Dec 13 - I woke this morning feeling adrift, lost, like what am I doing??? Feeling like I'm just killing time before visiting Mike and going to Fort Desoto with friends and not really wanting to go anywhere. Also, driving yesterday, it was so boring. I felt like since I was heading inland, I should be going into the mountains or at least have different scenery, but really no. It looks just like the hiking I did in NC with the tall pine trees (forgetting what kind they are) and FLAT! Anyway, after paying $65 for a spot to sleep because I hadn't gotten my America the Beautiful pass yet, I guess I was a bit grumpy. I knew that the Salt Springs rec area was included and figured I'd head over around 11 when I had to be out of my site. I read the info and it said that I needed to be off the grounds by 11 or would have to pay a day use fee. Though I figured I could just push back on that, I ended up rushing a bit to head over there. I went for a swim in the Salt Springs, which have lots of minerals and "gushes forth 52 million gallon of water daily at a constant 74° Fahrenheit". I heard 72, but either way, it's not cold, but also not warm when the air is in the mid 60s, cloudy, and breezy. In the summer, it would be FABULOUS!!! I swam around for probably about 30 min and then headed back to the van and changed into my clothes. After, I went back down to see if I could see manatees (I met some people on my way to the van saying they had seen them yesterday). On the way, I met a gentleman with a mask and snorkel and he said that he was going to go see the manatees. WHAT??? I walked down to the end and did in fact see the manatees about 50 yards out. I figured I HAD to go back and swim with them, so I went back to the van, put on my cold, wet bathing suit, and got back in the water. I swam out there and yes, there were probably a dozen of the gentle giants. I was in about 3 ft of water, so could stand. They came right up to me and I could pet them. Rough with a bit of hair - kinda like an elephant, but smoother. I couldn't believe that I could do this without some tour company making it happen for me. SO COOL!!! I would have hung out longer, but I was getting ccccold! The manatees were outside of the roped off spring area, so I think it might have been colder there.
And as far as my tattoo goes, I think it actually helped my rash. I asked the tattoo artist and he said as long as it wasn't peeling, it should be fine so I went for it. It hasn't peeled since one, maybe two days after removing the derm shield.
Today I moved from Salt Springs to Silver Springs where I'm spending the night at a state campground (only $41/night). Zoe and I walked around the Silver Springs park and saw monkeys!!! I had heard they were here, but forgot about it and so wasn't expecting to see them. The water here and at Salt Springs is just incredibly clear; more clear than any water I think I've ever seen! You can't swim in Silver Springs - not sure if it's just due to the popularity or alligators or why.
 |
| monkeys!!! |
Then I got back to my site, which seemed like a good site, but I was a bit worried when I saw a tent (not that there is anything wrong with tent camping!) and a ton of luggage.
Maybe worried isn't the right word. It just seemed odd. Anyway, as soon as I pulled in I could hear yelling and lots of cursing. He was wearing a tank top (wife beater shirt?) on top of it all. And smoking. Everything felt bad. The yelling went on and on. Something about the wife needing to "Fix it". It went on long enough and made me nervous enough for her that I called the ranger office. The ranger came out and asked if everything was OK. He was super sweet and then she left. I should have asked for another site as I was not at all comfortable hanging out outside (thankfully I enjoy hanging out inside my van 😀). They did quiet down after the ranger, but the tension was still there. I'm sure I'll be fine and I just put on the speaker for music to tune out any noise from over there. I definitely feel more comfortable having Miss Zoe with me.
This morning I booked a BW site on Crystal River with the hope of seeing manatees. I'd still like to kayak there, but I feel so lucky to have already experienced being in the water with them!!! I almost cancelled my reservation at Silver Springs and went right to Crystal River before I swam in Salt Springs. I guess I could have just visited Silver springs, but I probably wouldn't have if I wasn't staying here.
What is so great is that I was feeling down this AM (well that's not ideal, but that's life...) and then had such a great day. And then not such a great evening. The cool part is I never know what's going to happen and where I might go and what I might see and who I might meet. At this moment I'm loving this life! This morning, not so much... 😼 What will happen tomorrow???
I scored a private bathroom/shower combo. It was dry and clean and it even had those heat lamps! Water pressure wasn't great, but certainly doable and warm enough. I had disrobed before I turned on the water and thought I should have tested it out/heated it up first, but thankfully it was all good. The sites here are small gravel that doesn't really collect in your shoes. At Jekyll Island, they also had private bathroom/showers in one of the bathhouses, but the floors were mud due to the soil there. It's very quiet here this morning, including my neighbors. Probably sleeping off whatever was going on last night.
Now, what to do today... Go back to Silver Springs and kayak? Or just plan to kayak at Crystal River (reviewers had mentioned that she was allowed people to use her kayaks. 🤞
No comments:
Post a Comment