O’Leno State Park October 6 – 12
High Springs, Fl
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FYWJQgLGkUZnav6x6
After
leaving Georgia, we headed south to High Springs in N Florida. We camped at O’Leno State Park, where we have
stayed a few times. There is a lot of history in this area of the early
settlers, the native Seminoles and the farming/logging that started the
movement of others to this area. The park is located along the banks of the
scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, and features
sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sandhills. As the river courses
through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three miles away
in River Rise Preserve State Park. This area has numerous springs which feed
the rivers. We were able to kayak the Santa Fe River, one of our favorites. It’s
a beautiful flowing river with small springs along the way and various
wildlife. We saw lots of turtles and birds, but didn’t see any alligators! Kurt
went kayaking another day with camp neighbors and they paddled the Ichetucknee
River until it flowed into the Santa Fe, and finished after more than 10 miles.
It was a long day for that crew, but they enjoyed it.
Beyond
hiking and biking in the park, we visited a nearby mountain bike trail system
in Alachua. The trails were mostly fun. For me it was the intermediate type
trails which I enjoyed, but Kurt was disappointed as they weren’t challenging
enough for him. At least we both had some good exercise and had a day outside.
