Ocala National Forest

A return visit to a national forest is always good in my books. Even better is one that we have truly enjoyed in the past. One where we can swim in a natural spring, kayak a lake to spot manatees, and walk trails searching for endangered birds. Ocala National Forest, more specifically Salt Springs Recreational Area is the forest/campground we have 
returned to.

Entrance to campground

Our site

Ocala National Forest consists of 383,000 acres of land with over 600 lakes, rivers, and springs. It is also the southernmost forest in the continental United States and protects the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest. Prescribed burns are a common site in this area. This one happened to be close by.

Prescribed burn

Located northeast of Ocala, is the small resort community of Salt Springs. Within the Ocala National Forest are four freshwater springs, Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Salt Springs each with their own unique spring and diverse habitat. The park gets its name from the natural springs that rises from a deep vertical fissure (crack) in the earth. Salt Springs, a second magnitude spring produces 49.5 million gallons of water per day. The salty tasty is a result of the minerals found in the water potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Recent research has shown that the springs had been used by humans more than 5,800 years ago. Archaic occupation ended thousands of years ago, however the attraction of the springs continued. The naturalist William Bartram visited the springs in August 1774 and described it as a place of “spectacular beauty”.

Salt Springs swimming area

Crystal clear water...easy to see fish

The constant with these four springs is the continuous 72 degree temperature. When we were here last time Susan got her first taste of snorkeling. At that time we were swimming with a manatee in the springs, so she was excited about doing it again. However, the weather was not on our side this time around. Sure the water may be 72 but the air temperature got as low as 26 degrees one night. Daytime was mostly in the 50’s so swimming was definitely out of the question. Kayaking was also out since it got pretty windy and the lake was rough. We settled on a few short hikes and also looking for the elusive Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Heard one but never did see one.

When it cools down in the evening, we usually sit outside for a few hours enjoying a campfire. Fellow campers always stop by to start up a conversation about one thing or another.  I have built a tons of campfires in my lifetime some good some not so good, it’s all about the prep work.

Cutting wood

We had bought some wood earlier in the day and I was dying to try out my brand new axe since the last one broke. Sure enough it worked great maybe tooooooo good. A little distraction here, a little miscalculation there and the rest is history.

Oops!

No curse words, no crying, and no lost fingers. As the sun sets I will live to build more campfires.

Gorgeous sunsets