Torreya State Park

On Sunday, April 20th, we drove into the panhandle of Florida. We squeezed ourselves into a site at Torreya State Park. Tight as the maneuvering was - due to all the trees - we were glad to be there! Very pretty place, and there was hardly anyone there mid-week.

The day we drove to Torreya, it decided to rain, and rain hard! Bill got another driving workout, dealing with the sheets of rain that were making the little winding surface roads nearly invisible! I'm not posting a photo of that here, but here is a look at pretty, post-rain/wet entrance to the park.

Low clouds lifting off the surrounding forest the next morning.

Another foggy look at the entrance.

Our first visitor...

The kitties couldn't wait to get out and explore their new home turf...and right up the nearest tree they went!

The tree the campground is named after. Related to a California Torreya, it's not to be confused with the Torrey Pines! More on it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torreya

Some of the same types of trees that make parking such a challenge! And my favorite tree, on the left. Isn't it gorgeous?!

One of the neat perks - the Gregory House, a plantation house that was moved across the Apalachicola River to be placed and preserved in the park.

A short hike from the Gregory House, down to the river, and back. I found myself walking through very different vegetation - think Jurassic Park...! And I was constantly on the lookout for snakes...

And gee, speaking of which! But wait! For those of you who freak out at the mere mention of them, take a look at that Canon thing. That's my lens cap - about 3" in diameter. That poor little snake that I nearly stepped on but now am only mildly harrassing...? It makes a pencil look huge! C'mon, don't be scared of this little guy! He definitely has more to worry about from us than us from him!!!!!!!!!!!!

The weird-shaped rock that's otherwise blending into the river? Yup! Another frog! I just barefully got him before he croaked and leapt for deeper water!

A lot of foggy mornings here! Maybe it has something to do with the tropical jungle type thing...??? High heat and humidity...?? Hmmm...

The road out. Raining on the way in. Foggy on the way out. Humidity? Yeah... Well, that part was just beginning. Florida has it in spades!!!!!!!!!! Made me appreciate that good ol' dry San Diego air!