Monday, January 6, 2020


November 3 to December 31, 2019

We spent 8 days at Ocean Pond, a campground in the Osceola National Forest.  The campground does not accept reservations.  It has to two loops: one with water but no power and one with water and power. 
 
 
When we arrived there were no powered sites available but we were lucky enough to snap a site on the non-powered loop.
 

The following morning, Monte drove the powered loop and when he saw a camper packing up he parked nearby and was able to grab the site as soon as the camper departed.

The campground is lovely and as a bonus only we enjoyed a discount with our Senior National Parks pass.

While we were at the campground we mostly relaxed. 
It was cold enough every day for a campfire. 
We did take a drive to nearby Olustee Battlefield.

The park commemorates the site of Florida’s largest Civil War battle, which took place in February, 1864 when more than 10,000 cavalry, infantry and artillery troops fought a five-hour battle in a pine forest near Olustee.
The battle ended with 2,807 casualties and the retreat of Union troops to Jacksonville until the war’s end 14 months later.

The battlefield became the state’s first historic site.

In the small Visitor Center we watched a short video depicting a reenactment. 

A yearly reenactment occurs in February with period costumed actors.
We would have loved to stay longer at Ocean Pond Campground but we had reservations beginning on the 12th at the campground at Salt Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest. 
We realized when we arrived at the campground that reservations would not have been necessary as there were several sites available. 

On our second day at the campground we decided to take a ride around the loop when we were pleasantly surprised to discover two fellow work camping couples that we spend the winter with at Lake Manatee State Park were camping at Salt Springs.

We enjoyed their company for a few campfires and a dinner out at Bass Champions Restaurant.
During out stay at Salt Springs we took hikes, made a grocery run to Wal-Mart and walked down to the springs.
When we arrived back at Lake Manatee State Park on November 22, we began a whirlwind of activity including enjoying Thanksgiving at Manasota Beach, an early surprise anniversary party for my parents, doctor appointment and of course work assignments.
 

 
 
 
Mom and Dad early surprise Anniversary party 
My daughter Renee and twin granddaughters
During December we attended several parties, enjoyed a visit from my daughter and granddaughters who live in Arizona, hosted a family get together at Lake Manatee State Park and Monte had carpal tunnel surgery on his right hand.
 
 
My sister-in-law gifted me with a beautiful quilt for Christmas.
 On New Year’s Eve we attended a potluck at our volunteer village where we stayed up to ring in the New Year.