I am here safely! I misplaced my computer cord while driving down here, which is why I have not written. I have so much to share. I am overflowing with many blessings.

“Here” is Ordway-Swisher Biological Station”, outside of Gainesville, FL. The station is about 9,500 acres of restored Florida habitat—classic live oaks draped with Spanish moss, gator-filled swamps, and sandhills with long-leaf pine forests. Researchers from all over the world study land conservation; climate change; animal, bird, and flower populations; role of fire in ecological health, and just about everything else!

I volunteer 2 days/week and report to the Land Management Specialist. His job is to keep this restored land healthy and thriving and, with the help of several others, is doing a great job.  The setting is gorgeous and wild.

Awesome campsite with cement pad, fire pit, picnic table.

He and his lady are the only ones who live out here—except for ME and Tango! I am hunkered down in a camp area onsite (free with all utilities). There is room for 3 rigs, but I am the only one this fall. Hot and humid may have something to do with that.

Firewood stacked and ready at the campsite! I am getting spoiled

I am about 30 minutes from the other residents here. Saying I was scared at first is an exaggeration. It was spooky more than anything. Tango and I turned towards each noise- crackling leaves, snapping twigs, calling birds. nighttime! What a strange feeling at first,  but with the waxing moon, the forest is lighter at night. When the weather cools and bugs skedaddle, I can sit outside at night and enjoy night skies and full moons.

Last week during my two work days,  I checked water tanks on the station (for prescribed burns); searched for natal grass and climbing fern (invasive); took a safety course on driving HOVs, and toured the 7 different ecosystems here. I was given a vintage Dodge pick-up (4-wheel drive due to sandy roads), but also have the option to drive an HOV around. Easy choice, there. With the HOV, I am even more in the great outdoors.

“My” old Dodge, 4-wheel drive and stick on the floor! One of the questions they asked during my interview was if I could drive a stick. Heck ya!

One of Tango’s first discoveries an upside down painted turtle shell. Something had a great feast.

When I set up camp for the next three months, I sat on my lounger and just looked around. So much to take in. Rather than explore everything all at once, I decided to just sit and let the surroundings reveal themselves. Each day I am greeted with something new: Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, gopher tortoise, tree fungi. Mosquitos have not been awful. I had more trouble in Ohio with the oak mites.

Finally got to see a Pileated Woodpecker!

Tango loves “tracking “the deer around us. The first day I noticed him watching something out in the forest. He would stare, then do something else, then stop and stare again in another direction. I suspected and hoped for deer, and I was correct. Some whitetails emerged and skirted the camp site. His natural doggie instincts are awakened, and he seems happy all the time. After a hot drive down here, he deserves this wonderland.

Speaking of the drive, with my detour to Ohio and 10 days of city driving, I covered 3,712 miles. This is from my starting point in Spokane and my campsite in Florida (closest town, Melrose, FL). I took exactly one month, with stops in Montana, Black Hills of SD, and Ohio.

On my days off I have explored Melrose, a charming, old Florida small town. The senior center is lovely, and I ate a great lunch there Monday. Met some nice folks, too. The center has a long, screened-in porch and free Wi-Fi. Looking forward to kicking back there in a big outdoor rocker. I found the Post Office and the library, which was closed on Monday. I made a quick trip to the edge of Gainesville for supplies- aka trip to Walmart.

So much to write about. My good camera has miraculously fixed itself after refusing to work for 6 months. My computer is up and running. I upped my data plan with Verizon so I have some Internet now using my phone. I also have access at the conservation center onsite, at the Senior Center, and at the library. I still have my Idaho library account and am using that for e-books and e-magazines. The camper AC works great, the frig/freezer are full, Tango is happy, I am blessed.

More soon!

A happy Tango! Many roads, except main one through the station, are sandy.