Sections of Big Bend Wildlife Management Area

Yesterday, just at sunset, I made it to a campground in Keaton Beach, on the Gulf of Mexico. The owner greeted me and said to leave the coach right where it was so I could capture the sight of the sunset. The sun had just gone down, but the oranges and pinks in the sky were fantastic. Then, she helped me get the car unhooked, parked, and hooked up to electric, water, and cable before we took care of the bill! She was nice on the phone too when I had called earlier. At first she said she was full, but then said if I didn't need sewer and didn't mind not being right on the Gulf, she has a spot for me. The spot is in their overflow area next to the bathrooms and boats! But I don't mind because I spend all day exploring the area and not at the campsite.

Today's exploration took me to a few of the 12 units of the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area run by the State of Florida. I found out that they consider this area and north of here the big bend of Florida - where the panhandle meets the peninsula. The shores of the Gulf are marshes which stretch from the shores south of Tallahassee to the outlet of the Suwanee River (but the Big Bend WMA doesn't cover all that area). I found walking trails, picnic areas, and boat launches. However, it was low tide so I didn't do any kayaking - it's been a very long time, all summer, I think!

I found waterfalls here in Florida! They were only a few feet high, but still! That was outside a little town of Steinhatchee, named after the river that flows and falls to the Gulf. Many of the rivers in Florida originate from springs. Speaking of springs, there used to be a posh hotel and resort named after the sulphur springs that was used for foot baths, spa treatments, and bottled water! The Hampton Springs Hotel operated from 1908 to 1954, when it burned down. The grounds are open to the public but the spring is there to be looked at but not touched.

Nov 2, 2009

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