Peace.Love.Travel.: The Sunshine State

It was time to get out of Louisiana and on to our next destination.... Florida! Martin Ramos, owner of Kona and Stone Edge Skate Parks, suggested that we try to make the annual Bike Week that goes on in Daytona Beach. Since we had about 3 weeks till kill before then, we decided to meet up with Pam, (Jeff's mom) in the Florida Keys. Not to mention, there was an Anusara mini yoga convention that I wanted to go to in Miami so it all just made sense to do a loop around the southern tip of Florida.

Cool cloud formations..

Cedo sippin on some Vruit...

As we left Louisiana, we began to feel a little sad. Our Louisiana stop sort of marked the beginning of our trip and even though we had been on the road almost 2 months by then, it didn't really seem like we left home until we got to The Big Easy. Since we had been there for almost a month, it really gave us a chance to get to know the city as well. But nevertheless there was more to see so it was time to move on.

It only took us about 4 hours to get into Florida from New Orleans. You only drive through a tiny portion of Mississippi and Alabama before you enter the Panhandle of Florida.

Mississippi!!!

Sweet home... well y'all know the rest...

The first park we stayed at was a state park called Big Lagoon State Park. It was the first time since we left Encinitas that I saw SAND!! I didn't realize how much I missed the beach until now. Winter was at it's tail end so there was still a bit of chill in the air, but no matter... I was at the beach once again!!! :)

You are now entering Florida...

Big Lagoon State Park

Nice drive into the park

Saaaand!!

We only stayed at this park for a night because we were on a time frame to meet up with Pam. But we did do a mini tour of the numerous nature trails. The actual campground had large private spacious sites... Seriously folks... State parks are the way to go. Privately owned campgrounds are often overpriced and cramped. You can stay at a state park for half the price and get twice the room!

wait up papa!!

Fam

little beach by the lake

Not the best pic but we spotted a bald eagle!

Jeff's dream coach

As you drive through Florida you'll notice there is water EVERYWHERE!! It's kinda crazy how much water there is! Before arriving at Manatee Springs we stopped at a skate park near Tallahassee. I decided to add this is because it was a really unique park. Not only was there a skate park and playground within a few feet from each other, but there was also a full fledge prison with seriously only a chainlink fence separating the two!

One of the hundreds of bridges we drove over in Florida

Mama's sleepy boy... and Bah (the panda)

This is a shot I took at a Skatepark/playground we went to near Tallahassee....

...that was (no joke) bordering the state prison!!!!! The only thing that separated the two was a chainlink fence... um... sketch

A little friend Cedar made on the tire swing

Skatepark with a little view of the front of the prison...

Next stop was a few hours south to a state park called Manatee Springs in Chiefland. This spot was pretty cool. I was attracted to this particular campground because I had never seen a spring before. The water that comes up out of the spring is a constant 70-73 degrees year round and is a gorgeous sea blue-green color. You can also dive into the cave where the spring originates, but I decided to pass. If Jeff came with me, I might do it but one of us would have to stay and watch "the boy".

Country drive

Our campsite at Manatee Springs State park

The spring at Manatee Springs SP

This is kinda funny because the entire "lake was covered with this top layer of algae.. well it was soo green that Gia though it was just grass and walked right onto it... that's the hole she made after falling all the way in..

Another spring... this water is always at 75 degrees year round.. nice.

Sink holes throughout the park...

Weeeeee

This was the park's other main attraction... the manatees. yea.. this pic doesn't really do it justice..

Where are these manatees??

Cedar being a cutie

Spanish Moss on the trees

We came a little early.. the trees were just starting to blossom again...

Scary bird

Backbend ..

To wheel....

One legged Urdha Dhanurasana...

Driving the Festy

Strawberry baby

After spending a couple of days at Manatee Springs, it was time to move. We stopped near Tampa at the Hillborough State Park.

Right when you enter the park, it's almost as if you are driving through an African Safari. There are gorgeous open planes with backdrops of tall thin pine trees that run rampant around these parts. It was just an amazing campground. The campsites weren't too shabby either.

African safari

More driving through the State park

It was here at Hillsborough SP, where we saw the alligators that we have been so longing to see. Note: that we didn't see ANY gators in Louisiana but apparently they have the largest population in the US. (I think Florida trumps LA in the gator department but what do I know?)

After renting a canoe and paddling around the Hillsborough River, we saw about 5-7 gators lounging on jutting branches or warm sunny banks. Most of them ranged from 2 feet to 8 feet. As we continued on our way, another canoe came by us and told us of a "bigun" that was about 1/4 mile ahead. So we paddled on to see this gator. There it was catching sunning all 10 feet of itself!!

Family of turtles sunning...

Papa capturing some footy

Baby gator

This guy was hiding in the shrubs.... sketch

Family shot

Another big alligator sunbathing...

An even bigger gator... we didn't want to get too close....

More cool turtles

The largest alligator we saw for the day...

Beautiful peaceful canoe ride through nature..

Hiiiii!!!

Drifting along....

Campsite at Hillsborough state park

After a few days in Tampa, we were close enough (if a 7 hour drive is considered close) to make the full drive down to the Keys. Florida Keys here we come!!!!!!!!