Alafia River State Park #18

This park is a former phosphate mine in SE Hillsborough County which altered the landscape and created small lakes & steep hills that mountain bikers enjoy. This park has some of the most difficult bicycle trails in the state. Fishing, birding and hiking are also popular. You may spot  an American alligator, Sherman fox squirrel, white-tail deer, red fox, bobcat, marsh rabbit or the river otter.

David's back is out so we won't hike very much on this trip.

Lake Lonesome - after 1PM. A strong wind was blowing & we needed our hoodies! in the 60's all Day!

Kayaking at Little Manatee River SP

Warmer this morning - 64 degrees. Heat was on overnight and this morning.

This park features sand scrub habitat which is in decline due to agriculture - orange groves.

We took a little break Tuesday afternoon to kayak the Little Manatee River. We saw a very fat catfish, many schools of fish about 1 foot long, many small minnows & small fish, yellow-belly turtles sunning themselves but strangely, did not see even One Bird.

We think this nest may be used by a wood duck since it's over the water. Strangely, even small tree branches were used in it.

Work has kept us too busy to do any hiking or riding our motorcycles & we have to leave Wednesday by 1 PM for Alafia River SP.

Little Manatee River SP

Saturday afternoon & evening were spent at the Wimauma Walmart. About every 15 minutes, a school bus came by to pick up Mexican migrant workers to take them to their lodging place. We found a delicious taco stand, Taqueria El Sol, down the road a few miles!

Sunday was a long day! We drove to Jax Beach so David could fix some issues at 1709 Seabreeze & I trimmed the citrus trees & set the sprinklers. We got back to Little Manatee River State Park about 11 pm since the road was closed due to an accident.

Monday AM - 49 degrees so we had the heat on for hours in the morning then the AC in the afternoon.

On Monday, local resident, George, came by for 2 visits.

Fort De Soto Park #212

Yesterday, we moved down few spots to a slightly different view.

We drove to Fort DeSoto Park (actual Park, not campground) for sunset and a walk on the Gulf Pier.

Sunset photo is of the Gulf of Mexico & the shipping lane.

The pier faces both the Gulf of Mexico & Tampa Bay (left).

We leave here this morning  - next stop is a Walmart for tonight's accommodations.

Fort DeSoto Park #208

Two days ago - still behind but hope to catch up today!!
We arrived here, in St. Petersburg, on Thursday afternoon in time to enjoy our waterfront spot.

Sunset photos taken from our campsite - after dark - walked around the campground under an "almost" full moon.

Next morning the temps were so cold that we had to get out our space heater for the 1st time since we were at Hanna Park!

Local Art

Driving around & look what we see .......

Speed Bumps

We're leaving Chassahowitzka, "Chaz" or "Chassy" River Campground after staying here almost 2 weeks. Its a beautiful place - a piece of Old Florida. Some photos from a walk around the campground 2 nights ago. (tried to post for days)