Winter Travels 8

February 25-March 1: Hopeful that the smoke would have dissipated by now, we returned to campsite #14 at Holder Mine on Sunday morning. As we drove in the nearly 2 mile drive we could still see smoldering spots along the roadside and they remained the whole time we stayed. When we got to the campground the smoke was definitely better but could still be smelled, especially as night settled and the wind died. 

We visited  Fort Cooper, established during the Second Seminole War.

There is a paved trail from the parking area into the area of the Fort, which helps
one imagine how it looked back in the day. We biked the paved trail.

We had the small State Park nearly all to ourselves while we were there. They have set-up a
short stockade (seen at the left center, above) to show where the Fort was located. This
area is left cleared and used for demonstrations, such as a reenactment that was being held
here in early March. There was a large picnic area on the shore of the lake nearby here.

We hiked the 2 mile Dogwood Trail and didn't see another soul.

Other than volunteering again for Habitat for Humanity, this time on Tuesday in Homosassa cleaning a recovered home which was going to be put on the market, we had a few days to explore the area on our own. We hiked a few miles in the large wooded City Park in Inverness, biked more of the Withlacoochee Trail, and spent time after the build in Homosassa and Homosassa Springs. 

The aftermath of the burn shows how the forest floor is cleared of debris and small growth.

The final campsite of our trip.

Other than the smoke, we really love this huge campsite at Holder Mine.

Crystal River, near the Gulf, at Homosassa Springs, from atop
the main Temple Mound at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park 

The main Temple Mound at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Luckily we had visited this sacred site before and knew a little about it,
because sadly the museum was closed and they had no information out.

We went into town to Coaches Bar to watch MSU clinch the solo B1G crown against
Wisconsin and do the last shopping we’d need before we headed home.

We got to know Florida native Roland at the first Habitat build we did.
He was a very friendly horse rancher who loves to bike and told us his
favorite part of the Withlicoochee Trail. So later we gave him a call and
took our bikes to his ranch, where he loaded all 3 bikes in his truck and took
us for about a 15 mile ride in the Croom Wildlife Management Area on the Trail.  

We stopped at a park along a lake made in a wide spot in the Withlicoochee River.

The water around the fishing pier is still high following Hurricane Irma in the fall.

One of several Gopher Tortoises we saw along the trail. We have learned that their deep
burrows are very valuable during forest fires, whether natural or prescribed. All manner of
wildlife will hide in them, peacefully together, until the fire passes and natural order resumes.

Cyprus knees along the Trail

River Ratz Cafe had surprisingly good food,
but horribly slow service as two poor waitresses
served everyone, inside and outside, in the busy cafe.

My peel-&-eat shrimp were beautiful and delicious!

We ate at on the deck right beside the river, very tranquil at this spot.
Note the reflections on the water, showing our lovely day for a bike ride.

Hard to see, but the ripples are a cooter turtle who ate her lunch
of water plants the whole two hours or so we ate ours.