Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Florida

November 30, 2022

Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park.

Since our drive to Florida was to be one of the longest single-day drives of our trip, we set the alarm early so that we could get an early start and arrive at our destination before sunset. (Sometimes the shorter days of late autumn are quite inconvenient.)

But, oh, the best-laid plans of mice and men...

Yes, that is a 3/4" bolt from our hitch that sheared clean off as we were pulling out of our campsite at 7:30 am. Kind of bad timing, but better than if it happened on the road. Luckily, we weren't out in the middle of nowhere (this time), and there happened to be a Tractor Supply store less than 10 miles away. After unhooking the trailer, off we went with the hopes of finding a replacement. Fortunately, a knowledgeable salesman helped us find exactly what we needed, and once back at camp Rick had everything fixed up again.

After hitting up the dump station we were again on our way. Only now it was close to 10 am, and we were going to have to really book it if we wanted to get to our destination before the sun went down. It wouldn't have been the end of the world to get in after dark, but the park closes its gates at sunset, and Julie wasn't able to connect with a human the three times she called throughout the day to get the gate code.

Since we are retired, (and because we get much better gas mileage), we usually take things slow. Yes, we are the annoying driver in the right lane usually going 60 when everyone else is going 80. 

Not this day. 

This day, Rick was passing by all those annoying Sunday drivers in the right lane. He was a man with a mission. He made record time in and out of (3!) gas stations without hitting anything (we burned through lots of gas towing a brick at 75 mph). We skipped lunch. We didn't drink much liquid.  And... we made it to the park at 5:45, right as it was getting dark -- 15 minutes before the gate was to be closed for the night.

Didn't spend much time in Alabama. Maybe next time around.

It was raining as we entered Florida.

After the rain cleared, we drove through some pretty fall landscape in the Panhandle.

Fortunately, our campsite was large and easy to back into in the dark. This picture was taken the next day, of course.

Since we were only going to be at the park for 1 full day, and rain was forecasted for that afternoon, we walked the one and only park trail in the morning so that we could see the springs (only 2 miles). 

The largest of the springs looked very inviting. Julie would have gone swimming, but the morning was kind of cool, and it stormed in the afternoon.

A fish swimming in the ultra clear water.

The state of Florida recently bought the property from a private owner. Lots of repairs are planned to fix previous storm damage and erosion.

The nature trail meandered among a few smaller springs.

This cypress tree is named Aric. It is reportedly 350 years old.

Our stay at Gilchrist Blue Springs SP was a quick one. Tomorrow morning we leave for our more "permanent" home near Tampa where we'll stay for the winter. It will be strange staying in one place for three whole months (less a few weeks while visiting family up north for Christmas). We are not typically "RV park" people, so we have no idea what to expect from the experience. It will be another chapter in the adventure!

There is a google group email list which can send you an email when there is a new blog post. Instructions for signing up here: Subscribe OR directly join here: Google Group