Took a short camping trip in the van so I had AC.
The heat has been a bit oppressive temperature in the 90's heat index over the century mark.

Barely cooling at night.

Florida Springs Trip

Beginning our trip in Palatka Florida Linda and I, heading west on State Road 100 to Lake Butler where we then headed up to Ocean pond in the Osceola National Forest. It's a very beautiful ride leisurely laid-back two-lane road through the woods.

Travel Map

The main campground at Ocean pond has many nice sites, an allows 30 days which is very unusual to the normal 14-day stay in National Forest Campgrounds. Most of the campground and the Primitive area is still 14 days, only Power and Electric Area is 30 days

Linda and I found three sites that we really liked that have sort of access to the lake for kayak and canoe.
However there are very many beautiful sites, we were mainly looking for site that has direct Lake access. Several sites are very large and would accommodate a good size family or a small group.

Linda and I then headed west on US Highway 90,
Then on to Lake Live Oak and spent the night at the Suwannee River State Park.

After stopping for 5 hours at Walmart 😱 to get two tires for the van we knew we were going to need to purchase it was something we didn't figure we were going to have to do this soon into our trip and we're hoping to put it off for a few more months but it was done and now it's over.

Continuing on the next day Linda and I visited several other springs had lunch at a little Park along the Suwannee River. Linda and I, then camped the second night at Stephen Foster State Park again on the Suwannee River.

Finally, on our third day, we proceeded back to the Osceola National Forest on our way home back to Palatka.

It's been good year overall, few up and downs. I've been able to continue my daily exercises, finished some old projects. Started some new projects, built a 3 wheel recumbent trike from the ground up my own design. Should be great addition to my excerise plan.

In the last days of the old year I'm planning for the ritualistic camping trip in the woods. Linda and I traditionally go out in the woods for 1 final camp out and bring in the new year camping. I cook big pot of traditional beans over the fire!

So we camp for first and last day of the year! What a great way to end up an start off, with a little dirt time. Spending time outdoors with mother nature, playing the flute eating great food.

Being thankful for all our blessing's, now that is truly Thanksgiving, I can't think of better way to reflect on the past and get ready for what is to come.

If only we could get the kids and grands to in brace the tradition we have started. I know the are building there own tradition's. Some years we backpack, some we just take the van but it's all great!

Forecast this year is for exceptional weather hits in low 80's lows in the mid to upper 60's no rain and clear sky's. It will be like spring in the winter, Yee Haw!!

Bow Staff Flute I have on Etsy for sale.
Great hiking accessory, it has built in storage for survival items.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RHawkFlutesGuitars?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Looks like another week of heavy rain today so far 2+ inches with no sign of letting up. The streets and roads very flooded, Flood watch continues until Thursday after noon.

So far we received 9.08 inches of rain this month!