On April 9th, we left Foley and started our Florida odyssey! Here, everyone except me and Scratty are posed at a rest stop along the way.
We camped at a little park next to the Ochlockonee River, which was so big, we had it confused with the giant Lake Talquin Reservoir that it feeds into. This campground was really not suitable for big rigs like ours, but I read in the reviews that they had ONE site that we'd be able to squeeze into IF we reserved it ahead of time. We lucked out and got it, only for two nights - better than no nights at all! As soon as we got parked, Bill got the chairs out and everyone got to come out and explore the campsite...
But in the heat of the day, indoors is best! Hayes thinks he'd like a little soda too, please...!?
Zou checks out the river.
Brothers. These two are such twins, I like to call Tractor Hayes' brother from another mother. So what if they're different species! They're THE SAME!!! Matching personalities and behaviors!!
Bill and his boy (the other one - Tractor is his first and still favorite. Even though Tractor and Hayes are so alike, he is still a CAT and Bill is a CAT GUY!) on the campground dock. Finally late in the day enough to cool down. Is this river humongous or what?!!
Boat parking. This place would be SO neat to have a boat!!!! I was so bummed we didn't fall into that category!!! But by boat, I'm not talking kayaks or canoes. A big metal rowboat would be the smallest I would want to go out in. Bill spoke with someone who went out in a kayak and heard about the BIG gators... I would, of course, LOVE to see the BIG gators!!! But from a BIG boat!!!!
So...how many times do you see signs like this?!
Such a pretty little park, and we loved our site - although it was a bit challenging to get into (little perimeter campground road that made backing in kinda tough - OK with a spotter, not so much on your own!!).
BAD quality photo, but this was taken with my long lens, which was not nearly long enough to reach all the way across the river! But I had to try, to get shots of these osprey on their nest.
One of the gators. It was frustrating to be stuck on the bank and seeing them so far out. But some gators were kind enough to come in relatively close so I could see them better!
The far shore. So pretty and lush!
Families that fish together = a good thing!!
Going...
going...
practically gone!
A boat coming up made this guy feel the need to submerge.
I kept hoping one of the many boaters would take pity on me and offer a ride but no luck.
Some didn't really have room, and I probably wouldn't have wanted to stay out all day like they no doubt planned on! But for the most part, most folks probably just didn't figure someone wanted to go out and photograph alligators for an hour or two...!?
If you stood there with a six-pack you'd have gotten a ride. 8-)
ReplyDeleteNo doubt! Coke or 7-up? ;)
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