Camping With The Manatees - A CCB Trip Report

[bama_ed]

I'm starting this trip report over here on the Camping Community Board (CCB) of the DIS to convey our upcoming trip to the Central Florida area between Christmas and New Years in December 2018 to camp near a manatee wintering area. We will be a little north of Orlando and thought camping so close to the Mouse but with a different purpose would be of interest to Fort Wilderness campers.

Last year at this time, DD20 and I pulled our popup from Alabama to Key Largo, FL between Christmas and New Years and camped at John Pennekamp State Park (DW stayed home). During that trip we visited a dolphin rescue facility in Marathon about halfway down the Keys and they had recently had a manatee who'd recovered and been released. DD fell in love with the manatee pictures and videos there. Since she won't be living with us forever, a month after I got home (late Jan 2018 at the max booking window) I booked a reservation at a Florida state park where we could see the manatees up close as they spend the winter in Central Florida waters.

So we will be in Orange City, FL at Blue Spring State Park (just off I4 between Orlando and Daytona) for a couple days/nights which is less than an hour north of Fort Wilderness. Since my DD is a former Cast Member from the 2018 Disney College Program, naturally she wanted to visit Walt Disney World during the trip (I'm still getting over all those spring 2018 visits). We compromised and will do a day on WDW property with no park time - breakfast at Trails End, touring the monorail hotel Christmas decorations, and checking out the new World of Disney store at Disney Springs.

I'll post more later but wanted to get this TR started. We leave here on Wed Dec 26.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/p...ng-state-park/manatees-blue-spring-state-park

Florida state park reservations can be made at www.reserveamerica.com up to 11 months in advance of your arrival date (with up to a +14 day stay).

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Oh yeah! I'm in.

 

[2goofycampers]

We lived there. Made a few trips to BS. We walked to the boil and snorkeled down stream. Your DD is gonna love it.

 

[CDNCruiser]

Looking forward to reading all about it Ed!

 

[rideswithchrist]

EEKKKK!!!!!!!
I can't wait to read about it and see your photos! We may or may not camp to see Manatees, but we are going to head to one of the State Parks to try and see some regardless

 

[bama_ed]

We lived there. Made a few trips to BS. We walked to the boil and snorkeled down stream. Your DD is gonna love it.

Interesting, Denise. In reading up on the park, it sounds like it's popular in summer too. You can swim, canoe, kayak during the summer but in manatee season they block off the slew that goes to the spring so no canoeing, kayaking, or swimming during that time. This SP has a one-third mile board walk along the slew where the manatees cluster up towards the spring and the rangers do a daily morning count which typically is over 400 manatees every morning! (This I want to see for myself).

In doing the research, manatees cannot handle long-term water temperatures below 68F or else they get "cold stress syndrome". As winter comes to Florida, the water temps do fall below that level. Blue Spring SP has one of the many underground natural springs in Florida that spews forth millions of gallons of clear water a day at a constant 72F. So the manatees have learned to seek out these "warmer" winter water spots and spend the cold season there much like elephants return to their watering holes during the summer dry season annually.

It was interesting to me that Blue Spring SP is on the St. Johns River. Now I have heard of that river because it meets the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville but I didn't realize it originated WAYYYYYY down in south central Florida (and goes down further past Orlando). So that's how the manatees come in from the ocean as they can live in both salt and fresh water.

I'm going to drive east on I-10 all the way to Jacksonville then down I-95 and briefly on I-4 to get there. Google Maps shows the most direct way as I-10 to I-75 south to Ocala and then getting off the highway and heading east. The I-95 way is a few miles longer but all interstate plus it's a way I have never driven before so it would be new scenery. (I'm pretty familiar with every crack, trooper hiding spot, and exit along I-75 from all the trips along it we've taken.

As far as manatees go, this might be an option (day trip or a night before arriving at the Fort) for those of you who come down via I-95. Manatees are also prevalent on the west coast of Florida around Homosassa Springs which is west of Ocala and where the Turnpike hits I-75 for those that come down that way. The Florida State Park system has this park:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/p...chiller-homosassa-springs-wildlife-state-park

which is popular with manatees. No camping at it but there are private campgrounds nearby. Might be good for a day visit on the way to WDW.

We have to get through the Christmas season here first at home then it will be time to pack and load.

Bama Ed

 

[sirenia88]

Swam with the Manatees during our Spring break 2017 trip. We swam with them in Crystal River area. Homosassa Springs SP is where my DD's adapted manatee resides. It was really cool to do on a holiday no less. Everyone in the family had a really awesome time. Have fun and enjoy.

 

[bama_ed]

Okay here is an update the night before departure:

Things are looking good so far for a tomorrow afternoon pullout. We have some things to tend to in the morning after celebrating Christmas with both "his" and "hers" families and then "our" family today. The plan is to drive 4 hrs to Dothan AL in the southeast corner of Alabama and plug in at an RV park to spend the night (gas up at my favorite Flying J) and leaving about 6-7 hours to Blue Spring.

Temps look warm for the coming week with highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 60s for all but the last two nights (50s) as of today. There is a chance of rain on our arrival day in Florida (Thursday) but should be rain-free after that for the duration of our stay. Basic plan is to hang around the SP and manatees, visit St Augustine nearby, and day trip to WDW for a non-park day.

I got some new trailer tires earlier this month so we should be good to roll. I like heading to Florida here during the holiday season as we did last year since it's warm in Florida and cold here at home. There is vacation time to be used, the office is shut down, and sitting at home is like the other 350+ days of the year. I've learned to make plans nearly a year in advance (competing for RV/camping spots with the snowbirds not staying at the Fort) but we may give next season a rest. We have a spring break trip planned this coming year which will include an off-site visit to the MK but I'm going to let that slide for now.

Look for my updates mostly at the end of each day this time around. This trip will be different and that's got me very interested in this plan.

Bama Ed

PS - we went to see the new Mary Poppins movie today (seeing a movie on the afternoon of Christmas is a family tradition). I thoroughly enjoyed it (it was a little foggy in the theater too). DW qualified for a Senior's Discount on her ticket price so that was good (I'm still a youngster). Go see the new Mary Poppins if you haven't. It's worth it.

 

[bama_ed]

What a day! We got in and set up and then I screwed up - but it all worked out. Best to begin at the beginning, don't ya think? Off we go.

As I said in a previous post, this was partially a new route for us - driving east on I10 past the I75 turn off towards Jacksonville, looping around I295, then down I95 and briefly down I4. The gas exit I had spotted just before I295 was heavily under construction (new exits on/off) and yeah, cheap gas but it was hell making a left turn through traffic towing. But we survived.

We got to Blue Spring at 2pm or so. I had read that traffic backs up at the park entrance as day trippers come to see the manatees in winter. That's no joke - the cars queued up in line FOR AN HOUR this afternoon to make it into the gate. To get the traffic out of the adjacent neighborhood, the rangers acting as traffic cops have cars go past the entrance and loop back in the opposite direction but there is still a lineup as we headed in (as in people getting out of cars to see what was the holdup):



I didn't have to wait long, though, as the ranger sorting things out saw my popup in tow and got his buddy Law Enforcement Officer to lead me in on the opposite side of the road to the front of the line at the checkin gate. Getting a police escort even for 200 yards was a new experience:



Here we are in site #14. Mostly set up. I left all the Disney stuff at home this time (Mickey globe, bama ed green DIS sign, Musket Mickey wood sign, etc.) and instead brought the full Alabama Crimson Tide setup (including satellite dish and tv). The sites are sand base (except a few ADA sites which are paved), no sewer sites at all, two new Comfort Stations (and one old), and no charcoal grill - just the flip over grill on the wood fire pit.



The no-charcoal-grill threw me as I arrived with charcoal and some fresh meat to cook on arrival night (as is my norm) and then warm the leftovers on subsequent nights in the microwave). The last Florida SP I was in (Pennekamp at this time last year) had a grill so I just assumed.... And you know what that means.

The weather forecast keeps getting warmer and now all our days show highs in the low 80s and lows in the 60s. It's cloudy and breezy today with a mist of rain here/there. Tomorrow afternoon is our best chance of the wet stuff. Today was never enough to take cover, roll up windows, etc. Just a passing mist.

One downside of the warm temps, however, is that it warms the water too so manatees don't have to stay near the spring. After backing in and popping up the Aliner, we walked down to the day tripper area where the Camp Store, gift shop (all things manatee related), cruise boat and kayak/canoe rental area, and boardwalk back to the spring. The water was EXCEPTIONALLY clear with lots of fish (many gar varieties of all things) but only about a dozen manatees that we saw this afternoon.

The first manatee we saw had a tracking float attached:



This is the swimming stairs for summer time looking up towards the spring source. It must be quite the place to swim and float in summer (no manatees of course but nice cool 72F water and oh so clear).



This is the crack in the earth which is the spring source:



As I said - clear water and many fish:



Two manatee here under the trees. They swim very slowly and seem very gentle.



Here is where the spring slew (blocked off to boating and swimming) meets the St Johns River (the park is located where the steam boats would come up river to dock at Orange City before the railroads came to town). The river looks small here but so broad and wide when we crossed it on I295 in Jacksonville.



Now watching bowl game on the satellite and posting on the DIS under my canopy.



Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

I alluded to me screwing up in the prior post.

Yep, locked my keys in the car after checking out the manatees before supper time. NO PROBLEM, I said to myself, I have AAA. Called the number and they said they'd be out in an hour. Turns out they dispatched my trouble call to the wrong part of Florida. Correcting that and getting the car opened took 2.5 hrs instead of the one hour.

But all is good now.

Bama Ed

PS - plan to walk down and see the manatees early in the morning to see if they came home this evening. Also hope to do the 2 hr boat cruise.

 

[bama_ed]

Info on St John River temps and manatee counts at Blue Spring SP



AAANNDDD it looks like tomorrow's two cruises are fully reserved so I got a reservation for Monday 12/31.

 

[4077]

I alluded to me screwing up in the prior post.

Yep, locked my keys in the car after checking out the manatees before supper time. NO PROBLEM, I said to myself, I have AAA.

Embarrassed to admit it, but locked my keys in at gas station on way to work a few years ago... never can figure out when doors will automatically lock themselves on these new fangled cars, but apparently it is when you leave your keys in drink holder when you get out to fill up

Glad your trip is off to a great (and warm) start!

 

[amcc]

Sounds like a wonderful trip! The spring is a heavenly place in the summer. On our last trip, three manatees (including a baby!) came into the swimming area and just swam around all the people there. They are HUGE but truly such gentle creatures.

We’ve stayed in site 14 . On that same trip is when a bear was roaming the campground and got into our stuff under the ez up.

My oldest son is 16 and I know what you mean about them not living and vacationing with us forever. This winter, we’ve got Collier-Seminole, Koreshan, and Jonathan Dickinson SP lined up, all new to us. Have you been to any of them?

 

[bama_ed]

This winter, we’ve got Collier-Seminole, Koreshan, and Jonathan Dickinson SP lined up, all new to us. Have you been to any of them?

Nope, amcc, you're a step ahead of me as always. Although Dickinson is very close to where I used to live 30+ years ago (in nearby Jupiter). I remember going to that SP for a picnic/day event back then but didn't pay attention to the campground at all.

So same campsite huh? I heard some rustling in the brush last night while I was watching football and instead of the racoon or possum I thought it was, now I'll be imagining hungry Florida black bears. This park reminds me of how Gulf State Park used to be. It has sites that are secluded pockets cut into the brush and very private between neighbors. Gulf has had so many hurricanes and salt water infiltration that it has hardly any brush left.

Back to our trip today.

First, would it offend anyone if I said I had to sleep with the air conditioner last night here in Florida? It was humid and the AC takes the moisture out. < cue picture of snow drift > Yeah, it's warm here right now.

This morning we did get up early and check the manatees. Still saw several but it was two here, three there, one over there, etc. Today's drama (yesterday was the keys locked in the car) was walking back to the campsite to cook breakfast, we witnessed someone fall on the damp, dewy ground as the pavement transitioned to the boardwalk. Ambulance was called, our statements taken, name/rank/address too, whole enchilada. The guy who fell said he couldn't feel his left leg (fell backward on his left hip) so the paramedics and ambulance were careful getting him loaded up. Needless to say, breakfast was late this morning.

But the walk was more peaceful (day trippers arriving as we were leaving) and you notice things you might not otherwise. DD sent me some pictures which I will include here.

It was blissfully deserted.



Although we didn't have the boardwalk COMPLETELY to ourselves.





The impressive tree canopy.



The spring source (the boil) surface of the water literally churns right above the crack in the earth.



Here are some of the manatees.





After lunch we headed into town to Home Depot first to replace some weatherstripping on the Aliner and to Wal-Mart to get groceries to carry us through the rest of our stay.

After a walk, we had supper and I'm watching a bowl game. Tomorrow is our Fort/WDW day. Hope to see some DIS'sers while we are there and to kick it on the porch. Then back here to watch the Clemson/ND and Bama/OU games.

The weather got better today (the gray clouds and breezes are gone) and it became less humid. It's nice. Will probably sleep with the windows open tonight and fan pulling air through.

Bama Ed

 

[amcc]

Site 2060. We will be around all day - hope to say hi!

 

[bama_ed]

Update for tonight: went to FW, WDW, and Disney Springs. Met three DIS campers (tltay2005, FtW Mike, amcc). Will post details and pix tomorrow morning.

Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

Here is yesterday's update.

Last night I passed on doing the update to watch Bama beat Oklahoma. The game was never in doubt as Alabama jumped out to a 21-0 lead by the end of Q1 and then put it in cruise control, scoring as needed to keep the margin at multiple scores. Just once with this team, I'd like to see Saban NOT take his foot off the gas. But the Victory formation on the 5 yard line was sweet. Now it will be Bama-Clemson Round 4 in the National Championship game coming up.

Anyway, we got up in the dark to get ready to head to the Fort. Sunrise isn't until about 715am here and with an hour + drive it was still dark. I decided to tempt fate and go straight down I4 to check it out (not our usual route) and see the construction everyone talks about (on a Saturday no less). OMG. It's like a slalom driving computer game at 70mph. From mm 95 to mm74 (just past Universal) its a lot of weaving and switching lanes from new pavement to old pavement then back again. And again. No way would I tow through that. I'll advocate for going around it always. We took the toll Hwy 417 on the east side of Orlando coming back. Blew through the toll locations with my SunPass. The route added 9 minutes but so worth it. I4 NB that we saw in the afternoon leaving on Epcot Center Drive was stop-n-go far as the eye could see.

Anyway, we were headed to the Fort for brunch at Trails End ($28 plus tax/tip). DW had decided to stay at the camper and rest so it was just me and DD. I immediately start to relax when I see this sign:



Around the check-in building.







On the way we to TE we stopped at the Meadow TP to nose around. All the Fort specific shirts/sweats were gone in favor of generic WDW/Christmas stuff (hopefully temporary).





Our poster tltay2005 has a lit up trailer decoration in front of her site like this one on top of the center display in the Meadow TP.





Beer price check. $16.50 for a domestic 6-pack.



Now back outside and headed to TE.



900 bus stop in front of the TP.



Reached 10-pix max so on to the next post.

 

[bama_ed]

Walking to TE we saw a nice Christmas camper display. It's the first site entering 700 loop on the right. Has a nice chair inside the door so you can plop down and have someone take your pix.





Entering the TE background music sphere.



Around TE pix. No big tree on the ground (was there 2 days ago in snowmedic's kickin it photo).







TE was just okay this time. Not crowded for our 9am ADR. Lee was our server. No carving station with a carver. Biscuits were dry. Still got my chocolate milk and diet Coke to drink. Chicken was not good but enjoyed the fresh sliced bacon, salmon, eggs with cheese and briskit, and Mickey Waffles with Banana Fosters syrup. It was the only meal I ate all day (2 plates was all I could manage).

After breakfast we visited Terri (tltay2005), Mike (FtW Mike), and Allie (amcc) at their campsites. Terri and Greg have a nice spot on the canal in 1600 and Mike across from the canal (no site blocking his view just a fence gate) does too in 1800. Allie and DH were set up in 2000 in the same section I seem to find them (almost all the way around the loop between the last CS and end of the high numbers). It was my first time to meet Mike (huge beautiful motorhome) so we spent a few minutes chatting. He and DW are planning to come to the Gulf DIS Meet in May. I've met Allie and her family a couple times over the years and it's like I'm watching her boys grow up (and up and up). It was great to meet them all and thank you for your kindness and hospitality.

Oh I did have some fresh sliced turkey at brunch but saw some even fresher while leaving the Fort.



The Reedy Creek Emergency Services crew was relaxing in the big field up near the Horse Ride corral playing a game of frisbee football.





Initially the plan was to head to Disney Springs via bus while it was less crowded there to get our shopping done. But then DD thought she would end up carrying her stuff all day as we did the monorail tour so at the last minute we decided to head to the Contemporary first to start things off.

BTW it was still foggy, cloudy, humid and warm (75F).

Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

The Contemporary was a boat ride away (after a stop at WL). We were going to check out the lobby decorations (skipped WL at last minute since Terri said the tree in the lobby was the main piece and she had posted a fabulous pic of it).









Leaving the Contemp we transferred at the TTC to the Epcot line for a round trip ride just to see what we could see.




Next it was over to the Poly, my favorite Deluxe. I would love to spend a week here sometime (if I win the PowerBall!)





Let's head to GF, then some outside the MK photos, then on to Boardwalk, DD's former DCP work location.

 

[bama_ed]

More gingerbread at the Grand Floridian. It's a staple for them this time of year I think.







Early afternoon we were outside the MK entrance.



Oh, forgot to add that at the Contemp, we took the elevator to the 11th floor then walked outside to see the MK up high. Looks like they are clearing out the brush between the train tracks and the gated road entrance to MK while the train line is down for the Tron build-over.









Boardwalk in the next post.