2011 CATCH-UP September

Wow, has this been a fast year or what, the Fall Season is upon us and this is the first entry I have made this year.  Let’s see, where do I start?

February found Roz and I heading for Florida with the intent of eventually attending the Palatka, Florida Bluegrass Festival in late February, which we did.  Enroute we made several stops, Maxwell AFB in Alabama, then a COE park on Lake Seminole, near Bainbridge, Ga.  From there we went on to  a place called Ross Prairie near Dunnellon, Florida.  This was a neat campground catering primarily to horse folks, however we really enjoyed the place.

All spaces were very wide and drive through.  Lot of walking (horse) trails surrounding this park.

There were several very scenic parks in this area.  We spent a couple of days just  exploring and enjoying the area.

 

This is one of the natural springs feeding a nearby river.

 

 

From here we proceeded to Ortano South (COE) campground near Labelle, Fl.  This was a terrific location on the banks of the Lake Okeechobee waterway.

While staying here we took the opportunity to visit Roz’ sister, Ellen, living in Ft Lauderdale, about 100 miles to the SE. 

 

 

Perfect location and the weather was typical Florida, outstanding, while Kentucky folks back home were enduring VERY cold temperatures.

After leaving here we wandered a little further up North to a place called Salt Springs, a NFS campground located in the Ocala National Forest near Palatka, Florida.  FHU facility in a beautiful area.

Roz and I really enjoyed our visit here, such beautiful scenery and terrific temperatures.  However, the true reason for our trip to Florida was near, the Palatka Bluegrass Festival.

After spending a week here we moved a little further North to the campgrounds at Rodeheavers’ Boys Ranch at Palatka, the site of the Festival.  We were to be here four days. 

 

Joining Roz and I at this event was her sister, Ellen, a real newbie at both camping and Bluegrass.  Roz and I were thinking this could be a true event if Ellen were to dislike both camping AND Bluegrass…We were both relieved and elated that she truly enjoyed both experiences, so much so she made her reservations for the upcoming year in advance.

 

A look at the upscale “conveniences” located within the campground.

 

 

A beautiful sunrise out our back window.

 

 

Ellen arrived from Ft Lauderdale via AmTrack at this station in Palatka.

 

 

 

After the Festival was over we all said our good-byes and Roz and I started our venture back towards Kentucky, and winter.  First stop just up the road about 200 miles or so to one of our favorite places, Kings Bay Naval Sub Base.

This is near several areas of interest, Jekyll Island, St Mary’s, Savannah to name a few.

After a week here it was On The Road Again.

 

We eventually arrived back home, all safe and sound, to much colder weather.  However, we were loaded with terrific memories of this wonderful trip.  Now…where to next?  That is the dilemma…