Signs Of Summer In Florida

Ocala, Florida

Weather: low 73 degrees, high 96 degrees, mostly clear skies

Carolyn's vertigo decided to go play with someone else today, so she felt better. We got out for a little while, taking a ride down the old Sharpe's Ferry Road east of Ocala and south of Silver Springs. It had been about 20 years since we had been out there, and there were two surprises. The first one is that so many homes have been built out there, and the second one is that there is still as much of the old Florida that we remember with nostalgia.

After getting through all the houses, a narrow road winds through the swamp caused by the Oklawaha River, one of the few rivers that are still free flowing. When we lived here, the bridge across the river was a rough, narrow, wooden affair that creaked and groaned as you drove over it, with the water only a couple of feet below the bridge. Now, there is a modern concrete bridge that is wider and higher above the water. Maybe I'm not getting it, but I was a little fond of the old wooden bridge.

Florida has millions of visitors every year, and many of them pass through Ocala on their way south to the attractions around Orlando and Tampa. Some of them stop over to see the local attractions, such as Silver Springs, and to tour the horse farms. From what we have seen over the past few years, Ocala's population of tourists increases the most in the winter, when the temperature is not so sweltering. With so many tourists not coming in for another four months or more, I was thinking about what the signs of summer are here. Beyond the obvious signs such as high temperatures and sweltering humidity, here's a few that I thought of.

The RV park where we're parked has horse shoe pits for the folks to use. Look at how busy this one is.



Since there are not many RVers here in the summer, the park where we're staying is almost empty. In the winter, it fills up. These are just a few of the empty spaces.



One of the best signs of summer in Florida is the almost daily buildup of thunderheads in the late afternoon and evening.



To us, one of the best things about being here in the summer, other than visiting family, is a shady spot to park. It is amazing how much the shade helps to cool the RV. And, this is a nice spot we have.



Just a few thoughts that flitted across my mind today.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Buda, Texas: The Outdoor Capital Of Texas

Not all who wander are lost.