NS:: TR - Ocala National Forest, Jan. 21 -22, 2006

“On Saturday morning my youngest daughter(mushroomcita) and I drove to Ocala NF and to Hopkins Prairie CG. but the entrance road was blocked and the CG was closed. Later we found out that it was due to high water. We had guessed that as we had driven further to the boat launching ramp south of the CG and saw a high water level. I should have checked on the Internet. Both Buck Lake and Hopkins Prairie Recreation Areas are closed because of high water. We drove to Juniper Springs, where we were able to obtain a campsite.

After setting up camp I grabbed my crutches and we went for a walk. We ended up looping right back to our campsite area. But we did see some beautiful streams, where rising spring water was pushing sand away. Then it would stop for a few seconds and the sand would slide back down into the holes from where it has been pushed. This was repeated over and over except in one large spot where spring water was gushing continuously. . Looking down from a bridge we saw lots of small fishes up to about 8-inches in length and one turtle that came swimming past. Next we used the car to go visit the swimming pond and the surrounding area. Looking in vain for ells in the pond (there are some), we saw lots of minnow sized fish. We both had swimming suits, but we decided not to enter the year-round 72 degree water.

Back at the campsite we snacked and then played some gin rummy. Mushroomcita asked me to refresh her memory about the rules. I told her that Rule No. 1 was "Daddy wins." and then followed that with the basics. She almost won each game and I had to keep reminding her about Rule No. 1. While we were playing, a spectator on the ground keep going around us and the table. It was a small, red bird, looking for food. So, when it paused in some shade, I had mushroomcita throw a saltine close to it, but in the sunlight. Sure enought, it went for the cracker and we snapped some pictures. It was strong enough to pick up the cracker and carry it off to the side, where it ate a little of it. We jumped in the car again and went out collecting firewood. After loading the trunk we returned to the CG and mushroomcita fixed me one of the MRE's that stovestamper sent to me. Meanwhile, I started the fire. Mushroomcita decided to eat some other food that we brought with us. Then, while I relaxed in a lawn chair, she took over fire duties, doing a great job.

During the night and early morning we heard a large bunch of owls chatting away, each from a different area of the woods. Early in the morning we heard blackbirds, also. A few other forest noises we could not identify. But a barking dog we recognized at another campsite, as well as an early morning generator running. A morning visitor was a squirrel. After breakfast we played some more gin rummy. I finally told her that she need some more clothes, that she was almost falling out of what she was wearing. She knew of what I was talking, so she ran the sipper way up on a sweat shirt to cover things. That allowed me to relax and return to studying the beautiful figure of a woman across from us in another campsite. The woman, about 30-33 was fantastic. She was with a guy about 55-60 and I would guess that they were married. But, everytime we were near them, the woman was anxious to to talk with us. Such is life!

Finally, we broke canp and headed home, stopping only to visit Salt Flats and to eat along the way. May have some pictures one of these days.
last edited: 1/22/06 9:48:55 PM”

“You da man !

Thanks for sharing !”

“Sound like a beautiful time together.

According to the helpful people at the visitor center in Salt Springs, the area has been closed due to high water since the beginning of hunting season, sometime around November 9th.”

“Storm damage remains from 2004 hurricanes. Many areas appear as though they have been clear cut. Numerous tracts exist where most or all of the downed trees have been removed. I imagine this was done for severe fire prevention. One such patch is near Highway 40 just east of the entrance road to Juniper Springs Recreation Area. A section of the Florida Scenic Trail wanders through that tract.
last edited: 1/23/06 7:42:54 AM”

“Thanks for the report nowslimmer. When I went out on Friday, that evening I ate an MRE also, it was the chicken breast with rib meat..yum (of course everything tastes good when your hungry) along with some coffee....then the rain and wind set in for the night........”

“sorry i couldn't make it, i was painting. look forward to the pictures.”

“I finally told her that she need some more clothes, that she was almost falling out of what she was wearing

That allowed me to relax and return to studying the beautiful figure of a woman across from us in another campsite.

kind of ironic isn't it?...just kidding, sounds like you had a great time...i'd love to hike with you sometime, you seem to tell good stories...i can't wait to do things like this with my future kids”

“thriftyhiker - Right, I thought it was quite ironic. My thought is, "What father wants to go to a nude bar and find his daughter working there?" It reminds me of the play and film, "Death of a Saleman!"
last edited: 1/23/06 9:36:58 AM”

“And thanks, thriftyhiker. I hope we do meet on a hike sometime.”

“Sounds like a good time, NS. Time spent with kids is time well spent. Time spent with adult kids is a gift.”

“Mushroomcita decided to eat some other food that we brought with us. - NS

LOL, smart girl! ;-)”

“LMBO@StoveStomper.

That meal has a lot of cheese in it. She is allergic to some dairy products. But she did eat the cracker and peanut butter from the package.
last edited: 1/23/06 10:11:15 AM”