The beginning of our 2022 adventures started on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2022. Also known as TwosDay.
I wondered the significance of this palindrome date. So I did a little research. Astrologically, it marks Pluto’s return and Pluto is associated with transformation and metamorphosis. So, must be time for a change. Let the fun begin!! Fun Fact: Pluto was in the same place on TwosDay as it was on July 4, 1776.
Mistletoe State Park
I had one goal in mind when I found this hidden gem in the Georgia state park system…a place where John can relax sitting next to a lake. His work with Global ACES has kept him very busy lately. I think I did pretty good! The views couldn’t have been better, from sunrises to sunsets.
Mistletoe State Park is located on Clarks Hill Lake about 20 miles north of Augusta with water and electric hook-ups for $23 a night. That 50 amp was much appreciated as we enjoyed the mah-velous flip flop and shorts weather! 😎 Just the change we needed!
It was hard leaving our days of basking in the sun, happy hours at sunset, and nights around a campfire. John says he doesn’t know how I can top this beautiful lakeside spot. The challenge is on!
The Witsell Horse Farm
Being this close to my Bro John, we decided to swing by and spend a few days. Which means staying at the Witsell’s Horse Farm. This is our 3rd time with them and it’s truly one of our favorite places to wake up! The serenity is real!
Our days were filled with antique shopping, relaxing, and a trip to my two vises…Barnes and Nobles and Hobby Lobby! LOL Katherine filled our bellies with wonderful dinners and then we would crash to movies! If you haven’t found the Netflix shows Connected, I encourage you to! It will blow your mind with the ways we are connected to each other, the world, and the universe. A must see!
Florida Here We Come
When your Seattle sister says she’ll be in Tampa next week, you make plans to meet up! So we changed course and headed south. Sherry and Stan said they wanted to see manatees and go on an air boat ride. Okay, Crystal River it is. Now to find a campground…and places to live til we get there! Pluto said there would be changes!
1st Stop Reed Bingham State Park
Home of the cutest Gopher Tortoises! Reed Bingham is an easy drive off 1-75 about 30 miles north of Valdosta, GA. The sites accommodate all sizes of rigs! Including, a cute little “Pandemic Escape Pod,” as the owner affectionately calls it!
There is a lake here, but no lake side lots. And with this sign, I wouldn’t want to be lakeside!
We did have Gopher Tortoises in our front yard! These lovable guys are the keystone species of the long leaf pine ecosystems in the southeast. Interestingly, I read that 360 species make their homes in the gopher tortoises burrows. Unfortunately, habitat destruction has their numbers dwindling. Fortunately, Georgia has a great initiative to protect and rebuild their habitats. Aren’t they are adorable!
Reed Bingham also has several biking/hiking trails amidst the long leaf pines and dwarf palmettos. As I wandered the trails, birds, bees, and butterflies were sharing their excitement about the beautifully warm weather and the coming of spring. I was just a little excited too!
Spring in the South also means the azaleas are blooming! My all-time favorite bush! 💜 Now, I’m super excited!
Next stop, OrganicaWorld
Situated in Central Florida is the town of Groveland, home of OrganicaWorld, a hydroponic farm, market, and restaurant. The owner has opened it to travelers like us. You stay for free; all Colin asks is that you purchase something. Well, that’s not hard! After enjoying a delicious breakfast of free-range eggs and locally sourced bacon, we stocked up on fresh veggies, including sweet corn. John was stoked about that!
Security was provided by their “free-range” donkeys! Check out Harvest Host to find more info!
Sister Time
The travel gods were on my side! I found a place to camp in Florida in February near Crystal River! (Maybe its the luck of TwosDay!) Part of the Florida State Forest service, Holder Mine Campground is in the Withlacoochee Forest. The World Wildlife Fund named it “One of the Ten Coolest Places You’ve Never Been.” (Wait, does that mean we only have 9 left???!!!) Amenities include water and 50 amp hook ups for $15/nite. Many of the State Forest campgrounds are also gated. So I definitely felt safe from the gators! IKR!
Wild Bill’s was an excellent choice for air boats down the Withlacoochee River in the Withlacoochee Forest. (How fun is that word!!!) We tootled through the slow moving black waters of the bayous, spying several gators and a variety of water birds, including an osprey diving for breakfast right next to us. Then, Wild Bill lived up to his name. As we made our way to the open river he increased speed and we zigged and zagged across the top of that ol’ black water splashing and laughing! It was a wild ride!
Back on dry land, we celebrated with mimosas and mischief!
In Search of Manatees
Crystal River, FL is the Manatee Capital of the World and is home to the only National Wildlife Refuge in the US specifically created to protect Manatee habitats. The cool spring fed waters offer prime habitat for these lovable sirens of the sea. Unfortunately for us, the unseasonably hot weather of the past weeks have sent the manatees into the cooler waters of the gulf. But, we did enjoy a lively and lovely dockside lunch of rum runners and seafood delicacies, Blue crab cakes, clam chowder, Grouper bites, blackened shrimp and Mahi tacos. My taste buds tingle thinking about it!
After our scrumptious lunch, we ventured to Homosassa Springs to check out Monkey Island. (Cuz’ monkeys are the next best thing when the manatees are a no see!) I love Trip Advisor for finding fun places to go, see, do on our travels. It hasn’t let me down yet!
So think a mini Alcatraz for naughty monkeys! Monkey Island started as an outcropping of rocks in the Homosassa River that damaged many unaware boats. It was finally built up to a mini island and decorated with a mini lighthouse and trees in the 60s. Meanwhile, somewhere nearby, a well-intentioned entrepreneur brought monkeys to his venue thinking it would entertain the tourists. Being monkeys, they had other plans…swiping candy from unsuspecting children, stealing ladies hats, picking pockets, and even breaking into cars! You get the picture. The naughty monkeys were exiled to the island where they are now living a crime free life and entertaining the tourists!😊
Well, that concludes the fun for now! I think 2022 is off to a great start. Time to change states, but not our state of mind!
nice update and photos!