Northern Florida – Deland, Flagler & Fernandina Beach – May 2 – May 14, 2024
Our original plan was to spend 3 weeks at Flagler Beach, then head to Hunting Island, SC, then Edisto Beach, SC then Asheville. We really wanted to maximize our time in our favorite places since we don’t plan to go to Florida next year. The weather forecast was less tham ideal to the north, while we were having great weather in Florida. With the new reservation policy for Florida (residents get a 30-day lead on booking), we still are not sure if we will be able to camp there again. We decided we could go to the other 3 places anytime (unless a natural disaster prevented that…).
We booked 2 nights at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, FL. It is usually very difficult to get a reservation there, especially on a weekend, because swimming and paddling in the spring is very popular. We were happy that the water access was closed, for maintenance. Though we missed that experience, we got to enjoy the park and campground without all of the crowds.
We loved our campsite and saw some interesting wildlife including a piliated woodpecker (finally!!!), a muscovy duck, a committee of vultures, and long nose gar in the spring, A whipoorwill woke me in the middle of the night, which was irritating but very cool. We checked out the Thursby House Museum, located in the park. Friday afternoon in nearby Deland, FL., we enjoyed a cold one at a great microbrewery, the weekly Artisan Alley Framers Market, tasty tacos from a food truck and music at Cafe Da Vinci. Deland is another great town that we had never heard of.
We spent 9 more days in Flagler Beach and 2 more at Fernandina Beach. We spent a total of 30 nights at Flagler, 68 nights total since our first visit in 2021.
So long Florida, for awhile.
Blue Spring State Park
Orange City FL
The water was extremely clear in Blue Springs Run, a tributary of the St. John’s River. Water flows from the spring at one end toward the river. Blue Spring State Park, Orange City FLThis is at the end of Blue Springs Run. The dark area is the spring. It is popular destination for cave divers. Blue Spring State Park, Orange City FLBlue Spring State Park Orange City FLBlue Spring State Park is often a great place to see manatees. This was the only one we saw there.Our spacious, private campsite at Blue Spring State Park, Orange City FLPersimmon Hollow Brewing Co. (brewer of one of our favs – Beach Hippie IPA) Deland, FLCafe Da Vinci Deland, FLCafe Da Vinci Deland, FLCafe Da Vinci Deland, FLThursby House was built in 1872 and is now a museum at Blue Spring State Park. In the 1850’s this area was the location of one of the first orange groves on the St. Johns River and one of the first steamboat landings in the area. Orange City FLBack at our favorite ocean front location, with Sharky flying in the background. (site #5) Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, FLOcean view (site#5) Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, FLWe love Kona Tiki, which makes us feel totally transported back to the islands. Ormond Beach is about 20 minutes from the campground. They are known for live music and great pizza. Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki, Ormond Beach, FLSlushie, scoping out the waves. (site #12) Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, FLAfternoon live music at the Golden Lion Cafe outdoor tiki bar. Flagler Beach, FLSun setting behind our spacious campsite. (site #8) Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, FLWe finally saw a rocket launch from the campground! SpaceX launched a batch of 23 Starlink satellites on its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The night lauches are obviously more visible. I am considering upgrading my phone, as the camera is sub-standard. Gamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, FLGamble Rogers State Park, Flagler Beach, FLHeavy rains were forecast to be moving through Northern Florida and the Carolinas, so we further delayed our trip to the Asheville area and waited out the storms at Fernandina Beach. We were lucky to get a last-minute cancellation. The site was next to the camp hosts, who had a lot of “stuff” campared with other camp hosts. (site 2) Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, FLA rainy evening on Centre Street, downtown Fernandina Beach, FLThe Historic Fernandina Beach Train Depot, built in 1899 Fernandina Beach, FLLast walk on the ocean, for awhile. It was apparently a slow year for finding shark teeth. The locals and other beach combers were all complaining about it. I did manage to find two, this year, compared with four last year and three the year before. Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, FL
