Warner Robbins, GA to Tallahassee, FL., Ft. San Marcos, Leon Sinks Park, Wakulla Springs Park,

My next stop was at the Elks Lodge in Tallahassee, Fl. Here I found RV parking with the first sewer dump at each RV site. It was secluded and away from the main parking lot which made it nice.

Due south from Tallahassee about 20 miles is the Gulf of Mexico and it was here I found an old fort, Ft San Marcos, dating back to the 17th century. The Spanish first established it then the  British and finally the Confederate Army all held it at one time or another. It was established to protect the St Marks and Wakulla rivers from invasion. These rivers are the home of the manatee but I did not see one.

On the ride back from the fort, I discovered a state park, Leon Sinks Geological Area. This is a park with trails through the Apalachiola National Forest that has some very good examples of "sinks".

These are cavities made by rainwater dissolving the underlying limestone bedrock. Over time, the cavities collapse creating sinkholes or depressions at ground level. The trail through the forest is marked by blue blazes on the trees and if you were not careful, it would be easy to get lost. The thought crossed my mind......"Where in blue blazes am I?????." Very interesting to see.

Up the road a bit is Wakulla Springs State Park. This park contains one of the worlds largest and deepest freshwater springs. The outflow from the spring averages between 250,000 and 400,000 gallons of fresh water PER MINUTE. The spring opening is 180 feet deep and when the water is clear, (no rain), you can see the bottom from glass bottom boats. From the opening of the spring there is a labyrinth of underground tunnels and caverns that go for miles and miles as deep as 360 feet.

Much has been explored by divers but they have only seen a fraction of the complex. Divers have found remains of Mastadons. Giant Sloths, Giant Armadillos at the bottom of the spring and in some of the caverns. On display at the spring is "Old Joe" the legendary guardian of wakulla Springs. For generations this eleven foot two inch alligator kept watch over swimmers and boaters from his perch on the far side of the spring. he was shot by pochers in 1967, was preserved and put on display.

The spring is the headwaters of the Wakulla River and I took a riverboat tour doiwn river a few miles. A beautiful trip with all kinds of wildlife all around including some big alligators.

Summary:

Elks Lodges: 20, Escapees Parks: 6, Public RV Parks: 9, National Parks: 19, Major Ships: 5, Forts: 10

Expenses: 8 months on the road with an average of $1919 per month.