Bear Swamp Trail entrance is behind this camera. Obviously that's my truck and trailer straight ahead. Boardwalk path inside Bear Swamp Trail. I was told to keep looking up as the black bear like to rest there. Path inside Bear Swamp Trail Above, foliage inside Bear Swamp Trail. I kept a steady clip going and it takes about 1/2 hour to walk through it. Palms, pines and deciduous Empty campground! I had families on either side. They left this morning and now I have two new neighbors. Both seem of the milder and quieter side ;-) Had I not been paying attention, I would have walked right into this beast of a spider! Carrion-crows come to check out abandoned campsite. I kid you not ~ I actually wore this out in public! I wonder how many pictures I ended up in. Boy, I tell you, I sure had a good laugh with myself on this scene ~ ha-ha!
Well, I'll be in the Ocala National Forest for awhile. I leave this campsite on the 8th and will hop around to some others. I am sad to leave the salt springs behind but perhaps I'll find other ones. Bye for now ~ take care ~ keep in touch ~ over and out <3 :-)
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I left Amelia Island around 5 pm and just as dusk was really turning into night, I found a secure overnight rest area parking lot [last pictured in my Christmas Day post]. There had to have been at least 30 semis and a good handful of RVs there. Next time I use one of those places I will park closer to the building, where I was able to brush my teeth and flush the toilet ;-) I tell you, it's the little things in life... I arrive here without any foreknowledge of how the whole system works [does that sound scary to you planners ;-)]. Mind you, it's holiday time and lots of people are out and about looking doing something other than the traditional 'stay at home and be with family around the tree' thing. Long story short, I would be number three in the waiting queue. This entrance takes one either to the camping areas or to the Salt Springs themselves. Many people come here for the day, pay a day fee and enjoy a natural mineral soak in the spring and picnic. I decided to opt to pay to go to the springs to wait rather than drive across the street to sit and wait with a 'maybe' phone call that there would be a spot for me to camp. As with most camping areas, one can camp for 14 days maximum and then 16 days out before re-entering to camp again at the same campground. So if someone had been there for five days already and had planned on leaving that day but changed their mind before 11 am, they could re-up their stay. For this I was waiting. This parking spot is where I waited. The actual spring is behind the camera view. Where my truck is parked is designated for the larger vehicles that come in other than cars. At first I picked the spot that was closer to the camera and eventually got it all lined up how I wanted it but then I realized that the sun would soon shade that area and I wanted to make sure that I was charing my solar panels on top of the trailer so I moved it again to the spot you see before you. BTW, if it's not inside the truck or trailer, I don't own it. Ford has a cool feature called Pro Back Up Assist (or something like that) where you place some stickers on the trailer tongue, take measurements and input the data into the truck which then calibrates it via the back up camera. There is a knob to the right of the steering wheel that when activated, takes over the steering. all I had to do was give a bit of gas and keep checking my mirrors. It's an odd thing to back up and not use the steering wheel! Works like a charm, though :-) I hadn't been there very long when one of the staff members, Lewis, came in his little golf cart to tell me that there was an opening for me!! PTL. Since I wouldn't be refunded the spring entrance fee, I decided to stay for and enjoy the water and area as best as I could w/out really getting into the water for a swim. I ate lunch there by the trailer and stuck my feet in the water for a while. I absolutely LOVE magnesium soaks as I know they are very healthy and can help ward off what ails you (one being transmission spikes). The picture below is the full view of where the springs naturally emerge from underground. This particular spring has been marred by placing concrete wall around it. I hear there are others in the area that have been left in their natural state. So far, I haven't seen any manatee from my eye level. Others out on kayaks or snorkeling in the deeper section have spotted them. I absolutely love these gentle giants. About 20 years ago when I was in Daytona Beach for bike week, we went to an area where the manatee are known to 'winter' during the colder Atlantic water time. I could sit there for a long time and just stare at them. The water is very clear in these areas, being able to see straight down to the bottom. Above, one can see a blue crab. They were all around in the water. Most graciously shared their living space with us invaders but some wanted to nip. Me? I steered far around them. I always wear my water shoes when I'm in the water. Below, this is a zoomed in pictured of the blue crab. They were fun to watch as they moved about in the water. I noticed they were territorial and guarded their space. Below, finally make it to my campsite and this is what it looks like setting up ~ LOL. Not to worry, it won't be so disorganized looking next time. It's all a learning curve. I've already made many adjustments to make life more efficient. I'm all about efficiency . I have been wanting to sit in front of my Solo Stove for months now. It's been in storage since June of 2021 and was eager to get it out and enjoying it. On 12-24 I had taken out one of my treasured Duma Meats clean beef steak with thoughts of eating it on Christmas Day thinking I would be sitting on the beach and watching the ocean. Ha. So there was this nice steak in the fridge; I get a cooking fire started in my solo stove and get the meat cooked. Generally I like to have all my sides and main time out at the same time, not so much this time. I had a jar of Aldi's red cabbage with apples and one other side that I can't remember right now. In the end, I enjoyed my meal. If I stay in this area, I will look for something similar to Duma Meats. If you haven't checked them out, it's well worth the trip to Mogadore to do so. I love knowing that I'm eating clean meat. Destiny Farms in Medina is another good place for clean meat. Tell Henny I said hi and that I'm enjoying my 'ventures. Below, this is the first time that I used my toy door as a patio and it worked out nicely. I could stand in front of it or be on top of it and either worked well. Too bad my folding rocking chair is blocking the view of the stove in the above picture. I also used my clothes line for the first time and if my towel was turned around, you could see a cow and her calf manatee. Lit up the area with my 'backyard' LED lights over the toy door. My son says that the space station can see me ;-) ha-ha. Fair warning for the weak at heart. The next picture will be of my wounded fingers after the nail came off on 12-27-21 (after a good magnesium soak from the day before). And the one after that is the final one you will see of my wounded fingers. If you notice on the left side of the middle finger you can make out a faint red line where the finger tip started tearing away and it crosses over to the bottom right. God was surely gracious to me to spare me my finger tip! Although the outer area has closed off very nicely, there is still major repair work being done inside the finger and is very painful when I bump it or even when I'm swimming in the water and stroking through with my hands. BTW, my fingers may look shiny because they have coconut oil on them.
No infection and no stitches!!! The amazing healing body along with some homeopathic help. I am blessed! Well ~ 2022 is upon us! Happy New Year to all :-) I had thought I would post more of my pictures from the past week, and I will still, however, I just wanted to send a message of greeting and well wishes for any who care to receive it. During my journey of discovering these past weeks, I’ve had lots of time for reflection both of myself and for matters [society, the world, that we function in] around me. No matter what my circumstances may be, I personally am secure. I purpose to forget things that are behind me and focus on moving towards what is to come or what is in front of me (yes, I’m referencing Phil 3:13). My goal is to move into 2022 towards the good that God has in store for me. The best thing I have is my eternal salvation, or security, because I accept that Jesus was born, died, buried and rose again. My forever will be in my Savior and Creator’s presence for all of eternity. After all, what could be better than that?! I ended 2021 with Psalm 13:6 ~ “I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” Here I am, after all, doing something that my heart desires to do. The wide road is open before me and I get to step into it and experience it. God is good and always faithful, this is my experience, and I wish that for you as well, dear reader. During this morning’s Bible reading in the book of Proverbs (I read the date’s corresponding chapter every day) chapter one focuses on fearing the LORD and acquiring wisdom. If I’m not seeking first after God, how can I be wise? Where does wisdom come from? Anyone can acquire knowledge (book learning or street smarts) yet to understand oneself and the ways of God, wisdom is required. Wisdom is gained when I humbly ask for it, seek after it with intent and purpose to live by it. This is a gift from God. These insights, dear readers, is what my heart’s desire for your 2022 yearns for. Find people of like mind and live within a tight group shot ;-)
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AuthorHelen ~ who is on a journey discovering. Archives
February 2022
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