I've Now Moved into My Mid-Thirties

About twice a year we visit a FL State Park. Our visits usually co-inside with my birthday in the Fall and Mother's Day in the Spring.

Yesterday was my birthday, I'm 34 now (and loving it), and we traveled to Palm Coast,FL to Washington Oaks State Park. I will use this post as a review of the park, as well as a review of my birthday!

We went to the early church service while the boys were in Sunday School, packed a picnic lunch and headed out. Since the trip was around an hour the boys brought entertainment... this is what I saw as I looked in the back seat, look close you'll see the ipod.


We arrived!

The admission cost was only $4.00 and it was the second time we visited a state park where the park entrance was on the honor system. Here's Steve paying our fee. So cost wise- can't beat it, and to think I wanted to go to Islands of Adventure at a cost of 60 something dollars each.


We arrived and found a parking spot near the formal gardens and Visitor Center, but in the usual Span Clan style I unpacked the cooler and made lunch for us all! Publix subs, Publix sweet tea, some chips and a little chocolate- perfect birthday lunch!

After eating we walked a short trail .6 miles to the bathrooms. For future reference near the bathrooms was a child's play ground with picnic tables and more parking, a great spot to eat lunch and play!

I had a cool pic of Justin but he was up when I posted the pics and asked that that particular picture not be posted- so instead here's one of him on our bathroom hike.

The joke when we go to state parks is that anytime we run across a seating area- we sit down. Perhaps we want to take in the scenery, or perhaps we just prefer to sit? Whichever it is a fall day in Florida is an ideal day to be sitting outside.


I had to post this of Steve and his shadow.

Sitting again, this time on a bench near the river. Washington Oaks State Park lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mantanza River. We visited the river side first and I recommend starting there because of the trails, Visitor Center and it's where you can pick up the map of the park.

If I could sum up Florida outdoors one of the things I'd say is that all trails lead to water. This particular trail was intentionally dead-ended into water for the bird watching. A large number of birds make their home on the coast of Florida.

One of the neat things about this park is it's formal gardens. The park, which use to be a plantation in the 1800's, was owned by a relative of George Washington and the lady of the house had these formal gardens.

here we are in the rose garden, striking our superhero poses.


Of course a canopy of oak trees covered the trails, gardens, and house. This is the one that claims to be the largest on the property.

Vaughan had a ball spinning in a circle and taking his picture.

A fish pond along with several artisan wells add sparkle to the gardens. The wells are all dug down into the FL aquifer and naturally bubble up feeding the ponds with fresh water. Visitor beware: you will smell that great FL sulfur water, it was only strong in the area closest to the wells; we've chosen to view the smell as part of the history of Florida.

Here we found an island with a board bridge, not exactly sure if it was meant for visitors...
The boys always seem to mess with me. Here they were suppose to pose for a picture with mom, instead then use their size against me, darn those growth spurts, and tried to drag me down, or something.

The question here is where's Steve?

The gardens were beautiful, the "hikes" flat and sandy, the memories will carry on forever.

Now we were on to part two of the park. The beach side. This area of the beach is know for it's coquina rock outcroppings. Swimming here is not recommended because of the dangers in the water, but a visit to climb on the rocks is a must!

Here's what we saw from the boardwalk. The boys weren't impressed and stayed in the car.

As we got closer this is what we saw.

It didn't take long for me to drop my bag and start climbing.

The farther we walked on the rocks the more rocks we saw. It was so cool. We were there right after high tide, I'd like to return right before high tide as well as at low tide, here's why.

As the tide is coming in the water will shot up through the holes and spray water high into the air and during low tide more of the rock formation is visible. I couldn't get over how awesome it was and visiting at any time is sure to put a smile on your face.


So for Washington Oaks State Park I say it's a must to visit. Children of all ages will enjoy it. Pack a lunch, where some comfy shoes and be ready for a fun-filled day with your family in God's creation.

Dogs are welcome in the park but are prohibited from the garden area and the beach. poor Fluff, he had to sit this one out.

As we headed back home we passed this sign:

In case you can't read it very well it says: Mala Compra Plantation, Archaeological Site. I had seen it on our way to Washington Oaks and we almost missed it when leaving. We stayed for 25 minutes and I highly recommend stopping, if you're in that neck of the woods.

It actually was the house where the owners of Washington Oaks lived and a nice shaded, elevated pavilion covers the site with the history of the plantation at different stations around the site.

Here's the main house.

And a shot of the pavilion, if you look you'll see the well in the center of this picture.

One of the greatest joys of parenting more than one child is to see them as friends. Since the boys saw this whole site in about 5 minutes, they spent the other 20 walking around talking. What they talk about I don't know, but it's funny, it's creative and it brings more joy to my heart than they will ever know.

So that's it! We survived another state park, my birthday and of course Biketoberfest; each year around my birthday it's Biketoberfest, here's the barricades around the corner from my house to prove it!

So a birthday review and a State park review all wrapped up in one.

I'd rate Washington Oaks State Park as an "A" park because of it's diversity in actives and scenery. It appeals to all ages, provides good picnicking, walking and resting.

See my other state park reviews below:

Honton Island

Ravine Gardens

Devil's Millhopper

Michelle

Happy Mother's Day

You'd think with my mom and grandma within 3 miles of me we'd all get together for Mother's Day. Nope we didn't, instead we all ate dinner together on Saturday night and on Sunday my family ever so happily followed me on yet another wild chase of FL State Parks.

This time we traveled 2 hours to Devil's Millhopper State Park. We were all pretty tired before even leaving so the car ride was actually relaxing. Since we recently purchased the box to allow our antennae to pick up digital signal, yes 15 years of wedded bliss and we've yet to have cable/dish. Anyway in the spirit of that box we listened to Adventures in Odessy, The Black Veil. If you want time to fly radio theatre is the way to go. Anyway Steve drove a good chunk of the way before I took over so he could nap.

I only had to make one U-Turn and we arrived! Once again it is best described in pictures.

This was actually taken on our way out of the park. Not sure if it was the Devil's Millhopper sign or Women's Bathroom sign we are posing by?

Devil's Millhopper is a 120 foot deep sink hole. Formed shortly after the Flood the sinkhole has many legends, all somewhat similar. Basically the sinkhole is shaped like an old hopper used in mills to funnel grain. Legend has it that the Devil kidnapped a beautiful Indian Princess and when the young Indian braves chased them the devil swallowed them up into this hole. The fossils found here are said to be those from the braves as well as the water flowing from the side walls are their tears. It became a state park in the early 1970's when a walkway was build to safely, and without harming the ecosystem, allow visitor's to travel to the bottom of the sinkhole.

My baby and I.

Justin at the bottom. The bottom was flat and swamplike.

All my men!

Here's J and I with 1 of 6 waterfalls that fall into the sinkhole. The water all flows together and down into the Florida aquifer below. If you're unfamiliar with Florida the state sits on top of limestone, shell, dirt and under ground rivers called aquifers. My theory is that's we'll one day pave this state and then sink it! Anyway the waterfalls sounded so relaxing I was ready to jump the path and relax awhile.

Fluff on the way up. He did so good.

While we didn't stop at my fav place, we did a drive-by and I snapped this picture.

After leaving the park we drove through downtown Gainesville and through the UF campus, near the Swamp, we are catching the football bug early this year (did I mention V's on the JV team? butterflies dance in my stomach just typing that) and then on home.

side note: please, please, please if you see my friend DO NOT TELL HER I HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH UF- she's a Seminole and well, I now live in the south and college football is... well if you have lived in the south you know; if you haven't lived in the south go and read Boomama's blog during football season and you'll get it. Anyway if said friend finds out it could be bad for the friendship *smile*

It was only as I was tucking the boys in bed that I realized this was the first year I didn't get a card from them, slackers. Instead I got a day full of memories and all their love.

Love being a mom, love my kids.

I'm blessed.

~Michelle

PS- worth a 2 hour drive... wouldn't recommend it; here's last year for a look back

I'd rate this park an overall "C", passing only because I don't know anywhere else you can visit a sinkhole. if you are in the area and have an hour to spare then go ahead. it's really a simple walk to the bottom and then back out.

Ravine Gardens

I'm adding this to my Fav Florida Places.

Ravine Gardens in Palatka, FL was a cool place to hang out for a couple of hours today and definitely a place we'll visit again.

If I got married in Florida there's a good chance it would have been here.

The gardens, fountains and terraces were from a storybook. Great job Florida you have once again took me by surprise and thrilled me!

We hiked, and yes I would call it hiking, for 45 minutes. We walked down into the ravine, around the edge, across two suspension bridges and up and down into the ravine a few more times! The paths were easy to find and cover a lot of the 59 acres, we had inclines and did I mention 2 suspension bridges! Of course the 1 hour plus driving time made the fresh air even nicer!

Definitely a place to visit if you live in or frequent the Sunshine State!

The boys say we're going back so they can film a karate movie there!

Now, here's the day in pictures.

Here we are loaded for bear, and p.s. dogs are allowed at the park!

The nuclear power plant on the way, simple things thrill my boys- and the Simpson's have certainly put power plants on the radar around here.

Steve and I with the main garden and fountain area behind us.

A look over the first garden terrace.

All my boys.

Suspension bridge.

Justin sitting on the top of the stairs leading down into the ravine!

Overall I rate Ravine Gardens an "A". Great for families of all ages, pets allowed, lots to do on various terrain.

Mother's Day Recap, A Bit Late

So I have to tell you about Mother's Day!

My family really knows me and loves me.

First, I didn't have to cook. They know me.

Second, they took me outside, hiking. They know me.

Third, they went with me. They love me.

After church, which I skipped, we went to my favorite deli and got a delicious sandwich with chips and chocolate. Yum.

Then with the dog and boys in tow, we headed to the Ocala National Forest. Before getting there we made a stop at this state park. It was neat and free and not crowed. We hiked around and found a cool tree, climbed up the side of a cabin to see the inside and giggled 'til we almost wet ourselves. Well at least Night Owl and I did, Steve and Early Bird tend to be more serious.

We travel to the Ocala NF, but so did some bad weather, so our hiking there consisted of letting the dog out to play fetch.

On our way home we stopped by my favorite store. An outdoor one with lots of outdoor gadgets and statues and things one doesn't need but will certainly buy or dream about buying as I have done for 13 years. So we stopped there and had a blast with the yard ornaments and I picked out yet another mexican painted sink- something I 've done since we discovered the place 13 years ago.

We came home and relaxed.

My brother-in-law called and wished me a happy Mother's Day, he lived in our garage and on our sofa for some time so he has that obligation right to call me. Anyway he asked if I got breakfast in bed or a card or flowers. I said no that my family together was enough. Well, that and the fact that they put up with me.

I love my family.

They rock!

My family

Night Owl and his mama bird

very cool tree to climb on

Michelle

Overall park rating a "B". Neat for the boat ride and the one tree in the pictures. Not much to do, only a hort sandy road that leads to cabin camping- although to be honest it began to storm so we could have missed some stuff- but I doubt it.