Summer Trip 2019, Gulf Islands National Seashore

Fort Pickens Campground

Gulf Islands National Seashore and Fort Pickens is located on a barrier island just south of Pensacola, FL. The white sand beaches are pristine and beautiful making this area in the panhandle of Florida a favorite place to visit. The campgrounds are very nice with easy access to the pristine white sand beaches common in this part of FL panhandle. 

Our campsite at Fort Pickens, Gulf Shores National Sea Shore

Sunset over the beach near Fort Pickens campground

Sunset, 5/13/2019

We rode our bikes to Fort Pickens to tour the old historic fort and watch the Blue Angels perform their practice runs from the Navel air bass across the bay in Pensacola, FL. We just happened to catch there performance as they only fly on a set schedule that can be influenced by weather conditions. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time. We felt blessed to have witnessed one of the finest precision air teams on the planet. 

Fort Pickens

Cannon on top of Fort Pickens where we watched the Blue Angles preform

Barbara near the large Cannon on top of Fort Pickens

The Blue Angels

Blue Angels practicing over the Naval Air Base at Pensacola, Fl as seen from Fort Pickens

The Blue Angles preforming over the Navel Air Base in Pensacola, FL

Blue Angels going straight up into the sky. Powerful and amazing

The Blue Angels in formation

The National Naval Aviation Museum at the Navy Air Base and the The Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, located across the bay from Fort Pickens, are great places to visit when you are in this area. The naval aviation history is well displayed with many vintage and modern aircraft displays. The lighthouse museum is also interesting with 177 steps to the top for a great view of the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Naval Air Base and Pensacola Bay.  Make sure you plan your visit to Fort Pickens in advance as the campgrounds here fill up quickly as this area is quite popular for those who love to camp like us. 

Pensacola Lighthouse Museum, near the Naval Aviation Museum

Barbara getting ready to climb to the top of Pensacola Lighthouse

177 Steps to the top

View of the Navel Air Base from the top of the lighthouse, home of the Blue Angels

View of the National Navy Aviation Museum for the top of the lighthouse

Barbara climbing aboard the presidential helicopter used by Nixon at the National Navy Aviation Museum

Radar Equipped aircraft on exhibit at the National Navy Aviation Museum

The Concord flying amphibious aircraft that landed in Japan
 at the end of World War II to end the conflict with Japan,
 General Sherman and General Nimitz were onboard.

A vintage restored flying boat built in 1917, saw service during World War I

The Blue Angels exhibit at the National Navy Aviation Museum

A classic Lockheed L-10 Electra similar to the one Emelia Earhart
 attempted to fly around the world years ago.
 She disappeared and her & the Electra were never found

I always like to include images of wildlife in my posts during our travels. I was fortunate to spot some of my favorite birds and a small mammal on our ventures through the trails here at the Gulf Shores National Sea Shore. Enjoy!

Osprey

Great Blue Heron

Red Winged Black Bird

A small field mouse enjoying a meal next to the Fort Pickens nature trail

Florida State Parks, O'leno State Park, High Springs, FL

O'leno State Park

Located near High Springs, FL, O'leno State Park is a lovely place surrounded by old growth live oaks and abundant wildlife that is native to this area. The parks landmark suspension bridge leads to a loop trail that takes you along the banks of the Santa Fe River to the river sink where the river goes underground for three miles forming a natural bridge.

Turtles floating on a log above the river sink

The Santa Fe River Sink

O'leno has a rich history that goes back to the days when it was a forestry training camp for the young men of the CCC and WPA in the 1930's. You can still see some of the original buildings that were built to last a lifetime including the landmark suspension bridge.

The CCC & WPA museum

The Forestry Training Hall

Barbeque pit used to feed the CCC recruits 

The Camping areas at O'leno are in two areas. The Dogwood campground, where we stayed, is located near the entrance of the park. The restrooms are clean and located in the center of the campground. Each site is nicely shaded with old growth Live Oaks which are throughout the park. There is no sewer hookup on the sites however there is a dump station near the Sweetwater campground that is located near the river. We really enjoyed our visit and will be coming back in the future.

Barbara relaxing under our EZ canopy at the Dogwood Campground

Our site at the Dogwood Campground in O'leno State Park

Barbara at the Santa River sink at O'leno State Park

The Santa Fe River is a kayaking paradise with many paddling opportunities in the surrounding area. We spent two days on the Santa Fe River visiting the springs that feed into the river. The wildlife is abundant and the clear cool waters of the springs along the river are amazing. 

Our friends Tom & Lin paddling with Barbara down the Santa Fe River 

Paddling up the clear waters of the beautiful Gilchrist/Blue Springs run

The view from our kayaks paddling down the Santa Fe River

Cottage on the banks of the Santa Fe River

Long log providing a sunny rest for a group of friendly turtles

Bald Eagle on the banks of the Santa Fe river

Along the river we visited the several springs, some that are on the river's edge
. All of the springs along the river are unique and special providing a cool and refreshing place to swim in the crystal clear waters.

Rum Island Spring on the banks of the Santa Fe River

Paddlers entering Rum Island County Park from the Santa Fe River

Poe Springs, a large group of paddlers were enjoying the park on this day

Poe Springs

Barbara paddling on the spring run at Gilchrist-Blue Springs State Park

Barbara in the clear waters of Blue Springs

There are several places that paddlers can hire outfitters in the area to pick them up after a paddle downstream. Folks who do not have a kayak or canoe can rent them by the hour to paddle the river. One such place is the outfitter Rum 138 located near Rum Island. Rum Island County Park has free parking and is a great place to launch. Paddlers come from great distances to enjoy the beautiful Santa Fe river and surrounding springs. We always have a great time when we visit this area.

Mermaid Spring just upstream from Rum Island

Artwork on the cypress knobs along the banks of the Santa Fe river

O'leno State Park & River Rise