Los Flemings

After Winter Haven we ventured out into the Ocala National Forest with plans to camp in the area and canoe on the different spring fed rivers.


Our first canoe trip was on Alexander Springs and provided good scenery and lots of wildlife including a deer that swam in the river for several minutes.







We were camped at the Juniper Springs recreation area for two nights but due to construction on their board walk we couldn't get on the spring run. And thanks to the colder than expected weather we decided to move to one of the nice cabins at Silver River State Park.


Our second canoe trip was an afternoon excursion on the Silver River where we saw lots more wildlife including a barred owl and a colony of monkeys that live near the spring head (video of that to come).



Our third trip was on Silver Glen Springs (pictured above). It is a short run down to Lake George but if finally got warm enough that Sam and I took a dip in the springs when we got back to the spring head. The highlight of that day was seeing a bald eagle over the spring run - and this big gator sunning itself.










Our last canoe run was on our way back north. We stopped for a quick trip down Itchetucknee Springs outside Gainesville. It was an overcast afternoon but it was still beautiful and very peaceful without the warm weather tubing crowd.











Our last stop on the way home was a short visit with Grandpa Bunk in Atlanta before making the final push home to Asheville.