Torreya State Park (FL) (June 4th - 5th)

Torreya State Park was our nexts venture.  Torreya State Park is high on a bluff overlooking the Apalachicola River.  The park is named this for a species of rare Torreya tree that occurs only on the bluffs of this river.  It is very scenic and there were not many campers in the park.  Since this was a layover camping day, we managed to hike through part of the Weeping Ridge Trail to venture to the old Stone Bridge which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp back in 1938 when they were developing the park.  Very scenic.  Another point of interest we visited was the Gregory House built in the mid-1800's.  Very nice house overlooking the river and had some beautiful wood floors from what we could see.  Originally the house stood across the river from the park at Ocheesee Landing and was part of a large plantation.  Once slavery ended after the Civil War, the house was dismantled and moved to its present location in the park.  Since you cannot gain access to the river from the park, hiking is the best amenity of this park as well as the scenic overlook of  the bluff.  Truly a Hiker's Paradise!
From there we moved on to Three Rivers Campground located in Sneads, Florida.

St. George's State Park, (FL) (May 31 - June 4)

St. George's Island is located east of Apalachicola across a 4.5 mile bridge.  As we crossed the bridge to the east is the half of the old bridge which is now being used as a fishing pier.  You enter the island on a nice palm treed boulevard and straight ahead is St. George Lighthouse and innkeepers house now under restoration.  We headed towards the State Park with all these beautiful homes on stilts along the gulf with a four mile paved lit bike trail from the town  to the State Park entrance.  We entered the State Park only to find we are one hour too early for our 3:00 p.m. check-in.  Kind of like hotel check-in.  You cannot check in early.  So we drop the RV in the parking lot and tour the park and the campground 4 miles in.  The next day because we forgot to ask for a trail map, and the camp-host didn't have any. We rode our bikes to the ranger station to pick one up. Lo and behold, they did not have one. So on this very HOT day (92 degrees) -- we went back to the campground the 4 + miles and died in our camper which was nicely air-conditioned and our faithful Buddy waiting for us. We drove the car into town to check it out and had lunch at Firehouse 9.  some other pricey tourists trap restaurants are Blue Parrot on the Gulf and Harry A's. Both are very nice. We ended up climbing the 94+ steps to the top of the lighthouse and did internet work down loading photos under the lighthouse park's pavilion and the only pet-friendly bench we know of. Mike wanted to help with the  Museum Restoration project and brought an brick-paver for the Museum sidewalk. It reads " RVing Kohuts  2010  St. George's Light Shines On Forever"   space was limited that was the best I could do!!  An very unusual sight for us was playing dodge them with the sand craps one night with the car on the park's main road. Of course, I didn't have my camera.  Had an day of on and off rain that became laundry day. That evening Mike adventure out with his bike on an 2.5 mile trail to Gap-Point,  trashy Primitive Campsite. The trail was flat but some sandy spots made for an good work-out going though them!!  The sunset was clouded but I noticed this unusual nest or eating platform of some kind with an little ladder going to the water attached to the roots of an tree along the shore. I headed back to camp an took another trail that went across wetlands, through some forest area, on boardwalks, bridges and out to the park's main road. Wow, what a ride and work-out. The next day as we were leaving, I stop at the Ranger's Station and I showed the two rangers the photos nest/platform???  Wouldn't you know it, they didn't know anything about it, what it was, or how it got there. Well, your guess is as good as mine!!   Off We Go To Torreya State Park!!       If You Would Like More Information on St. George;s Island or Would Like to Help With The Museum Restoration Project. Please Go To: info@seestgeorgeisland.com

St. Joseph Peninsula SP, (FL) (May 24th - 31st)

St. Joseph Peninsula Area is a Fisherman's and Diver's Paradise. With many sunken ships off the peninsula point and the abundant marine life in the gulf and bay. But we didn't fish or dive. Went to visit the nearest town called Apalachicola  so we could use the library for our internet service since there was no internet access and barely any cell service on the peninsula.  Very old town where oysters are their industry. They are very worried about the oil spill since this would cost them their livelihood.  Had lunch at the busy Seafood Grill, probably the most reasonable place to eat in town.  That evening we hiked the parks only unmarked poorly maintained trail and batted deer flies.  Saw a few deer in the dense topography with sandy dunes.  Don't know what they survive on.  Visited Port St. Joe's town to do laundry and obtain driver's license information.  Ate at Joe Mama's where indeed they had the best pizza we've had in a very long time. It was baked in a firewood burning stone oven.  Discovered another one of Mike's favorite shopping places:  Bluewater Outriggers where we purchased our snorkeling equipment. www.bluewateroutriggers.com  The last day there was Buddy day; we found a beach on the gulf to take him swimming and he just loved it -- he learned to jump the waves and was fascinated by the pelicans and sea gulls but they were just too fast for him even though he attempted to chase them down the beach.  Visited the San Base Lighthouse owned by the US. Air force division.  We also rode our bikes up to the State Park's rental cabins -- they were very nice, private and on the water on the bay side.
NOTE:  This park does not support hiking nor bike riding; however, there was a beautiful bike trail outside the park but you would have to ride 2.5 miles just to get out of the park.  Ranger and campers distanced about 3 miles away --  we guess they leave it up to the camp hosts to take care of the campground.  Most sites dirt/sand and some paved and of course Mike contracted sand fleas (we believe). But the beach is close and in walking distance. Buddy and I made record time  packing up while Darlene was loafing at the beach as we begin to head out for our next adventure to St. George's Island State Park.     PS. These last two photos are sunrise. Can you believe that!! I can get up that early!!

St. Andrews State Park ( FL) (May 23, 2010)

We arrived at St. Andrew's State Park to find ourselves at our first water-front campsite.  The park is just outside of Panama City and was just a lay-over for one night..  We took our bikes for an adventure only to find ourselves walking through sand during the ride.  However, we finally reached the Jettie where the water on the gulf side was like bath water on a hot 90 degree day.  Water temperature is definitely in the 80's on the gulf and no sign of the oil spill as of this date.  Camping is on the bay not the gulf but waking up to a view of water is very pleasant.  We also visited the Turpentine Still -- just a little history in the campground.  Mike is providing a picture as reference.   We noted the best campsites in the park on the water for future reference visits.  We then headed for St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park for our next hot adventure and I mean hot.  Only the gulf breezes make the days bearable with the air-conditioning through the night.

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.