QC11-13 Forest Living part 1

March 8, 2011 (Tue) Titusville, FL to Alexander Springs CG, Ocala NF (89/3021 miles) 50/81° - A few days ago we watched the movie RV with Ed and Kathy. Several times through the movie Robin Williams' character (or a member of his family) saw the big class A motor home they had rented roll away - usually with a disastrous conclusion. This morning it was our turn! As we were saying good-bye to Dorcas and Mike, Q and Lamont began to roll down the road unattended. But unlike the movie this misadventure did not end in disaster. Joy quickly jumped into Q's cab and jammed on the brakes. On that note and with all of the residents looking on and laughing (except one who was unhappy that we were blocking her driveway), we departed The Great Outdoors and made our way to I-95. Before getting on the highway, though, we stopped at the Walmart to fill up with their bargain priced gas - $3.48/gal (though we paid only $3.45/gas with our gift card).

All along I-95 we saw evidence of the fires that had closed the interstate off and on over the last few days. No smoke today but the blackened trees and brush along the road was enough proof that it had been bad. This being "Bike Week" in Daytona, there were motorcycles everywhere - along the roads, in gas station and restaurant parking lots and in fields at swap meets. We were a little concerned about the availability of campsites at Alexander Springs but there was no problem. While none of the sites we have used in the past were available, the one we found seems to be a good one.

March 9, 2011 (Wed) Alexander Springs CG (2) 58/79° - This campsite, with more privacy than the others we've had here, is closer to the main road  outside the campground. This makes the road sounds more prevalent which isn't really a problem - except that this is Bike week. Every so often we hear a loud roar that makes us think a large propeller transport plane is about to land on us. Motorcycles, usually in groups by the sound, are going by on their way to or from Daytona (or a swap meet). Motorcycles are apparently exempt from loud muffler laws that generate tickets with other vehicles. These background noises are accented now and then by one of our neighbors starting up his motorcycle. Fortunately these guys, our neighbors, are considerate campers in spite of their noisy vehicles. We have yet to hear any of them rev up over an idle as they make their way through the campground.

We spent most of today relaxing and enjoying being on our own again after some weeks of visiting. It has been warm enough to sit outside even when the sun was behind the occasional cloud. About mid-afternoon the breeze, never very strong, died down and the gnats, no-see-ums, and small black flies came around. We put up with them for a while then went indoors.

March 10, 2011 (Thu) Alexander Springs CG (3) 61/68° - It rained most of last night. About the time it started in the evening, maybe a bit before, a young couple pulled into the campsite across the road and began to set up their tent. The site was empty when we got up this morning.
 
Mount Dora was the town in Florida where Mark's grandparents retired and over the years we've been there to visit. Once a sleepy little town now it is full of little shops and interesting restaurants. We stopped there a few years ago to explore with our motor home, which wasn't much fun because there was no place to park it. Today we were in our car and were free to poke around and have lunch there. We ate at the Palm Tree Grill. Joy had a crab cake and Mark a fish wrap. Both were delicious.

March 11, 2011 (Fri) Alexander Springs CG (4) 41/63° - Too cold for showers this morning. But it warmed up enough in the afternoon, though it was still chilly. We have been wondering why there are so many kids around at mid week. There are 10 or 12 late high school aged young men - we haven't seen many young women - in a site down the way a bit and sites here and there throughout the campground with similarly aged young people. Most came in yesterday (Thu). We learned this afternoon that this is teacher conference weekend in Florida.

March 12, 2011 (Sat) Alexander Springs CG (5) 36/70° - Even colder this morning than yesterday but it warmed up nicely. By early afternoon we were dressed for summer - shorts and T-shirts. This has been a typical Saturday in a national forest campground (and state park for that matter). Most of the campsites are full with mostly families or older teens in tents (except for the motorcycle dudes). It's surprising to us how many have to bring the noises of civilization to the wilderness with them. As we took our walk tonight we heard radios drowning out the crackling of campfires in many of the sites with tents as shelters. We felt kind of sorry for the older couples next door to them trying to enjoy a quiet evening by their fire. One fellow even took a radio into the shower with him! Oh well, they will all be gone by this time tomorrow. Actually things quieted down very nicely as the evening went on.

March 13, 2011 (Sun) Alexander Springs CG (6) 39/74° - After getting the New York Times and a couple of bagels at the Publix in Eustis we spent the day enjoying the mild weather - mild, that is after it warmed up from the chilly 39° this morning. As expected, the campground pretty much cleared out over the course of the day. But there have been a surprising number coming in to replace them.

Tomorrow we are off to Juniper Springs CG.

Q074063 Alexander Springs CG, Ocala NF #42 dry $10.50 B (x6)