O'Leno State Park, the River Trail along the Santa Fe River

 The River Trail along the river is an easy hike and the most popular hiking trail in the park. Read more HERE. 

I'm still working on photos from our camping trips from the early summer.

It's too hot to spend time outside so I'm blogging, reading AND decluttering and cleaning house.

So far I'm feeling good about my progress. These are photos from a hike on the river trail.

This gator is a young one and not very big.

Doesn't he look prehistoric with all of his bumps and ridges?

He was far down in the water...I zoomed!

And this is not even an alligator.

I always call these monsters when I see them in the river or the forest.

The bridge is like brand new now with all the repairs.

I even walked on it for a short distance....

and took this photo down the Santa Fe river.

Some pretty flowers along the trail,

and a Pileated Woodpecker high in the tree.

And at the trailhead where you park they've put in new playground equipment.

It would be a good spot for a picnic or relaxing with a good book.

And I've just finished my favorite book of the year so far!

My Friends by Fredric Backman.

I love all of the books he's written but this one stands out as my all time favorite!

Have you read any good books this summer?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Manatee Springs State Park, the real and the imagined!

 

We spent a few days at Manatee Springs State Park again this month.

That big clump of greenery in the center is poison oak!

I always see some amazing sights along the boardwalk.

And the Suwannee River is always picturesque!

I had a chance to talk to a fisherman on this particular hike and I learned something valuable!

I asked him what the fish were that we were seeing in the water....over a hundred of them!

And he told me they were Mullet. OK, I am familiar with Mullet. They love to jump high out of the water and are fun to watch. But he told me that after a boat goes through the water, stay put and watch the water. Other fish and sea life will come up to the surface. And lo and behold, it is true! And I've seen some amazing sights by taking the time to stop and watch! I even watched a Manatee come up to the surface at the Ochlockonee River a few days later.

 

Reflection of the Suwannee River

I have a good imagination so I wanted to share some photos of things I saw on this one hike, that are not what they seem....

or are they?

Do you see a Mermaid, or the leaf at the top of the photo?

A bird in the tree?

A shark in the water?

A cute sea monster?

A turtle underwater? (it really is a turtle! lol)

Logs and trees can really fool you!

Do you have a good imagination too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

'Forest to River' at O'Leno State Forest (a funny story)!

 Grab your walking stick and let's take a hike!

Even in December we enjoy colorful leaves in the forest here in the South.

This story begins deep in the forest.

 

I hiked to the youth camp first.

This is NOT where we camped! Don't worry we did NOT have outdoor showers! HA!

 

But I took a few pics of the beautiful forest and then made a turn.

I looked at my watch and I had been hiking for 45 minutes so I knew it was time to turn around.

And here's where the funny story begins. I came to a 'T' in the trail and when I looked to the left, I saw someone walking my way. A forest ranger on foot, deep in the forest.

We talked about all the wildlife in this forest. I was seeing lots of deer tracks and small animal tracks. He asked me where I had started my hike. So I said, I left the campground and walked to the Youth Camping area and then turned right down another trail and I was planning to turn around. He said you are not far from the river now and another group camping area. So I said, Oh great! I'll keep going. Well...for someone in their 30s, it wasn't very far. But for someone "my age" it turned out to be a 'fur piece'. Haha! 

 

I did get down to the river and I did make it back to camp but it ended up being about a 2 hour hike (which is about my limit these days). 

So that's the funny story.

An old raggedy hornet's nest.

A white feather.

 I saw some beautiful sights along the way!

Some gorgeous trees,

a monster or two!

And the Santa Fe River.

Happy Hiking!

We are praying for everyone suffering in the horrific fires in California and for those freezing in this winter storm. We still keep those affected by the hurricanes in our prayers, too. Take care and be kind. Everyone faces challenges in this life and everyone needs a kind word and a prayer.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Blue Springs State Park, Alabama

 

We've been camping a lot! And while we were traveling to 'discover the real Florida' we crossed over the state line into Alabama to 'discover' one of their state parks!

When we pulled into the campground and found our space, I thought it seemed like the campsites were close together. But when we got up the next morning and took a walk, we found out there was only one other camper in this big beautiful campground and it was on another loop.

It was a wonderful experience and I wanted to start with this 'campground series' with some pretty Fall photos. 

Who takes a photo of the trash dumpsters?

And it was even beautiful across to the bathhouse.

Of course I found a hiking trail in the forest on the first day.

Grab your pack and camera and let's go!

The temps were perfect, cool at night and in the 70s during the day. The only down side was the newly hatched mosquitoes. I talked with the camp host and he said they didn't have mosquitoes all summer. They had just shown up! I hope we didn't bring them from Florida! Haha!

I saw evidence (as in 'scat') of bears and a bobcat. And I saw lots of small birds like chickadees and this Pileated Woodpecker.

I can't hike without seeing monsters.

Up close, you can see that it's just an old burned out tree but don't hike after dark! 

We were so happy to see some Fall foliage.

I've created some mosaics to share even MORE photos!

Hiking down by the Choctawhatchee River.

It was one of the most beautiful State Parks I've ever seen!

I'll include a link HERE to check out the website. 

Keep Alabama on the camping list!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !