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. 

A Walk along the River Trail at O'Leno State Park!

 Well, it's really TOO hot to walk anywhere in Florida right now but I still have a 'few' photos that I took last month. We are stuck inside right now but at least I'm being productive. I've been decluttering and cleaning. And hubby has made a few home improvements. So it's been a good summer so far!

O'Leno State Park is one of the best parks in Florida, in my opinion. 

There are trails along the Santa Fe River and miles and miles of nature trails in the forest.

I was almost finished with this hike, when I looked down a forest trail and saw these deer.

I saw the 'mama' and baby first.

And then I backtracked and saw 3 deer and a bunny.

(no photos of me chasing the deers and bunnies, thank goodness! hahaha)

So that was really a neat sighting.

This trumpet flower vine was winding it's way up a tree and dropping trumpets on the trail.

And a Red-bellied Woodpecker was pecking away.

The river had duck weed growing in a big swirl.

And the turtles were basking in the sun.

The bridge over the river.

Altogether a really good hike. I'll be SO happy when we can get back in the camper van and go again.

But I'll stay busy in the meantime. 

Is it too hot to hike at your house?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Wild Azaleas and other surprises along the Santa Fe River

 One of my favorite State Parks is O'Leno State Park in High Springs, Florida.

And the best trail there follows the Santa Fe River.

Spring is such a wonderful time to visit the State Parks and I was delighted to see Wild Azalea in full bloom all along the trail. I could even see blooms across the river.

Most of the time your focus is on the river so when I stopped to take photos of the river, a couple from Chicago stopped to chat. I asked them if they had seen the wild azaleas. She said yes, he said no. She said she didn't know what they were. It's nice to be observant and good to have a few IDs to share.

A lot of people think the rivers and swamps are covered in slime or something unhealthy. 

But when you look closely, you see that it is a small plant called Duckweed and it is a healthy plant.

And look what happens when it swirls!

What do YOU see?

And what do you think this turtle sees on the bank of the river?

 

Looks like a monster to me but it's a huge alligator, very prehistoric looking!

This pretty little Tufted Titmouse posed for me.

And it was another beautiful hike at O'Leno State Park.

We drove over in our van camper to a parking area to make this hike.

Are you seeing wildflowers in bloom this Spring?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Nature Friday 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 !

O'Leno State Park and the River Sink trail

 

 You always make interesting discoveries when you get out in nature.

But of course some are more surprising than others.

We camped at O'Leno State Park here in Florida and hiked the River Sink trail. 

 

What amazes you is when the Santa Fe River appears to end at about the 1/2  mile mark.

 

The Santa Fe River begins it's journey at lakes Santa Fe and Alto Northeast of Gainesville. 

 

The river flows West 44 miles.

And then it disappears.

Yes...you read that right.

It disappears for a little over 3 miles before coming back up at River Rise Preserve State Park

 

You can even see some swirling right in the center like a sink draining out.

 

The Santa Fe River is unique with the water flowing underground in an intricate cave system.

 

And according to the State Park website, "The best part?

It is all protected for future generations so that 

they too can appreciate this natural wonder."

 

More info on the website HERE.

Kingfisher

 

What a privilege to travel to this park and witness it ourselves.

If that wasn't enough? We were there during the Christmas holidays and I saw a Christmas Leprechaun.

 

  

He was out on a limb hanging over the Santa Fe River.

  

I couldn't believe my eyes.

  

But he became very real when I met him on the trail.

I gave him my Lavender Dreams card and he emailed me so that I could send him some photos.

And was this a monster under the branch?

  

 

Use your imagination! (It's really just a log or branch underwater.)

And yes, I did see more than one real alligator!   

 

What do you think?

 

Is it more surprising to see a river disappear underground or to see a leprechaun wave at you from the river?

 

 

 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! 

"Happy New Year"

 

 I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE.