Thursday, February 21, 2013

Up The River Without A Paddle


When we started RVing we did not realize how many wonderful people we would meet. This past week is a testament to that statement. Reaching down to pat a dog on the head is always an icebreaker especially when the dog looks so much like one we use to have. As we stood talking to the owners of "Holly" we learnt they were from Hamilton, a place I worked and lived for 30 years and Susan was born and raised there. As the conversation progressed Murray & Laurel invited us out on their pontoon boat. New experience I'm all in but I'm not sure about Susan. Fast forward two days and I'm stepping on the boat at the marina and behind me all I can hear is OMG. Turning around I see is a smile from ear to ear. Good sign. Susan gets on the boat and away we go. But first dolphins are swimming beside us before we even pull away from the dock. Awesome.


Murray, Susan, Holly, & Laurel


Our escort down the river
A pair of Osprey keeping an "eye" on us
 
Taking pictures of birds and wildlife up close while on the river is wonderful. They don't seem to be afraid, maybe because hundreds of boats pass them every day. As the morning progressed pelicans were sitting on the navigation posts everywhere. Herons were in the mangrove while cormorants were sunning themselves on tiny islands in the river.


 
Travelling along the river you can't help but notice the large and small houses. Most had docks on their property with the capability to lift their boat or yacht out of the water. 

As we made our way down the river the mangroves diminished and the beach appeared with its white sand and crystal clear water.

























Holly had to get off the boat to do her business so this gave me an opportunity to stretch my legs and grab some more pictures.

Holly playing with a dead fish















Susan grilling Laurel about pontoon boats
Everyone was getting hungry so we decided to stop at Little Hickory Grill which is right on the water. Just pull your boat in and eat. Holly was allowed outside on the patio which was nice. She was served a large bowl of ice water before we were. Now thats service.
  

All great things must come to an end but not before we travel back down the river. After docking the boat it was nice to sit and enjoy a glass of wine with two wonderful people who shared their love for the water with us land lovers. What a great day and amazing experience.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Highlands Hammock State Park


We are on the move again this time to Highlands Hammock State Park which is 4 miles west of Sebring FL. We arrived early yesterday and thankfully our site was vacant so we just pulled in. Highlands Hammock is one of the oldest state parks in Florida. Slated to become a national park in 1930 but was considered to be too small, a private group purchased the land to create the park.

Entrance to park with it's bike friendly roads


The view from the back window while I'm drinking my coffee in the morning. Our campsite is across from the bathrooms and of course everyone cuts through the site. Tell me if I'm wrong but were we not taught as kids not to cut through others campsite. Well that doesn't seem to apply anymore. For that reason I didn't take a picture of the campsite #130.
Primitive campsites maybe I should have opted for this site
 Florida's only Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) Museum offers a glimpse into the life of the CCC camps.
 










  
A statue outside the CCC museum dedicated to the memory of the CCC enrollees who were injured, disabled, or lost in the performance of their duties.
Across from the museum is the Hammock Inn Restaurant which was just reopened. The restaurant provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also a small supply of camping needs.

One of the many reasons we came to Highlands Hammock State Park is their trail system.The park has nine nature trails averaging from one-half mile long to three miles long. I was able to walk most of the trails capturing pictures of wildlife and the fauna.The park is also linked to the town of Sebring via a paved multi-use path.
Extensive hiking trail system

The one trail that I continued to walk each day and sometimes twice a day was the Cypress Swamp Trail because of the shear beauty and diversity of fauna.
The trail starts with a nice handicap accessible boardwalk
Continues along a narrow "catwalk"




Cypress knees





 













These distinctive structures called cypress knees form above the roots of a cypress tree. Their function is unknown but it is thought they help in oxygenation of the tree's roots or they assist in anchoring the tree in the soft muddy soil.

Look closely we called this the
octopus


A nice seat in the middle of the
forest




















Another trail, the Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail has an oak tree that measures 36 feet around and is said to be approximately 1000 years old.

In the earlier part of the 20th century arboreal experts claimed to preserve trees from further disease and rot , the use of concrete could extend the life of a rotten tree significantly. Once the decay was removed concrete was packed into the cavity and the exposed surface was troweled smooth.

Note the cement closure lower right
For $5 one of the feature of the park is to take a one hour tram ride through the back country of the park. Not the most comfortable thing I've done but it was exciting. The tram starts at the CCC museum and travels around the park with a ranger narrating the history of the park. She also pointed out some things that I missed while biking the same route numerous times.

Golden Silk Spider about 3-4 inches
Type of swamp plant
 
The highlight of the tram tour was watching a Bobcat walk down the trail in front of us. The ranger allowed me to jump off the tram to get a little closer. 
 
Bobcat

Not sure if I was his next meal or he was just curious
Penisula Cooter enjoying the sun











Small gators sunning themselves










 
 
 

Gopher Tortoise









Black-and-white Warbler










These guys were everywhere