We found several places that were bought before we had a chance. It is a sellers market currently. Looking for real estate here is quite complicated. You need to consider what areas will flood with a good rain. Hurricanes and wet summers are common. Due to the location there is a high potential for sink holes that swallow up homes.
There are several fresh water springs in the area.that are most relaxing without having to deal with chlorine. The water comes out of the ground at 72 degrees which is perfect for the 90 degree days in the summer in Florida. Most springs are good for swimming.
They turn into rivers which are perfect for floating down There are a bunch of wild life to entertain you on the way. We have seen turtles, and many fish. We witnessed five foot sturgeons that have a tendency to jump in the Suwannee River in the early summer. They breached and splashed kind of like whales do. One hopes that they don't jump into the boat! Several people have died when that happens.
Of course we paddled by the occasional alligators.. We had been putting our hands in the river to reduce the blisters while paddling the 10 miles against the wind. Not in alligator territory.
I posted a drone shot from a father which picked up sharks coming in while his children were playing at the beach He got his kids out of the water and the sharks went away.
In the emergency room we treated patients who got bit when snakes dropped out of the trees that he was clearing. One woman got 27 stings from yellow jackets after she tripped over the nest. There are several bugs around that can eat flesh and burrow under your skin. This all makes the tick problem seem rather tame.
All of this sounds like too much trouble for living in a subtropical environment. We have currently decided, not at all. The winter was great for the most part. If it froze at night the next day topped 70 degrees. For the most part the weather, bugs, and bad animals are a minor concern. We love the heat! I don't think that we will hang out to appreciate the hurricanes.
Over the 4th of July we are staying at a RV park on the Santa Fe river close to where it joins the Suwannee River. They have bands every night playing live music. Last night was vegasmcgraw.com which was a cover band for Tim McGraw. The singer was eye candy for the girls and he could sing like Tim McGraw as well.
We have had thunderstorms every evening after 96 degree days. This makes it hard for the bands on the outdoor stage. Water and speakers and electrical chords don't mix well. Just like the NASCAR track they dry things out and the show must go on.
From the swimming pool we can keep track of the boat ramp action. A busy boat ramp can be quite entertaining. There is a springs next to the boat ramp with that wonderful 72 degree water coming out of the ground. You can jump in and cool off. They rent boats here to explore the river as well.
We headed north and west past the wreckage of hurricane Michael that is still quite evident from last year. Our destination was an RV park and a swimming spring named The Vortex. This privately run park was built to entertain families and large groups as well as camping and day use. The highlights included a band stage, food vending, store, rope swing, large slide, boat rentals and a main spring dedicated to scuba diving.
This 48 foot deep scuba pond had a cave, sunk boat, and several fish for entertainment. You can rent all of your gear from the store. This was a good space for scuba instruction but not much for the spoiled tropical diver. What can you say when you were trained without a wet suit in warm water complete with coral reefs.
There was an area of low pressure that was dropping south from Alabama and Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico where it picked up a bunch of tropical moisture. This storm was predicted to turn into a hurricane within the next few days and head north into land which it did. Hurricane Barry came to shore in Louisiana, dumped a bunch of rain, and caused some minor flooding. This was directly in our path to Texas. We dodged north to Alabama and avoided everything but the rain.
Please excuse the lack of photos in this chapter of the blog. When I learn programs some unknown uncontrollable force comes in and changes things. I got a new phone/camera and was able to download photos. Presently with this same equipment I am unable to update and download photos. They are on the phone but won't be recognized by the computer!!! When I fix this the pictures will be posted.
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