Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, Florida
Moving Day #1.
It’s the craziest thing.
We were supposed to be in the Everglades for the next two weeks. Instead, we’re about 125 miles north of there in Sebring, Florida, at this crazy-busy Park. All because of Irma.
Blaine got the call after Irma went through, canceling our reservation because of extensive storm damage. That was in September. He immediately started looking for a place for us, but found everything was already booked up! All those displaced people who were planning on staying anywhere from Key West all the way up past wherever the damage was done, all needed a place to stay.
He finally found Highlands Hammock. But there’s a catch.
We have to change sites within the Park four times the first week and once the second week! It’s crazy! But apparently a lot of people have to do the same thing.
So every day at 1pm, we have to move – along with a bunch of other people – all out driving the roads at the same time, moving from one site to another. It makes me feel like we’re all playing “Musical Campers”. Hopefully, everyone has a place to sleep when the music stops!
And through all this, God chose to bless us today.
Yesterday, we went out looking at all the sites we had to move to, just to make sure we could fit and get an idea of how to get our bus there. The one we were supposed to be in today was really small in every way, and really close to everyone else. Personally, I saw no way we could make it, and if we somehow managed to get in, I was doubtful we could get out. I expected to be in a parking lot overnight.
Blaine stopped in at the ranger station and talked with the ranger on duty and she said we should have never been given that site – it’s only a 30’ site! Then I was certain we’d be spending some extra time at WalMart! However, she thought a different one might be opening up, and said to check back later.
We did. It did. Praise God!
On this day, we have to move to site #116. We’ll be coming back to this exact location in 3 days.
We did a ‘walk around’ with map in hand this morning, as I mentioned. Here’s a couple of things we saw.
Look at this homemade contraption. There’s even a deck on the back.
I didn’t get a good picture, because there’s people everywhere, and it felt a little strange taking a bunch of pictures. : )
This pretty bush is in our campsite!
We waited until we moved to ride our bikes around the Park about 5 miles worth. It’s a marvelous ride! I’m in awe of how diverse God has chosen to make things! A tree is a tree is a tree. But every tree is so different. And those that are the same, look different in different settings! No way that happened by chance!
Speaking of diversity, do you know how many different species of hawks there are? More than 200! Twenty-five of which can be found in North America! (But all that just happened . . . . No way!)
Heading out of the campground area, this red-shouldered hawk swooped down in front of us and up into a tree by the road! How fast can you stop a bike and whip out a phone?
Isn’t he grand?!?!?!?!
Our first stop, which in hindsight should have been our last since it was air-conditioned, was the CCC museum they have on-sight. CCC stands for Civilian Conservation Corps. It was started by FDR (remember what we learned about him in September?) as a public work relief program for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18-25. The program lasted from 1933-1942 and employed millions.
By July 1, 1933, 1,433 working camps had been set up and more than 300,000 were working. (Imagine, actually being expected to work for your government check! What a novel idea!) they planted more than 3,000,000,000 (that’s 3 Billion!) trees, constructed trails and shelters in more than 800 parks, helping create the modern national and state park systems we visit nearly every day. All under the guidance of the US Forest service, the National Parks Service and the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture. They fought forest fires, planted trees, cleared and maintained access roads, re-seeded grazing lands, implemented soil-erosion controls, built wildlife refuges, fish-rearing facilities, water storage basins, animal shelters, bridges, and campground facilities, and are responsible for creating more than 700 new state parks. (being great users of the state park systems, we really appreciate this!)
They served six month terms and could re-enroll for up to 2 years. They made $30/month plus meals, lodging, clothing, and medical and dental care. Most kept $5-8 for themselves to use on things like toiletries, postage, and haircuts.
There was some really interesting information in the museum! By now, you know what that means. Lots of pictures of information boards! : )
This display shows some of the things used by the forestry department.
The bottom right picture shows Al Capone with his trainer. Wasn’t sure if you could read the names.
The first RV?
Look at the billboard these people are standing in front of!
Can you even imagine what those times must have been like?
I found this interesting, but also note the way they’re dressed, compared to the white men in the next picture.
Hmmm . . . .
Look familiar?
We took a picture of this building at O’Leano when we were there.
This just tickled my funny bone for some reason!
Look how nice and neat they were expected to keep their rooms.
We were hear as well. Remember?
Look at the difference the CCC made to this house!
And there were some famous people who started out in the CCC program!
We’ve seen several of these statues now, so I Googled them. So far there are 71 of them positioned all over the US. According to my research, the first one in 1995 cost $35,000 b/c they had to make the mold. After that, it seems they cost $20,000. Most are paid for by private donations. The latest one was erected in October, 2017.
We went on from there, taking in the stunning beauty of this Park.
This is the former orange grove.
All we’ve seen is a squirrel . . .
Our trail took us past the Park Maintenance/Storage area.
See the air boat?
Don’t have many of those in Ohio!
After we returned, it was off to give the Jeep a much-needed bath! (all that yellow dust) And buy more groceries. Man, I sure wish I could figure out why we grocery shop so much!!
We bought some California Roll Sushi at WalMart. After the first bite, it was obvious they have Hispanics down here instead of Asians. Hispanics don’t know how to make sushi. Bleh! Looked good, though. Just like what we’ve picked up at other stores.
See that red pickup?
That’s where we have to go tomorrow. . . .
crazy, huh?
Blaine rode 5 more after dinner while I worked on February 10th’s blog!
TOTAL HIKING MILES: 0 (unless you want to cheat and use WalMart miles 😊)
Year To Date: 140
Daily Average: 2.97