Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, Florida
Today’s view from site #84
We’re off to test the kayak patch!
This time we’re looking for Istokpoga Lake and we found it, along with another section of Arbuckle Creek!
This is the picnic area by the parking lot.
Very nice!
Just as we started out, an alligator crossed our path! We actually scooted right over him before he went under! What fun!
You have to watch both videos to get it all . . .
We had a great time paddling around the lake . . . . . . . . . .
The water was a little wavy when you sat still.
. . . . . . . and into a couple of the canals this morning! Reminded us a little of Portage Lakes in Ohio.
Entering the canals
Now there’s something we don’t see every day!
A canal dredger!
There were some beautiful flowers!
This tree was gorgeous with it’s purple flowers.
Too bad the picture didn’t come out well.
This ibis (or whatever it was) was walking around the yard squabbling something fierce!
Based on some of what we saw, some of these people must have money – – expensive boats (some had more than one), outdoor screened in pools, etc.
We left here in search of the River.
We ran across a couple of birds we hadn’t seen before.
This one was partially hidden and kept inching away from us. : )
Getting ready to enter the Arbuckle River
We were getting hungry and looking for a place to dock.
Guess it won’t be here!
Lunch was eaten surrounded by cow patties.
See the cows in the background?
More lunch views
And more lunch views
See all the patties?
But even with that all around, it didn’t smell at all.
An airboat tour came by.
Those things are really noisy!!
Guess he’s starting without me . . .
Actually, we had to move because of the ants on the log at our first chosen spot. While he scoped things out, I went to visit the bovine.
And caused a mini stampede.
Since there was no where else to sit, Blaine (always the problem solver) took the seats out of the kayak. Worked perfectly!
Second lunch spot. I’m surprised he has any chips left.
After lunch, we weren’t quite ready to sit in the boat, so we took a walk to visit the cattle again.
It was like playing Red Rover! They all stood side by side in a line staring us down.
We opted not to test our luck and went back to the kayak and continued our trip up the Arbuckle. It’s pretty curvy here too, but much wider and deeper. No sticks to watch out for!
There they are again!
Same place, but now we’re on the river.
Bet they’ll be glad when we go home! : )
We went up the far side, rounded a corner and came down this side. : )
On the way back, we kept hearing an osprey call getting closer and closer. We saw the nest with at least one young one. That’s what was crying. I kept trying to video the sound, but each time, it would stop as soon as I turned it on! Finally, when we were almost drifted past, I managed to capture it.
All told, we probably traveled about 6-7 miles with no leakage problems! Hat’s off to Blaine!
As we were packing up, we noticed another osprey nest! Very cool!
More groceries (stocking up for the next site) and more chores to end our lovely day.
TOTAL HIKING MILES: 0
Year To Date: 164
Daily Average: 282