Bulow Plantation RV Campground - Starting to move north

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Before leaving Green Swamp Preserve, Leon and Mary-Lou and we exchanged gifts. Mary-Lou gave me a T-shirt with moose pictures on it, along with a CD with beautiful flute music. I didn't really have anything to give her but Glen had something special for Leon. On a visit to our trailer, Leon admired a license plate we had hung that came from the North Territories. Glen had brought it back from the Arctic when he worked there for 5 years. The plate is in the shape of a polar bear, so quite different. Anyway, as they were leaving Glen came out with the plate and gave it to Leon. Leon was in tears as he knew it meant a lot to Glen but he was willing to part with it to give to him. Leon is a softy as he also cried when he was trying to remember a song that his mother used to sing in French which both Francine and I knew so we started to sign it. It brought back memories to all of us.

So here we are at Bulow Plantation RV Campground. Located next to the Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park in Flagler Beach, Florida, the entrance is a bit narrow for large RVs but obviously, every one of them makes it through the stone pillars. You then drive for quite a distance on a white-fence bordered road that reminds of entering a beautiful farm. The whole campground is populated with mature trees providing welcome shade to most sites. There is an activity center that is only open for special events such as bingo, shows, etc. At the back of it is the activity corral where one can play mini-putt, volleyball or horseshoes. It was so hot during our stay here that we only visited the pool. We did take Cheeka for some off-leash time in the off-leash dog park which is located behind some cabins and is larger than most we have seen but the gate didn't shut. We then took her out for a bit of a run outside the dog park where there was a path through a nice green grass field.

The salt-water pool is located near the office and is kept at a very pleasant temperature.On our second day here there was a Luau during lunch at the pool. We happened to be there as we were swimming while doing laundry (laundry room right by the pool). They had leis for us and free food and drinks. They served pulled pork on a bun with coleslaw and had an upside-down pineapple cake along with some cookies for dessert. The drinks consisted of beer, pop drinks and some cocktails such as Fuzzy Navel (that's what I had) all free! Hawaiian music was playing in the background. It was a good time. Even Glen enjoyed it!

Delicious upside down pineapple cake

All kinds of drinks were offered.

Afterwards, we decided to go sit in the shade by the creek and saw a huge fish. We don't know what it is but I did get a few pictures. It was nice and breezy under the huge live oak trees. I thought I saw a large turtle on the shore but it turned out to be a rock.

Our chairs by the creek

I think this Little Blue Heron just spotted lunch!

The big fish.

The big fish on another angle.

Pretty bridges like this one connect the different sections of the park.

We then drove around for a while and noticed another trail. But again, it was just too hot to go walking with the dog.

On our first morning here, there was a huge thunderstorm with very heavy rain and wind. Our roof repairs held on nicely as not a drop of water came in. Phew! We drove to the beach anyway to see where it was - it's about 5 minutes away and it's beautiful! A lot of cute beachy restaurant line the street and most offer a second story deck from where you can see the ocean. There is a restaurant right on the beach called "The Crazy Pelican" that sure would be a nice spot for lunch. The next day another heavy rain started just as we were going to start the BBQ. So we cooked inside.

Flagler Beach in the rain - fishing pier.

A brave soul fishing in the storm

As far as life throwing us lemons, even though we are enjoying the camping and the lifestyle, it seems something always has to go wrong. I now am plagued by a UTI. I hope to take care of it with cranberry pills but we'll have to see. I'm still dealing with the rash I got from fly bites.

A visit to the Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park was a must since it was practically next door. We found it very interesting and beautiful as the sun played on the shaded ruins. It used to be a huge sugar cane plantation with a sugar mill. The ruins are of the mill and there is a bit of the foundation from the slave quarters. The mill and the main residence were destroyed during the Seminole war. The sugar cane fields have now returned to their original state of forest and jungle, just like it was when the Seminoles resided there. The narrow driveway into the property is apparently just like it used to be when travelled by horse and buggy.

Cheeka the navigator

The road to the plantation

Cheeka and I sharing a moment. I just love this dog!

This river is at the back of where the original house used to be. Very pretty area.

We did return to the beach before leaving and definitely will make this campground a longer stay next year.

One of the second story deck where you can dine and enjoy the ocean view.

Green Swamp Wildlife Reserve

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The last time we went to the Englewood beach we saw an iguana or large lizard. It has no crest so I'm doubting it's an iguana. Here are a few pictures. If anyone knows what it is, please let me know. He was about 2 feet long.

Leaving Harbor Lakes was the easiest hookup we ever did. The truck lined up perfectly to the trailer then the ball slid in and locked in without having to play with the tongue going up and down to find "the" spot where it's going to lock. We were amazed and proud of ourselves.

We set out to go to our next free camping spot at Green Swamp Wildlife Preserve (doesn't it sound like a great place?) which was a to be a 2 1/2 hour drive, just the way I like it. We punch in the address in the GPS and off we go!

The road that the preserve is on turns abruptly to the left as the rest of the road continues in a curve to the right. It really looks like you should continue to the right to stay on it. Our GPS did not alert us of this turn so we drive pass. We now have to do a U-turn which is not always easy when you're pulling a 32-foot trailer. First I try driving onto the large grassy area beside the road but I soon realise there isn't enough space to turn around. We continue to drive and I turn into a driveway from which I now have to back onto the road making sure not to fall into the ditch. I get that done and off we go again.
We turn onto the correct road and immediately there is an entrance to a park but the sign says in large letters: EAST TRACK, so I drive on. Anyway our GPS didn't indicate that we had arrived. We then pass another entrance which also says EAST TRACK. Weird, why would there be two of them? We drive on. Finally, our GPS announces: You have arrived! We look, there is nothing but fields. We drive a little further and decide that it can't be there since our GPS now shows the truck as being driven through a field - no road.

Again I drive into a laneway and back onto to the road to turn around. We decide to stop by the second entrance we had seen to see if we can get any directions. We see some people at the gate with motorcycles and ask them. They don't know about the Hampton Track but say that it must be further going back to where we come from as they had been the other way and hadn't seen it. Glen then sees a truck with the South West Florida Water Management logo on its side so goes to talk to the driver who tells him that the Hampton track entrance is about 5 miles the way we just came from. So off we go again!

That first entrance we had encountered with the large letters EAST TRACK does have Hampton entrance under it but it's not visible right away. The address is also on the post and is correct except that it's totally out of sync with the rest of the addresses on that road and should be much further down. Go figure! But now it's a sharp turn to go in coming from that direction so I attempt to do it with cars in the other lane preventing me from swinging out before the turn and cars behind me. But I get stuck as the trailer is going to hit the guard rail from the little bridge just before the entrance. I can't back up and I can't go forward. Thank God for angels at the right time! The driver of a large commercial truck gets out of his truck and gets the people behind me to back up and give me room and totally guides me to back up and then make that turn perfectly. THANK YOU! We have arrived and didn't dent or scratch the side of the trailer.

We are the only ones there. We choose a nice shady spot for the trailer with access to the sun for our solar panel. Shortly after we start setting up, another truck with trailer in tow drives in and it's Leon and Mary-Lou whom we had met at Deep Creek Preserve! They later tell us how much trouble they had finding the place and that they scratched their trailer on the guardrail on the way in because of coming from the other direction. Glad we're not the only ones damaging our trailer during our travels!
We spend a really nice evening chatting with them and go to bed to a very quiet and dark night. So peaceful! Leon got two new batteries for his trailer so doesn't need to run his very loud generator anymore as his solar panels are enough to keep his batteries charged up and being new, they keep up a charge better than his old battery.

Cheeka hugging Glen

The next day we go into town to get internet access since our phone doesn't work at the campground. We come back to see that another trailer has arrived. It's our good friends Raymond and Francine! They too had a lot of problems finding the place and had to turn around a few times to finally get to it. It's so great to get to see people we know at those free campgrounds. Cheeka was really happy to get to run around with Mollie! That is where we have made lasting friendships and find that we can truly relax.

The gang on a bike ride
Leon, Raymond, Francine and Glen

Leon leading the way back.

Francine

Glen, Raymond & Molly

 Cheeka loves these campgrounds! She gets to be off leash all the time so no more getting all tangled up in chairs and tables when tied up. It is more relaxing for us too as we don't have to get up every few minutes to untangle the dog, then the cat or both.

This place is really nice with a lot of trails but it is so hot right now that I don't know how much walking we're going to do. Tomorrow morning we're invited to have breakfast with Leon and Mary-Lou for eggs in a bag (eggs are scrambled and put in a baggie along with the ingredients of your choice and then placed in boiling water to cook. Each can put in the ingredients of their choice). Raymond and Francine are also invited.

Breakfast was fun and peppered with lively conversation. Leon asked us if we ever had Hobo Chicken (or also called "chicken in a can"). Since none of us knew about it he proposed we have it for dinner the next day.

Hobo Chicken can be cooked anywhere. You lay down layers of aluminum foil on the ground (we did it in the fire pit) and you pierce a hole in the middle. You then drive a stake through it (preferably a metal rod). You then sit the chicken on the rod so it is upright - the chicken has been sprayed with oil (Pam was used) and seasoned with salt and pepper. You then put a can over the chicken (a large metal can that once had popcorn in it) and you put self-lighting charcoal all around the can and some on top. After the chicken starts sizzling you cook for about 1 hour and you get the best chicken ever! The skin is crispy but not burned like it can be on the grill. We had also prepared sliced potatoes, onions and carrots in a foil with lots of butter and cooked that on the grill. It was a fantastic meal with lots of wine and laughter. We all enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks Leon for the Hobo Chicken!
Talking about Leon I must mention that he's been bathing in the water throughs on site for the horses almost every day. Mary-Lou sent pictures to her family and they said he looked like a manatee. Such a funny guy!

Leon taking a bath - photo courtesy of Mary-Lou

Hobo Chicken cooking

Glen and Raymond

The guys

Glen, relaxed and happy

The chicken is ready

All that is left after cooking. Very easy clean-up.

Leon and Mary-Lou

The only problem with some of these places are the biting insects. Sometimes there are ants and other times tiny flies. Whatever they are their bites are very itchy and last for days. I got particularly bitten a lot during our chicken dinner. Raymond said that it must have been the wine I drank that made me delicious to the bugs. Well there must have been a lot of bugs flying around with a buzz because the next morning I discovered that my right arm was covered with itchy bites and both my legs. Obviously I didn't feel a thing the night before... Turns out it might have been an allergic reaction to a certain insect bite as it developed into a raised rash. My first allergy ever!

On Friday morning we bid farewell to Raymond and Francine as they were driving to another free campsite closer to their next destination. I was really sad to see them go as we get along so well! Francine and I promised to keep in touch.

We have seen different kinds of lizards here along with Swallow-tailed Kites. No pictures of the kites but some of the lizards except the bring green one that we saw twice but had no camera.
We decided to finally wash our trailer, scrubing the rubber roof carefully to get it as clean as possible. It was great since we had a water spigot nearby with plenty of pressure. Finally our trailer is looking somewhat new and clean and we're ready to take it to our next destination: Flagler's Beach on the east coast.