Week Ending December 18, 20"

Ocala Square

Christmas Tree in Square

Finally some nice warm weather.  Florida has returned.  It has been two weeks of below normal temperatures, but it did allow us to do a lot of "road trips" and exploring.  Checked out a number of kayak rivers nearby, and at our age of course, the best being a float downstream and a ride back.  Found one on the Rainbow Springs State Park River where we could drop in, float down, and having dropped one bike (Bob's) in Dunnellon, Fl, bike back to the car, 5 miles prox. so not to bad.  The park had a very beautiful Christmas Light display, with Santa arriving on a pontoon boat, fully decorated with lights.  Fun for the kids!

Tribute to Horse Country

Turtles on River

We purchased an annual pass to the Silver Springs Park just five miles away.  The park is primarily an animal park, but has regular entertainment all free with our pass.   Saw my first Kodiak bear here.  He was huge.  Entertainment is outside, so you bring lawn chairs.  Entertainers are under a stage.  Missed Crystal Gayle, but many more coming, mostly country.  They also have a "Festival of Lights" for Christmas, decorating the park throughout with lights and Christmas music.  Nice!

Sliver Spring River

Found a nice walking park nearby, Marshall Swamp Trail head, with a five mile paved trail.  Lot's of loops so can lengthen or shorten at your wish.  Took our first dinghy trip, launching right here at the park on the Ocklawaha River, pronounced (Oak-la-wa-ha).  Then taking a fork on the Silver Spring River through the state park.  No wake river, so lots of kayaks and canoes, we exploring in our dinghy at idle speed.  Tropical river, very clear water with lots of turtles, birds, and gators.  Saw lots of  all.  They say there are monkeys as well, but today we did not see any.  Round trip was four hours with no docking spots, very remote, but we did find one small inlet for a "potty stop", a must!

Gator

Purchased a campfire ring, allowed in the park, and found a local guy selling wood.  Nice sitting around the fire in the evening.  Being so cold we have not met a lot of people in the park. The warmer weather has brought people out, and Saturday night is a park potluck dinner, so we will meet some folks there.  Downtown Ocala has a very active square in the center of town, with lots of dinning nearby and entertainment in the square.  Last night a nice Jazz group. Featured a sax player and great base player.

Dinghy Capt Bob

Saturday morning rain, clearing by mid day.  Went to the Silver Springs concert featuring Mel Tillus in the park starting at 3pm. Bring your lawn chairs and free entrance with our pass.  Our older friends know who he is, but younger followers won't have a clue.  But he put on a great concert, good band, great comic sense of humor.  Fun!  Followed by a pot luck dinner in the park.  Really good food. Ended evening around the campfire at the coach.