Last Day at Suwannee

These tree roots by the river look like modern art sculptures to me.

These tree roots by the river look like modern art sculptures to me.

Today is our last day at Suwannee River State Park.  I grabbed my last opportunity for a long walk with Sheba on the trails.  I am amazed at how much stronger I am than when we started this trip.  I am regaining my long effortless stride that I thought I had lost forever.  I feel great!

This is a little spring that bubbles up and rushes to lose itself in the river.  :)

This is a little spring that bubbles up and rushes to lose itself in the river. 🙂

I don’t know why I retain my childlike wonder at exposed tree roots, but I find them endlessly fascinating.  So that’s what today’s post will consist of — tree roots that look to me like they are out of a fantasy novel.

We had planned to go to O’Leno State Park tomorrow and stay until Christmas Eve, then go to Gail’s new house.  But she asked Ron if he would help Mike move some of their things from storage tomorrow.  So I am delighted to head over to their place instead.

Mushrooms hiding in an eroded root cavity.

Mushrooms hiding in an eroded root cavity.

I was really afraid of wearing out my welcome by staying too long at Gail’s, but she sat me down and preached me a sermon (figuratively, not literally!) on how welcome I am and will always be at her place.

So the new plan is to go to her house tomorrow, help any way we can, and stay there until after the 1st.  Oh, yeah… and I do a beef stew tomorrow.  🙂

This giant tree's trunk was as twisted as some of the roots.

This giant tree’s trunk was as twisted as some of the roots.

I got my little Casita decorated for Christmas and I think it’s adorable!  But I’ll wait and post those pictures tomorrow.

Limestone outcroppings along the river bank.  I think that acid rain eats away the limestone base causing Florida's numerous sinkholes.

Limestone outcroppings along the river bank. I think that acid rain eats away the limestone base causing Florida’s numerous sinkholes.

More fantastic roots.

More fantastic roots.

Suwannee & an Extinct Town Named Columbus

Suwannee River State Park is situated where the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers merge on their way to the Gulf.

Suwannee River State Park is situated where the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers merge on their way to the Gulf.

We are really enjoying our stay here.  There is so much to see, and the walking is doing me a world of good.

Old sawmill site and remains of a small steamboat paddle wheel from the town of Columbus that was situated here in the park.

Old sawmill site and remains of a small steamboat paddle wheel from the town of Columbus that was situated here in the park.

Gail and Mike moved to a hotel when she was so sick.  She is bouncing back, and is already missing camping here in the van.  That’s hardcore!  😀

They close on the house Thursday, and we’ll head to another campground until the 24th to give them time to settle in and for Gail to recuperate.  Then we’ll driveway camp at their place for a few days before heading somewhere else after the 1st of the year.

I'm not sure what this is.  It looks like tracks from a very narrow gauge railroad with train wheels on it.

I’m not sure what this is. It looks like tracks from a very narrow gauge railroad with train wheels on it.

I bought some miniature Christmas decorations for the Casita today.  Will plan to put them up tomorrow after we visit with Mom.

Oh, I got reported for being a bad dog mom today.  We had gone out for a late lunch, shopping, then stopping in to see Gail and Mike.  We got back right after sunset around 5:30 or 6:00.  The new neighbor next door told me that Sunny was clawing at the door and making distressed sounds, so he reported us.

Confederate defensive earthworks situated across from where the two rivers merge.

Confederate defensive earthworks situated across from where the two rivers merge.

I know that as Sunny’s health declines, he sometimes has panic attacks.  I thought he would be okay inside the trailer with Sheba for company.  Apparently no more, though. So I will have to take him everywhere with us from now on.

He is not using the puppy pads that I place strategically on the floor.  So I think I am going to have to set the alarm to get up in the middle of the night and take him outside for a walk around the campsite so he doesn’t wet on the floor.

The town of Columbus had around 500 residents.  Their old cemetery had 4 separate enclosed areas.

The town of Columbus had around 500 residents. Their old cemetery had 4 separate enclosed areas.

I have thought about when it might be time to have the vet put him to sleep.  But he still loves his walks, loves being around us, and loves eating, so he still is enjoying his little doggie life.  So it’s not nearly time yet.

BTW, no one stopped by to check on the dogs, so I imagine the Ranger saw our truck parked out front and no dog noise coming from the trailer, so he probably just drove on.  I’m guessing that’s what happened anyway.

There were a lot of children's graves and a couple of babies' graves.  This tiny headstone has a symbolic cut off tree monument.

There were a lot of children’s graves and a couple of babies’ graves. This tiny headstone has a symbolic cut off tree monument.

Another area

Another area

Another enclosure

Another enclosure

Cemetery

Cemetery

This person must have been much loved and must have loved the beach. The grave has its own enclosure, and it is lined with conch shells.

These two graves were the only ones that weren't in a fenced in enclosure.

These two graves were the only ones that weren’t in a fenced in enclosure.

Sheba patiently waiting while Mom takes photos.  It was a bad time for photos--midday--but that's how imy day worked out.  :)

Sheba patiently waiting while Mom takes photos. It was a bad time for photos–midday–but that’s how my day worked out. 🙂

Suwannee River State Park

Spanish moss covered tree overhanging the river.  The trunk is covered with air plants and ferns.

Spanish moss covered tree overhanging the river. The trunk is covered with air plants and ferns. (The color of the water is not enhanced.)

We’re at Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak, FL.  It’s pretty chilly, but is nice if we bundle up and walk fast.  🙂

A stock pot takes up a lot of real estate in a Casita!

A stock pot takes up a lot of real estate in a Casita!

Gail was still very sick today, so she finally went to a doctor.  It’s good she did.  She was sicker than she thought.  But if all goes well with her meds, she should start feeling better in a couple of days.

I took some homemade soup to her this evening, and hope it will be the cure-all that chicken soup is reputed to be.

Looking toward the old railroad trestle.

Looking toward the old railroad trestle.

She was so funny.  She called me a little while ago and said, we need to define exactly how sick she has to be to be treated like that again.  😀

I spent most of the day working in the trailer, walking Sheba, and tending the soup pot.  Tomorrow I want to find the old cemetery again and get some good photos of it.  There are also all kinds of geological and botanical oddities here that I want to capture.

Some kind of fungus.  At first I thought it was leaves caught up in a spider web.  But it may be a feature of the mushroom.

Some kind of fungus. At first I thought it was leaves caught up in a spider web. But it’s mushrooms, and the webby stuff (that looks like mycelium) may be a feature of the mushroom.

Picnic area

Picnic area

Another old tree gracefully bedecked with Spanish moss.

Another old tree gracefully bedecked with Spanish moss.

Swings offering a perfect river view

Swings offering a perfect river view

It was a nearly impossible job to back the Casita in here without slamming the truck into the trees or the posts on the other side.  I'm ready for pull-thrus for a while!

It was a nearly impossible job to back the Casita in here without slamming the truck into the trees or the posts on the other side. I’m ready for pull-thrus for a while!

 

The Women’s Get Together

Our time here is flying!  One beautiful day flows into another and time tends to lose much meaning.

Kim -- beautiful, sweet, elegant!

Kim — beautiful, sweet, elegant!

RV Buddies, a women’s camping group, was having a get-together at Suwannee River State Park this week — just a few miles from Mom’s place.  I have so wanted to meet Kim (Kimbopolo) and Peggy (Camping Tales) in person.  When I learned they both would be there, I knew that I had to drop in for a visit.

I was not disappointed.  They are a fantastic group of women!  It always amazes me how following a person’s blog creates such a feeling of kinship when you finally get to meet in person!

Peggy, Camping Tales blogger, so much fun, and a fantastic wildlife photographer.

Peggy, Camping Tales blogger, so much fun, and a fantastic wildlife photographer.

They had a huge variety of rigs.  Kim in her Roadtrek that was a lot more spacious inside than I expected; Peggy in her 17′ Coachmen Apex that had huge windows everywhere — including a big window over the kitchen sink that impressed me!  Norma’s 13′ Scamp had a front sofa, front window and huge skylight vent that really opened the space up, along with a fenced in front “yard” for her two little dogs.  And Carla’s conversion van’s layout looked comfortable, cozy, and had some of the coolest lights I’ve seen.

There was also a Pleasureway that I didn’t see inside.  And I’m very sorry to admit that, as usual for me, I’ve forgotten a couple of names.

Carla with her best buddy, and lots of adventurous travel plans.

Carla with her best buddy, and lots of adventurous travel plans.

Carla had a canopy with sides that kept out rain and wind, so we gathered there.  Then when the rain stopped, she pulled the waterproof sides back, leaving the bug netting to screen us.

Lorraine.  Sweet and soft spoken, and Mom to 5 little Yorkies (if I'm not confused again!)  She had two of the little ones with her..

Lorraine. Sweet and soft spoken.  We didn’t give her much chance to get a word in edgewise.  Sorry, Lorraine.  🙂

Now I’m really going to be embarrassed if I find out I got the names confused, but if I did, I promise I’ll correct my mistakes as soon as they are pointed out to me!  😀

I left the group a little after 5:00 because my sister Hope had told me she would have dinner ready at 6:00. She did… and it was superb!!!

We’ll be leaving Mom’s tomorrow after lunch to go camp at Ann’s place for a few days.

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