#Summer2026 (Day 3): To Silver Springs State Park

June 21

Today was stressful.  After a peaceful cup of coffee in Pensacola we set out.  Storms were on the horizon and we hoped to beat them.  However, we drove with those stormson top of us all day.  The rains quit around 4 pm.

I will say Florida has it down with rest areas!

Finding gas was difficult on this stretch of I-10 because you couldn't see the stations from the interstate.  We got gas at a Sunoco at one point, but had to wait too long because a rude family parked in the end spot and took their time shopping, etc.  We moved to an unoccupied pump and was gone before the dad ever started pumping gas. 

We stopped for a stretch and sandwich around Lake City, and when we got back on the highway found ourselves in a backup due to a wreck in the rain.  It was brief, however, and were soon heading south on I-75. 

The rain began to clear a bit out of Ocala, which happened to be near our destination.  A lot of horses and barns and expensive properties here.  Marrion County has more horses per capita than any other county in the US.

We arrived at Silver Springs and visited with a friendly gate attendant/ranger.  We were soon set up.  The sites have water and electric, and are very spacious.  There is also a nice bath house with laundry machines.  

Since lunch was late we went to publics for breakfast items and a few other things (key lime pie cookies!) and gas.  Once back at camp we cooked sausage and sauerkraut on the electric skilled.  Then we walked to the historic village just down from camp.

Tomorrow at 9 am we have reservations to take the glass bottom boat ride in the Silver River and the springs.  Should be fun!

Then on to Fort Wilderness.