Silver Springs State Park: Bicycling the trails!

Getting around the park is a treat due to the multiple intersecting trails.  As Bill was recovering from a sore heel which left him limping when he walked but had no effect on his bicycling the mode of transportation was an easy decision.  Off we went on the bicycles to explore the park.

OK, it is cool and overcast
but let's explore...
starting with the River Trail

Remember to grab a trail map so you can adventure through much of the park... Swamp and River trails (can be damp), Sand Hills and Sink Holes trails (high and dry), Ft. King and Ross Allen forest trails (wet this time), and across the park to the head springs on the Spring trail (dry with varied terrain).

The Fort King and Ross Allen trails
which explore the forested areas
and can be a bit damp

Recall that Florida is a swamp.  Did you forget?  Hope you wore your mud boots for this trip!

So true...

Recent rains left the river trails
a bit damp.

These numerous trails are accessible by foot, bicycle, or horse.  In truth, some trails are equestrian only while others are best for foot traffic and some for bicycle or foot traffic.  

Old Field Trail
with Oaks, grasses, and mature landscape

Now there are dry trails such as the Sand Hill, Sink Hole, and Old Field trails.  Old Field is a 1.9 mile loop winding through higher ground with mature landscape, grasses, and small birds.  It is a delightful trail and excellent for relaxing and pondering life.  

One of the many educational signs
along most trail.
Make the time to read them!

This as many of the trails contains ample nature interest signs.  Taking the time to read each sign will improve your Florida knowledge.

Silver Thread
Don't get too close
The spikes are sharp!

The Spring trail allows you to travel from the rustic side of the park to the former tourist attraction.  Needless to say the trail changes habitats several times along the 2.3 mile route.  For the most part it is high sandy soil under tall long leaf pines, small oaks, and shrubs adapted to a semi-arid environment. 

Long Leaf Pine
yes a youngster

When bicycling watch for that sugar sand which quickly grabs your wheels and makes peddling nearly impossible.   Sugar sand usually provides me with a welcome walk break!

Sink Hole Trail
Part of the Spring Trail

No matter which trail you choose, you will enjoy the adventure.

Silver Springs: Tourist Attraction to State Park

If you are like me, you remember the old tourist attraction "Silver Springs" and the previous "Silver River State Park" where the main access was by boat.  Welcome to the new Silver Springs State Park which opened in 2014.

Silver River

This is an area with huge natural resource potential as the state staff and volunteers turn the previous tourist attraction into the "Real Florida".

Boardwalk on the Swamp Trail
Leading to the Silver River

I suspect SilverSprings has been a prime tourist attraction since it first bubbled from the earth. Phillip Morrell fixed a piece of glass in the bottom of a rowboat and a new enterprise began.  By the late 1800s it was Florida's main tourist attraction touting the beautiful Silver River with tours of the springs using glass bottom boats.

Today's Silver Springs

In the race for tourist dollars other attractions sprouted up creating a 'plastic' version of Florida, most notably the Disney Complex, which changed the face of the state. Ah, I diverge. Anyway, Silver Springs had to adapt or close due to a lack of business. So, the park added more tacky structures, an animal park, petting zoo, amusement park rides, and a water park. Even that was not sufficient in the end and after realizing the upkeep was more than the income, the park was 'given' to the state of Florida.

Shop Row
A quiet stroll these days

Under the park service, the land is returning to nature. The formal gardens are being restored to an earlier time and the animal pens, rides, and tacky buildings removed. The rhesus monkeys and spider monkeys will remain at present. There are three pods or families of rhesus monkeys according to the biologist and trapper Mickey Summers who we encountered during our canoe paddle on the Ft. King canoe trail.

Bill unloading the canoe
for the paddle

Back to the park...

This is really five parks in one. There is the rustic side with multi-use trails (equestrian, bicycle, canoe/kayak, hike) through the back country. This section includes a campground with spacious sites that adjoin the trails. You will also find a Cracker Village in the park at the Silver River Museum that is used by the Marion County Schools to impart the history of Florida by living in the village, 8AM – 2PM Monday-Friday, and the weekends it is a working village for everyone else to visit.

Canoe Launch
near the head springs

Then we have the former tourist attractions, Silver Springs and Wild Waters. Wild Waters will continue to operate as a water park and hopefully help fund the restoration of the old Silver Springs as the park service works to create a nature park that retains the historical aspect of the 'tourist attraction' while incorporating modern conveniences and services. 

Complete with bicycle trails
and parking!
Cycle or hike the trails the campground
to the springs

Yes, this is a complex park that requires time, money, staff, and volunteers to maintain the existing facilities and bring it into a truly world class Florida State Park.

The Silver River
Looking towards the head springs

Plan a visit!

Silver Springs State Park: Sand Hill Trail

We arrived at Silver Springs State Park, Florida, around noon to check-in to the campground. Now we know check-in time is officially 2 PM are were prepared to wait as not every camper vacates the site promptly or early. Waiting really isn't a problem as there are many interesting areas to explore in most parks, you simply park the rig and walk a trail. Luckily the Sand Hill Trail started within a few hundred yards of the holding area.

Trails are easy to follow
Recent prescribed burn in this area

Bill suggested we take the cats for a hike which is normally a good idea. However, I was amazed the cats wanted to go as we had just left three days at our Citra home where they ran free. Never underestimate cats, they were ready for a new adventure! 

Anna, "OK, let's go"

The trail head was not far away but getting there involved crossing a broad road adjacent to the ranger station, meaning regular traffic, and then walking along the road for 100 yards or so. Neither of these are favorite cat past-times but with a little coaxing they came along without a fuss.

Down the trail
Slipjig in the lead

Now Sand Hill Trail lives up to it's name with plenty of sand, spiney grass, spindley pines, short cabbage palms, scrubby oaks, and similar vegetation. Being an overcast day we were grateful for the lack of vegetation, the weak winter sun just might burn through the grey to warm us. 

Winter Vegetation
Small oak with red leaves
Young Cabbage Palm
Plenty of brown grass

The trail is well marked with Yellow Markers and directional arrows which makes the path easy to follow. No questions as to the direction when you cross another trail or a service road!

You can't miss these 'trails'

We ambled along at cat speed with time to sniff the vegetation and air. The ground showed evidence of a burn in the last year and this fascinated the cats. After a while on the trail begins to drop or ascend depending on your direction of travel, the vegetation changes a bit, and an old sink hole is visible. Not far from this geological discovery the trail intersects the Sink Hole Trail, again all are clearly marked.

"OK, the campsite is ready.
Don't ask, how I know!"
says Slipjig

Cats are pretty smart because after ¾ of a mile they decided it was time to return. Wouldn't you know it, as we opened the truck door the man parking behind us said, “The ranger said your site was ready.” Now, how did they know that?

Campsite #33
Fort King Loop
Silver Springs State Park

Dismantling the Festival of Lights

It is true, all good things must come to an end.  The Festival of Lights ended the season on 12/31/2014 and a few days later the volunteers began the dismantling process.

Red Pole Tree
lights on the ground

The biggest and first pole tree we built.
27+ feet with many strands of lights

We remained at the park (Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center Park) a few extra days to give the January 3rd Campfire Program.  As with most of our "Florida History in Music" programs, it was well received.  About 50 people joined us for a presentation about White Springs and surrounding areas in song and story.  And, as usual, we received many warm and honest comments of "thank you" along with smiles and complements.

As we had a few uncommitted days it seemed reasonable to dismantle and pack the multiple pole trees which we constructed in November.

Bill wrapping lights for storage

Of course when you deal with pole trees that are 18', 22', and 27' tall you don't use a ladder.  You use a lift and this is a sweet machine for the job.  Originally I was the lift operator and Bill was the ground crew, Bill does not like heights. But later Bill wanted to try the lift and I became the ground crew.

The Electric Lift
which is perfect for high jobs

And,  Bill got into the act when we had to hang the huge green spheres, see below, as they were a little heavy and awkward to handle alone.  To hang the lights we both went up in the lift, hung the lights, and strung power cords up the trunk and along the branches.  Later when it was time to remove them, Bill was the lift operator and I served as ground crew.  Removing decorations is easy.

We hung the Green Globes
in November and removed them in January

So the decorations will be stored away until the 2015 "Festival of Lights".  Come September, volunteer crews will begin the decoration process for the December 2015 show.

Red Tree
Lights and Stakes
Packed in the box for next year

First Day Bicycle Ride

Our First Day Bicycle Ride
Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park

Welcome to 2015 on a misty, cool, dreary day spent with friends.  What more could you want?  Friends in White Springs holds an annual New Year's Day brunch, noon-time toast, and a hike.  We were fortunate enough to receive an invitation.  

Dennis & Dottie with Bill
Hosts for the New Year's Day Brunch

After several hours of sterling conversation, stimulating ideas, new friends, and tasty brunch items it was time to toast 2015.  So, the group abandoned the warmth of the house and the dry porch for the backyard fire and more good wishes.  With the bubbly, alcohol or fruit based, we welcomed in 2015 at high noon on New Years Day.  Then... it was time to depart for the annual first day hike.  

The back woods at
Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park

Now, Bill had a sore foot so hiking was out of the question; however, bicycling was not. So, late afternoon we headed out on our bicycles to the wooded areas of Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park.

Did I mention not all roads were passable?

It was a cool, gray afternoon and so far a predictor of the weather to follow.  However, it is January in north Florida which is far from the balmy, sun-drenched dreams of snow birds.  North Florida is pine, palmetto, oak, brown winter grass, gray sky, and overcast.  

This road was a bit damp
complements of the recent rains.

Recent storms with heavy rains and gusty winds resulted in many downed trees and puddles.  So, more than once we stopped to move a tree off the road.  This was usually a two person job due to the length of the tall skinny pine or oak, the generous branches, and the soggy ground. Up until the late 1800s this was typical of over 90 million acres of the Southern US, it was covered in flatwoods forest, primarily pine and cypress, and heavily logged.

Bill adjusting the fallen tree
after we move it from the road
note the palmettos and pines

Yes, it was a bit of a mud ride on the back roads which are often dry but currently a bit swampy.

Isn't this fun?

It was not difficult to find roads and trails that were partially dry, that was easy.  What was challenging was getting around the water holes because the only "dry land" was  cross country and sometimes following an animal trail.  Pine flatwoods animals just don't make trails suitable for bicycling.  Not to worry, we kept the off-trail terrain to a minimum and selected areas that would quickly recover from our passage.

Another puddle to avoid

The main road leads past the primitive campground and back to the improved campground.  Upon exiting the road we encountered Rhonda walking Tucker, her dog, on their first day hike.  Rhonda, like us, is a volunteer for the Florida Park System.  This was not only her first day but her last day hike because the next day she started at Dudley Farm Historic State Park.

Rhonda & Tucker
ready for new adventures!

Happy 2015... 

to new adventures.

Out with the Old and In with the New

Here we are at the top of another year. Hard to believe that so much has happened and changed in 2014 whether you consider the nation, world, climate, or your personal life.

Facebook Compilation Tool
https://www.facebook.com/myyear2014official

 For those active Facebook posters you could generate the year with the "My Year" app or link.  The rest of us need to rely on memory, diaries which these days are often blogs... such as Blogger

Blog Dashboard

through Google where of course you read my missives.

Yes, this blog
http://margchauvin.blogspot.com/

So, let's consider 2014... on second thought maybe I'll let dead dogs lie.  Much better to look forward unless there is a lesson I missed from the 2014 goings-ons.  It is good to review your life but don't dwell on it because it could be depressing.  Looking forward, we have both scheduled and unscheduled time.  

Susan, Bill, and Marg
at Karen's & Eric's

Time with friends and family
Carol Messer in the rear
summer 2014

 January through March are reserved for adventure, family, and friend time.  We plan to ramble around Florida exploring the state parks (where ever we can find a vacant campsite), playing music with friends (throughout the state), and visiting family (Citra, Melbourne, St. Augustine).
  

Long Point Park
Sebastian FL

After that we expect to return to Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park for April and May to work on the Florida Folk Festival.  

Our Sunday Morning Jam
Florida Folk Festival 2014

Seminole Village & hawk demonstration
Florida Folk Festival 2014

Summer is yet unplanned but it would be good to explore some mountains and find a few music jams... such as those in the Galax VA area.  Perhaps we will spend some time at a seaside park and find new adventures.

Old-time music jam
Galax VA 2014

The fall should see us at Anastasia State Park, September-October, and then back to Stephen Foster to help with the Festival of Lights, November and December.  

Sea oats at dawn
Anastasia State Park
2014

Hiking with the cats
2014

Volunteers & Friends
Festival of Lights
2014

Well, guess 2014 was pretty good and I did a quick review while looking forward to 2015!

Happy New Year.