I had purchased a Florida State Park pass in November 2021 so it expires soon. I have visited many parks this past year focusing on those with springs...there are over 700 springs in Florida (largest collection on earth) and about 30 are located in state parks (total number FL state parks is 175)! From deep within the underground aquifer, eight billion gallons of water flow from Florida's springs each day at a constant 72 degrees.
27 November 2022 Sunday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at Eagle Lake Park
26 November 2022 Saturday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at the Botanical Gardens
25 November 2022 Friday - Largo Florida
Walkabout of historic Davis Islands known for their water views of downtown Tampa, as well as lavish pastel-colored Mediterranean-style buildings dating from the 1920's. We walked by the largest waterfront home, built on three lots in 2011 by Yankees legend Derek Jeter and rented to Tom Brady...it is now scheduled for demolition by the new owners. The islands were developed by David Paul Davis starting in 1924, then in 1926 he disappeared while onboard the luxury liner Majestic sailing to Europe and was presumed dead, having gone overboard.
24 November 2022 Thursday - Largo Florida
Happy Thanksgiving!
20 November 2022 Sunday - Alachua to Largo Florida
Tis funny that my odometer reads 6488 when I turned onto route 488 then reads 6495 when I turned onto route 495...a very rainy drive for the return.
19 November 2022 Saturday - Alachua Florida
Walking the High Springs flea market and the Women's Club craft market where the hotel receptionist's sister is selling Christmas ornaments that she makes. A cold overcast day with rain and temps in 60's, overnight in the 40's.
18 November 2022 Friday - Alachua Florida (47 miles)
Clear and cold! Drove the Old Bellamy Road to the interpretive trail at River Rise Preserve State Park. This was the first major federal highway in early territorial Florida. Then to Rum Island Spring and Park. Then to San Felasco Preserve State Park where the trails are mostly for horses and bikes. Then delicious afternoon Mexican lunch.
17 November 2022 Thursday - Alachua Florida
A break from driving and just walked the local area and attended afternoon genealogy webinar.
16 November 2022 Wednesday - Alachua Florida (133 miles)
Overcast and a bit warmer for visit to state parks on the Suwanee river. First, Troy Spring State Park where the wreck of the steamship Madison is submerged in its underwater grave (since Civil War). Great chat with local Steve and park ranger Deborah. Then to Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park where many divers were preparing for their dive through the limestone cave system. Then to Lafayette Blue Springs State Park south entrance where I had great chat with couple from Gainesville who are staying in one of the five cabins on stilts. I was told by folks at Troy that there were great hiking trails at north entrance to park but all I found was a very rough dirt road that ended at the river.
15 November 2022 Tuesday - Alachua Florida (58 miles)
Foggy morning drive to Ichetucknee Springs State Park north entrance. Wonderful hiking to the Blue Pool then along the Ichetucknee River on the Trestle Point and Pine Ridge trails where I saw heaps of deer. Then drove to the south entrance for short walk on the nature trail before the rain started midday. This park is known for its warm weather tubing but not many folks this time of year. Had great chat with a couple who were launching their kayaks and had arrived in their 1993 VW van!
14 November 2022 Monday - Alachua Florida (43 miles)
Much colder overnight in 40s and barely reached 70 today! Hiked along the Santa Fe River (tributary of Suwanee River) at O'Leno State Park, one of Florida's first state parks developed by the CCC in the 1930s and many of these old buildings are still standing today. The river disappears into a sink then rises three miles downstream at the River Rise Preserve State Park. Great chat with the local park ranger Mary.
27 November 2022 Sunday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at Eagle Lake Park
26 November 2022 Saturday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at the Botanical Gardens
25 November 2022 Friday - Largo Florida
Walkabout of historic Davis Islands known for their water views of downtown Tampa, as well as lavish pastel-colored Mediterranean-style buildings dating from the 1920's. We walked by the largest waterfront home, built on three lots in 2011 by Yankees legend Derek Jeter and rented to Tom Brady...it is now scheduled for demolition by the new owners. The islands were developed by David Paul Davis starting in 1924, then in 1926 he disappeared while onboard the luxury liner Majestic sailing to Europe and was presumed dead, having gone overboard.
24 November 2022 Thursday - Largo Florida
Happy Thanksgiving!
20 November 2022 Sunday - Alachua to Largo Florida
Tis funny that my odometer reads 6488 when I turned onto route 488 then reads 6495 when I turned onto route 495...a very rainy drive for the return.
19 November 2022 Saturday - Alachua Florida
Walking the High Springs flea market and the Women's Club craft market where the hotel receptionist's sister is selling Christmas ornaments that she makes. A cold overcast day with rain and temps in 60's, overnight in the 40's.
18 November 2022 Friday - Alachua Florida (47 miles)
Clear and cold! Drove the Old Bellamy Road to the interpretive trail at River Rise Preserve State Park. This was the first major federal highway in early territorial Florida. Then to Rum Island Spring and Park. Then to San Felasco Preserve State Park where the trails are mostly for horses and bikes. Then delicious afternoon Mexican lunch.
17 November 2022 Thursday - Alachua Florida
A break from driving and just walked the local area and attended afternoon genealogy webinar.
16 November 2022 Wednesday - Alachua Florida (133 miles)
Overcast and a bit warmer for visit to state parks on the Suwanee river. First, Troy Spring State Park where the wreck of the steamship Madison is submerged in its underwater grave (since Civil War). Great chat with local Steve and park ranger Deborah. Then to Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park where many divers were preparing for their dive through the limestone cave system. Then to Lafayette Blue Springs State Park south entrance where I had great chat with couple from Gainesville who are staying in one of the five cabins on stilts. I was told by folks at Troy that there were great hiking trails at north entrance to park but all I found was a very rough dirt road that ended at the river.
15 November 2022 Tuesday - Alachua Florida (58 miles)
Foggy morning drive to Ichetucknee Springs State Park north entrance. Wonderful hiking to the Blue Pool then along the Ichetucknee River on the Trestle Point and Pine Ridge trails where I saw heaps of deer. Then drove to the south entrance for short walk on the nature trail before the rain started midday. This park is known for its warm weather tubing but not many folks this time of year. Had great chat with a couple who were launching their kayaks and had arrived in their 1993 VW van!
14 November 2022 Monday - Alachua Florida (43 miles)
Much colder overnight in 40s and barely reached 70 today! Hiked along the Santa Fe River (tributary of Suwanee River) at O'Leno State Park, one of Florida's first state parks developed by the CCC in the 1930s and many of these old buildings are still standing today. The river disappears into a sink then rises three miles downstream at the River Rise Preserve State Park. Great chat with the local park ranger Mary.
Then more hiking at Gilgrist Blue Springs State Park, one of the newer state parks. It had been a private park owned by Ruth B Kirby until acquired by the state in 2017. Her interesting story is on the park website. Another great chat with a volunteer at the park Diane who had recently travelled in Alaska with her husband and their camper.
Then a walkabout of downtown High Springs where most of the shops are closed on Monday...so had delicious afternoon salmon lunch at the Pink Flamingo Diner.
Then a walkabout of downtown High Springs where most of the shops are closed on Monday...so had delicious afternoon salmon lunch at the Pink Flamingo Diner.
13 November 2022 Sunday - Largo to Alachua Florida (153 miles)
12 November 2022 Saturday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at Botanical Gardens, back to sunshine today.
11 November 2022 Friday - Largo Florida
Remembrance Day! Morning walk at Taylor Park then visit with mum at ALF. Noon meeting with homeowner association presentation by potential new management company.
10 November 2022 Thursday - Largo Florida
No walk today, heavy rain and wind due to Nicole!
9 November 2022 Wednesday - Largo Florida
Morning nordic walk of neighborhood then visit to the dentist. Storm Nicole is on its way!
8 November 2022 Tuesday - Largo Florida
Early morning viewing of full moon and lunar eclipse (blood moon)!!! The clouds moved in just as it reached is maximum eclipse so decided to drive to the beach for morning walkabout...very few people due to a few sprinkles. It was a very low tide (negative) and beautiful rainbow on the sea, then coffee at Gypsy Soul.
7 November 2022 Monday - Largo Florida
Morning walkabout at botanical gardens then plumber arrived to fix leaking shower faucet.
6 November 2022 Sunday - Largo Florida
Back to no daylight saving time, had to ring mum this morning to ensure that she was on schedule, much prefer the morning daylight! Morning walkabout with Sara at Lake Seminole.
4 November 2022 Friday - Largo Florida
Morning nordic walk of neighborhood with my Leki poles then visit with mum at alf then walk at Bonner Park then home to finish washing outside of windows. I visited a garage sale and chatted with some folks who told me about a great Mexican restaurant then talked about Jim Morrison living with his grandparents in Clearwater attending school at St Pete College...I visited his burial place in Paris.
3 November 2022 Thursday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at Botanical Gardens where they now have all the Christmas lights hung and lighted for early morning darkness! Visited myeyedr shop to have lenses from broken frames fitted into new ones. After only two months, my new flexon bridge frames broke at the bridge but this eye glass chain does not honor manufacturers warranty so had to ring Marchon and request new frames which they sent overnight mail.
2 November 2022 Wednesday - Largo Florida
Drove north for walkabout at Tarpon Springs and explore historic sponge docks, then walk at Wall Springs County Park.
1 November 2022 Tuesday - Largo Florida
Drove north for walkabout at Tarpon Springs and explore historic sponge docks, then walk at Wall Springs County Park.
1 November 2022 Tuesday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at the Botanical Gardens where I saw a coyote, cannot wait for change back to normal time to have light in the morning, needed my torch today! Post-op visit with periodontist to have stitches removed, all is healing well! Bummer that my favorite Sirius station of 40's big band music is now holiday Christmas music for next two months! And Sirius dropped CBC Radio 3 as of October 1st, so glad that I renewed at a much less expensive rate for just basic music.
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