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!

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.

 

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 !