Shangri-la

Shangri-la

Sometimes you just don't know what is hidden around the corner. That is what happened to us Wednesday. Expecting very primitive camping in the Ocala National Forest, we pulled into Juniper Springs Campground just before sunset. Taking our bearings and the usual walk around the place, checking out the big RVs, finding the water pump, we followed a path to the actual spring. Unbelievable! Thanks to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, we found a gorgeous natural swimming area, surrounded with terraced stone steps and tall oaks. And, thank the Lord, no alligators in the spring pool. Instead we watched a running water mill turn at one end of the spring and sand boils beneath us. A sand boil is water erupting from underground causing the white sand to ‘bubble.’

The only downer at this gorgeous spot was the sight of raccoons who have learned to ‘perform’ for humans. The behavior is bizarre, and I reported it to a ranger thinking I had saved everyone there from a case of rabies. These critters stand on their hind legs, place their front legs under their chin, and ... shimmy. Doug thought he was witnessing a case of wild hiccups; I thought seizure. Anyway, we were assured that these guys have learned how to get a free meal.