weekend so couldn't join us. Besides, his RV was in the shop for work. But he drove to the campground and led us to their house in a beautiful development right next to a bike trail in Inverness. He and Denise love to ride and this is the perfect spot for them. We sat and talked for a long time and Denise had fixed a yummy dinner. It is always delightful to get together with them and share our joy in animals and camping. Hopefully we'll see them again around Thanksgiving.

Back at the campground the next morning we walked the new section of the campground and marveled at the beauty of the design. It had lots of trees, lights (CFLs) that were shielded so minimal light went up in the sky, community fire pits for cooler evening socials, and lots of doggie "poop bag" stations. This campground is really nice and coming back to relax and spend more time with Steve and Denise is another goal. Next time we might have to bring our bikes and pedal some of the great bike trails in the area.

We left Inverness for the last leg of our adventure, almost a week in Mexico Beach.

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Photos

Elinor Village, Daytona
This is a small community Trish stayed in as a child with her parents and later where she rented a "cottage" when she first moved to Daytona to work. It has remained a nice looking community near A1a and the beach.

RV hidden in jungle foliage
The National Forest campground is rustic. No electric; no water. It favors the tent camper with a firepit, raise (sand) platform for tents, table and pole to hang a lantern.

Slinky "hiding" behind palm
This was not Slinky running, just taking her 1st look around. I should have known it would be an omen of things to come.

Alexander Spring
You can barely see one person far out snorkeling. Nope, not me. But the river is very shallow and great for kids. Now we want to visit other springs.

Trish in middle of spring
She is well out in the river and it is still shallow. And look how clear the water is.

Nature boardwalk in Ocala
This boardwalk through the forest in Ocala had a number of discovery signs posted to inform and educate. The variety of trees and shrubs was amazing.

River just below spring
At the end of the boardwalk you come back to the river. We want to come back and canoe this and enjoy nature close up.

Steve, Trish, and Denise
Relaxing in the living room after dinner.

Comments

[Angela Herring]

Hey John you guys are certainly making the rounds. I\'m enjoying reading about your travels. Have you ever considered a career as a travel writer? You are a natural (o: Take care,