TOUR AMERICA 2019: SAINT AUGUSTINE FLORIDA

Home Is Where We Park It:  Stagecoach RV Park

Date:  April 15, 2019

Travel Day – Finishing Up Our Visit to Mike Roess Gold Head State Park

Time to move on.  Yet, since we were only going east for about 50 miles we didn’t really push things this morning.  Eventually, though, we did get up and get going.  After that is I finished off the potato pancakes my sweetie made for my supper last night.  My mom usually makes them for me when I come to visit and they are a favorite of mine.  They do, however, take quite a bit of time to make.  So I was tickled pink when Barbara decided to surprise me with a big batch of them for supper last night.  I love you.

Before we move forward let’s go back for a bit to Mike Roess Gold Head State Park.  One of Florida’s first state parks, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park was developed on a 2,000-acre site by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s.

Looking around Gold Head Branch State Park, it is easy to spot the rugged buildings constructed by the CCC more than 70 years ago. These structures have stood the test of time and continue to serve the public today. Visitors still sleep in the nine rustic cabins facing Lake Johnson.  And, more than 70 years later, the Ranger Station still welcomes folks to visit and spend some time in Florida’s natural beauty.

One structure, however, has not done so well over the years.  The water tower.  Sadly, it is on its last legs literally.  There are warning signs about getting to close to it.

The original tract of land for the park was donated by Mike Roess.  For years the park was simply known as “Gold Head Branch”, until 1966 when the Florida Board of Parks and Historical Monuments changed the name to honor the late Mike Roess.

Now where did the original name Gold Head Branch come from?  We found out.  Located on rolling sandhills in an area known as the central ridge of Florida, a deep ravine with springs issuing from its sides bisects the area and forms Gold Head Branch Creek.  About that ravine.

It’s sixty-five feet down to the actual ravine, a total of 103 steps.  When we first visited this park there was no way we would have made that trip.  Today, we were going for it!

That’s Barbara on her way down, I’m right behind.

 

We made it!  That’s the Gold Head Creek, crystal clear and oh so cold.

It is absolutely beautiful down in the ravine.  Unfortunately, the pictures don’t do it justice.  Quiet, peaceful, a wonderful reminder of the wonderful world that God has created.

There was a two-mile trail leading out from it and back but we decided not to push our luck.

Within the park there is also a trail which was the original right of way of the

There are also several picnic pavilions, this is the largest and where we went to church the last time we were here.

There is a swimming beach at little Lake Johnson.  You can also rent a canoe, or bring your own and launch it from here.

There is the site of the old mill ruins.

This bridge marks the location of the original flood gate that controlled the flow of water to the mill.

Finally, we have the famous Moss Monster of the Park!

We positively enjoyed our time at this  Park, as witnessed by the fact that this was our second time here.  We would return again in the future if the opportunity presented itself.

Since we’re finishing up our last few days, how about a few more pictures of what we discovered at the Ace Hardware Store.  There was a turtle of course.

And lot’s more interesting animals on the shelf.

You just never know what you are going to find in your local hardware store!

Moving on.  Yes, today was a travel day.  We’ve wanted to visit Saint Augustine for some time now.  This was the year to do it.  So we moved over into the area.  The drive was an easy one.  Two lane roads, in excellent condition, no traffic, and no hills.  Here we are.

The main office.

See if you can find our site, it’s #44, up front, right behind the main office.

Home Sweet Home for the next eight days.  We have a pull through, gravel, level as can be, and convenient utilities.

Some of our neighbors.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We were blessed with an easy and uneventful trip.  The weather was oh so good.  A little cooler than the last few days.  Abundant sunshine.  Thank you Lord for safe travels once again.  Oh, yes, we were able once again to get Gertrude set up and bringing in the signals.  We did find, however, that we are now only able to receive satellites on the western arch.  Live and learn.

Thanks again for joining us on our journey.  We always appreciate having you along.  Time to take my weekly shower so I’ll say goodnight for now.  Till tomorrow have a good night’s sleep.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road