Spring Trip 2023, Old Federal Campground, Lake Sidney Lanier in Northern Georgia

 Old Federal Campground

Located on Lake Sidney Lanier Old Federal Campground is a Army Corp of Engineer campground with views of the lake and refreshing breezes that cool you down on hot summer days. I took the above picture of the one other Aliner in the campground. Most of the spots are shaded with electric and water. If you are senior and have the Golden Eagle National Park Pass you can camp there at half price which was $12 a day. Not bad to keep your budget in check during your summer vacations.

I had all my equipment with me with plenty of space left over. I had a lovely view of the lake from my spot. I was just across from the sail boat club. Most every evening members would gather to sail on the lake racing to a small island and back to test their skills. I was blessed to witness the sailors as they crossed on they way out and back. 

Spring Trip 2023, Lake Louisa State Park

Lake Louisa State Park 

(All the links in this post are purple)

Lake Louisa

Located just south of Clermont, Florida just off of Highway 27. Lake Louisa is home to two other lakes, Lake Hammond and Lake Dixie. The campground is between Hammond and Dixie with access to Lake Hammond on the grounds for paddlers. There is a concession at entrance to the campground with rentals available providing access to kayaks, canoes and bikes for visitors. The park has 7 miles of paved roads and over 20 miles of unpaved multi-use trails. The campground has two bathhouses, tow fishing piers and a small pavilion. 

Kayak rentals

My campsite at Lake Louisa

Fishing Pier

In addition to the campground there is also a equestrian primitive camp with five horse paddocks, fire rings, a pavilion, grills and a self-composting toilet. The park has a stable in this area with access to guided trail rides. There is access to glamping camping with luxury tent sites in the campground and eco tent sites near the Equestrian area. 

The Cabin Rentals at Lake Louisa are available for visitors to enjoy the park for a number of days and nights. At $120 a night, this option is a reasonable alternative for those who are not into camping.  

Cabins located on the shoreline of Lake Dixie

During my visit to Lake Louisa I was able to get out for a paddle on Lake Hammond. Just the evening before there was a series of showers that came in at night. This created a lovely Lilly pad blossoming event on the Lake the next morning which a real treat to witness. I felt blessed with my timing while enjoying a early morning paddle around the lake.

I plan on going back to Lake Louisa in the future as it is close to my home and has a variety of outdoor activities that I enjoy. I am certain you will feel the same after a visit to this beautiful state Park. During the season, (late fall, winter, & early spring) the state park system is often booked up so if you want to reserve a site you must reserve it eleven months in advance for 2024. Next year Florida residents will be able to book 12 months out for 2025. That gives FL residents an opening to get a site as the one month opening is only for Florida residents. That is good news for a long term Florida resident like me. 

Spring Trip 2023, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

A note from the author; 

The links in this post are colored purple, They will provide further information related to the subjects I discuss in my narrative. Enjoy.

 

Located just south of Gainesville, Florida Paynes Prairie stands out as a diamond in the ruff. At first glance one would assume that the park is located on a open plain with few trees and not much more. Do not be fouled by the name, the park is a oasis of nature from it's highland forests, abundant lakes, nature trails and views of the prairie that are vast and compelling.

The 50 foot observation tower

Buffalo roaming the Prairie 

From the observation tower you can look out over the vast expanse of the prairie and spot the herds of Buffalo or wild horses feeding off the lush vegetation. The landscape is unique with bodies of water that are part of a giant fresh water sink that feeds the Florida limestone aquifer with abundant fresh water. The level of the water in the area goes up and down depending on how much rainfall from tropical storms during the summer leave in the area during the rainy season.

Views of Prairie from the observation tower

Puc Puggy Campground is located in a area of dense trees with sites that our spacious and private. I was able to set up my Clam and still have lots of room to enjoy the surroundings.

The two bathhouses have showers and our well kept by the parks staff. The campground is in walking distance to a large picnic area and the boat ramp with access to Lake Wauburg. There are two one way loops with 49 campsites of which 19 to 33 are walk in tent only. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grill.

Lovely Lake Wauburg is a lovely and accessible by car or foot for those who would like to enjoy a outing on the water. I enjoyed a paddle on the lake with my Wilderness Tarpon 140 kayak which I have had for a number of years. On the north shore of the lake is the Lake Wauburg Recreational Facility, dedicated to the alumni of Florida State University in Gainesville, FL. I saw several paddle boats and kayakers from the facility who were enjoying the afternoon on the lake. There is a fishing pier near the boat ramp within walking distance from the campground. It is a great place to catch some of the lakes abundant fish for those who enjoy angling.

Fishing pier 

University of Florida Reactional Facility on the north shore of Lake Wauburg

Paynes Prairie Visitors Center is one of the best interpretive centers in the state. You will find many exhibits that chronicle the wildlife, plant life and the abundant bird population. The center has a comfortable theater with an interpretive film of the seasonal changes that create the unique character of the park. A lovely nature trail brings you to the center from the parking lot. Once at the visitors center there is a paved trail to the 50 foot observation tower with views of the south rim of the prairie. The entrance to the lovely paved WacahootaTrail is adjacent to the tower, great for seeing the parks extensive bio diversity. 

Paynes Prairie Visitors Center

Back viewing deck of the prairie's south rim

 

Path leading out to the south rim of prairie from the visitors center

Wild Horses on the prairie taken from the observation tower

Paynes Prairie is a jewel in ruff. Even if you not a camper a stop to enjoy the park is well worth it if you enjoy nature in all it's many forms. It is not far from Interstate 75 just south of Gainesville, FL. You many even catch a glimpse of some of the parks abundant wildlife wondering on the prairie including the parks extensive bird population. 

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, High Springs, FL, Spring 2022 Visit

 

Summer Trip 2021, Coconino National Forest, Oak Creek, Pine Flat Campground, Sedona, AZ

Coconino National Forest, Oak Creek

Pine Flat Campground

Oak Creek Canyon as seen from the rim on Hwy 89A just outside Flagstaff, AZ

Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located in northern Arizona between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty. State route 89A enters the canyon on its north end via a series of hairpin turns before traversing the bottom of the canyon for about 13 miles until the highway enters the town of Sedona and red rock country. 

Our campsite at Pine Flats is operated by the National Forest Service. The sites were large with plenty of space between campsites. The restrooms were pit toilets. Be sure not to get a campsite near the toilets as we did as there is an unpleasant smell that drifted over our campsite from time to time. There is no electric and no showers however it was a treat to be in the canyon with Oak Creek not far from our campsite.

Our Friend Ron from Page, AZ joined us at our campsite at Pine Flats

The town of Sedona is a great place to visit while you're in this area. It is surrounded by the red rock landscapes that make this place so popular to visit. Their are jeep tours that will take you to some of the best sites around the area. 

Sedona is a spiritual place with lots of shops that specialized in this subject area.

We always have enjoyed this area of red rocks and canyons south of Flagstaff over the years. It is a great place to explore with a beauty that is hard to match.

I plan to place extra posts of some of our stays in later stages of our trip so keep coming back to see my pictures and narrative. My travel blog has always been intended to inspire others to go out and see the places you have never see. The greatest honor for me is when folks tell me that they enjoy traveling vicariously through my pictures and narrative.

This project of mine is ongoing. Until next time happy trails and may natures beauty never fail to inspire you.

Summer Trip 2021, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Cedar City, Utah

 Cedar Breaks National Monument

Point Supreme Campground

Cedar Breaks is a natural amphitheater stretching across a distance of about three miles with a depth of over 2,000 feet. The elevation of the rim of the amphitheater is over 10,000 feet. The formations in this park closely resemble those that are found in Bryce National Park and the Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest. 

This park is extra special. At a height of over 10,000 feet the air is crisp and clear. The views are spectacular. We camped out at Point Supreme campground in the heart of the park. The nighttime skies were amazing with the milky way clearly visible spanning across the sky. We had flush toilets, hot showers (a luxury), firewood from the campground host to keep us warm at night and a nice site with great views. Just about perfect.

We enjoyed several hikes while in the park. One of the hikes took us along the rim to a lovely Alpine pond with views of the canyons that make this park so dynamic.

We drove up to Brian Head peak the highest point in this area at over 11,000 feet. It was a drive we will never forget. All of it was gravel road with several spots that were steep and a bit rocky. We were rewarded with views that were so amazing of the surrounding landscapes that stretched on for miles in every direction.

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