Paynes Prairie SP May 2012

Paynes Prairie SP May 2012 16-May-12  We arrived in a drizzling rain.  We spent the last half hour at home just throwing things in the trailer and my car trying to get to Payne's Prairie before the down pour we knew was coming.  My phone began to ring immediately.  I had mentioned the previous weekend, Mother's day and Britt's 42nd birthday that next year would be our (mine and Wayne's) 20th anniversary and I would love for the whole family to go on a cruise together and Wayne and I would renew our vows.  I wanted to have the wedding I missed with my first marriage to Mike Hunter and my marriage to Wayne Hoffman.  I made the comment that I wanted to be slim and trim and fit into a really sophisticated simple wedding dress.  Unfortunately, and typically, my two sons can't agree on anything and disagree on everything.  Now there is a war between them on who is doing the booking of the cruise and which itinerary, etc.  They call me constantly to rag on the other brother. After getting the campsite somewhat organized in the rain it was time for me to go to my nutrition class at Deb Harrell's house in GNV.  She served authentic Spanish rice, black bean burritos, salad and the most magnificent, healthy dessert.  It was strawberry pie but no sugar, crust or anything not so good for you.  Yum!  I surprised to find upon my return that absolutely nothing else had been done since I left.  17-May-12 I didn’t sleep a wink all night.  It drizzled a little and I had to go to the bathroom about 100 times.  I couldn't wait for daylight so I get the drive back to Eustis over with.  We had scheduled a "lunch and learn" with Dr. Wise.  Just as I was about to leave Burney called to tell me the event had been rescheduled.  I was very relieved and immediately set about getting organized.  Wayne needed to return home to work so we left to have breakfast together.  There is absolutely nothing open before 9am in this area.  We finally stopped at an "Iron Skillet" restaurant next to the interstate.  I returned to the park to set up the baker’s rack I had purchased to use for food prep.  As I was completing the assembly of the bakers rack Wayne called from Gander's Mountain in Ocala to say he was buying a camp kitchen he had found.  I told him to purchase it, leave it at customer service and I would come pick it up.  When I put it together (the picture on the box was very promising) the tables were at knee height and the sink/prep area was at thigh height.  I was currently using my portable potting bench and since I already had the bakers rack put together I decided to leave them all assembled until Wayne returned.  I spent the remainder of the day trying to find a grocery, purchase a few things and get back to cook.  I made a salad and ate at 2:00 so I wasn't very hungry for dinner.  I finally decided to cook the Spanish rice I had learned but it was late, I ate a lot of it with some left over fried okra and went to bed.  I managed to fall asleep but awoke before 4:00 a.m. and never went back to sleep. 18-May-12 I had a splitting head ache and a bad stomach ache.  I talked to the sisters on our weekly Friday call and tried to go back to sleep.  I think I dozed for a few minutes but was awakened by text messages coming in.  I finally got up, took a shower, dressed and sat around trying to decide what to do first.  I went to the visitors’ center to check it out.  It's a nice place but there was a talk in progress.  I'm going to try to find out the times for the talks and attend one.  Payne's Prairie is a beautiful preserve with an abundance of wildlife.  We are experiencing one of the worst draughts in years and a sign informed it's a good time to hike the "Alachua" trail as unusual wildlife can be spotted.  They have wild horses, bison, sand hill cranes, etc.

Wekiwa Springs SP November 2011

November 14th…arrival day

I had planned to be dropped off to set up our camp site by noon.  Wayne needed to work so my thoughts were that he would

bring me to the park, drop me off, help set up the tent if he wanted to and leave.  I would spend the afternoon setting up and

getting organized.  Instead we came together, didn't leave home until  3:30, forgot everything we knew about erecting our tent,

the mosquitos nearly ate us alive and it was dark before we finished.

If you are going to camp in Florida during warm weather you MUST arrive early enough to set up, organize and get dinner going

before the mosquitoes come out to play.  Now it's 10:00PM and the tent is full of the varmints.  We have returned from taking

our baths, we ate earlier (I made chicken tetrazzini early this morning) and now it's time for bed.  We went to Publix and CVS earlier

looking for candles and/or batteries as we seem to have forgotten them.

Tuesday morning the alarm went off at 5:30 AM for prayer breakfast.  I forgot to turn it off.  Wayne slept through the alarm but I

was already awake since about 2:30.  I have to do something different to get some sleep.  This is the second state park we have visited

on a camping trip and the traffic noise is annoying.  Isn't the point of camping to find some peace and quiet?  Seems all the state parks

are right in the middle of civilization.  I suppose we shall have to try primitive camping to get total quiet.

We made a very large breakfast of fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon and croissants this morning.  It was yummy but an awful

lot of food.  We didn't eat again until dinner at 7:30PM.  We drove down to the swimming area and did a little "exploring" which

means checking out the concession and the swimming hole.  The springs is  very beautiful and quiet during the week.

Wayne found a walking stick someone had left at the top of the stairs going down to the springs.  I was grateful to have it as my

ankle has been a real issue this week.  I must go see someone about it.  The pain and lack of mobility has become debilitating.

We thought Susan and Alan were coming to visit to sit by the camp fire this evening.  We had intended to make dinner for them but

we never heard back from them.  We may have an issue with our phones out here.  I spoke extensively with Chris Dillard until I lost

him and Jim Stinson called to say he was trying to return Wayne's call but couldn't reach him.  I had several voice messages when I

should have heard the phone ring.  I hope we didn't just misconnect!?

We made hamburgers (very large) over the fire pit and I threw together some baked beans.  I brought some tomatoes from Ruskin

that looked awful but tasted good.  The burgers were accompanied by some onion, lettuce from the towers, the tomatoes and a fresh Florida onion.

Yum!  Dinner was really good.  I visited the local CVS to try some Melatonin tonight.  Several friends claim they are sleeping much better

since starting Melatonin.  We'll see.  I just took my first dose.  I'm feeling pretty sleepy already.  Don't know if it's psychological or if the stuff really

work.  We'll see tomorrow.

We are making a lit of all the stuff we think we have figured out.

Really, really sleepy now, good night!