Florida travel

Silver Springs at Ocala, Florida

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Silver Springs is one of Florida’s most famous state parks. We went there today and truly enjoyed to beauty of the park. We first went to the entrance that leads to the campgrounds and the main hiking trails. Here we paid our $8 entrance fee. The ranger directed us to the north entrance, and our receipt got us in there too.

The entrance from the parking lot

The entrance from the parking lot

The entrance from the huge parking lot is quite impressive. Once past the long walkway we got to an area that overlooked the water. In addition there was a large strip building that looked like a shopping mall. There was a restaurant, ice crea store and a gift shop open. It turns out that there were also meeting rooms and an outdoor amphitheater for large groups to host events in this complex.

Some of the big fish swiming over the eel grass

Some of the big fish swiming over the eel grass

The water was really striking in its clarity. These springs are the largest in the country and discharge about 500 million gallons a day! You could see the bottom no matter how deep the water was.

We only saw this bird's head: he spent most of the time underwater fishing!

We only saw this bird’s head: he spent most of the time underwater fishing!

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Glass bottom boat

Glass bottom boat

We were considering taking one of the famous glass bottom boat trips. Just then a tour bus load of people showed up, and we found out that the next available trip was after the tour had their boat rides. Maybe the next time we visit we’ll take the glass bottom boat trip.

This bird repeatedly ducked his head in the water then vigorously splashed the water with his wings for about 15 seconds.

This bird repeatedly ducked his head in the water then vigorously splashed the water with his wings for about 15 seconds.

Silver Springs State Park should be on your list of attractions when you are in the Ocala area. The scenery is pretty, there is lots of wildlife to see, and their trails are fun to walk.

Here is one photo that leaves no question as to when it was taken!

Here is one photo that leaves no question as to when it was taken!

Dogs that love to ride

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Lots of folks bring their dog(s) with them to the Flywheelers show in central Florida. With all the different kinds of transportation being used, you see different ways that the dogs ride as well.

A couple of brothers have their own bed to enjoy

A couple of brothers have their own bed to enjoy

One way to stay warm!

One way to stay warm!

The back of a golf cart is a nice perch

The back of a golf cart is a nice perch

Got a blanket to lay on!

Got a blanket to lay on!

"I've got my own basket!"

“I’ve got my own basket!”

This pooch was a ham for the camera.

This pooch was a ham for the camera.

Saw a lot of antique John Deere tractors today

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Today Sher and I finished setting up for the Flywheelers show that starts Wednesday. Final cleaning of some of the glassware and a couple of cabinets was needed. Then we finished putting the price tags on anything not already priced.

Later in the day friends of ours kindly let us borrow their golf cart. We took it for a tour of the grounds looking at lots of the other vendors and their displays.

On our route we passed a couple of areas that were filled with antique John Deere tractors. This show is featuring John Deere. I’m not really sure what that means, but there are a ton of the old green and yellow tractors on display. There are other different makes of antique macinery here, but the John Deere machines are everywhere.

An impressive line up of antique John Deere tractors

An impressive line up of antique John Deere tractors

An old Case threshing machine

An old Case threshing machine

CAM00244_resizedWe also drove through the Flywheeler’s Village. It will be very busy during the show, but today we could see all of the old fashioned looking buildings. There were many, many of these.

 

 

 

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Got propane, warmed up and then settled in for the week

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Going to see a lot of John Deere vintage tractors this week

Going to see a lot of John Deere vintage tractors this week

Today we went out to dump the black and grey water and get our propane tank filled at a Pilot Travel Center up the road. The cold weather around here means more RV’s using their furnaces. The tech at Pilot told me he has had their bulk propane tank filled three times in the past 48 hours.

This Forida weather is really strange. This morning it was very chilly: we had to fire up the space heater. This afternoon it felt hot, even though the temperature was only a bit above 70: we got the fans out.

Saw this cute little bird near our RV today

Saw this cute little bird near our RV today

We will now stay here until the show is over next Saturday. We are at the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine  and Tractor show at Ft. Meade in central Florida. We were here for the show in January and decided to return for the February show. This show is featuring John Deere tractors. We have already seen John Deere green and yellow on everything, including the old John Deere tractors, of course.

Over 1700 vendors and exhibitors are expected by the start of the show Wednesday. This place has over 240 acres and is turning into a little city. Vendors and tractor exhibitors have been coming in all day.

 

Beautiful sunset to end the day

Beautiful sunset to end the day

Is that sign for real?

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Today was an uneventful and quiet day. It started out cold, though. The overnite low was 36, and it was chilly this morning. A jacket was the required article of clothing until about mid-morning. We just talked with our fellow vendors throughout the day.

Warning! Or a joke?

Warning! Or a joke?

The sign next to a nearby pond is rather ominous. The pond is about 20 yards from our spot. One of the vendors here told me that if there are no birds on a pond it is a good sign there will be ‘gators in the pond. I guess ‘gators like to eat birds that land on the surface. Hmmmm. We have seen no birds land on the pond or the banks of the pond…

Happy Valentines Day!

Afternoon shopping, an evening of music and a cold night coming

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Buddy and Diane

Buddy and Diane

Today was kind of a mixed bag. We are at the Florida Flywheelers grounds in preparation for the big show that starts next Wednesday. We set up our tables yesterday, and today we needed to make a run to town to get some food and some table cloths for our display tables.

We went through Avon Park and on down US 27 to Sebring. There we did our shopping. We stayed in the WinnDixie parking lot and had a light lunch. By the time we were ready to leave it was getting on into the afternoon.

We drove back to the Orange Box Cafe in Frostproof and had supper. The seafood buffet was quite tasty. After we got done with supper we decided to stick around and listen to the local entertainer Buddy. (See our post on his show here.) Tonight he had his singing partner Diane Pari, with him. Diane is a mother of 5, grandmother of one, and an accomplished singer/songwriter. We heard a couple of her songs that she wrote. She is a great singer and she and Buddy were great singing duets.

Diane Pari, singer/songwriter

Diane Pari, singer/songwriter

Then it was back to our spot at the Flywheelers grounds. We had to get by the deputy at the gate by showing our parking sticker and armbands to get in the grounds. Thus today came to a close, with an overnight low of 36 expected. Seriously? Is this really Florida in February?