Arrival in Florida

I am here safely! I misplaced my computer cord while driving down here, which is why I have not written. I have so much to share. I am overflowing with many blessings.

“Here” is Ordway-Swisher Biological Station”, outside of Gainesville, FL. The station is about 9,500 acres of restored Florida habitat—classic live oaks draped with Spanish moss, gator-filled swamps, and sandhills with long-leaf pine forests. Researchers from all over the world study land conservation; climate change; animal, bird, and flower populations; role of fire in ecological health, and just about everything else!

I volunteer 2 days/week and report to the Land Management Specialist. His job is to keep this restored land healthy and thriving and, with the help of several others, is doing a great job.  The setting is gorgeous and wild.

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Awesome campsite with cement pad, fire pit, picnic table.

He and his lady are the only ones who live out here—except for ME and Tango! I am hunkered down in a camp area onsite (free with all utilities). There is room for 3 rigs, but I am the only one this fall. Hot and humid may have something to do with that.

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Firewood stacked and ready at the campsite! I am getting spoiled

I am about 30 minutes from the other residents here. Saying I was scared at first is an exaggeration. It was spooky more than anything. Tango and I turned towards each noise- crackling leaves, snapping twigs, calling birds. nighttime! What a strange feeling at first,  but with the waxing moon, the forest is lighter at night. When the weather cools and bugs skedaddle, I can sit outside at night and enjoy night skies and full moons.

Last week during my two work days,  I checked water tanks on the station (for prescribed burns); searched for natal grass and climbing fern (invasive); took a safety course on driving HOVs, and toured the 7 different ecosystems here. I was given a vintage Dodge pick-up (4-wheel drive due to sandy roads), but also have the option to drive an HOV around. Easy choice, there. With the HOV, I am even more in the great outdoors.

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“My” old Dodge, 4-wheel drive and stick on the floor! One of the questions they asked during my interview was if I could drive a stick. Heck ya!

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One of Tango’s first discoveries an upside down painted turtle shell. Something had a great feast.

When I set up camp for the next three months, I sat on my lounger and just looked around. So much to take in. Rather than explore everything all at once, I decided to just sit and let the surroundings reveal themselves. Each day I am greeted with something new: Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, gopher tortoise, tree fungi. Mosquitos have not been awful. I had more trouble in Ohio with the oak mites.

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Finally got to see a Pileated Woodpecker!

Tango loves “tracking “the deer around us. The first day I noticed him watching something out in the forest. He would stare, then do something else, then stop and stare again in another direction. I suspected and hoped for deer, and I was correct. Some whitetails emerged and skirted the camp site. His natural doggie instincts are awakened, and he seems happy all the time. After a hot drive down here, he deserves this wonderland.

Speaking of the drive, with my detour to Ohio and 10 days of city driving, I covered 3,712 miles. This is from my starting point in Spokane and my campsite in Florida (closest town, Melrose, FL). I took exactly one month, with stops in Montana, Black Hills of SD, and Ohio.

On my days off I have explored Melrose, a charming, old Florida small town. The senior center is lovely, and I ate a great lunch there Monday. Met some nice folks, too. The center has a long, screened-in porch and free Wi-Fi. Looking forward to kicking back there in a big outdoor rocker. I found the Post Office and the library, which was closed on Monday. I made a quick trip to the edge of Gainesville for supplies- aka trip to Walmart.

So much to write about. My good camera has miraculously fixed itself after refusing to work for 6 months. My computer is up and running. I upped my data plan with Verizon so I have some Internet now using my phone. I also have access at the conservation center onsite, at the Senior Center, and at the library. I still have my Idaho library account and am using that for e-books and e-magazines. The camper AC works great, the frig/freezer are full, Tango is happy, I am blessed.

More soon!

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A happy Tango! Many roads, except main one through the station, are sandy.

4 thoughts on “Arrival in Florida

  1. How exciting…you will have awesome tales! What a cool spot…you’ll learn so much!!! Bear out there too…glad, Tango your watch dog! Three months?

  2. So wonderful to hear of someone who has such a sense of purpose, and so happy to know that you arrived at your intended destination safe and sound. You sound truly happy. I think creating that Biological Station was inspired!

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