{By Kelly}

Once we got our house in Stuart, FL on the market, we headed a couple hours north to my parents' house in Sebastian to get ready for our big voyage to Denver. We feverishly worked to get the Airstream ready for the long trip. ​Justin worked on the hubs and brakes as I cleaned and packed the trailer with all our belongings that would make the cross-country journey.

{Justin, here: I can't believe Kelly is still with me. Sometimes I can have an attitude problem. Prior to this trip, I'd never hooked up Riva's brakes. I know. I know. But, we had been pulling it in Florida where it's flat and she doesn't weigh more than 4,000 lbs. Up until now, brakes weren't required. Considering the trip we were preparing for, I figured it was high time I took care of the brakes.

I decided to take care of the brakes the afternoon before we left Sebastian. In a rain storm. There I was, sitting in Kelly's grandma's driveway fixing the damn brakes. Bottle jack, jack stands, grease, and electrical connectors. Not to mention, Tony (Kelly's dad) was my helper - at one point he cracked his head on the open rear window. I laughed, felt bad about it, but it has happened to me before so I felt his pain.

Back to the brakes. We go them working and I didn't feel good about the curbside. Either way we were going and it had to fly.}

Despite rainy weather, we got it all done and set out on our epic road trip. For the first time in more than a month (since we made the decision to move), we finally relaxed and took a deep breath. Getting in the truck and hitting the road was the easiest part. While we had our first few weeks of campgrounds planned out, we had no idea where we would end up or what we were getting into. However, there was no fear of the unknown... only excitement!

Our first stop was in Florida's panhandle, Falling Waters State Park in Chipley. We stayed in site 5 near the horseshoe pits. While we only stayed for one night, we enjoyed exploring the park. It was so peaceful and quiet. That's the beauty of mid-week camping!

We set on a hike to see the "falling waters" the park is named for, but alas, the levy was dry. A lack of rain in the area meant there was no waterfall to see. Despite that, we enjoyed the nicely kept nature trail and the dogs enjoyed a long walk.

If you go:
Falling Waters State Park
Located on one of the highest hills in Florida, the campground at Falling Waters State Park has the highest elevation in the state at 324 feet above sea level. Each of the 24 sites has a picnic table, water, electric service and a campfire ring. There is also a full facility bathhouse and a dump station. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. 

{By Kelly}

Remember our post about New Orleans? Something life-changing happened in that town, although we didn't know it at the time. At the NOLA United Way conference in February [2015], Justin met some folks from Mile High United Way in Denver. That connection would eventually lead to a job offer and an opportunity we couldn't refuse. Although it would be hard to leave our family and friends, we felt a strong pull towards the west. There is so much to explore and so many places we've always wanted to visit. Living in Denver would suit our outdoor lifestyle, and be a perfect home base to explore the western U.S.

So we put our house on the market --->
​sold almost everything we owned, had a going-away party, packed up the Airstream and headed to Denver. All this happened in the span of one month! It was hard. It was stressful. It was an emotional rollercoaster. But it was also exciting! While we had never visited Denver (or Colorado for that matter), and didn't know anyone out there, we could tell it would be the type of place we would enjoy. The outdoorsy lifestyle, mountains, culture and entertainment, the proximity to numerous National Parks... it all sounded amazing. 

We'll detail the amazing state parks we camped at along our journey in the the upcoming posts. Stay tuned!

 {By Kelly}
​
Justin had another United Way conference to attend for work, this time in Gainesville, Florida. I saw it as another chance to go camping and spring-hopping! This was our first camping trip with our new truck, Moonshine Moxie, pulling the Riveted Roost. I can't believe how much get up and go the 3.5L V6 Eco Boost has! It blows our 2006 V8 away.
 
However, we did notice the trailer swaying, especially when being passed by an 18-wheeler. It was never noticeable with our 2006 truck, most likely because it was a heavier truck. We stopped at a Camping World on the way to Gainesville and picked up a weight distribution hitch and sway control package. It’s amazing that we went this long without it.

Our first stop was Paynes Prairie State Park. We stayed at site #18 in a gorgeous wooded loop. We set up camp, then rode our bikes down the paved road to the boat ramp at Lake Wauburg, just in time for sunset. We quickly realized that sunset in the swamps of Gainesville = “Mosquito Happy Hour” and quickly retreated into air-conditioned Airstream. We also discovered an awesome natural bug repellant called, "Beat It" that's DEET-free and made in Hawthorne, FL. It turned out to be a lifesaver - and we continue to use it for all our adventures.

Micanopy and brews - June 20, 2015
On our first full day, we had a picnic breakfast with the dogs in historic Micanopy. There are some amazing antique shops and quaint cafes. Later that afternoon, we went beer tasting at Swamp Head Brewery in Gainesville.

​Hike and sway - June 21, 2015
Took a four-mile muggy and buggy hike with the dogs through the trails of Payne’s Prairie, followed by the installation of a weight distribution hitch and sway control... all before lunch and not a single cuss word uttered. I’m impressed!

Santa Fe River paddle - June 22, 2015
​We rented a canoe and took the dogs spring-hopping on the Santa Fe River in High Springs. It was a beautiful day and we paddled with the current through cypress and oak canopies.

Devil’s Eye at Ginnie Springs was by far our favorite spring of the day. It’s a tiny blue lagoon off the tea-colored Santa Fe that gushes fresh spring water from a limestone cave in the shape of an eye. ​We enjoyed a refreshing swim which was just what we needed after a long paddle.

In about six hours, we covered 15 miles and visited six gorgeous springs… not bad for a day’s work.

Incomparable Ichetucknee - June 23, 2015
Tubing and snorkeling at Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White is something every Floridian (and visitor) should have on his/her bucket list. It’s the quintessential summer activity to beat the heat and enjoy Florida’s natural beauty. At $5 per person, you won't find a better lazy river ride.
 
Most importantly, arrive early and do NOT bring food, drinks, pets, fishing gear, tobacco, alcohol or disposable items on the river. All tubers are subject to inspection. Pets are allowed in the park on a leash, but not on the river or in swimming areas. Remington and Jackson napped in the Airstream while we enjoyed this excursion. We skipped dealing with rental vendors by bringing our own tubes. The park provides a tram service to shuttle drivers back to the launch area after they park their vehicles at the end of the tubing run. That way, your vehicle awaits you at the parking lot at the end of the float. 

Devil's Den - June 24, 2015
On our quest to see as many springs as possible, we took a drive to Devil’s Den in nearby Williston. It was quite an experience to descend into a cave with a beautiful underground spring. The way the light shines through the natural skylight makes for a unique diving experience. We snorkeled in and out of darkness and into streaming rays of sunlight penetrating the crystal-clear, 72-degree water. Many extinct animal fossils dating back to the Pleistocene Age have been discovered inside this spring. In the winter, steam rises like smoke from the chimney opening, which prompted early settlers give it the name, “Devil's Den.”

Devil's Millhopper - June 25, 2015
While Justin was at his conference, I took the dogs for a nature walk near the heart of Gainesville. It takes 232 steps to get to the bottom of Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainesville, a National Natural Landmark. Fossils found in this 120-foot deep sinkhole include species such as Great White Shark, Sperm Whale, horses, camels, and extinct land mammals that lived 5 to 10 million years ago. 

​I know what you're thinking… Devil’s Eye, Devil’s Den, and now Devil’s Millhopper all in the same relative area? It might be hot as hell in this part of Florida, but all this beauty assures me that we’re far from it.

Ichetucknee Springs, part two - June 26, 2015
We enjoyed Ichetucknee Springs so much, I decided to visit again while my parents and brother were visiting and Justin was at the conference. The last time my dad visited Ichetucknee Springs was 30+ years ago and it was a privately owned park, very crowded and lots of litter. This time around was quite a different experience. The state park is extremely well-run and no disposable items are allowed on the water. Free from development, this section of the river showcases the best of Florida at a leisurely pace. All you have to do is sit back in your tube, relax and enjoy the view.

​After our lazy river float, we had an awesome dinner at Satchel's Pizza in Gainesville. It’s a must-visit restaurant if you're in the area. It's a salvage yard where you can eat the most amazing deep-dish pizza surrounded by funky art and repurposed junk. Here I am with my brother, John, under “da plane.”

Our stay at Payne’s Prairie revealed a variety of wildlife: deer, wild turkey, wild horses… however, despite spending quite a bit of time at sunrise and sunset atop the observation tower, we never saw the famous bison that roam the prairie. Maybe next time.
 
If you go:
Payne’s Prairie State Park
The campground accommodates tents, trailers and RVs. RV sites are back-in, maximum length, 58 feet. The campground is under heavy shade and each site has a limerock surface, lantern post, fire ring with grill, picnic table, nearby water and electric service (30 and 50 amp), and dump station. Restrooms include hot showers and firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station. No wifi. Park entrance gate is locked at sunset; gate combination provided to registered campers. Pets are allowed on leashes in the campground and on designated trails. Reserve in advance through ReserveAmerica.
 
Follow our adventures on Twitter @RivetedRoost, or find us on Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram. We're posting lots of photos to our social media sites in real time, so follow along!
 
All photos © Kelly Beard, The Riveted Roost

We were craving some crystal clear spring water and Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Fla. was at the top of our list.
 
We didn’t have an entire weekend available to camp, so we took a day trip to the park to paddle and swim. We got up super early and headed north so we could get into the park as soon as it opened. We’ve heard it can get crowded and we wanted to launch our paddleboards before the wildlife got scared away.

​We were rewarded for our early efforts. Steam rose from the water and we were the first people into the park. We shoved off from the canoe launch and paddled with the current, mesmerized by how clear and deep the water was. 

We quickly learned how the Rainbow River got its name – a variety of multicolored vegetation floats on and below the surface, creating an array of color and texture. Not far from the launch, we were greeted by two bald eagles. One swooped right over our heads and landed in a nearby oak tree

​We enjoyed a lovely trip down the river, only encountering a few other paddlers and tubers. After a couple miles, we turned back upstream, paddling against the current to return to the headspring. It was a nice workout and we were rewarded with a swim in the crystal clear, 72-degree spring water.

Afterwards, we scoped out the campground, a separate entrance six miles away by car and a short float downriver, as we knew we would love to return for a longer stay. After driving around both camp loops, we decided site 51 and 6-11 would be ideal sites to return to.
 
If you go:
Rainbow Springs State Park
Headspring/day use area: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Rd., Dunnellon, Florida 34432; 352-465-8555. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, tubing, fishing, canoes/kayaks including gear available for rent, hiking/nature trail through gardens, wildlife viewing, picnicking.
 
Campground: 18185 S.W. 94th St., Dunnellon, about 1.5 miles downstream from the main headspring and day use area. All sites have water and electric (20, 30, and 50 amp) with sewer hook-ups. Maximum RV length: 103 feet. Dump station, recreation hall, showers, restrooms, laundry and playground. Pets allowed in campground; not permitted in swimming areas or buildings. Advance reservations available through ReserveAmerica.
 
Follow our adventures on Twitter @RivetedRoost, or find us on Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram. We're posting lots of photos to our social media sites in real time, so follow along!
 
All photos © Kelly Beard, The Riveted Roost

{By Kelly}

Creating a closet
Before every camping trip, we try to make a repair or improvement to the Airstream. Prior to this trip, Justin finished the closet and wardrobe area, and also installed the bathroom wall in between. With this project, he created his first countertop, using leftover Formica from the kitchen area. I think it turned out quite well!​ And having more storage for clothing and gear is a big help.

Discovering Fisheating Creek
On this trip, we visited Fisheating Creek in Palmdale, Fla. March 13-15 for my belated birthday campout. It’s located just west of Lake Okeechobee in the middle of the Sunshine State.
 
I discovered an old Florida camping book that belonged to some dear friends who have since passed away. They had made notes in the margins, raving about Fisheating Creek when they visited in the 1970s.
 
I imagined much had probably changed, but it was an area of Florida we had yet to explore, so we gave it a try. It was a beautiful drive across the middle of the state through oak hammocks, cypress swamp, and orange groves. We rolled the windows down to bask in the scent of orange blossoms. Divine! 

​Fisheating Creek’s camping and recreation area is located within a Wildlife Management Area and is under the supervision of the licensed concessionaire, Fisheating Creek Outpost. While the camping area is more commercialized than your average state park, the waterway deeply resembles Old Florida.
 
We stayed in site #C-1, which was one of the few sites left when we made reservations. It was lacking in shade and privacy, but the surrounding campers were friendly. We were joined by our friends who stayed with us in the Airstream, and our neighbors who snagged a great site under the oaks (A section) for their pop-up camper. We were all ready for some R&R. 

​The next morning, we walked the dogs down to the creek to check out the scenery. It was lovely! And the tent campers have it best, with waterfront sites under giant live oaks, right along the creek. 

​We couldn’t wait to get out on the water with our paddleboards. Due to the gator population, we decided to leave the dogs in the camper during our paddle excursion. Our friends rented a canoe and we all paddled a couple miles up river, stopping to fish along the way. We saw lots of gators and birds, but unfortunately, we didn’t catch any fish in Fisheating Creek.

After our paddle, we were hot and ready for a swim, but not in the gator-infested creek. We decided to check out the swimming area located on the other side of the park. It’s supposedly a spring-fed lake, but I had my doubts about its cleanliness and gator population, so I only went in to my knees. Others enjoyed swinging into the lake from the rope swing, but we swear we saw gators, and heard the squawk of baby alligators in the tall grass along the banks. No thanks, I’ll pass. The oaks that surround the swimming area are gorgeous, and there’s a pavilion to enjoy picnics.

​We had a delicious barbecue dinner that night, despite a light rain shower. We played giant Jenga by the campfire and had some delectable gourmet s’mores. Everything is better with friends!
 
Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but if I came back, I would tent camp to capitalize on the waterfront view, like this, on our last morning at Fisheating Creek:

If you go:
Fisheating Creek Outpost
7555 U.S. Highway 27 North, Palmdale, Florida 33944
863-675-5999
52 RV sites including 48 full-hookup sites with 30 and 50 amp electric, water and sewer; 68 tent sites; picnic tables at every site
Restrooms with hot showers
Creek, camp store with firewood and necessities, kayak and canoe rentals, wi-fi
Fishing, canoeing, hunting, swimming, hiking, 

Follow our adventures on Twitter @RivetedRoost, or find us on Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram. We're posting lots of photos to our social media sites in real time, so follow along!

All photos © Kelly Beard, The Riveted Roost