LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS

We recently visited central Florida's Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, FL, the winter home to almost 500 West Indian manatees.

Talk about winter visitors trying to find a place to get warm!

Florida State Parks are proud of "America's Best State Park" Designation!

Blue Spring Gift Shop with Snorkel/Scuba Rentals 

Stay for the weekend in a full furnished cabin!

Abundance of turtles, birds, fish and wildlife 

A Florida Manatee and calf at Blue Spring

 Other animals that make Blue Spring a home is the Florida scrub jay, gopher tortoise and black bear. This area is the home of one of only two known locations for the Okeechobee gourd.

Florida Scrub Jay - Blue Spring

All types of Florida birds life thrive in this environment

Tucked within 2,643 acres are 15 natural communities, a lagoon, a north-flowing river and a first-magnitude spring that discharges over 104 million gallons of water into the St. Johns River on a daily basis.

Manatees are well protected at Blue Spring

Boardwalk through shade areas

We enjoyed the one-third mile boardwalk that follows the flowing Blue Spring run through a shady hardwood hammock.

The water is 72-degrees year round and abounds with fish, manatees and tropical birds. They are very well protected away from areas where swimmers and scuba divers converge.  There are 3 covered pavilions if you care to have a picnic or simply rest.

Many covered and uncovered picnic areas

If you bring a bicycle there is a 4 mile, one way Pine Island Hiking Trail.  Facilities include 50 campsites equipped with water, electricity, picnic tables, fire rings and 6 fully equipped cabins.  

If you desire to explore the river further, rent a canoe, kayak or take a kayak tour or experience native plants and wildlife on a 2 hour river cruise.

Leisurely kayaks enjoy the Spring

The on-site Florida pioneer Louis Thursby House is over 100 years old and offers an insight to early Florida pioneer living.   Louis Thursby purchased Blue Spring in 1856 and built a 3 story house atop a large Indian midden in 1872.  Before the railroad rolled through in the 1880s, Thursby's Blue Spring Landing was a hotbed of steamboat activity shipping tourists and goods to Jacksonville and beyond.  Mrs. Mary Thursby was Orange City's first postmistress.

Louis Thursby Home - Blue Spring

Louis Thursby House has withstood the test of time since 1872

The State of Florida purchased Blue Spring in 1972 recognizing the importance of this area being a winter refuge to the manatee.

Blue Spring is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.  The beauty and history of this important spring is definitely something to be protected for all to enjoy.

I LOVE FOOD TRUCKS! DON'T YOU?

Are you enjoying the national food truck phenomenon as much as we do?  We have seen creative chefs and their food trucks all over the United States and the good thing about it is that it brings people together to do one of their favorite activities.....EAT.   Getting to know each other better is usually a side benefit.

MONSTA LOBSTA
This is a favorite truck for New Englanders! 

A lot of people who enjoy the food trucks say it reminds them of their backgrounds and where they came from.  Or they may just crave particular food because of its freshness and flavor.  One example is the popular Monsta Lobsta which offers lobster rolls and genuine New England clam chowder as well as another favorite, lobster bisque.   This truck always has crowds in the central Florida area.  Monsta Lobster is invited to Florida Grande Motor Coach in Webster, FL, frequently during the winter season and everyone always enjoys them.

POPPY'S MEXICAN 7 AMERICAN FAVORITES

Poppy's Mexican and American Favorites food truck is another favorite that usually appears in the central Florida areas.  During the busy snowbird season this truck comes often to Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort in Webster, FL

GOOD EATS - a South Florida Food Truck
This food truck is always popular because it offers fresh seafood dishes.

If you enjoy fresh regional seafood you can find it on a food truck.  Sometimes when we are visiting other cities we are able to enjoy food trucks like Good Eats.  This food truck was recently at RiverBend Motor Coach Resort in LaBelle, FL.

GEORGIE BOY and ETHEL'S FAMOUS WINGS
"Spirit Food that feeds the SOUL"

Soul food on a food truck is a natural and usually where there are long lines.  Georgie Boy and Ethel's Famous Wings, however, the collard greens and spicy cornbread were some of the best we've had anywhere!  Many food trucks offer such a selection you take your time making a decision and you end up having to order a little bit of everything.

UP IN SMOKE

We learned several things about dining with food trucks and that is when you read the menu/sign on the side of the truck you have to take a few minutes thinking about what it is they prepare that you want more than anything else.   Then you have to study the pricing which could surprise you when you go to pay for your order.  So I guess you have to practice patience.

URBAN GRILL - Cincinnati, OH

Urban Grill of Cincinnati, OH, started out as a food truck and in time the people of Cincinnati adored the food so much the owners have built an amazing restaurant which offers delicious  and amazing food.  The food truck is still popular and as it says on the truck "Bacon Built This City".

HOG WILD

HOG WILD food truck was part of a bar-b-que cookoff near Galax, VA.  The BBQ was delicious! No wonder.....these people are professionals!

TRACY'S TASTIES
MINI Cheesecakes

Tracy's Tasties is a treat machine in Atlanta, GA.  How many times have you just wanted a taste of cheesecake, not the whole slice?!  This food truck will supply the perfect size and flavor!

THE ATLANTA BURGER TRUCK

We're all about the search for the perfect burger and the Atlanta Burger food truck promises to deliver.  The ingredients are a secret but this the one of the freshest burgers you'll find int Atlanta.
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WILD BILL'S BEACH DOGS - Seaside, FL

Doesn't food taste great at the beach?  How about one of Wild Bill's Beach Dogs in the Land Yacht District in a converted Airstream Trailer in Seaside, FL.  You will definitely be back because Wild Bill's is a permanently based food truck in the middle of Seaside on Highway 30A....doesn't get much better than that!

RAW AND JUICY - an Airstream Food Truck in Seaside, FL

You can't go wrong at the RAW and JUICY food truck in the middle of Seaside, FL on Highway 30A.  Always fresh and delicious and their menu is amazing!

FROST BITES - Seaside, FL

Another converted Airstream food truck in the Land Yacht district of popular Highway 30A is Frost Bites.  An important part of going to the beach is staying very hydrated and the Frost Bites food truck can help you with that.  Not only do they have delicious ice cream, drinks, but awesome lemonade freezes.  Be careful or you'll get "brain freeze"

BAREFOOT BAR-B-QUE in Seaside, FL
Make it a perfect day at the beach in the Panhandle of Florida

BEAUTY OUT OF ASHES

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park - Bushnell, FL

Our winter domicile is in an area of great historical significance near the 80 acre Dade Battlefield Historic Park in Bushnell, FL.  Until we stayed in this area we weren't aware of the importance of this State Park in Sumter County, Florida, discovering that this was the site of one of the most important and deadliest battles in the history of the United States.  This park preserves the Second Seminole War (the longest conflict in the first 195 years of American History) battlefield which was fought on December 28, 1835, and marks the area where tribal Seminole warriors fought soldiers under the command of Major Francis L. Dade.  Each year a reenactment of Dade's Massacre is held to retell the story.

Dade Battlefield State Park - "National Gold Medal Winter"

The activities held at the Park are always interesting and very well organized so I invited a friend to a High Tea which was held in the Lodge which holds 96 people, has a kitchen and facilities most comfortable for wedding and special events.  

High Tea - Dade Battlefield 

Since attending gourd classes, silk scarf dying classes and pine needle art classes, I had a pretty good idea we would definitely enjoy ourselves.  That was an understatement! 

Gourd Classes held at Dade Battlefield

Silk Scarf Classes - Dade Battlefield

High Tea - Dade Battlefield - 2019

High Tea - Dade Battlefield State Park - 2019

High Tea - Dade Battlefield State Park - 2019

High Tea - Dade Battlefield State Park - 2019

My Friend, Sandy Gallup - High Tea - Dade Battlefield State Park - 2019

The High Tea was hosted by the Dade Battlefield Society, an organization since 1987, which supports the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of this area.  Through living history events, nature programs, social functions, educational and recreational activities, festivals, and the annual reenactment of Dade's Battle, the non-profit Dade Battlefield Society operates exclusively for charitable purposes.

Beautiful Dade Battlefield Historic Park - Bushnell, FL

Now when we hear of an activity or event at the Dade Battlefield Historic Park we make plans well in advance and know this will be an opportunity to enhance our own cultural awareness.