After my time at Falling Waters State Park, I headed east and then south. The distance between the two parks was about 300 miles. Since I don’t push the speed limit while I drive, I plan on making an average of 50 miles and hour, which would mean that I was looking at a minimum of six hours on the road.
I didn’t get started as early as I would have liked, but I forgot to take into account the time zone change. Chipley was in Central and Fruitland Park is in Eastern. So, not only was the drive a long one, I would be arriving long after sunset. I called the office and explained the situation. The helpful ranger gave me the gate code and told me that the information packed would be waiting for me at the guard house.
I arrived, got my packet and figured out where my site was. Luckily, I had booked a pull-through site; otherwise, I would have had to park inside the gate and wait for sunup.
I wiggled into the site, got hooked up and settled in for the night.
I had noticed a region on the Florida map labeled “The Villages”. The next day,
I decided to explore and find out what that might be.
It turns out that The Villages are a group of gated communities. Most of the communities are restricted to people over 55, although there are a couple developments that allow children. The real estate agent I met with explained to me that they did need to provide housing for the workers. I guess everyone can’t be retired.
I didn’t get to see the gated communities. They are gated communities, after all. But, there are several town squares scattered about. I explored one of the squares. The real estate agent told me that “the public” was welcome to the squares.
Of course, “the public” doesn’t get to zip around in golf cars.
“The Public” is invited to spend money.
You have got to know that you are in a place where people go to spend money when you find a fudge shop.
In fact, I came to spend money. I saw a review for “The Letters”, a film about Mother Teresa, and I decided to give it a look. The theater was quite elaborate and the seats were comfy, although not as good as the reclining seats in Charlotte.
The next day, I decided to take a drive. Escapees, a group I belong to, has an RV park near Bushnell. I figured that I should check it out and see if it is a place I might like to visit.
I was surprised that I saw so much ranching taking place. There were cows all over. I never really thought of Florida a cow state.
There were very nice people in the park office, and they welcomed me to drive through and look around. They said they always save some spots for people who are just passing through, although all the regular spots are booked for the season.
I was amazed when this elegant group of birds walked by. I asked one of the campers what kind of birds these were, and he confirmed my temporary identification that they were sandhill cranes.
And, also, I found it!
Now I know where to go when I am ready for it. Easy Street!
On the way back, I stopped at a vegetable stand. Nothing better than fresh, homegrown veggies!
Back at Lake Griffin State Park, I decided that I had to check out their claim to fame, a live oak that is estimated to be over 300 years old.
And then it was time to get ready to head south.
Cora had to have one more look before we headed to our next stop, Little Manatee River State Park, near Tampa Bay.