Road trip to Ocala

Gainesville, FL

It’s a good thing i do not believe in all the Friday the 13th bad luck wing a mig .. Although i have to admit our morning started off with some ruff spots.  First we got up and it was a nippy morning.  Only 46 degrees but after looking at the temps in Illinois of only 14 degrees, i decided i was lucky and i wouldn’t complain.  We got around and ready to begin our day of a road trip.   Right before we left we put the dogs outside to potty.  There is a dog named Billy who comes to visit us on daily basis.  His owner Ron brings him to let him off his leash to play and roll in the dirt.  Well we didn’t know Billy was on his way to visit and we had Lexi and the others outside doing their business before leaving.  Well needless to say Billy came running to me as he does every time he sees me.  That didn’t go over good with Lexi and her hair went up on her back and her you better back down growl came out.  I tried to get Billy to stop but he wanted to play.  Lexi was not in a playing mood.  I hurried to pick up Lexi and started yelling for hubby to get outside quick.  Billy’s owner Ron yelled for Billy but he wanted his daily petting and attention.  It all worked out well as i had Lexi in my arms and Billy decided he would listen to his owner.
 
We finally got on our way to our appointment to get our truck oil changed and man the traffic on I-75 was pretty heavy.  Between women in cars and truckers on their cell phones and weaving all over the road and slowing down .. I’m not usually one to say one way or another about making new laws.  I believe at times we can have to many laws of the land.  But I'm going to be outspoken on this issue and I believe there needs to be a law to prohibits cell phone usage of any kind while driving.  It’s very dangerous and regardless what anyone says it does distract the driver and causes them to weave or slow down and backs traffic up.  If you need to text or talk, very simple .. PULL OVER and STOP get your business done and out of the way of other drivers. 

Once we through the traffic or not so faithful or reliable GPS got us lost!  I went to call to get directions from the place we were looking for .. UH OH!! We both forgot our phones at home!  YES, can you believe it, i am without my phone!!  The only other choice my darling husband (he wasn't at this point .. hehe) had was to finally stop and let me ask for directions.  The first couple i stopped had no clue and finally i saw a mail truck and i literally run him down waving my arm.  Yes, poor guy probablly thought  oh no another disgruntly employee .. hehe

He did stop (i think he felt sorry for a handicap lady with a cane chasing him down) gave us great directions and we finally reached our destination over an half hour late!  We had friends Pete, Linda and their grandson were waiting for us.  We had planned to leave the truck there and come back and get it but since we were late, they got the truck right in and so we sat in the parking lot visiting while waiting for it.  Once we got the truck finished we headed over to the Golden Corral for lunch and some catching up.
 
We had some great food and the fellowship was even better.  Our day was finally turning around.  We hadn’t seen Pete and Linda since our stay in MS back in April 09.  So we had lots of catching up to do.  We spent several hours visiting and eating (Yes i strayed today .. but I've been saving up all week) Unfortunately it was time to say good bye and with hugs and plans to meet up again on way back through when were heading North in the Spring.  We departed and headed back toward Gainesville.  We had been told about being able to see some gators near Paynes Prairie and i really wanted to see a gator so hubby turned us around in search of hwy 441 .. well once again Ms unreliable got us turned around and lost.  Finally we found the Interstate and decided we’d forget it.  Well on our way hubby saw a sign and so we turned off the interstate onto 441.  We found the state park entrance and went in for directions.  Great it’s on way home and just a little farther up the road. 

It wasn’t long and we found the board walk .. but .. not so great .. due to the drought the past few years it was dry and there was no gators to be found.  It’s almost a spooky feeling seeing how an area used to have 5 ft of water or more and now it’s completely dry.
   
there are signs up about the gators and all we saw was some kind of bird roosting in a dead tree.
 
It’s just unbelievable how large this area is and there wasn’t not a drop of water to be found and before it was covered with water.
 
not sure if you can see the concrete barrier that was used to keep the water off the road but where you the car and camper is the road and right along the edge is a concrete barrier all along it. 

I took this picture of the signs explaining what is here .. well before the drought

They had a nice pull off area for parking and walking along the board walk.

It wasn’t long after leaving that we turned on hwy 331 and started seeing signs of the city and palm trees

Oh  no our timing wasn’t so good it was a little after 3 PM and were right in the middle of downtown Gainesville rush hour!

We got home let the dogs out to go potty and then it was back in the truck and off to Wal-mart.  The dogs were completely out of food (not a good thing) Several needed items and 60 bucks broker we were headed back home again.
 
I came home and put on my fleece PJ’s and curled up in the chair for some rest and relaxation.  It ended up being a great day seeing our friends but we were tired and spent the night in the warmth of our warm home as it’s going to get near freezing tonight .. can you say brrrr .. we brought my flowers back inside to protect them.  I’m glad this Friday the 13th is over .. hehe