BlackWater River SP (FL) (May 17-23) PART 2

Buddy Enjoying the Swim

Great Swim Spot

Ready to Go Again

The next day we did make it back into Milton,Fla.and rode our bikes on the Blackwater Heritage Trail. The 8.2 mile paved Rail-to-Trail from Old Hwy.90 where we started to Whiting Air Force Base Gate and back was scenic and surprisingly busy for an early evening excursion.  There are a few good rivers or creeks in the Blackwater State Forest area to canoe or kayak. So Buddy and I decided to kayak another one called Big Juniper Creek from Red Rock Rd. to Indian Ford Rd. Very nice current and was not as wide as Blackwater River, or as many sandbars, but enough sandbars to stop [more than once] and swim and have a great time. Buddy is a lot of fun in the water, specially trying to paddle up river and going no where. But Captain Buddy, [Because he stands on the kayak front] we are becoming  real-true kayakers. That same afternoon as kayaking, Darlene and I were back in Milton, Fla. for their Riverwalk Art Festival which very nice, informative and locally entertaining. But we came across their All WARS Veterans Memorial on the Riverwalk along the Blackriver. What an Veteran's Memorial it was; the most memorable and beautiful one we have ever seen.
  PS. We cut our stay one day short, Due to early-bird yapper dogs and headed to St. Andrew's State Park near Pamama City, Fla.

BlackWater River SP (FL) (May 17-23) PART 1

The river water is truly black but very clean.   The Blackwater's sandy bottom white beaches and large sandbars are a sharp contrast to the dark tannic water that gives the river its name.  Designated a Florida Canoe Trail, the river and the park are part of the statewide system of green-ways and trails.  Very nice site out in the middle of a forest yet they have water, electric, sewers, grills,clothes line, and a nice fire-pit.  Beautiful rest room with tiled floors walls. Mike's second kayak adventure was 11 miles long and NO homes, all wilderness and I had the whole river to myself.  However, I ran into a thunder-storm with torrential rains.  I used the kayak for protection and thankfully, after 80 minutes or so the rains subsided, the sun broke out and I was able to meet Dar sooner at a canoe launch near camp. It was the best relaxing kayaking river, with plenty of sand bars, places to port / swim and I thoroughly enjoyed the day of course, until the storm blew in. I would recommend water shoes or water sandals. The next day we traveled to Pensacola about 35 miles away.  Very nice town and we stopped at Perdido Key which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.   Hurricane Ivan (2004) damaged the buildings and changed the whole landscape.  You have the Big Lagoon on one side of the island and the Gulf of Mexico on the other side.  Very beautiful island for swimming and nature hikes.  We then ventured onto Pensacola Navy Gateway to see if the Blue Angels still resided there.  They still do and the officer said we missed flying with the pilots that early morning.  Did not get on the base of course, but we can say we were there.  Ran out of time for laundry and bike riding on the Blackwater Heritage State Trail, 8.1 miles long paved  Rail-to-Trail in Milton. We'll have to save that for another day. No problem being retirees!!

Rocky Bayou SP (FL) (May 10 - 17th), 2010

 We reached our next destination, Rocky Bayou State Park in NICEVILLE, FL. We had a beautiful campsite on the corner with a view of Rocky Bayou Lake. There were  lots of short trails, a beautiful amphitheater where Ranger Steve showed the movie RV (how appropriate) one night, Rentals for kayaking or canoeing, and a boat launch for this All Sports Lake. They are a sister park to Henderson State Park. We are in a very shady park with lots of sandy dirt sites; some graveled or paved. They say it is a sanctuary for birds but alligators, turtles and other wildlife have their habitat here. Buddy and Mike did set out to explore the great Rocky Bayou Lake in the kayak. Will they return dry is the question? Well Buddy did very well in the kayak. We went along the shore of the state park and down to its boat launch where Buddy and I were able to swim together for the first time. Boy what a riot we had. Seen a couple of eagle or hawk's nest. One near the lake and another one on our evening nature hikes on Sand Pine Trail (one of 3) nature trails this park has. Also had electric, water and laundry facilities in the park.   Met some fantastic people like Chris and Jay who will be heading up to the U.P. in Michigan this summer, and Faith and her dog, Sasha.

Topsail Hill Preserve SP (FL) (May 8 - May 10), 2010

Should have stayed at Henderson State Park. This elite State Park was called Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and was also on the Gulf of Mexico. Elite is what I mean to be expensive, club med, close to your neighbors. Used to be a private park and the State of Florida took it over.  Nice park don't get me wrong; but not our kind of park -- too commercial. Even though perks included a swimming pool, sewers, cable and shuffleboard. Plus a tram drove you to the beach. Even had a full size laundry facility.  Some really big boys in there -- the deluxe motorhomes; ours just looked like one of their baby motorhomes. Beach was not as nice as Henderson Beach either. So many small yapper dogs too. Buddy could of eaten any one of them for a meal. So we did a day trip to Panama City Beach. Mike just had to visit the largest bar in the world called Club Lavela (as mentioned on the Travel Channel). Since it was Sunday they were closed and boy was he disappointed in the appearance -- it clearly looked like a dump from the outside even though it was on the beach. Thousands of young adults though line up through the parking lot to get in on the weekend nights. Panama City Beach is a nice town though with hundreds of places to stay (hotels). P.S. Oil still has not hit the beaches. A special thank you to Kelsey, Jason; Shaun (and Natalie) for remembering me on Mother's Day. Love you all!!!

Henderson Beach State Park (FL) (May 3 - 8th), 2010

We were heading for Panama City but ended 50 miles west to Destin, Florida at Henderson Beach
State Campground. I believe you would call this one Club Med of Florida. Big boy deluxe RVers in this one. Beautiful setting, beach and white sands. The restrooms were large, modern and clean at all times. This park was well maintained. Hoping the oil spill does not tarnish these beaches. Signed up as volunteers if needed. You have to eat at the live alligator restaurant called FudPuckers. Great place to sign the walls, light fixtures, floor, bar, anything you can write on. Our name's on the second light fixture over the table in the bar. This is one place I (Darlene) could retire in if I had to pick one place to settle down in (Destin). Beautiful weather, beaches, roads, and miniature golf places. The Gulf of Mexico is the best beach we have ever been too including Hawaii!!! Plan to depart on Saturday, May 8th and head to another State Park 10 miles east -- closer to Panama City which we will visit over the weekend. Stay tuned!!! By the way there was a beautiful 1/4 mile boardwalk built across the sand dunes to get to the beach. They protect their natural settings.  We also witnessed our first beach wedding.  How sweet -- everybody take off your shoes!!!!
Of course not without incidence.  The night we arrived it had poured rain very heavy and all night.  Well it filled up the kayak with at least 6 inches of water sitting on the car; when Mike went to get the kayak down the next morining,  it was so full of water he lost control of it and it smashed our car windshield.  Lesson learned:; when it first rains we remove the kayak from the top of the car.
                                            Go to www.floridastateparks.org for more information.

Reed Bingham State Park (GA) (April 26 - May 2nd) , 2010

Our first week was at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, Georgia. 6 miles west of I-75 off of exit 39 Nice quiet campground. Electric,water, laundry facility & cable believe it or not!!! Weather was hot -- up to the 90's! Ate at the local Catfish House which is only open Thursdays - Sundays! Did some hiking & biking. Area known for Tortoises & alligators but we never ran across any. Mike Kayaked the Little River. The river was deep & just wide enough for boat fishing & just relaxing. But not any good places to port. Nice hiking trails! Miniature golf too!!!!  Even had laundry facilities!

Go to www.gastateparks.org for more information.