After Tate’s Hell, we moved only an hour or so north to a Florida county campground near Tallahassee on the Ochlocknee River: the same water that feeds into Womack Creek. We’re kind of biding our time between past appointments in Texas and future ones in Tampa and Naples, exploring Florida’s panhandle in the process.
This little county campground is almost perfect. Large campsites right on the river, each with its own leveled and fenced-off area—to keep you from loitering around the water’s edge, no doubt, but in exchange you get this nice water-front patio.
I took this shot from the Airstream this morning while the sun was still rising, and this from Banjo and my walk at the boat ramp.
The reason this place isn’t perfect is that that’s it: our campsite, a tiny campground loop with maybe ten other sites, and a boat ramp on the river. No hiking, no trails, no direct access for us to put in the kayaks.
We’ve been here only a day though (during which I’ve checked the news almost constantly post-election day), so maybe we have more to learn.
Wakulla State Park
We did drive into Tallahassee for a few errands and to rubberneck at this college town that neither of us has been to. So far what I’m most excited about is roadside stands selling boiled peanuts and giant shrimp by the pound. Tracy’s been cooking fresh fish for us and grilled giant shrimp on the campfire yesterday. Yum!
On a friend’s suggestion, we visited Wakulla natural springs, with an old resort and signs detailing the decimation of the native population.
The springs seem crystalline, but we could get glimpses only from a dock; sightseeing boat rides are shut down, and we weren’t about to join the kids jumping from the diving platform into the swimming area (chilly day!).
We did amble along a path through the swamp, hoping for an alligator sighting.
No dice. Lots of cypress though with tall knees. Plus Great Blue Herons that squawk at us loudly, Barred Owls calling through the dusk, Great Egrets together in white groups—and I saw a White Ibis.
No conclusive results with presidential polling, but we’re getting really close.
We’re all holding our collective breath.
Even once we let it out and finally breathe in again, I’m not sure what we’ll be facing. A greater opportunity to mend the gaping rift in this country is what we all want.
Looks like a lovely spot to wait out the result.
It is. I’m playing ukulele by the water, Tracy is thinking, and Banjo is sleeping in the tent. We’re waiting.