Hiking AND Camping! Ross Prairie State Forest

 I went back and looked at my hiking journal from 2013 and found our first dedicated 'hike' in Florida.

It was the Holly Hammock loop at Ross Prairie State Forest.

We had walked some trails and even hiked together in the mountains of NC but I started a hiking journal in November, 2013 to keep track of where we hiked and our sightings here in Florida. 

"Old photo"

We've sure had a lot of fun over the years and average around 150 hikes a year now. 

So how perfect was it to enjoy our first camping adventure at Ross Prairie Campground!

Our little Grand Design Imagine AIM.

We spent a week in the forest and I managed 8 hikes in 5 days! (then I came home and hiked one more, I felt so great and then I had to take a fews days off! hahahaha!)

The trails were all in great shape and the prairie was beautiful as always!

Some of our sightings included this beautiful Hermit Thrush.

Hermit Thrush

We've seen these birds every time we've hiked there so it must be the perfect habitat for these sweet birds.

Some of our sightings included deer, wild turkeys, black racer snake, lizards and other small birds,

The morning we were packing up to leave we watched an Eagle soar overhear. 

Bald Eagle

That really was special.

There were lots of wildflowers blooming so we saw butterflies and bees too.

It was so nice to just walk out the door of the camper and hike a trail! Twice I didn't even intend to hike and didn't take my camera. I started walking and next thing I knew I was on a trail!

It was glorious! I'm ready to go again!

Are you getting out more this Spring? 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Let's go hiking at Ross Prairie!

I haven't been to Ross Prairie this summer because it's a 'hot hike'! 

But I wanted to walk down the trail and look for mushrooms,

so off I went.

Come on into the woods with me!

It was surprisingly pleasant. I wouldn't call it cool but it wasn't the blazing sun either and there was a hint of a breeze.

And mushrooms? 

I saw them everywhere!

And I saw the sweet lady with her daughter leaving when I got there. (I usually see her at Pruitt!)

And one lady on a horse. They were the only people I saw while I was there! No problem with social distancing here on a summer day in North Central Florida! 

But beauty everywhere you look!

I'll sneak a few more mushroom mosaics here and there.

 I almost forgot about this little girl I saw from a distance.

There's something very peaceful and calming about being in the deep woods. Don't you agree?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio too!

Ross Prairie Hike

When we started hiking here in Florida a few years ago, this is the first trail we hiked. 

And it's still a favorite!

What is that white stuff? 

Don't worry, it's not snow, it's white sand!

And this is Reindeer Moss....really! (also called Deer Moss)

A Palm tree is growing across the trail, of all things!

Aren't the grasses beautiful at this time of year! 

We are still having beautiful weather and enjoying our hikes and day trips.

What's your weather like today?

We've had highs in the 80s, cooler weather on the way. 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .