Farms, Rivers, and More...

There are so many things to see as we travel America! The beauty around is hard to imagine until we see it face to face. As I write, I'm sitting in a shady spot in a grassy campground overlooking a lake that has been partially drained for the purpose of making improvements. A sandy beach is being added, and rocks line the shores and the fingers that dip into the lake. The setting is pure relaxation and gorgeous.

The park in Florida that we called home for thirteen months is now behind us. We left it as planned on May 1, and continued our journey north. One of the first places we visited was a farm with a wide variety of animals. To name a few, we saw chickens, roosters, goats, mules, pigs, large and small,  birds, including a Cockatoo, and even a very large turtle.

When Angel saw the turtle, Angel was on a leash standing side of me. As the turtle on the other side of the fence moved slowly toward us, Angel began to back up. He had never seen such a big turtle.

FARM SCENES

SUWANEE RIVER

Little River Springs on the Suwanee River in Florida is a place well known to people all over the world. People go there with diving gear to dive in underwater caves. As they enter the caves, they tie off a line so they can find their way back out of the caves when they are ready to leave the cave.

Entrance to underwater caves is the opening at left

Blue waters of the Suwanee River near the Little River Springs underwater caves entrance area.

Blue waters of Suwanee River beyond entrance to underwater caves

PECAN GROVE

Pecan trees and markets selling pecans in season were a common site. This picturesque scene is a grove of pecan trees.

Grove of Pecan trees taken from the road

BOONDOCKING 

While we still had real estate, we learned about Boondockers Welcome. In fact, we had hosted people traveling through our area at the time for several nights up to a week. It was a good way to meet new people and offer them a free place to park so they could sightsee and do things in our local area.

While traveling through Alabama, we were welcomed to park for a night in the driveway of a Boondockers Welcome Host. It was a nice secluded shady spot. A small creek was located off to the right.

One night while traveling through Mississippi we were welcome camping (boondocking) guests at a 150-acre farm where they specialized in farm-raised catfish. That evening our gracious hosts invited us to join them on their back porch where we enjoyed visiting until bedtime. As we visited, we discovered they were familiar with the area where I grew up, and also knew some of the people. It is amazing how many times we meet someone who knows someone we know. The next morning heavy rains were predicted. We woke up just in time and with their permission, were able to get moved under a huge roof area outside their barn where we could pack up and not get wet.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE

West Helena was where we crossed the Mississippi River into Arkansas. The big, old, stately bridge that took us across was a sight to behold.

Big, tall bridge crossing Mississippi River at West Helena, AR

OVERNIGHT CAMPING SPOTS

We continued to boondock at a variety of sites. Here is a photo of the road leading to one of the sites where we found a scenic spot overlooking a river.

Shady lane leading to overnight camping sites

Typically, I do not take photos when we boondock at private residences to protect the privacy of our hosts. One of our hosts where we stayed several nights had a cookout and I took a fruit salad to pass. They also invited us to join them on a boat ride around the lake. We have met a lot of really nice people in our travels.

One night we stayed in an Illinois State Park and had the area mostly to ourselves. A couple pick-up trucks and a boat were the only other campers.

Illinois State Park Camping Area

Sometimes along our route it is possible to visit with people and new friends we have made since we started full-timing. It is always fun to catch up.

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome.

Sharon