28 April 2019
After more Waldorf Salad and a half of a bagel, I bid Jimmie and Stephen goodbye. What a great visit! It’s always great to see them. I anticipate a visit from them next year when they come down for a cruise.
As I headed down the highway, I realized I was developing a full blown cold. I hope I didn’t infect Jimmie and Stephen because they have a major trip coming up.
It’s a 9 1/2 hour drive from Greensboro to the state park. I stopped in Middleton, Florida at the Publix for a combination pack of Dayquil and Nyquil. I’ll take the night time after dinner (a Publix sandwich) and the Dayquil as I start out tomorrow.
Strangely, the park has a “boil water” alert. When I checked in, the ranger did not mention it. I have plenty for the night and I’ll get coffee and breakfast at Mickey D’s tomorrow morning so it won’t be a problem.
I’d like to come back to this park. They have some interesting formations – in particular, a ravine that needs exploring. Unfortunately, I arrive too late to do any hiking. They also have a map of hiking trails that I can’t make heads or tails of, so I’d probably get lost anyway.
After pitching the wet tent, I changed into shorts. I went from low 40’s in the Smokies to high 80’s in north Florida. Welcome to the sunshine state, the global warming state, the sea level rise state, etc. Tonight is supposed to be in the high 60’s so it’ll necessitate a change to a lighter sleeping bag for tonight.
Just outside the park, a few miles down the road is Camp Blanding where my Dad was stationed prior to WWII. It’s now a Florida National Guard camp and the new governor already has his name on the sign. I think governors of states must have crews on standby to change “Welcome to … ” signs at state lines, on public buildings, and anything else they can think of. I’m surprised they haven’t figured out a way to put them on cattle in pastures so you can tell which state you are in by the cows.
Tomorrow is a 6 hour drive home, mostly on I-95.
