We Landed in DeLand

We left Beverly beach and drove a short distance to Ormond to get sun shades mounted on the windshield and side windows.  They attach with magnets so there will be no ladder climbing to put them up or take down.

We then drove to DeLand in central Florida where we camped on the St. John’s River near the DeLeon State Park (think Fountain of Youth) and Hontoon Island State Park.  We spent part of the afternoon attempting to put up the sun shades which looked like it should be a lot easier to do than we made it.  

Rain was predicted for Wednesday afternoon so we explored DeLand’s Historic District.  I really wanted to see the Stetson Mansion but it was closed.  The Valusia County Courthouse was open to visitors and has a really beautiful stained glass dome.  

By the time we got to DeLeon State Park the rain was falling so we didn’t stick around for long.  They have an area roped off to swim in Blue Spring which empties into the river and is a nice place to canoe.  No manatees were in residence that we could see.  But the Great Blue Heron looked pretty miserable in the rain!

Today we hiked 5.5 miles on the Hontoon Island located in the St. John’s River.  It was a a cool 58 degrees which made for a good walk and the island is beautiful with large palm trees, ferns and palm bushes as well as very tall deciduous shade trees.  Too cold for alligators or snakes.