QC11-14 Forest Living part 2

March 14, 2011 (Mon) Alexander Springs RA to Juniper Springs RA (21/3042 miles) 43/83° - We pulled out of the campsite at about 10:00 and proceeded to the dump station. After taking care of Q's cleansing and replenishing needs we got on the road at 10:30 (47° clear, sunny and warming up) to move our home over to Juniper Springs - not a long trip (21 miles), no adventures. We got here at 10:52.

The gatekeeper told us that there was only one site available other than a pull-thru that they wanted to save for a bigger rig that was coming in later. We were a bit put out by this as non-reservable aren't supposed to be "saved", but we respect the unique needs of those over-sized rigs. Actually we were early into the campground. If we'd come in after the mandatory checkout time, we'd have had a bigger choice. It turns out that we really like this site (so far). It is in a part of the campground that we've been in only one other time - the first time we were here back in 2004. It is sunny and very private - we can't even see any of our neighbors. This kind of privacy makes us a little wary though. So we will probably lock up our bicycles and stow our chairs at night - which we tend to do anyway.

There seems to be no TV reception here!

March 15,2011 (Tue) Juniper Springs RA (2) 47/85° - Laundry, shopping, a haircut for Joy, and lunch in the "big city" of Silver Springs. Otherwise a lazy day - actually afternoon since our adventure took all morning and then some.

There has been a bird flying over now and then with a deep "V" shaped tail. This afternoon Joy was able to get a good enough look at him to identify - with the help of Roger Tory Peterson. He was a Swallow-Tailed Kite. A beautiful red Cardinal wandered to within a couple of feet of Mark's chair as he sat reading on the patio. His camera was in the motor home.

March 16,2011 (Wed) Juniper Springs RA (3) 52/84° - Wonderful showers! The best public showers we've used. They were clean, roomy (enough for two, if so inclined. The doors lock), and the water was hot. It helps that they are less than two years old. They were closed for renovation two years ago when we were here.

Our big adventure of the day was to go over to Astor to get our mail. A noteworthy item from this exercise is that there was no new summons (or arrest warrant) from the Red Bank police or courts. Oh, we did get a notice that Mark's NJ driving privileges had been revoked, but a call to the Red Bank Municipal court revealed that the notice had been sent before they received the check paying the fine.

On our walk on the boardwalk along the springs run there was a turkey high up in a tree. We didn't know a turkey could fly that high. He/she/it looked like he/she/it was trying to figure out how to get down.

March 17,2011 (Thu) Juniper Springs RA (4) 57/87° - A lazy day enjoying a quiet campground - after our noisy neighbors (they talk loudly) moved on and the kids all went down to the springs to swim.

March 18,2011 (Fri) Juniper Springs RA (5) 53/87° - Mark found he had two ticks when he took his shower this morning. He extracted the one on his leg. Joy did the honors with the one on his back. We have no idea where they may have come from. Needless to say, we will be checking very carefully from now on! Other than that it was another lazy day. This is getting sinful. The weekenders are moving in but so far they seem quieter than the midweekers.

March 19,2011 (Sat) Juniper Springs RA (6) 53/93° - Our thermometer read 93° on the shady side of Q this afternoon. We're not sure we believed it. It wasn't all that uncomfortable sitting in the shade. There was a slight breeze and the air must have been dry making it tolerable.

This is the day of the moon's closest approach to the earth in 18 years. To record this momentous event we walked a little way out on the Florida Trail to a point where we had a good clear view of the rising full moon, set up the camera and snapped away. The result, some pretty horrible pictures of a blob of light on a black background. They were almost bad enough to sell to a UFO magazine. Another attempt from our back yard yielded better results but still not all that good.

March 20,2011 (Sun) Juniper Springs RA (7) 50/82° - Joy's turn to do battle with a tick. She found one as she was getting dressed. Mark plucked him off with tweezers. He was quite small.

When we stopped at a drug store this morning, on our trip out to find a NY Times, Joy asked if there is Lyme Disease in the area. The clerk said yes, but it is very rare. We'll watch for symptoms, especially around Joy's bite site because the tick was so small, and discuss with the doctor when we get home - if no symptoms develop before then.

The school holiday must be over for Florida kids. The campground is practically empty. There is a group somewhere, though, with at least 4 young men of high school age. They have been going around and around our loop, which is on a hill, on skate boards. Ah, such energy! There is a site at the foot of the hill with several large tents. We think they are camped there - with adult supervision.

Q074084 Juniper Springs CG, Ocala National Forest. #48 dry $9.50 A