A little after 7:30 am on Tuesday we showed at the shop and met with Aaron Rodriquez, one of the Assistant Managers here. The maintenance shop is about 1/3 mile south of the park campgrounds and offices. This park is actually has 7 different locations/parks that it overseas and maintains. He told us our initial task will be to trim up a 2 ½ mile trail from near the ranger station to the beach. After showing us around the shop and introducing us to several other volunteers and staff, we piled in his truck to drive the trail. Along the way he told us where we could do laundry and get ice. He said that a 4 wheel drive was needed on this trail because of deep sand in several areas. It took us a while to drive the winding path to the beach where we stopped to turn around….and got stuck. His Chevy would not go into 4 wheel drive. He called for help, but before the other ranger could pickup another 4X4 to get us, we winched our way out. By then it was too late to start work as the vehicle we will use is needed by 11:30 for the late shift, so we went off and did laundry.
The laundry area is located in what they call the “Reed House” – so named for the doctor who formerly owned the house. It’s now used for meetings and training. Here’s a picture of it.
The tall pines look lacey against the blue sky.
Wednesday we were at the shop at 7:30 and Aaron and Tom have agreed to set us up with the ‘beach’ Polaris Ranger to use. After getting it checked out and getting all our tools we hit the trail about 8:30 and worked until 11:30. It looked like bad weather brewing so we headed in. After lunch it cleared so we went back for a couple more hours. After working prairie trails this is different. Here are a couple of pictures of this trail.
Wednesday we were at the shop at 7:30 and Aaron and Tom have agreed to set us up with the ‘beach’ Polaris Ranger to use. After getting it checked out and getting all our tools we hit the trail about 8:30 and worked until 11:30. It looked like bad weather brewing so we headed in. After lunch it cleared so we went back for a couple more hours. After working prairie trails this is different. Here are a couple of pictures of this trail.
The living and dead live oaks form interesting sculptures and the sun peaking through certainly adds to the mystique.
Severe weather rolled through the area over night, well actually early in the morning. It was too wet and windy to get started too early on Thursday so we waited until nearly 10. We packed lunch and worked through until 2. That gives us 24 hours in three days, 4 more than the minimum required.
Friday was our ‘play day’ in celebration of the birthday girl’s day. We headed to Mayport Naval Station to set up the appointment for Lilly’s checkup and get her meds. We made a quick stop at the Navy Exchange to check out necklace chains, but the sales clerk told us to wait because beginning next week there will be a sale. By then it was noon and we headed to Singleton’s Seafood for lunch. It’s a favorite when in this area. If a building inspector were to walk in, not sure it would pass, but the food is great.
Then it was off to Jo-Ann’s to find some special material and then to Wal-Mart to pickup some grocery and other items. When we got back, the campground was beginning to fill for the weekend. Temperature never got much above 50, but it was bright and sunny.
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