Winter Travels 2

January 26-30, 2018: We were blessed with fair weather to pack and then drive south. There was a quick stop for lunch in Fort Wayne with Ken, Jen, Josh and Josie then on to Carmel. Sarah had reservations at a pizza place called “The Brick”, renovated by a new owner, where the seven of us could eat dinner for free as they trained their staff; all we paid for was the beverages! We celebrated Analyn’s 7^th birthday there, then Sarah went to church for bell and vocal choir practice, Craig, Eli, Jordan, and Analyn went to the kids’ school for Science Night, and Marv and I got back on the road. When we were about an hour south of Louisville, we stopped at a Pilot Truck Stop where we pulled in with the Big Rigs and stayed the night (for free) for the first time, which is now possible with our self-contained trailer. Hard driving the next day got us to Troy, Alabama, where we stayed (for free, again) at a Walmart parking lot. We thought we would have another, similar stay but Sunday found us closer to our reserved site for Monday night at Hillsborough River State Park than we expected. We called all the State Parks along the way and, as expected, no one had openings. We tried a couple of private parks in Zephyrhills, just north of Hillsborough, and couldn’t get anyone to answer. On a fluke, we called Hillsborough River and, miracle of miracles, “Caroline” told us she could get us in a day early, and even gave us a site where we could stay for the now three night stay!

Ana was happy with her Lego set and money towards a LOL Doll,
which were still difficult to find after the Christmas rush on them.

Like all the other places we have reservations this year, we have stayed at Hillsborough River before so it is very familiar to us. Although they have a few park sponsored activities like coffees and pot lucks, our short stay meant we would miss them. We took hikes and biked around the 3 mile circular, one-way camp road and enjoyed the beautiful Blue-Super-(nearly)Full Moon with a walk around our camping loop with no need for flashlights.

The campsite Caroline gave us a day early was even better than the one
we had reserved, at the back of the second loop and privately tucked away.
Apparently however she recorded it incorrectly and the next day another Ranger
came to check why were in it, wince he had just given it to someone else. 
Luckily, he didn't seem surprised that Caroline had made the mistake and
he let us stay. Whew!

This pileated woodpecker led us on our first hike up the river.

The Hillsborough River is very placid and we have kayaked downstream and then
back  up to our put-in spot, but we didn't put our kayak in this year.

I'm not sure how the front turtle got out on the limb like that
nor how she will get down when the time comes. I love this shot!!

Tri-color heron

The old CCC suspension bridge, which has been closed for historic renovation,
was open this year. It's a good thing because the newer bridge was closed with
damage from the hurricane. We saw evidence of Irma nearly everywhere we stayed.

Approach to the CCC bridge.

Marv gets arty with the fungi.