Suwannee River Hideaway & Bass Haven

Thursday, January 7...Overcast & cool as we prepare for our country road trek to Suwannee River Hideaway Campground near Old Town, FL, where the snowbirds flock.  Located on the Suwannee River bringing to mind that old song from yesteryear. Seeing the different spring signs brought back memories for J when he (as a young man) scuba dove into some of the bowels of FL underwater caves.  Lots of pocket gopher mounds, cattle, goats, and a field of young pigs along the way.

We were greeted by a nice host who set us up on a pull-thru corner site.  This campground is OPEN during the fall/winter/spring and CLOSED during the summer.  The Host then vacations at their mountain hideaway in NC. Our Indiana neighbor welcomed us, too.  J found the satellite for DTV so we could get our "yap" fix.  LOL  Then a walk/bike ride across the 1500' boardwalk over the marsh of cypress knees and trees tot the big Suwannee River.  There a pontoon boat sporting American and Rebel flags waved as he cruised by. A blue heron was doing his marsh hunt with Pilated woodpeckers pecking for bugs.

Their clubhouse was beautifully decorated; but, WiFi was NOT all that.  Seldom could get a signal.
Laugh for the day...we visited with our Indiana neighbors until dark.  Since dark we chose to return to our 5er via the white sandy road so as NOT to trip on anything inbetween rigs.  J on his bicycle rounded the corner near the trailer to holler, "where did that bush come from? Has it always been there?"  I laughed to the point of tears as we had been there since before noon and he did not see or find the Palmetto waist high huge bush until pitch dark. No, he did not run into it; but, it startled him into thinking it was a parked car. Rain drizzled all night putting us to sleep.

January 8 was adventure day.  Manatee Springs SP was a disappointment for camping; but, had 19 manatees swimming in the springs.  We traveled to Shell Mound checking out their county park and fishing pier.  All a bit buggy with a weather system on the horizon.  We learned from a NY/FL native about the tidal area.  When it's low tide Shell Mound is dry.  High tide brings water and fish.

Next we drove to Cedar Key crossing several canals as traffic for this penny size town started backing up.  We crossed Canal 1, Canal 2, Canal 3, a Canal & Bayou before arriving at the coastal 4 block town. Traffic was  bumper to bumper with us wondering about a draw bridge.  Instead a lone cop was directing traffic in the middle of town as we with our big Chevy truck herded 90 Ford Mustang cars who had driven up from Ocala for a lunch rally at the marina.  WOW!  Not wanting to get mixed up in that mess...we chose to have lunch at a corner restaurant called Tony's.  Here we had the most awesome seafood lunch with doggie bag for later.  We shared our lunch of haddock, large steamed & butterfly fried shrimp, fried oysters & scallops, clams, with the best blue crab cake ever, hushpuppies, a large bread bowl of clam chowder (their specialty), sides of slaw & fresh potato salad. There were slices of lemon and orange with strawberries.  Ice lemon water to drink.  YUM!  Tony's Seafood Restaurant of Cedar Keys, FL, took its 3rd consecutive championship in 2011 at the 30th annual Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, RI.  This inducted Tony's into the Great Chowder Hall of Fame, retiring the recipe from the contest.  No one thought this 54-seat restaurant from a small island in FL could take on the big guys of New England with success.  But, they proved their worthiness--three times over.  Tony's Chowder is loaded with clams and packed with flavor.  It can be ordered online, by phone, at Public's grocery, or bought in person.

We found the 32 mile paved "T" shaped FL Coast Nature Trail that links 5 towns.  This use to be an old rail line with one part crossing the Suwannee River over the old RR trestle. Sometimes one can see manatees swimming below.  Yes, I made the 3 mile round trip walk all the while wishing I had brought my bike. J rode his bike.

We were told of one couple (he being 96 y/o and she a little younger) who ride their bicycles to/from a nearby town for lunch.  WOW!  I met two crafty ladies (Nancy & Ede) who also make pine needle baskets plus. We had show 'n tell swapping ideas & things to do in this area.  Light rain started mid afternoon as we rested with TV and handwork.  We bought 10 ruby red grapefruit from the corner stand at 20 cents each.  They are yummy.

January 11...we traveled to Bass Haven Campground near DeFuniak Springs, FL.  Pilot regular gas was $1.71.9.  Lunch at the travel center of hotdogs and a shared Cinnabon.  Down I-10 an 18 wheeler had run off the hwy nose down a steep embankment with its rear barely on the pavement.  It did not hit anything...just at a very bad angle.  Our pull-thru site #7 gave us a back window view of the lake where several Coots were feeding in the marsh and lillypads.  With a freeze warning in effect we turned ON the trailer Polar Packs and unhooked the water line. Shower house was super clean with nice hot showers.
DeFuniak Springs is small and quaint. J had a chipped tooth trying to find a dentist with none having an opening.  We learned that the Walton-DeFuniak Historic Library opened in 1887 and is the oldest continuously run library in the state.  In the center of town is a circular lake with old homes built around its edge.

Until next blog....see you by the campfire.