Gulf Coast Camping Excursion pt.2

Saturday afternoon we packed up camp and headed south toward St. George Island State Park, located on the western tip of St. George Island, a barrier island very similar to the Outer Banks off the coast of North Carolina. 

 

This time of year with temperature difference between the warm Gulf waters and the cool humid air, its common for a dense fog to hang around the island.  As we approached the bridge, it was easy to tell we were going to have a unique camping experience.  The fog single-handedly contributed a moody atmosphere, and the lack of people on an obviously summer tourist town made the island feel abandoned.

We checked in at the park then immediately went to explore.  We walked along the beach for some time, then realizing it was getting late and we were getting chilled, we turned back to the camp site.  The fog had been so thick it looked like both of us had recently taken a shower!

 

It was the night of a full moon.  A large red beacon on the horizon, we couldn't resist trying to capture the magnificent display.  Needless to say, we failed, but I posted the attempts anyway.  The next day we spent the last few moments admiring the grassy dune landscape and headed home.  

We expected to have a good time but were pleasantly surprised when our little last minute weekend journey turned into a true vacation, gave us lasting memories and created some wanderlust for down the road.

Gulf Coast Camping Excursion pt.1

About a week ago I had gotten a notice that the Old City Farmer's Market I regularly table at was going to be cancelled this past weekend.  After the joy created from our Thanksgiving camping getaway, I got online right away and quickly planned a last-minute camping trip.  This time we would drive just over three hours and spend Friday night northwest of Tallahassee in Florida Caverns State Park, and Saturday night along the Gulf at St. George Island State Park. 

 

We arrived at the Florida Caverns State Park at the perfect time, as 100 children boarded two school buses and left the park.  Alex and I immediately signed up for the cave tour and were fortunate enough to get a private tour of one of Florida's natural features! 

 

The tour lasted just shy of an hour and we visited about eight or nine rooms that showed off a bunch of formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and more.  Our State Park Ranger guide was knowledgeable and pretty cool to talk with.  We learned the cave was originally excavated by the Civilian Conservation Corps during Roosevelt's presidential term.  There were still remnants of nails and trail markings that helped them to shape the cave floor to allow visitors and navigate in near pitch black conditions.

 

Toward the end of the tour, one of the rooms was lit with different colored lights, which I renamed the "grateful dead room."  I wasn't a fan of the novelty during our walk around the room, but I have to admit it made for some really neat photos.



 

 

Walking down to the entrance of the cave

Fall leaves!!

Did you know that it takes 100 years to form just one cubic inch of a cave formation?!?

Marveling at the cave formations.  Yes, we're dorks.

"The Greatful Dead Room"

Stalactites, stalagmites, cave curtains and more in the "Greatful Dead Room"

At the end of the tour, we headed to our campsite.  Since we booked so late, the only sites left were next to the "equestrian area."  I'm really surprised by how great these somewhat-secluded primitive sites were.  There were three next to each other with small foot trails connecting each of them.  It would be great for a small group for the weekend that just wants to get away.  I highly recommend it!

The rest of the day we took a nice hike around some beautiful native trees, sinkholes and a tunnel cave.  Living in the northern part of the sub-tropics, we had a blast kicking up leaves and actually utilizing our heavier duty trekking boots.  We swam in a nearby spring named "Blue Hole," and cooked a healthy dinner over an open fire.


Great campsite near the equestrian stables.

Starting the heat for our dinner

Dinner!  Steamed squash, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions.

Had a visitor during dinner.  Still haven't found out what kind of arachnid he is.  Maybe a wolf spider?

Leaves!  Fall!  Boots!

 

Check out Thursday's post for Part 2 of our Gulf Coast Camping Excursion!

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Weekend Camping

It's Fall!  Ok, it's been Fall for a little while now (in fact it's almost winter), but for Florida Fall is just beginning.  One of the autumnal activities Alex and I are both obsessed with is camping.  It doesn't matter where; we've gone camping all across the United States and it never seems to bore us.  There's always something new to see or learn. 

 

That's why when Thanksgiving weekend rolled around, we packed the truck and headed to Anastasia State Park.  Yes, its less than five miles from our house, but it is a truly beautiful park with a lot to offer!  The campsites are spacious and most offer a good amount of privacy due to lush cabbage palms and other generous shrubbery.  We even shot our Autumnal 2015 Lookbook there (see previous post)!

 

We were fortunate enough to stay two nights: Wednesday night and Thursday night.  The first night we arrived after dark.  Hmm. Come to think of it we arrived after dark both nights.  It was a good thing I solar-charged our lantern.  

We had a nice little fire in the evening and  then again in the morning to cook our breakfast over.  We had brought bacon, onions, eggs, apples and honey and made a delishious dish on our cast iron skillet both mornings!  We had also purchased a glass jug of red sangria and added some citrus to it - yum!  It is vacation after all, lol!

Thursday we weren't due for Thanksgiving dinner with Alex's family until 4pm, so we meandered along the nature trail and the old quarry site located in the park.  Afterwards we enjoyed some sangria in the hammock next to the fire.

Thanksgiving was a banquet at the gorgeous historic B&B House of Sun and Sand located right on St Augustine Beach.  I don't have any pictures, but it was truly was a stunning building and feast with well over 20 guests - all friends and family of the owner.

After dinner we made our way back to the campsite and fell asleep.  In the morning we made our apples and bacon and had a cup of sangria then made the five-minute walk over to the beach.  After a brisk walk on the sand and in the chilled wind, we made our way back to the truck, packed up and headed home so I could prepare for the Farmer's Market the next day.

What a thanksgiving!  Take a peek at some photos from our little vacay below:

 

 

If you could steal away for a long weekend, where would you go and what would you do?

Thanks for stopping by!

 

<3 Ashley & Alex