November 11, 2013

Torreya State Park, Bristol, Fl

& Three Rivers State Park, Sneads, FL

Before I get into where our day took us I want to say Happy Veteran’s Day to all the brave men and women who served (and are still serving) in our armed forces.   I especially want to thank my father (U.S. Army), brother (U.S. Marine Corp.), nephew (U.S. Air Force) and son (NYC Policeman and U.S. Army Reserves) for their service. 

We plan on visiting with family living in Tallahassee this weekend.  I had researched a few places to stay.   When I map quested the campgrounds and saw that they were less than 40 miles away we decided to take a ride to check them out.

After checking out three of the campgrounds we came to the decision that we would stay where we are in Bainbridge and just drive the 40 miles each day to visit with family.  The campgrounds, (all County facilities) were really nice but have very narrow roads with low hanging branches and most of the sites are for smaller rigs.

The final campground we visited had a lovely picnic area that we took advantage of to eat our lunch.

 

The rest of the afternoon we spent exploring two different Florida State Parks.  The first park, Torreya, got its name from the rare species of trees that only grows on the bluffs along the Apalachicola River. 

The main attraction at Torreya State Park is Gregory House, a fully furnished plantation house built in 1849 by Jason Gregory. 

Like most plantations after the Civil War, the house fell into disuse. 

The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) disassembled the old Gregory House in 1935, moved it across the river and reconstructed it where it stands today.

The house is available for tours but unfortunately we were too late for the daily 10AM tour.  But we were able to snap these pictures through the window.

 

The view from the backyard. 

I could imagine sitting on the back porch, sipping a mint julep as the sun sets.

Three Rivers State Park is located just a few miles from where we are currently staying.

The Chattahoochee River and the Flint River combine to form Lake Seminole above the Jim Woodruff Dam.

Below the dam, the waters become the mighty Apalachicola River. 









The name of the park is a tribute to these three rivers.

 

 

 

 

I don't know who was more startled-us or the deer that we encountered. 

 

We arrived back home in time for yet another spectacular sunset.

 

Even Annie joined us

until something spooked her and she ran back to the door to be let in.