| Jul 26, 2007 @ 12:15 AM |
Going Camping...
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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Hi everyone. I am so excited, I just made my camping reservations today. I am taking a few days off next month and going camping. I will take my tent and minimal camping gear. I have decided, on the spur of the moment, which is how I like to do things, to take off on the second anniversary of my husband's passing.
I am going by myself, not taking along any grandkids or anyone, this is a time just for me. I will take along my gnome though. See my pic, the gnome went to the mountains with us last year. He reminded me of my late husband, so we call him grandpa gnome. I will take some of his ashes as well (my husband's not the gnomes).
I also want to draw some of the scenery, so will take my art supplies. I need to get a new camera though, I lost mine in Illinois on vacation. I hope my arm will be better so I can put my tent up though. I have been doing too much and twisted it some tonight and now it is hurting, but oh well, this too will pass.
Camping is like one of my favorite recreational things. I hope in the future, to go to some of the other sites in Florida for weekend getaways. Any of you camp in FL, suggestions, tips, etc?
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| Jul 26, 2007 @ 11:55 AM |
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FLFire
Posts: 5
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Highland Hammocks State Park in Sebring is really nice (the primitive area), as is Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. have fun!
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| Jul 26, 2007 @ 11:54 PM |
Going Camping...
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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Honeybear it sounds like a grand adventure.. just be very careful about camping alone , and be sure to let someone know where you are going to be. I know the anniversary of losing your husband will be a difficult day for you. I know we all have to grieve and deal with the loss of a loved one in our own way and in our own time. For you being outdoors in natures tapestry may be very therapeutic and renewing, but some how think it may be helpful for you to have someone with you for support. Of course I know you will do whats best for you.
I have not done much camping since I have lived in Florida except at Disneys Fort Wilderness camp ground. Its not exactly roughing it but its a fun place to go. I love their campfire program , and Disney movies under the stars. 
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| Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:05 AM |
Going Camping... |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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I will be careful and a few people (close friends and family) know where I am going. I haven't told anyone online where I am going... wouldn't be prudent, wouldn't be prudent. I really need to do this, and I will have my phone. I feel OK about it. Thank you for your concern. I also have cushy camped at Fort Wilderness, it is great.
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| Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:15 PM |
Going Camping...
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youaremissed
Posts: 1,158
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Fort white up along the ichetucknee river is awesome in the summer 72 degree water year round many springs bubble up out of the aquaifer.! I always camp at joe and junes campground they do the canoe p/u and drop off with their rentals...Great for canoeing as the ichetucknee river runs into the santa fee passing ginnie springs and many others of fame...
Near ocala on the oklawahaa river is great too... Only in early spring or winter though...Great areas for swimming paddeling as the springs are everywhere...rainbow springs is along the way too I think...fl. state parks are fairly safe but being a woman you should at least carry pepper spray...  I carry my CW whenever I camp, better them down then me! 
Have fun HB you sound like a fun adventurous kinda gal  I love camping hiking and canoeing here and in the mountains, I too have all my gear  as well as many trail guides of different areas...Enjoy!
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| Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:26 PM |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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Thank you, I think I will get some pepper spray, I have never gotten any. Where do they sell it?
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| Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:44 PM |
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jackf1950
Posts: 688
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any army surplus store at least....
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| Jul 27, 2007 @ 3:24 PM |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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Have a nice trip HoneyBear. 
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| Jul 28, 2007 @ 5:18 PM |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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I'm not going for a couple more weeks, maybe my arm will be better by then, who knows. If not, I guess it will just take longer to pitch my tent. Thank you guys for the camping sites, I just may do more of this. Thanks Jack, I will try one near me and see if I can get some. Probably is a good idea. I just bought a new camera to replace the one I lost on vacation. Hopefully I can get some great wildlife shots.
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 12:17 AM |
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Kenn159
Posts: 4,402
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I second Rainbow Springs as well.
Juniper and Wekiva Springs are awesume too.
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 1:19 AM |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I haven't done any camping here in FL and honestly, I wouldn't in a tent. Fire ants seem to love me and I know I would end up getting chewed up big time!!
I haven't been to the places any one has mentioned except Myakka River State Park and I do think that is a really nice state park.
You also have Ocala National Forest too...I have been through there plenty of times and it is very nice.
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 1:57 AM |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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Honeybear, if you are sleeping in a tent in the Florida outdoors, I'd strongly recommend using bug repellent at night. This is one important lesson I learned from my recent "outdoor sleeping experience".
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 9:12 AM |
Going Camping...
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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I used to camp Florida many moons ago, its been about 15 years since then. I led a girl scout troop for 10 years and we camped a lot, mostly at the girl scout camps, but we went to myakka, Port St. Joe, Paynes Prairie and of course the Smokey Mountains. I know we went some other placees, but can't remember right now. But of course that was completely different, taking a bunch of kids, and my co-leaders. Ahhh memories Truthfully, it was a lot of work, frustration sometimes, but were some of the most rewarding years of my life. I still hear from some of them occasionally. Imagine, after all that time, they still remember the times we spent together. With my family, we camped in the Smokies at one of the campgrounds inside the park itself. Last year was the first time in 7 years that I had been back. My husband had gotten so ill that we could no longer go and then he passed away two years ago. 
Deep Woods Off is my best friend camping. I always check the ground carefully for ants before pitching my tent. I am getting so excited about this trip. If I can ever figure out how to put photos up on the posts, I will. Or maybe someone can tell me how to do the photo bucket thing. I run more on the artistic side not the technical side, so be gentle with your explanations.
Witchie, how goes it? I am so glad you are back. I for one missed you. How did the photo contest go? Your photos are awesome. Oh, I gotta send you a picture that one of my daughters took in my back yard at night. The spirits were abundant that night. I can even make out a person standing in the background and there were all kinds of smokey trails and lights. It is the coolest thing ever.
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 4:27 PM |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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Honeybear said:
If I can ever figure out how to put photos up on the posts, I will.
You can insert photos in blogs are threads, but only if you are a premium member.
The other alternative is to post the pics on a third-party site, such as Photobucket, and then link to them.
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 4:43 PM |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I use Photo bucket, Flickr and Webshots all three are very simple to use, have free and paid memberships.
Haven't heard anything yet about the contest. I did just get another form to sign and send back saying I took the picture and own the rights to it, so that is a good thing I guess...lol
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 11:54 PM |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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I am in putting some of my Smokey Mountain camping trip on photobucket
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 12:30 PM |
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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I am going to Mich. to go tubing and camping with my daughter and her friends Aug. 10, 11, & 12 on the Rifle River. I love camping and being out on the river. I have camped in Florida up by High Springs and had a great time. Been camping over Easter 2 yrs. ago in the Keys. That was fun too, only very hot and humid. I plan on camping up by Gennie Springs in the fall here in Florida. I have been to the area several times and it is so beautiful. I would love to camp in the mountians in Tennessee someday. I hope you have a great time!
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 9:04 PM |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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I went to the Smokey Mountains last year and camped both the Tenn and North Carolina sides. I camped at Cades Cove inside the national park. It was great. I have not camped other places in Tenn. though.
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 9:09 PM |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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If you go camping in Tennessee, you should go to Fall Creek Falls State Park, near Crossville, TN. As the name suggest, there is a waterfalls in the park. And it is a sight to behold!!
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| Jul 31, 2007 @ 10:26 AM |
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honbee42
Posts: 348
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Gatlinburg Tn, is really pretty. It has a few campsites there and a lot of really neat things to see and do there as well. there as well.
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