JAN 2010 FL GTG

[Liz]

I'll call you Barbzeee. I thought we were changing sites, so my pull-through site would be yours, and we'd all gather there. If you're worried about the dogs, that's another story, and I can understand hubby being worried how you'd manage. If there's anything I can do, let me know.

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Oh Barb, I hate you aren' going to be staying. Just know that we will help in anyway. It will begood for you to come up to see us anyway. Hey, maybe you will change your mind again.

[Liz]

Think Florida…

Ok, here are some things we can do…or not, whatever your wishes are:

At the campground:
4 hiking trails: 2 different ones lead to the crystal clear Silver River (River Trail & Swamp Trail), 1 goes through the woods by a big sinkhole (called the “Sinkhole Trail”), and the “Sandhill trail” through the piney woods. Possibility of seeing white-tail deer, armadillos, gopher turtles, lots of birdlife.

Visit the FL Museum of Natural History & the Cracker Village…$2, Saturday (You can wander through the village any day.)

Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle up the Silver River to the head springs and back.

Attend the Saturday evening Ranger Program

Sometimes they have Sat. morning, “Coffee with the birds”, ranger led walks….don’t know about the date yet.

In the area:
Visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic site: tour the house & working farm where Rawlings wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Yearling,” as well as many other books. The Yearling and Cross Creek have both been made into movies, filmed in the area.

Have lunch at the Yearling Restaurant, also in Cross Creek. Taste some cooter or gator tail, as well as more traditional food.

Visit the historic towns of McIntosh & Micanopy, circa 1890s. Browse through antique shops and shops of artists and artisans. Must have a cone from the ice cream shop. The 1990 film, “Doc Hollywood” starring Michael J Fox was filmed in Micanopy.

Take the “Singing River Cruise” on the Rainbow & Withlacoochee Rivers, followed by a meal at “The Blue Gator” or “Stumpknockers” in Dunnellon. See recent post about this. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2899

Take a non-singing tour of the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers (closer to the cg)

Someone might want to visit the adjacent Silver Springs attraction and ride their famous glass-bottom boats over the springs.

Think Florida, Florida, Florida

[mitch5252]

Taste some cooter or gator tail, as well as more traditional food.

Liz, you have piqued my curiosity - what is cooter (or is it cooter tail) ?
I've had gator (YUCK), but never heard of cooter.
If it tastes anything like alligator, well, once again - YUCK! (even though this bird seems to enjoy it!)



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[Liz]

Oh Mitch, I'm surprised at you....you're slipping!

Definitions of 'cooter'
Dictionary.com · The American Heritage® Dictionary - (2 definitions)

[Gullah, of Niger-Congo originMandingo kuta.]

(noun)
Lower Southern U.S.
An edible freshwater turtle of the genus Chrysemys.
Any of various turtles or tortoises.

[mitch5252]

Oh Mitch, I'm surprised at you....you're slipping!

Definitions of 'cooter'
Dictionary.com · The American Heritage® Dictionary - (2 definitions)

[Gullah, of Niger-Congo originMandingo kuta.]

(noun)
Lower Southern U.S.
An edible freshwater turtle of the genus Chrysemys.
Any of various turtles or tortoises.

LOL - I'm not slipping...I would have looked it up if I thought it was a real word and not a typo. I thought you meant 'coon', as in raccoon, and just typed it funny (like I do a lot when thinking ahead to the next word or so (thinkin' of gator, so typed cooner)! I was just yankin' your chain (in a very loving way, of course...)


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[Liz]

You've got to have more faith in me Mitch, I like you remember?

[mitch5252]

You've got to have more faith in me Mitch, I like you remember?

I won't forget you like me - there's so few of you - even with my addled brain, I can remember such a precious few!
And that's why I added "in a loving way, of course..."


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[BirdbyBird]

Ask Roe, if the camp ground and trails are dog friendly....Herschel needs to know.......He told me I couldn't go near those NO PETS ALLOWED places anymore A few side trips he will agree to allow me time off for...but he expects nice walks......to balance out his WAIT time

[VickieP]

You've got to have more faith in me Mitch, I like you remember?

I won't forget you like me - there's so few of you - even with my addled brain, I can remember such a precious few!
And that's why I added "in a loving way, of course..."


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It's getting kinda deep in here, thought yall might need a pair of these!

[mitch5252]

It's getting kinda deep in here, thought yall might need a pair of these!

Yeah? Well, you need one of these...




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[Liz]

I really need to meet you two, Mitch and Vickie....are you thinking about FL? It's not that far away, you know.

Herschel, the State Park and trails are all dog friendly. I wouldn't go if it wasn't. They probably won't let me in a canoe, though. Last year I tried to chase one of those armadillos. They look slow, but they're really fast.

Looking forward to meeting you.
Roe

[mtngal]

Holy cow Liz! are you sure a week is long enough to do all these fun things?

btw.....I am open to trading down for a smaller space if anyone needs my drive through....

[Liz]

I didn't mean we'd do ALL those things. Those are just things we could [u][/u] do if some want. Or, we could just relax and visit at our campsites. Some of us are staying longer than others.

I too took a pull-through purposely so I could trade with someone who needs it, because there aren't many and get filled fast. I had planned to trade with Barbzeee, but since she's not able to stay, I could trade with someone else. I believe there's no cost to trade places the day we arrive. If we call and change our reservations, then there is a charge.

This is a pic of Site #20, a back in site at Silver River. This is the one Barb was going to reserve & trade with me.


This pic is from our gtg 2 years ago, Site #10 pull-through that I currently have reserved.

L to R, Beth, Nan, Sparkle, Liz, Barbzeee

[Barbzeee]

Diana, Liz... and others that have interest ... When I talked with the Ranger in regards to changing our spots... He said..NO..as if we were to change being I'm not a Floridian.. our prices would change as well AND.. we'd have to each pay for change..duh..sucks huh ....well so that added with not being able to get it all together with crew... made my decision..However, I will come up and visit with you all one day... or hey..you all can get in the car load and come on down...take ya pick .... but I'll bake a cake too hahahaha..

I did try to get the Ranger to have pity..but hey when it comes to MONEY.. NOBODY had pity.. they Want them Bucks !

So..you all should be ok..as I think so far all that have registered are good..but ya know.. just thought this perhaps next time we do this..HOw's about just asking if we could get a group of sites and don't have to put names in them till arrival..wonder if that would work..? have to ask...

OK..just a thought... back to boiling water...UGH..

God Bless

Zeee......

PS Thanks anyway for those that were willin to trade...