Next stop, the sunshine state.

Before leaving Georgia we got sidetracked at yet another national wildlife area, Harris Neck.  Now the name “neck” should have tipped us off that this was going to be an out of the way side trip and it was, but well worth it.  The drive in the park was about 4 miles around ponds and marshes with plenty to see.  The volunteer at the visitors center urged us to stop at the first pond and so we did, coffee in hand.  The temperature had climbed to above 65 for the first time in weeks so there were many alligators of all sizes sunning themselves on the banks, turtles on the logs and dozens of night herons roosting in the trees. Reluctantly, we left after an hour or so, determined to get to our next campgrounds before dark this time.

Entering Florida by car is a truly unique experience.  Most states have “welcome to” signs, maybe adding a picture of the state bird or listing the governor and local officials.  They all sort of look the same with some minor variation in font and color scheme.  Not Florida.  These signs are supported by cement palm trees and almost shout the state name. Then, for the first ten miles or so, there are bright red billboards every few hundred feet saying things like “Universal $59.99” and “Discount for Legoland” in giant letters, urging motorists to stop at one of the official visitor centers for tickets to the many tourist destinations Florida has.

We got to Jacksonville smack in the middle of rush hour and starting calling campgrounds for a spot. Anastasia SP outside of St. Augustine had one site left but would not reserve on the phone. As the traffic slowed to a New York crawl I began to panic that it would be taken by the time we got there.  And it was beginning to get dark. We reached the campground at 5:55 – ten minutes past the posted closing time – and found the office dark and locked.  Not to be deterred, and with no other choice, I knocked loudly until the ranger who was finishing up her paper work reluctantly turned on the lights  and opened the door.  She was pretty ticked at first but I convinced her to register us for one night.  Thank you, ranger Pricilla!