2/15/22 Across Florida to Cedar Key.

 2/15/22 Tuesday

35 degrees this morning!  Come on - this is the SOUTH! Isn't it supposed to be warmer?

Apparently Tuesdays are the day that many things are closed in this part of Florida, as we find several places not open around Gainesville.  So, we continue to the west coast and the little town of Cedar Key, which is fairly isolated.

We drive through town to Cemetery Point Park where there is a boardwalk through salt marshes and mud flats. 

We talk to some birders on the boardwalk but don't see much till near the end where some herons and egrets are fishing and wading. 

 This osprey flies in also and wades in the shallow water.

We walk through the adjacent cemetery which has some interesting sites.  We are so used to seeing cemeteries under majestic oaks, that it seems odd to see tombstones under palm trees.

We drive further into town and to the shore where there are quite a few oyster reefs.  Apparently oysters and clams are very big here.

Next stop is the Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail.  The Railroad was popular in the late 1800's but stopped running in 1932.  They've turned part of its' old route into this trail. 

A lone fisherman is about all we see besides the palms, cedars and other plant life.  He says he is fishing for redfish and drum, and once caught a 5' long something-or-other - sorry, I can't remember what it was, but from his tone we were obviously supposed to be impressed. 

We drive into town to find some clam chowder and come to Tony's, a small and busy restaurant on the short main street.  I didn't think I liked clam chowder and was just doing this cause I knew Greg liked it.  But wow! I really liked it!  They touted winning three consecutive Great Chowder Cook-Offs in Newport, RI (After which the recipe was retired from the contest.) 

 We wanted to buy some cans but they were out and told us to try Publix Grocery Stores in Florida, which we did and bought some to take home.  Yum!

Stopped at this local shop where most everything was made by the owner. Most everything is local here.

  She had some nice photography, carvings, candles, etc. but sorry, nothing we couldn't live without.  She showed me some things and then said she had to run next door and just left!  Trusting soul.

We headed for Tidewater Campground in Goethe State Forest and spent a quiet night there. Greg chatted with a ranger who told him of a local spring,  to which Greg walked.  Lots of springs in this part of Florida.

 There was one other camper in the 4 sites, also in a Roadtrek! Nice free spot.

The ranger lived nearby and raised goats and was busy because it is birthing season.  Up all night to help with the births - 11 so far and 8 more to go.  He was a firefighter before but gets a 5K pay hike to be official ranger, which he is studying to become.  Guess he's just "unofficial" now!