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Outpost:  Camping in Florida - Falling Waters State Park  |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 07:31:05 AM
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Falling Waters and Florida Springs
The sky ahead was an ominous black as we headed down to Florida. We fought traffic in Montgomery, hard rain through Troy and the impulse to stop at every cute tourist trap along the way, but when we finally arrived at Falling Waters in the evening, we discovered that all the hassle had been worth it. We had come to a beautiful wooded setting filled with wildflowers, longleaf pine, and a myriad of deep green ferns.
Falling Waters is a small park and we were fortunate to still have enough light to explore the park after setting up camp. We hiked the trail to the falls, visited the lake and searched for alligators, and then went back later after dark to do it again, but we didn’t see any. Not even eyes glowing from the water.
After waking up to birdsong and having bacon and cinnamon rolls cooked over a fire, we drove 30 minutes away to Morrison Springs. I was impressed with the new facilities that have been built there, but the springs were flooded by all of the recent rain and the water was black and uninviting. No one wanted to swim there while my brother and I kayaked, so we headed to Ponce de Leon State Park.
The water was much more inviting at Ponce de Leon but the ranger advised against kayaking since it was also flooded. We took a walk on the nature trail that hugs the edge of a normally placid stream but that day is was a swiftly flowing, churning brown mess, barely contained by the banks. Nick suggested that we go to Vortex Springs. That was a place that we were all familiar with and not far away.
I was not going to leave Florida without kayaking in some springs and I had specifically wanted to kayak in Morrison Springs, so we left Mom, Nick and Oakley at Vortex and went back to Morrison, despite the murky water.
We talked to a couple of divers and swimmers at Morrison and none of them thought that alligators were present. My brother and I paddled around the bend and discovered that the springs meandered as far back as we could see. I didn’t want to risk getting my camera wet so I have no photos of the area. We came upon a shack on floats with a porch and windows covered in old blankets. Thankfully, no one was home. We couldn’t identify any of the plants growing in their floating flower bed, they just looked like weeds.
After paddling what seemed to be a mile and not finding the end of it, we decided to turn back because we were hot and spooked and we couldn’t dip into the water because it was so dark and scary. I was kind of relieved that we didn’t see any alligators. My bravery has serious limits.
So we went back to Vortex Springs and paddled down that clear, although plant choked, stream. Vortex was full of divers and swimmers and there are lots of things to jump from and slide down and play on in the water. Of course, the water is a very chilly 68 degrees year round, and no matter how hot it is outside, when you are in the water your lips turn blue and eventually the shivering forces you to get out and thaw.
Mom and Oakley discovered turtles in the retaining pond and began feeding them bread. At one point there were at least 15 and then we lost count. Many different fish also began to surface; the largest ones were kio fish. After a relaxing lunch and more swimming, everyone was tired and burned and we left for camp.
At camp we immediately built a fire, then David and Oakley left to swim in “Gator” Lake while Mom and I cooked dinner. We had filet minion in a potato and onion hash, roast corn on the cob, hot wings, and cherries. It was very good and since we were all so tired we went to bed before it was fully dark.
The next morning we packed up everything and headed down the highway to Panama City. It took longer to get there than I thought it would and we were all irritable when we finally arrived. We couldn’t even see the water as we drove along the strip and I promised Nick that we would just be there for 10 minutes, but when we saw that water. Oh! It was so beautifully clear. We had to stay longer and even break out the kayaks.
I told David if it wasn’t fun using the kayaks in that water that we might as well chunk them in the nearest dumpster before we left, but it was fun! Especially, riding the crest of a wave into shore. Several people asked us if we had rented them and everyone seemed to be watching us, either because we looked really stupid or because it looked like so much fun. Mom, David, Oakley and I all had turns paddles, but Nick had had enough fun and wanted to go home.
Yes, by the end of the trip, as much as we love each other, we were all ready to have our own space and to rest without conversation and hilarity, so we headed back, and once I knew where I was, I left Mom and David in my dust and hightailed it as fast as I dared home.
Here is a link to the slide show with more photos.
http://s698.photobucket.com/albums/vv346/NikkiBeaumontphotos/2009%2006%2005%20Falling%20Waters%20and%20Springs%20in%20Florida/?albumview=slideshow
Farmgirl Sister #554 |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1404 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1404 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 07:45:46 AM
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Who could ask for more fun? You enjoyed yourselves. Whoopee.
Betty in Pasco |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 08:53:27 AM
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What fun you must have had! The pictures are beautiful and the blue water is so pretty.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2009 : 04:05:52 AM
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MaryJane's Outpost book made this trip possible. I never would have considered camping until I read that book. I never would have thought of cooking outside until I discovered MaryJane. Our whole trip cost less than the charge for two rooms for two nights in the cheapest motel would have been! Now that I know that I can do it, I feel like I have been freed to explore the whole world!
I won't sit home on the weekends now, unless that is what I feel like doing!
Farmgirl Sister #554 |
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 03:55:43 AM
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Congrats on your first outing! It is so much fun, isn't it? I have such fond memories of camping as a child. Your kids will never forget it either. Just think you will have a home away from home when you get your trailer done! :D What beautiful places you have around you! Some weekends it is just fun to do a slow-stay in one place laid back time. Read, swim, drink coffee, read, eat, swim....you get the idea! lol
Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com http://www.thevintagebaglady.etsy.com FG #377 |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 04:36:17 AM
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| I have only kayaked one time up in the Apostle Islands in wisconsin. I loved it so much, I hope to do it some more. We live in an area, where there aren't many places to kayak, so I have to put that desire on hold. Your trip looked like so much fun, and the photos are excellant. The water is a beautiful blue. |
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AuntPammy
True Blue Farmgirl
488 Posts
Pamila
williamstown
wv
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 05:22:18 AM
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Oh I am so jealous!! I love to camp and play in the water.
My daughter is working at a place on the New River here in WV. Of course they have white water rafting and she just took up kayaking.She told me it is so much fun.
By your beautiful pictures I can see that you had a blast. Glad you feel so untethered now...I wish you many more happy and glorious camping adventures.
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." Helen Keller
www.auntpsalmostheaven.blogspot.com |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 06:47:38 AM
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Karen! Yes, I love your vacation plan aka - read, swim, drink coffee, read, eat, swim, etc. That is my kind of fun! Do you know what? Everyone on this board probably lives very close to some awesome places and they may not even be aware of it! My cousin took me to some falls yesterday. I had never seen or heard of them before, and I grew up several miles away from them!
Being outside enjoying nature is one of the most fulfilling things that I have done lately. I always come back full of thankfulness and satisfaction. The complete opposite of what I feel when I take a trip to the mall! LOL!
Nadine and Pam, I hope y'all get a chance to kayak soon! It is truly fun and since even my mom attempted it and did a great job and enjoyed it tremendously, I can safely attest that anyone with two arms can do it!
I am going to have to look up Apostle Islands and New River now!
Farmgirl Sister #554 |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 5:03:02 PM
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but Falling Waters is so pretty,and the huge sink hole that the falls pour into is so deep too, it is pretty awesome.There are times though that the waterfall does not fall though, but we have had a good deal of rain here lately so I'm glad you were able to actually see it doing more than a trickle.We went one year and it was just barely flowing, but we followed the stream all the way into the woods(yeah we probably weren't actually supposed to go off the trails..ha, but we wanted to know where it started from) to see where it started from, apparently it starts underground from an underground spring and bubbles up then pours down into the big sink hole.pretty cool. next time you are in the area check out Econfina they have lovely Springs there too.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 5:07:35 PM
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oh and you'll have to check out Port Saint Joe Peninsula up past Mexico Beach..one side of the peninsula is super shallow water and you can walk out into the water for a long long ways and it only be about ankle deep, a lot of sea urchins and scallops on that side and the park hosts a scallop festival every year, then on the other side of the street is the other beach /other side of the peninsula where the sand is white and the waves are crashing against the shore and the water is emerald colored..it is actually pretty cool to walk from one side of the road to the other and see 2 different types of beaches. a lot of kayakkers enjoy the shallow side of the peninsula and they also have kayak rental there and cabins that you can rent on the water.lots of biking trails as well and bike rental.And if you hang around the beach towards sunset you'll get the added treat of seeing white tail deer walking on the sand dunes:0) really cool.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
Edited by - Tina Michelle on Jun 13 2009 5:08:47 PM |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2009 : 04:15:47 AM
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Tina! Thanks for telling me about Port St. Joe Peninsula! We may actually get to go down that way again soon since Lovin' Man is bidding on something big on ebay that has to be picked up near Tallahassee. I am going to insist that we go to Wakulla Springs, too!
You do have a cute house! I can't believe that it hasn't already sold. We do want to eventually retire to the gulf but we are going to do it on our own Alabama coast. I can get there in four hours from here since it is almost a straight shot down I-65. It is crazy after all these years of millions of people going to Panama City and they haven't come up with a better, faster way to get down there from here! Plus, Lovin' Man probably wouldn't be allowed anywhere near PCB. He raised such tee-total heck there when he was younger! LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #554 |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2009 : 7:20:00 PM
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oh yes do check out Wakulla, they have the glass bottom boats, but I will tell you their hotel rooms can get pretty warm this time of yr at the inn so you may want to stay elsewhere , unless you don't mind the heat, they do have lovely rooms at the inn that are decorated with nice Florida antiques.
and Port St. Joe Peninsula is close to Cape Sn Blas..they moved the lighthouse there and restored it, so do check that out too if you get a chance, also if you get a chance to head up towards Ft. Walton area take a jaunt on over to Seaside..you'll enjoy that area as well.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2009 : 4:36:25 PM
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Oh, Tina! I told Lovin' Man about Port St. Joe and he said that he went down there a long time ago. He remembered enjoying it and now is planning a trip for us! We are looking forward to it! Thanks for suggesting it!
Farmgirl Sister #554
http://alabamaheartofdixie.blogspot.com/ |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 2:20:07 PM
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You would love Wakulla Springs, if you get here, and then you would definitely be in my territory! The water is always cold. And the place is a step back in time. Get a chocolate shake in the lunch shop in the hotel. Made like the old days.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
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KD Earthwork
True Blue Farmgirl
210 Posts
Katie
Gualala
Calif.
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2009 : 10:57:22 PM
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We just got back from a good road trip focused on visiting Mary Jane's Farm.I realized I didn't want to set up a kitchen every night and that my husband would rather sleep on a bed.But I didn't want to hotel it anymore.I bought a Tab teardrop trailer.Was pretty small but my wonderful husband bless his heart never complained,even though he had to sleep sideways.We ate all meals for two weeks but two (and the breakfasts at MJ Farm) cooking for ourselves.I couldn't believe how much cheaper this trip had been.We had our three yr. old w. us and she slept in the cupboard (Harry Potter).She liked it too.These small trailers would be better for just two adults.Or two adults and two kids that could share a tent close by.We had a tent that zipped on the front but never used it.I was defintely inspired by Mary jane as well.
We started in N.Calif,went to Columbia River gorge,Lewis and Clarke trail to Idaho then MJ's farm (defintely the best part),Upper Idaho,Montana,Yellowstone,Grand Tetons,Teton Valley,Snake river,Utah,Nevada,Calif Lake Tahoe, home.Made our home seem so big when we got back. |
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Outpost: Camping in Florida - Falling Waters State Park |
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Camping in Florida - Falling Waters State Park
