Our life in the Lark: Feb. 15, 2015 Camp Adventures

Camping got a little more exciting this weekend. Seems we were going to experience a "prescribed burn" in our adjacent Audubon acreage. We are familiar with brush/wild fires in N. Ca. Seems Florida has their share also. To avoid major devastation tracts are burned on purpose to clear undergrowth without harming the tall pole pines.

This was our concern: We are camped next to the burn area. We are also camped at the end of a long peninsula ending about 1/4 mile down the street...actually the street continues with a ferry boat. We are on a very narrow spit of land between the burn and the ferry. Sort of a Pompeii deal...no lava, of course. It was a day for us to resupply, so we unhooked and drove to the mainland for groceries. I want to trust my government, but when you see all the firetrucks in the area and a squadron of State Wildfire Emergency crews roll in......
As we left the island, I got an alert on my phone that a red alert was issued for the area...no burn order, conditions dangerous. This campground was evacuated several years ago when a careless campfire caught the woods and dunes on fire. Hmm....they lit it anyway.

We returned a few hours later and all seemed to be under control...some smoke, but most went out to sea on the wind. We visited the site today and it is quite remarkable how it is done and what is left to regrow into a new forest. Just another new adventure.

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I will say it has been very interesting staying in a location for enough time to study, learn and experience a place unlike what you are used to. We get to talk to many "locals" and travelers who have been on the road and often have stayed in the past at a current location. We get lots of good hints, warnings, suggestions, and where the good food is to be found :)

We are walking everyday 2-4miles and usually riding our bikes another 8-10 miles. This has been a wonderful location for riding.

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Went with our neighbors from Ontario Canada to a Valentine get together with live country band. Great fun BYOB. A Patsy Cline kind of gig. I really enjoyed the music. Our friends are leaving on a 16 day "caravan" of Airstreams for Cajun music and food. Sounds wonderful... (Airstreams made in Ohio)