Clearly, This was Silver Springs

On the second day at Santos campground, we decided to do the tourist thing. We packed ourselves into the car/truck and headed for Silver Springs.

We obviously didn't know how to get there, but we've got a Garmin. So, I just put in the words Silver Springs into the device and directions popped. We we're getting close and signs started to appear. Suddenly, I had to make a left turn into the park. But it did not look right. In front of us was a guard house. With this little old lady so lively and quick, I knew in a moment she was a Ranger, pretty slick. She drew out her head and was turning around when she said, "This is the campground and not the pound. You'll have to make a u-turn and try again "

I'm going to have to check out how to use this Garmin GPS. 

It may appear as if the place was deserted. It was. Apparently, the season had not yet started. The parking lot was capable of 500 cars easily. But when we arrived there were not more than five.

I must admit that it was quiet and peaceful, except for the bulldozer and crane and jackhammer and tractors that occasionally made some noise. Must be renovation time.

Our first stop was at the first building we walked by on the way in. Don't laugh unless you're over 60.

Silver Springs is noted for its crystal-clear water obviously coming from a spring. But you can look into 50 feet of water and clearly see the bottom. We decided to take the tourist program and purchased a seat on the glass bottom boat.

The water was amazing. The formation of rocks on the bottom was awesome. There were even three monuments or statues in the water at the end of the trip, 20 or 30 feet down. We were told that these monuments were placed in the water for a James Bond movie.

We walked the grounds looking for alligators, checking out the trees and flowers. The place was beautiful. We found the monument to honor Chief Osceola.  

And took a picture of the famous"Lovers Palm".  It is curved, go figure.  

And admired the extended arbor for its hanging vines. Another week and the flowers would have emerged. 

We stopped at the local snack shop for lunch.  After about 15 minutes, I kind of wished for McDonalds.  I would not recommend the fries.

That is not a squirrel, it is a knot in the tree.

First Stop: Santos Campground, alias Bicycle Mecca

I am not exaggerating. You really needed to be there to get the real image locked in your mind. Our stay started on a Sunday and we arrived fairly early in the afternoon. The place was loaded with cyclists. Most were not staying in the campground, but we're staying in an open field close by. Apparently, this area is a real draw for cyclists. There were even two trailer/vans loaded with bicycle supplies. I'm not saying they were running a business from the campground, but if you had a problem, they were there to help. By the morning, they were all gone.

Although the hiking paths were used by the cyclists, we did not break out the boots and walk a mile. Instead we worked on the trailer some more. I wouldn't call us fair-weather hikers, but rain puts a damper going on a walk and we thought Florida would be warm. Someone needs to tell Mr. Weather.

Winter has arrived.

Well, winter arrived and we are preparing to leave.  If you did't know from a previous blog, we changed towing vehicles.  We are now proud owners of a new to us, 2015 Chevy Silverado.

Of course now we have all kinds of new fangled gadgets to figure out how to use. The vehicle is a little bigger then the old Jeep, so we have to learn how to park all over again. How to stop without hitting a car, how to turn without clipping a bumper.

Glen and Sue, my brother and his wife, kept our trailer during the month of December and January. So our first trip was directly to their home in Central Florida.

We learned that Florida is much more humid than Ohio. As a result we experienced some green growth on parts of the bathroom. So, Con got out her scrub brush and I readied the trailer for travel.

We had a great meal with Glen and Sue at a steakhouse in the area. Good food first extra pound of the vacation.