Jonathon Dickenson State Park

Brian and I got in one more camping trip before our BIG 2018 SUMMER ADVENTURE.  We packed up and went to Jonathon Dickenson State Park near Jupiter, Florida.  I thought it would be a "relaxing at the campsite" type of trip.  Instead, there was so much to see and do that we didn't get to do everything I planned.

Sightseeing Outside the Park

We visited two interesting beaches, Coral Cove and Hobe Rocks Preserve.  There are plenty of traditional beaches in the area, but I enjoyed these unusual sights.  At Coral Cove there are large worn limestone ridges between the sand and water.  It was fun exploring the pools of water for shells.

Another day we visited the Hobe Rocks Preserve at high tide to watch the waves crash.   It was relaxing to watch the waves crash on the rocks.  I would definitely like to come back and spend more time here.

We climbed the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.  Climbing lighthouses are a challenge for me on two levels.  The physical part of climbing is a little difficult.  But my fear of heights and enclosed spaces is the biggest challenge and adds to the adventure.  The view from the top is worth all the pain.  The climb down is what gets my palms sweating and my heart racing.  But then, I can't resist stopping to take pictures.

Brian and I participated in a nighttime turtle walk to watch a loggerhead turtle lay eggs on the beach (Loggerhead Marinelife Center).  I appreciate the sea turtle conservation efforts.  And I found the information about the turtles interesting.  However, I didn't enjoy the evening.  It was too late at night (close to midnight), too many people in the group to see everything, plus after an hour I got bored!  The best part was watching the large 400 pound sea turtle walk back into the ocean.  I don't have any pictures because you could not use any lights or a cell camera.

Fun Times Inside Jonathon Dickenson State Park

I was amazed at all the activities to do within the park.  The park is over 11,000 acres on the Loxahatchee River, the first Florida river designated a National Wild and Scenic River.

I hiked every day (a good way to get in my 10,000 steps).  There are plenty of trails, some with geocaches.  I thought the caches would be on the trail...but NO...I had to bushwhack my way through the brush to find the caches.  Luckily they were nice sized ammo containers, so once I got the to coordinates, they were not hard to find.

The river's name, Loxahatchee, comes from the Indian words for turtle and river.  I definitely saw turtles both hiking and on the river.  Most of the turtles were adult sized, but I noticed this little baby slider on a path.  I also saw lots of birds...scrub jays, osprey, mocking birds and hawks.

Also on the hikes, I started noticing the wildflowers.  It would be interesting the change in the flowers at different times of the year (one of my reasons for wanting to come back to the park).

The park has miles of off road bike trails for the adventurous mountain biker.  It is a popular area and I always saw riders on the course.  I only biked on the road and paved trails...very comfortable and scenic.

Brian and I climbed the observation tower on top of Hobe Mountain (the highest point in southern Florida at a whopping 86 feet).

There was so much to do that we never went kayaking.  I know it is hard to believe. But we couldn't leave without getting out on the Loxahatchee River.  On our last morning, we took a pontoon boat ride on the river with a stop at Trapper Nelson's homestead. 

We will return to this park...

So much to do...and not enough time  

A Walk in the Swamp

Brian and I spent a few days at the Collier-Seminole State Park on the west side of the EVERGLADES.  The highlight of that trip was a SWAMP WALK.  We took a guided tour from the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery.  It was a private 2 hour tour with our guide, Scott.  I was a little concerned about the walk when I booked it.  The usual concerns...alligators, snakes, bugs and walking in water.

It was a blast!  We spent two hours walking through water from ankle deep to hip deep.  Walking was very slow.  Even though the water was clear, you have to test each place you put your foot down to watch for roots.  In the two hours we probably only covered a half a mile.

It is beautiful in the swamp, the lichen and algae decorate the trees, the air plant blooms were everywhere and we saw several native orchids in bloom.

There were young alligators, swimming in front of us.  One was a group of three and they took off once they saw us.  Another small alligator was swimming in front of use for a little bit.  Eventually he got irritated that we were following him and he took off.  Brian noticed a fish spider, probably 4 to 5 inches.  The spider was very patient and stood very still while we talked about it and took pictures. 

Another fun time was when a catfish and gar swam past us...the catfish brushed my pant leg. 

We didn't see any snakes.  I really don't like snakes, but I was so comfortable in the swamp that I was disappointed not to see one.  I was so into the moment during the walk that I didn't remember to take many pictures.  It was that much fun.

The SWAMP WALK was the highlight of the trip, but it wasn't the only thing we did.  Brian and I arrived at Collier-Seminole State Park at the tail end of Subtropical Storm Alberto.   I am not sure if it was the storm or the time of the year, but there were plenty of open campsites.

The storm left lots of water...good for our swamp walk...not good for the bugs.  I did get some mosquito and fly bites.  I was surprised to hear the park only considered it "Moderate".  I don't want to be around when the meter says "Donor". 

Another fun and educational adventures was the Shark Valley Tram tour.  The tram travels through the EVERGLADES.  Halfway there is a stop at a 45' tower with great panoramic views.

Our tour guide, Kelly, did a great job of describing the EVERGLADES and the different ecosystems within it.  The EVERGLADES begins south of Orlando where water feeds from a chain of lakes into Lake Okeechobee.  The water overflowing from Lake Okeechobee forms a slow moving river through the limestone all the way to the Florida Bay.  Water from Orlando will take a year to get through the EVERGLADES, a vast and unique region...one of a kind in the world!

When I think of the EVERGLADES, I think of sawgrass marches, also called a prairie.  That makes up for most of the EVERGLADES, but there are also hardwood hammock (raised land where palm trees and hardwoods grow), pinelands, cypress swamps and mangrove swamps.

Urban development, agricultural chemicals and exotic invasive animals (pythons) have created challenges to the EVERGLADES.  In the 1970's the importance of the EVERGLADES was recognized and restoration plans were started.

Of course with all the water around, Brian and I kayaked...in a mangrove swamp.  There was no wildlife on this kayaking trip...no alligators and no birds.  That didn't stop me from taking pictures of every mangrove root and flower.  Still, any time kayaking in calm water is relaxing and enjoyable.

One afternoon we went to Marco Island and visited Tigertail Beach.  I picked up a dinner to go of grilled shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce and black beans at Lee Be Fish.  This meal should get a Michelin Star.  It was that good.  The shrimp was fresh and perfectly seasoned.  The homemade cocktail sauce was unique...tangy, fresh with a bite of horseradish.  The black beans were also homemade...lots of toppings for a nice flavor.

The EVERGLADES is not a park that takes your breath away when you first see it (like the Grand Canyon or Mammoth Cave), but the more I experienced it, the more I love it...except for the biting bugs of course.

Hike, Kayak, Campfire...Repeat

I have been asked a few times what I like about RV adventures.  After much thought, I would say I like our RV adventures because each adventure is different and yet the same.  The differences are the places we go and the sights we see.  And the same is the comfort of our own tiny home, travelling with Lizzie (our cat), campfires and kayaking.  I wake up each day in our own home, then open the door to a new fun place.

Brian and I started our RV travelling adventure last year in our first travel trailer with trips to several Florida parks and a longer trip up to Ohio.  The first travel trailer was nice, but Brian and I both admitted we need just a little more room.  In January we bought a new 2018 Shadow Cruiser travel trailer at the Tampa RV show.  It wasn't an impulse purchase, we researched the different layouts and went to the show to check our options.  We bought a 30' Shadow Cruiser.  Not only a little longer, but the slide gives extra width.  The trailer has a comfortable small sofa...big enough for Brian and I with room for Lizzie.

We took a couple trips in the new trailer to shake out any problems.  Our first trip was to Rodman State Park...a couple hours from home, at the north end of the Ocala National Forest.  Brian does the driving and is the project manager for the RV setup.  The campsite at Rodman was not level and with the new trailer, I am sure we put on a good show for the neighbors...with me trying to direct Brian into the campsite.  We made it after several attempts.

The Rodman State Park is on the Rodman Reservoir (aka Lake Ocklawaha), created by the Rodman Dam (aka Kirkpatrick Dam).  Not only are the names controversial, but the dam and reservoir have been a hot topic from the beginning.  The dam was erected in 1968 as part of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal.  The canal project was never completed and the controversy continues today.  The environmentalists want the dam taken down because it serves no purpose (hydropower or water control) and the dam supporters want it to stay because the area has the best bass fishing in the state.

We packed a lot into our short 3-day trip.  We visited the Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka, Florida.  The park has a nice hike up and down the ravine (not common topography in Florida).  The azaleas were in bloom...very scenic.

In the afternoon, we launched our kayaks at the boat launch in the state park.  The best part of the trip was the half mile inlet from the boat ramp to the reservoir.  There were lots of birds and wildlife in that short area...and the water was very calm.

On the second day of our adventure we went to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawling's State Park.  Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' was the Pulitzer-prize winning author of The Yearling and the park is her homestead.  She was a northerner who enjoyed the Old Florida lifestyle which inspired her books.  Our tour guide of the homestead was a big Rawling's fan.  He had great insight into her life, her writings and how she was inspired by the Old Florida.

Even though this was our first trip in the new trailer, it felt like home from the start.  I like to start the day drinking my morning coffee sitting outside, watching and listening to the birds.  And I end the day with a campfire, while the sun sets.  This beautiful tree and catbird made being outdoors fun.

Our second trip was to the Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park in White Springs, Florida.  Just as the name has a lot going on...so does the park.  There is a carillon tower, museum, craft square with a gift shop, a bat house...and the Suwannee River.

On this trip we avoided the "Trailer Backup Show" because we had a pull-thru site...nice and easy.  We will save the encore show for another trip.  We checked out all the attractions in the park.  The carillon tower is being repaired, so we didn't  hear the bells.  There are a couple places to visit outside the park.  One is the remains of the White Sulpher Springs bath house.  A once popular health resort built in 1908 around the spring.

Another place we explored was the Big Shoals State Park.  I hiked a couple miles to see the Big Shoals rapids on the Suwannee River.  Brian and I have paddled several times on the Suwannee River...at Juniper Springs and Manatee Springs...each time in very calm water.  Most of the 250 mile river is a slow moving, black water river.   At Big Shoals, when the water levels are high, the rapids earn a Class III White Water designation and are recommended for expert kayakers (not me!).  When I was there the water level was too low for rapids, but I saw some beautiful rocky outcrops and sand bars.

The hike was fun.  I think I have Nature ADD.  I stop to take a picture of every plant, lichen, fungus, sign and misshapen tree.  A hike takes me twice as long as it should.  This hike was the same until I saw this guy...a pine snake.

I like nature, but I don't like snakes (or spiders or bugs).  The only time I like them is when they are moving away from me.  This guy would not move!  I waited...and waited..then took a deep breath and stepped over him.  When I looked back he finally started to slowly slither into the woods.  After that experience, I spent more time looking where I was walking.  It didn't help that every root looked like a snake.  I survived and so did the snake...and the tree roots.

The second day, Brian and I kayaked on the Suwannee, far up stream from the rapids.  We headed up against the current first...so we could relax and float downstream.  The world is different sitting on top of the water.  We paddled past the White Spring bath house that we visited the day before and under US 41 bridge.

We started a new tradition on this trip...campfire cooking.  I brought a cast iron pan and cooked a couple meals on the campfire.

This park has a bat house.  I have been to the world's largest occupied bat houses at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  The UF bat houses have an estimated 400,000 bat population.  At Stephen Foster State Park, the bat house was much smaller but just as fun to watch.

The new trailer gets two thumbs up from Brian and I.  Also very important, Lizzie likes it.

Instant Pot, Fun Under Pressure

I love my Instant Pot!

A while ago I got caught up in the Instant Pot craze on the Internet.  It is a big seller on Amazon and has a few Facebook Groups.  When my crockpot stopped working, I took it as a sign to get an Instant Pot.  In addition to being an electric pressure cooker and slow cooker, it is also a yogurt maker and steamer.

I have had so much fun with my Instant Pot that I gave one to each of my daughters and my daughter-in-law.  I figure it may come in handy with their growing families.

I have had some hits and some misses...I am still trying to get rice just the way I like it.  Then I found a recipe for Starbucks Egg Bites.  Not only are the egg bites yummy, they can be healthy.  Here is my recipe:

    4 eggs
    1/2 cup cottage cheese
    1/2 cup shredded cheese
    1/2 cup greek yogurt
    salt and pepper to taste

Blend all the ingredients for 30 seconds in a blender.

Fill silicone cups 3/4 full and cover with foil.

Add 2 cups of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot pan.  Set the silicone mold on a rack in the pan.  Attach the lid and seal the vent.  Select the "STEAM" setting for 8 minutes.  After 8 minutes, let the Instant Pot set for 10 minutes and release the vent.

The recipe makes 12 egg bites, each bit is about 50 calories.  Yum!  They are just as good reheated 30 second in the microwave.

The egg bites are a blank canvas when it comes to taste.  The seasonings, cheese and condiments are what makes this dish.  I like to eat mine with tomatoes, avocados and bacon.

I stopped by Starbucks to try out the inspiration egg bites.

The Starbucks egg bites were good.  They were reheated in an oven so they had a browned finish.  Also the Gruyere cheese added a nice flavor.   And of course, pairing the egg bites with a Starbuck's coffee is a perfect combination.

This is an Instant Pot success!   They taste great, store easily, works well with different toppings.  It was an added bonus that I got to use my Instant Pot Greek yogurt and another kitchen appliance  favorite...my Ninja blender.

The Best Camera Is The One You Have With You

And that camera is my iPhone 7 Plus.  I am a casual photographer who enjoys taking pictures of my adventures.  Recently I started looking into how to take better pictures.  I have spent hours ...days...okay maybe a week or so, browsing the Internet.  I have read Instructable posts, watched YouTube videos, browsed hundreds of webpages and even took an online course from iPhone Photography School.    Here are some tips that I found helpful...

1.  CLEAN YOUR LENS

Just look at how dirty the front glass on your phone is.  Or your eyeglasses.  It is a good habit to * clean your lens.  Either with a microfiber cloth or your shirt...whatever is handy.

2.  USE THE GRID LINES

*Grid lines help with getting the horizon level.  It is not hard to understand that a level picture is more pleasing.

Grid lines also help compose your picture using the "Rule of Thirds" guideline.  Sometimes it is nice to have the subject in the center of the picture.  However, putting your subject off center can add interest.  There are lots of websites on the use of the "Rule of Thirds".   Here is a simple explanation...

An image should be divided into 9 equal parts 

by 2 equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines.  

The important elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

This is an example using the "Rule of Thirds".  Using the grid lines, I move the subject to line up with the lower left intersection.

*On an iPhone you can turn on the grid lines in SETTINGS --> CAMERA --> GRID.   

3.  AVOID THE ZOOM

The zoom feature on an iPhone is an digital zoom.  That means that when you zoom in it is "cropping" the picture...and if you zoom too much the picture will be grainy.  This is one area that a iPhone camera is weaker than a DSLR camera with optical zoom.

The work around is to * get closer to your subject.  Most pictures are taken at eye level... *try moving around your subject as well as up and down.

Sometimes that is easier said than done.

4.  DO NOT USE FLASH

The iPhone flash is only good for a short distanct.  It will not work for the majority of pictures.  Instead of using the flash try setting the focus and exposure (see tip #6 below).  Have you ever been to a big outdoor event and you see flashes constantly?  The only thing they are lighting up is the person in front of them.

*Set the flash OFF (not AUTO).

5.  KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE STEADY

There are a few suggestions to keeping your cell phone steady. 

* Try using a tripod.  I got this tripod from Amazon for $20.  It can be used as a selfie stick (if only I could master that skill!) and it has a Bluetooth shutter.

* Hold your camera with two hands.  Also, try bracing your hands or camera on a solid surface.

* Even if you use a tripod or have strong hold on your phone, just the act of touching the shutter button on the screen can move it.   A couple alternate methods of releasing the camera shutter is using the volume buttons on the phone or the volume buttons on the iPhone headphones.

6.  SET FOCUS AND EXPOSURE

This feature changed my iPhone photography experience completely.  *You can set the focus on your picture by tapping on the object you want to focus on.  If you hold for a few seconds the focus will "lock" and you will see "AE/AF LOCK" highlighted on the top.  Try changing the focus from a close object, then a far object.  It can make a BIG difference.  To release the AE/AF LOCK, tap outside the focus area.

Once you have the focus set, you can *lighten or darken the picture by moving the slider on the right up and down.

 7.  HDR

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range.  It means that your camera will capture greater detail from bright and dark areas in your photo. It works good for outdoor and landscape scenes.   It doesn't work so good with moving objects.  

*I leave HDR off.  I am still working with this feature to make sure I know when to use it.  

8.  LIVE Feature

The LIVE feature drives me crazy.  Actually I find it kinda creepy to take a picture and when I view it, it moves!  So I turn this feature OFF.

Now that I said I don't like it, I will admit that it has some fun features.   *You can make a LIVE picture bounce, loop and combine all the pictures into a long exposure.  You get to these special features by swiping up on a LIVE photo.   You can use a LIVE photo as your phones wallpaper...hold down your finger to animate it.

AND FINALLY...

*EDITING.  Lots of pictures can be improved with editing...either by making corrections or enhancing the photo.

You can do some basic edits using the iPhone Photo app.  You can rotate, crop, alter saturation, contrast and convert to a black and white photo.  There is a lot of power already available on your phone.

If you want to bump up your skills, you can download and play with apps.  The free app, Snapseed, does everything I need for now.

Here are some examples of editing.  In the first example, I used the iPhone editor to crop the picture and convert to black and white.  I also altered the brilliance, exposure, shadows and contrast.

In the second picture, I used Snapseed to crop, straighten, change the exposure, etc.  I also added a "vintage" effect where the photo is darker around the borders.  

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