10/14/21 – I arrived at Faver-Dykes state park and got settled into my spot which was very nice! All the sites in the park are large and nicely separated from each other.
After setting up, I took the bike around to explore the park.
I was glad to have a nice spot for 7 nights, I had started to feel under the weather just prior to leaving Falling Waters and it took a turn for the worse on my first night in camp with body aches and intense chills and fever. Finally cluing in that something was afoot, I got tested and sure enough I was positive for Covid-19. In spite of being fully vaccinated in April, I was the lucky recipient of the dreaded breakthru infection 🤬.
Travelling and being on the road exposed to all kinds of environments on a daily basis I should have known better and kept my guard up, but I have to admit I was getting slack about wearing my mask in public.
Not having any choice but to dig in and ride it out, I was fortunate that I had plenty of supplies and with power and water I was able to isolate in camp and ride out the worst. I never lost my sense of taste and smell or had any respiratory issues and actually would return to feeling pretty normal during the day, but by 7 or 8pm each day the chills would start and then continue to alternate with fever thru the night. On day 5 my fever broke and I knew the worst was over. By the time I checked out I was feeling back to about 80% of normal. I am grateful that the vaccine seems to have prevented a longer illness or more severe symptoms.
I’ll have to return to this area on my way back up Florida since I missed seeing anything or even really exploring all the trails and paddling opportunities in the park and I even canceled my much anticipated trip to Kennedy Space Center.
10/21/21 – Back on the road, I had changed my planned move to the Gulf coast, deciding to stay on the Atlantic side of the state and also have a shorter drive. I wasn’t really feeling like another 7 hour drive as I had originally planned. Luckily I was able to get a replacement stay of 7 nights at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring Florida. The drive was a much more manageable at only 2.5 hours and I’d be close to the Miami area and also the Everglades.
The park was very large, established in the 1930’s it features a unique ecosystem called a Hammock, something I had never heard of before and is something that is unique to Florida. Lots of great hiking and biking trails too!
The campground itself was in pretty sad condition, actually the worst I’ve seen in Florida so far, the sites are small and very close together and the bathrooms are dated and small. I happened to chat with one of the Park Ranger’s and he told me the park will close in April of 2022 for a complete remodel. He was very apologetic about the condition of the park and I’ll let it go at that, except to say I would really like to return after they reopen as the park grounds and trails are fantastic!
My strength returning, I took several bike rides around the trails and hiked the swamp trail. I was thrilled to spot some baby alligators! Mom was close by, but I wouldn’t have spotted her if I hadn’t been tipped by some other folks on the trail. The swamps are so other worldly and something very unique. Very creepy knowing that the gators are just inches away as you are on the catwalk.
Look closely! 
Next stop is Midway campground for just a few nights to finish out October and then its Key Largo for the whole month of November!
Hey Its Gregg! 
Looks like a beautiful spot. were you planning on taking your inflatable into gater waters? Bally. glad you have recovered from the Cov,id. Could have been much worse without the vax.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been too busy diving to take the yak out, but my RV spot has that nice beach to launch from, I predict it will happen soon…
LikeLike