We left Lakeland, Florida on April 19th. After being there for 5 months, it seemed strange that we were leaving, but exciting that we would be traveling again! We said good-bye to friends, the Sandhill cranes who were still sitting on their nest, and headed to northern Florida.
The first day we drove about 300 miles and landed in Panacea, Florida, which is on the gulf side after you enter the Panhandle. This part of Florida is very rustic, or as we were told, how Florida use to be. Our first campsite was on Ochlockonee Bay at the Gulf of Mexico. What a beautiful view!
While in Panacea, we visited Wakulla Springs State Park. This park contains the largest clear water spring in the "world". In the 30's, conservationist and brother-in-law of Alfred Dupont, Edward Ball, developed this area in order preserve it for future generations. There is a lodge that is still in use and swimming areas within the spring. We took a riverboat ride further into the spring, which looked more like a jungle. Tall cypress trees with Spanish moss hanging, thick brush on the shores, and all kinds of wildlife-alligators, rare turtles, and birds. This area has been used for film-making in the past, including some of the Tarzan movies with Johnny Weismuller and "Creature from the Black Lagoon". The "pole-vaulting" fish, by the way, are Mullet, who like to jump out of the water, for some unknown reason.
After Panacea, we visited Rich and Debby in Perdido Key, Florida. They have a beautiful condo right on the ocean. What a view from their balcony! We enjoyed time on the beach, some great meals, and spending time with them.
