January 29-February 4. Manatee Springs State Park

We left Old Town Sunday morning and arrived at Manatee Springs State Park.  It was only 30 minutes away, so we were quite early.  We had to wait for our site to open before we could set up, so we went for a walk and enjoyed the park.

After we got set up we  went out to eat at Bar-B-Q Bill's.  Nothing spectacular... We got back and enjoyed our campsite.  The internet is basically not available - so we are pretty much off grid while we are here.  We can get a little with the truck's wifi - but cannot have that on all day.

Monday we went for a 4 mile hike on the Manatee Springs Scenic Trail.  A nice flat trail with lots of information along the way.

A Red-bellied woodpecker.  There are loads of them here!

We think this is a Carolina Wren

A Red Shouldered Hawk.  Lots of them around here as well.

This guy was just too cute!

After our hike, we went down to the boardwalk out to the river to see if we could spot Manatee.

A mama and her baby.

Turtle

Coming up for air

Knees of Cypress Trees

Double-crested Cormorant

Yellow-rumped Warbler

After our adventures, we ran into some strange birds and decided to go out to eat with them at The Lighthouse.  Haha!  We had a good time meeting up with Carl and Carla and meeting their kids, Craig and Angie.

Tuesday we went for a 6 mile hike (in Florida - it’s a walk). 

We stayed in for supper and had delicious eggs, bacon, tator tots and Kodiak chocolate chip pancakes along with mimosas.  

 Yum!

Wednesday morning I took my coffee outside and “went” to bsf. The internet here is not very good - but with the Beasts Wi-Fi, it worked.

After BSF, we went for a 6mile hike and then went kayaking. A lovely time “way down upon the Suwannee River, far far away…”

Great Blue Heron

So much Spanish Moss on the trees - almost looked like snow.

Great Egret

So many vultures!

After kayaking we decided to go back to Suwannee Belle Landing for dinner. We sat outside by the river and had a delicious meal! Kurt had fried oysters and grouper and I had tacos - firecracker shrimp, blackened grouper and swamp (gator). Fabulous!

It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Thursday we went for another 6 mile hike and made dinner at the camper: steak potatoes, squash and Texas toast.

Friday was a rainy day.  I cleaned Beauty and that was about it. We went out to eat at Beef OBrady’s just to get out!  

Saturday we went for another 4 mile hike and packed up.  Now on to Lake Griffin State Park.

Land bridge on the way to Lake Griffin. We’ve ridden our bikes over this when we were at Santos State Park.