St. Louis

2 Chicas and the St. Louie Quickie

Chica 1 felt the warmth of the sunshine on the side of her face. Is it possible that this trip to St. Louis was going to have unseasonably warm weather for the start of December? A resounding yes! God's favor is amazing!

Chica 2 on the other hand wonders if she will ever have even a village named after her. Chica 1 had to admit she was impressed that Chica 2 knows that St. Louis was named after Louis IX, the Crusader King of France. 

Chica 2 wonders out loud, what kind of fur do you think those traders were selling? “Could it have been polar bear, wild yak, or llama?” Maybe on their later expeditions, but that doesn't seem plausible in this neck of the woods.  Poor Chica 2, her head is always in the clouds, usually those found on the planet Jupiter!

2 Chicas were on a mad dash around St. Louis to catch a few sights and eat a little grub. Since we are here, we discovered there are any number of museums that document the great history of the area. 

From French occupation to the days of the great explorers Lewis and Clark, Civil War icons William Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant, to the ragtime sensation of Scott Joplin, to current day rapper Nelly, history lovers will find something to their liking.

2 Chicas Walk Among the Stars

First stop, the St. Louis Walk of Fame on Delmar Street. This eclectic little neighborhood has quite the college throwback feel, probably because one of Washington University’s campuses is very close nearby. 

Chica 2 ran into a “head shop” to look at all the sixties merchandise, and to gawk at a few bongs. Chica 1 purchased peace sign items, “boring” things if you ask Chica 2.

On the sidewalk on both sides of the street are golden stars emblazoned with the names of famous individuals with connections to St. Louis. Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Maya Angelou, Vincent Price, and Nelly just to name a few of the famous names that grace the sidewalk. 

Chica 2 squeals in a quizzical voice Nelly? Chica 2 also gets a kick out of literally walking on the stars. She never thought she would rise to such a prestigious promenade. Just remember, it really isn’t about you Chica 2!

Seems just as quickly as she was happy, she wasn’t. She walked up to Ike Turner’s star and made a ceremonial stomp saying "take this!. Be nice Chica 2; we won’t share what was said. 

Not long after this show of emotion, she walks up to Maya Angelou’s star and apologizes. Only makes sense to Chica 2. Our little drama gurrl! She then sprints over to the Chuck Berry statue and begins strumming on her imaginary guitar. After a few hops on one leg, she realizes she'd better stop before she collapses in a heap.

Chica 1 decides that she wants to get in on the fun and breaks into a rousing rendition of "I found my Thrill On Blueberry Hill!"  Chica 2 asks if that is really a song. Oh Lawd! You mean you never heard this classic before now?  

Move along little Chica 2, don't try to steal the pleasure of this walk down memory lane. Get on down to the Walk of Fame and be impressed with the local VIPs that made it big nationally!

2 Chicas are Luving Sweetie Pies

Walking into Sweetie Pies was like walking into an old familiar place. You can’t remember why it seemed like you had been here before. A table of patrons erupted in laughter. 

Occasionally, a customer would snap a picture with one of the employees. There was a line of about six or seven waiting for fried chicken and fried fish. When the large pan of chicken came out of the kitchen, the people cheered. 2 Chicas were soon to find out why.

Crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, the fried chicken was perfect! Every part of the chicken was tasty. Fluffy moist cornbread, tender and flavorful okra, perfectly seasoned but a little greasy mac n cheese, and delicious cabbage. The sweet potatoes were heavenly with a sweet, caramelized sauce. Who could dare ask for a better meal!

Then there was the free entertainment. The waiters were hilarious. There was one with St. Louis tattooed on his neck that seemed to be the star of the moment. 

All the ladies wanted pictures with him. Chica 2 was more intrigued with his mouth full of gold teeth. She actually was too shy to ask for a photo, unlike a dozen or so other patrons. 

The fellas goofed on each other, talked trash with some of the guests, and laughed freely and easily. It seems everyone left the restaurant with a bag or two of food that couldn’t be consumed or extra treats for later. Sweetie Pie’s is definitely worth the trip.

2 Chicas Sway with the Arch

2 Chicas head over to the arch experience and the Jefferson National Expansion Park. This national park on the great Mississippi River memorializes Thomas Jefferson who directed the westward expansion of the United States from this very location. 

The stainless steel Gateway Arch beckons and if you look around at others, it seems they are all making some kind of pilgrimage. Most are looking up at the arch as they make their way up to the monument, then down to enter the structure.

2 Chicas were exactly the same as the other visitors. Looking up at the arch and taking pictures from different vantage points. It is an amazing phenomenon when one visits places like the arch. 

Visitors from foreign lands are speaking different languages; Americans are speaking in regional accents.2 Chicas guess as best as we can - French, Italian, Japanese, German; Kentucky no Tennessee, North Carolina, Boston, New York, maybe Georgia or Alabama. 

Folks of every color are all around, yet the common behavior is to crook your neck upward as much as you can. Then angle your camera and snap as many shots as possible. 

Then we all descend the steps to enter this memorial. When you enter the monument, be prepared to go through security. After removing all metal objects, you descend a moderate ramp and find yourself inside the base of this grand shrine. 

2 Chicas quickly went over and purchased a ticket to ascend to the top of the arch after assuring the staff that we had no problems with claustrophobia and could handle about 96 steps/stairs.

There is a small display area concerning the construction of the arch, but we were more interested in the space like waiting area. Each elevator door is numbered and a television is overhead to share instructions.

When the door to our elevator opened, we quickly understood why questions about claustrophobia are asked. The pod ride to the top of the arch is very tight. There are five chairs, but there is no way 5 adults could sit in this little thingy. 

The ride only takes 4 minutes, but it feels like more time. It's a creaky, clanky ride to the top. So much so that Chica 2 swore there were Hobbits down below pulling a rope that made the pod move. It was far too noisy for the apparatus to be a rope, it must definitely be some type of metal pulley! Tee hee hee

Once at the top, you go up stairs to the observation area. The arch moves and it is moving! Swaying in the wind ever so slightly and it is making Chica 1 nauseous. 

Chica 1 doesn't want to ruin it for everyone, but she did ask why was the room spinning! She also snipped at Chica 2 that she hates park rides.

Chica 2 chuckles as she sees Chica 1 wobble. She watches closely to make sure that although Chica 1 wobbles, she doesn’t fall down. The views of the city and across the river from the top of the arch are spectacular. 

Look over here Chica 1 - a bobble head tries to turn and look. Tee hee hee! Needless to say, the picture taking from atop of the world is short lived. A few more snapshots are taken and 2 Chicas head to the stairs to wait for a pod to return to the bottom floor.

Back down on solid ground, we traipse over to the Museum of Westward Expansion. Chica 2 poses boldly by the large grizzly bear at the entrance to the museum. 

Chica 1 has recovered from her motion sickness. But a new form of queasiness begins to creep into her being as she listens to Chica 2 go on and on about how she could slap a bear into submission. Lawd!

As we walk around the large circular room, Chica 2 is immediately drawn to the lifelike mannequins. First William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark explorers; Chica 2 says it’s like being in the Hall of Presidents at Disney World. Oh my! 

But her behavior near the Buffalo soldier was particularly embarrassing. Chica 2 please stop doing the Rasta dance and singing like Bob Marley; people are looking and pointing at us. Yahyahyah yahyahyah…..

Come on Chica 2, this Buffalo soldier is filled with sawdust! Let him tell his story in peace. Well, in typical Chica 2 fashion, the word "peace" served as a perfect segue into her next misbehavior.

This final act of insanity was Chica 2 trying to sneak into the teepee display. At first she wanted to smoke a traditional peace pipe, but then she imagined she was the wife of the chief.  Chica 1 believed Chica 2 really wanted to start a fire, which would have resulted in a double arrest! One for Chica 2's fire and the second for Chica 1's assault and battery on Chica 2! Tee hee hee  It is truly time to go. Children are beginning to congregate around Chica 2 like she is the pied piper of the museum. 2 Chicas highly recommend a visit to the Arch.  The museum is free; you only pay if you want to go to the top of the monument or if you want to watch some movie. 2 Chicas Riverfront Riding Just west of the arch is the St. Louis side of the Mississippi River.  There are Riverboat Cruises, the Historic Laclade and the Eads Bridge.  There is a lot of history associated with this bridge, and Chica 2 is clearly already bored. It is a significant structure because it linked the eastern and western railroads, which helped the expansion of the west, and in essence, killed the riverboat industry.   Chica 2 wandered down by the river to take a look at one of the riverboat casino cruises that operate from a site not far from the Eads Bridge.  Chica 2 thought she saw some straw chewing, straw hat wearing hottie waving at her from the empty riverboat. Come on Chica 2, just your imagination playing with you. Now Chica 2 is wants to run over to Laclede’s Landing and click her heels down the cobblestone streets.  There is a self-guided walking tour brochure that you can obtain from the St. Louis Visitor Center to help you identify the historic warehouses that are now restaurants and offices.  As Chica 2 trips over an uneven cobblestone and does a turn with the tripping dance, she proclaims she is hungry.  How in the world will we feed Chica 2? Maybe a little grilled beaver from the pelt on Davey Crockett’s head? Maybe not, we don't want to waste our final time here in St. Louis in the emergency room.  Everyone knows Chica 2 is crazy, but she would be totally insane to eat grilled beaver. Then again, you never know.... The final straw was Chica 2 trying to sneak into the tepee display. She said her Indian husband was waiting for her to cook dinner. It is truly time to go. 2 Chicas highly recommend a visit to the Arch. The museum is free; you only pay if you want to go to the top of the monument or if you want to watch some movie. 2 Chicas want to Dance a Jig to Ragtime Chica 1 used to play one of Scott Joplin's most favorite ragtime pieces as a young pianist. The song, "The Entertainer" was featured in a number of different movies. That bit of information alone makes Chica 2 not want to spend any time talking about the ancient history that is in her mind "ragtime music".  Free your mind Chica 2! As one can imagine, this is one fight Chica 1 wins, so 2 Chicas spirit off to the only remaining place that Scott Joplin lived. Pulling up to this unassuming brick building, Chica 2 starts an "I told you so" wiggle dance and refuses to get out of the car.  Chica 2 show some respect for one of America's greatest composers. Well Chica 1 had to concede that although this is a nice home, Scott Joplin only lived in the second floor flat at this location with his wife Belle Hayden Joplin. Chica 2 said she would have left his butt if he wrote all these songs and made her live in this tiny place. It really is much nicer than Chica 2 would give credit. By the way Chica 2, don't you ever forget that love conquers all! According to Chica 2, the apartment has a bunch of old stuff that speaks to being broke.  Others would say that Scott Joplin lived a humble lifestyle, but the pieces are really quite nice.   There is also a player piano that provides authentic ragtime music. Just ignore Chica 2, and visit this historical landmark to get a better picture of the life and times of a musical legend. Be sure to check the times that the landmark is open. There are long periods of time it is closed in winter. Please leave us your comments. LIKE us on FACEBOOK!!

Daytona Beach to Merritt Island

2 Chicas Visit the Circus at the Daytona Beach Pier

2 Chicas were reinvigorated after the wonderful visit to Tomoka State Park, it would be nice to visit a man made attraction.

Golly gee - were we surprised at how much Daytona Beach has upgraded their pier.

There is a lovely walkway right outside the beach area with a water feature and placards describing the “old” Daytona Beach Pier. The pier had been closed for some time, but the renovation was well thought out.

Chica 2 squeals "Moby Dick" to the shock of those standing nearby. She sheepishly grins and points to the placard that describes the whaling that took place right off of the shores of Daytona Beach.

The beach is the real star here. Miles of compacted sand that can be walked or driven. Yes, you can drive on areas of the beach, just watch out for the sunbathers, posers, and fishing fanatics. There are a lot of people all during the week enjoying this beautiful stretch of beach.

The water on the east coast of Florida isn't as calm as the water on the west coast. There are big waves and surfers regularly testing out their skills here in Daytona.

So be careful should you choose to swim. There are often sad tales of rip tides dragging strong swimmers under.
That said, there is nothing like sitting by this beautiful ocean and listening to the wonderful ebb and flow of the water!

Chica 2 swears she hears the voice of the evil witch beckoning her to come to the sea. Chica 1 bets the voice is more like Charlie the tuna begging her to rejoin the chickens of the sea! Tee hee he 

Anyhoo, on to the area that has the carnival like feel. Chica 2 said she wanted to take a jump off of a high platform. Perhaps she fancies herself a greater diver? Fortunately for her, there is a huge bungee jump as well as a colorful Ferris wheel.  

After much big talk, there was no big jump. Chica 2 kept on walking and looking at the water.

2 Chicas have to say, Daytona has really upgraded the area. Get out there and enjoy the ocean air and stroll under the boardwalk.

2 Chicas and the Mary McLeod Bethune Home

2 Chicas recognize Mary McLeod Bethune (MMB) as one of the most outstanding figures of African-American history. But a little known fact about Ms. Bethune is her role in the United Methodist Church.

Chica 2 was shocked to know that she was approaching a historic home that was recognized as a Heritage Landmark of the United Methodist Church (UMC).

The Cookman name attached to Bethune-Cookman College was an institute founded by the UMC and merged with Mary McLeod Bethune in 1924 and was renamed in 1929.

Chica 1 was interested in grand history of this woman – her Last Will and Testament is one of the most incredible documents in African-American history. READ IT! It documents the greatest lessons learned over a lifetime by this unbelievable woman. You see, MMB was in the White House as an advisor in the 1930s!

 

This was before any significant Civil Rights accomplishment. When she died in 1955, she had written a manifesto that rings true today.

This pilgrimage was more about paying respect to an icon and making her a relevant part of the current fabric of our state of being than about touring a house and admiring old artifacts. Don't forget to stop and pay your respects at her gravesite.

The campus was alive with activity and Chica 2 had to be reminded her college days were long gone. No you can’t run off to class with that handsome young, young man! Chica 2, there is no need to find the student union, you won't be playing games with the freshmen today!

Walking around to the front of the house, Chica 1 was amazed that MMB lived so comfortably. You see, Ms. Bethune lived at a time when abject poverty in the South was the norm for both races. She was such a beacon of hope to those who thought no one even saw them, much less cared.

To think she opened her own school in this area in 1904 is amazing! To know she served as an Administrator for the President of the United States in 1936 is mind blowing! There are no pictures allowed in the house, but be sure to visit the room where Eleanor Roosevelt spent the night.

The history on this campus is a must for anyone in tune with the current status of political history in this country. 2 Chicas say salute you Mary McLeod Bethune and hope that your powerful legacy is recognized well into the future. God is Good!

2 Chicas Race to Daytona International Speedway

Since 2 Chicas were already in Dayton Beach, we decided to swing past the Daytona International Speedway.

This place is huge! It was originally opened by the NASCAR founder, Bill France, in 1959. Today it has become an international phenomenon, and now hosts eight major races each year.

Chica 2 squeals she feels the need to speed! Not on International Boulevard, you will surely get a ticket! Chica 2 does more boasting than Donald Trump after enhaling all that hair spray. She believes she would just burn up the track. Chica 1 agrees, after she wrecks the car and sets the whole place on fire!

Chica 1 shares that the speeday will allow you (for a fee) to drive an official NASCAR race car around the track.  Chica 2 quickly asks what time we were to be at our next destination. So much for that! Seriously though, Chica 2 is quite a good driver so it is funny that she thinks she would be able to exceed any speed limit!

 
2 Chicas know nothing about racing, but we do admire this fine track.  If you are into NASCAR and are ever in Daytona, stop by. There’s a free self-tour and a theme park like experience that charges a fee.

The Richard Petty Experience really would be a must do for those who want to see what it is like to drive the track!  Good luck and God speed.

  2 Chicas Coo Coo for Cocoa Beach?

2 Chicas are head ed south on I-95 and it feels like old times. Singing some innocuous song, laughing and cracking jokes, and discussing big plans about the next stop were just good times.  There was a little daylight left so we decided to do a second pier in a day, so Chica 2 headed the car east to Cocoa Beach. 

We heard a lot about this little pier and were excited for the opportunity to do a little more exploration of the area. The traffic was heavy as we slowly chugged through town and out to the beach. Before you know it we were headed to Port Canaveral! 

Turn her around Chica 2, we’ve missed our destination. By now dusk had transformed to dark and finding the pier became more difficult, but we are two trusty adventurers!
Harken dear Chica 2, yonder a circle in the midst of darkness.  We arrived at the Coca Beach Pier.  Parking was easy enough and free after 4 p.m. Since it was still early, we decided to do a little fishing.

Strolling out on the pier was interesting initially. There were quite a few people waiting for seats at the different restaurants. The signs pointed through one area and around a corner to the fishing pier. 

After we rounded the last corner, Chica 2 quizzically asked if we had died.  It was so dark, you would have thought we suddenly passed into the hereafter. At the end of the pier was a final bar, but between here and there was the fishing area.

We sat on a bench and listened to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. It was a wonderful experience and when paired with the partly cloudy sky, it was a nice end to a perfect day. Needless to say, it was far too dark to fish, even though we gave it the old 2 Chica try!!

It is time to go Chica 2, who in the pitch dark, cast her line over the side of the pier in hopes of snagging the perfect fish. We can only hope she didn’t hook the Loch Ness Monster! Come on little coo coo bird! 2 Chicas say Cocoa Pier is best enjoyed during the day!


2 Chicas Find Merit on this Island

 2 Chicas were refreshed and headed to the first adventure of the day. As we pulled off the exit to Merritt Island, just thinking about this bird sanctuary had Chica 1’s juices flowing.

What might we see Chica 2?  Maybe we would get a glimpse of something exotic and out of the ordinary for Florida. What in the world would that be?

Chica 1 started singing “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas”. You win again, Chica 2, a hippopotamus would be different! 

Merritt Island has a National Wildlife Refuge within eyesight of John F. Kennedy Space Center. Yes, eagles and space shuttles soar within the same rarefied air and zip code!

The birds and other wild life from sea turtles to manatees is a wild life lover’s dream. There are bald eagles and falcons, ducks and wood peckers, the rare wood stork and the common egrets and herons.

At different times during the breeding season, birds are in their full breeding plumage. It is an incredible sight!

2 Chicas always begin at the Visitor Information Center, and this trip is no different. There are always extremely helpful rangers who know the lay of the land and can point out details that you are sure to miss when venturing out on your own.

The kind ranger pointed out unique features of the area, including the exact location of a nesting eagle.

So off we go to explore the varied habitat. Chica 2 was her normal excited self, pointing and squealing at the different birds sitting on electrical wires and flitting back and forth in front of the car. What’s that? She would ask and

Chica 1 would look through the bird book to try and identify the species.  It was great fun!

Out on Wildlife Drive, it was obvious we had entered the home of the animals. The gravel road and wetlands all around were filled with various species of birds relaxing or feeding. They were amazing unfazed at the car grumbling down the road with two passengers peeking out to take pictures.

We drive all over this island – over to a canal that often has manatees enjoying the warm water.  We end our journey at the Canaveral National Seashore.

Surely you have seen the hundreds of people on the seashore taking pictures of the space shuttle taking off for some long journey into the unknown.

If you look north, you will see the buildings used to house the space shuttle. The platform is also visible, but it was a little overcast the day we were out on the shore.

The peacefulness of Merritt Island and Canaveral Seashore are best enjoyed during the week. 2 Chicas were pretty much alone on many of the roads.

We could pick our spot for fishing, hiking or just sitting and watching a great heron hunt and dine. Come on over – you won’t be disappointed!

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Washington Oaks to Ormond Beach

2 Chicas Stroll the Garden

2 Chicas are now driving through Hastings – the potato capital of Florida. There are 21,000 acres of potatoes grown in this little town. How is it possible that Chica 2 would remember the Lays Potato chip commercial involving two good looking farmers from Hastings?

Now she wants to deviate from our plan and go find the guys who grow the potatoes that are used by Lays and wanted by a Chica. We don’t have time for that wild goose chase Chica 2!!!

The drive over to Washington Oaks Gardens was quiet and filled with the little events that make life special. The times you look up in the sky and notice how blue and clear it is.

The moment a tiny sparrow flits in front of your car and lands on the grass at the side of the road. God makes such beauty apparent everywhere.
 

Chica 2 really was mesmerized by the views once we turned onto A1A – considered one of the most scenic drives in America. That is if you drive it from one end of the country to the other. Tee hee hee

Always a sucker for an unplanned stop, Chica 2 hit the brakes and turned into Fort Matanzas National Monument. The fort sits out in the Matanzas River; a ferry ride away. This was not a planned stop so no time for a ferry ride. Back to the road!

Washington Oaks was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington. Very distant by the look of the shabby cabin that once had a spot overlooking the river. Tee hee hee

The property’s latest claim to fame is it was the winter home of Owen D. and Louise P. Young. He was the Chairman of General Electric and the founder and Chairman of RCA.  He was a pretty big shot; in 1929 he was Times “Man of the Year”. 

Mrs. Young was no slouch. She manufactured lingerie and table linen in the Phillippines. Just imagine an international business WOMAN in the twenties! Chica 2 said Mrs. Young was her hero! It is most obvious that she was the founder and Chairperson of Victoria’s Secret.

Chica 2 felt she did a great job of keeping it a secret, because who ever heard of her? No she was not linked to Victoria’s Secret Chica 2, as usual, you have your facts a little askew!

Chica 2 actually was quite interested in the coquina columns at the entrance of the property.

For those of you who don’t know, coquina rock is made by sand, shells and water joining together to make a material that was used for building in the early days of the state.

When initially mined, the coquina rock is soft, but when left to dry, it hardens enough to make columns, fire places and other uses. Chica 2 thought the coquina would make a good body scrub. If that is true, then so would cement. I think not!

The home is actually facing the river and the street you drive on while visiting the property was actually the old A1A.

The citrus grove was active prior to the Young’s purchasing the property. Mr. Young, always the entrepreneur, sold the fruit from a stand on the corner.

The formal gardens and all of the landscaping was Mrs. Young’s design. She had a large greenhouse where she grew orchids and the rose garden still has very fragrant roses.

Chica 2 was busy boxing a bee over one single Ingrid Bergman rose. Chica 2 was overheard saying to the rose in a really bad foreign accent:

“You smelled good for him now smell good for me.” Chica 2 we are far from Casablanca. Over by the pond, there is a gazebo and a number of seating areas.

Chica 2 wanted to try her hand at her favorite sport, hillbilly hand fishing. Fortunately, this method of fishing does not work with tadpoles! There are no fish in the different water features. Maybe it will work out in the Matanzas River.

There are many hiking trails, fishing and a large picnic area. A small gift shop sells trinkets and the proceeds are used to maintain the property.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a nice place to get acquainted with the “Real Florida”.

2 Chicas Raising Cane at Bulow Plantation

The Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park marks the site of a former sugar plantation. 2 Chicas turned off the main road onto the long dirt road leading to the site. Chica 2 offered to go get the covered wagon and the horses for the journey down to the plantation.

The bumping and rocking transported Chica 2 back to the horse drawn carriage days. She occasionally hit the brakes and said “Whoa Nelly, slow it down girl”.  Chica 1 rolled her eyes and reminded Chica 2 to take it easy on the suspension.

 

Chica 2 asked if she would be able to grow sugar cane, but a serious answer is difficult to provide. You see Chica 2 has a lot of strengths, but raising and growing things is not one of them. She would excel at the figurative act of raising cane.

As if to prove the point, Chica 2 runs around the interpretive center shooting imaginary arrows at pretend targets. “Look at me, hot Chica Little Hydrolic Feather, Queen of the Seminoles!” More like a hot mess Chica 2. Tee hee hee

The plantation was owned by Major Charles Bulow, and later his son John. This was the largest sugar mill in the state of Florida.

Using slave labor, the production of the plant was significant enough to make the Bulows very wealthy men, as reported by John Audubon.
The Seminole Indians, knowing the land to be theirs, eventually burned this plantation down.  Both of the Bulow men, the father, Charles and the son John died early. 

Where there were once fields, there are now the forests that the Seminoles remembered.

Down at the ruins, 2 Chicas looked at the sugarcane, cotton and indigo growing in a fenced area. Chica 1 shared the sugar cane reminded her of the same plants growing in her Aunt Marie’s back yard.

As a child, Chica 1 would sit on the steps with her dear Aunt and chew on the sweet interior of the sugar cane. Sugar cane is such a simple, wonderful treat that can still be purchased at road side stands during certain parts of the year here in Florida.

There is a beautiful creek that is on one side of the property and the ruins of the slave quarters, sugar mills, and spring house. A hiking trail runs through the middle of the property. The caretaker encourages visitors to spend time down at the creek. He shares that he sits and has a cup of coffee every morning at Bulow Creek; just him and his dog.

This quaint park is linked by a trail to the larger Bulow Creek State Park.  Chica 2 sadly looks back over her shoulder and wishes she didn’t have to leave her Seminole Indians friends so soon. Good-Bye Big Daddy Raw Hide Stargazer!

2 Chicas and the Spirit of Chief Tomokie

When you first drive into Tomoka State Park, it is pretty uneventful, but keep on driving, it gets more and more beautiful at each turn in the road.

2 Chicas drove all the way to the back of the park and parked. There was an incredible sculpture there in honor of Chief Tomokie, who drank from the cup of the Gods.

Not sure what happened to him after his big drink, maybe he was turned into this incredible sculpture. Chica 2 began running around the rendering imagining she was playing with her little friends in the ancient Indian village. Chica 2 you’re it!

Crossing over to the water, there is a little incline down to a beach like area on the Tomoka River. It is pristine and serene! 2 Chicas sat for a while and did a little fishing.

A few small fish taunted us by jumping out of the water. Chica 2 did her normal and threatened to snatch them out of the water with her hillbilly fishing technique. Please don’t try it Chica 2, they may just grab you and drag you under! Tee hee hee.

We leave and go over to the camp store area. There are lots of folks launching their boats so we pause to watch the ballet. Some of the boaters are returning so they dock their boat and go pull their trucks down. There is a nice small deck with a bench where one can fish or just reflect over the beautiful river. The camp store provides many items and is nicely arranged.

Down another side road and there are many areas for fishing and camping on both sides of the tributaries that feed the river. 2 Chicas didn’t know which one to enjoy. We picked a little area off the road with a picnic table and sat watching the water slowly flow downstream.

Another of our fish friends splashed in the water to let us know they were watching us. There was a sense of the ancients still being here in spirit. One could easily imagine them fishing in these beautiful lagoons. Chica 2 swore she heard a voice telling her to come into the creek. Fortunately, she didn’t listen.

There’s also a huge campground on site if you should choose to spend time exploring the fishing onsite. There are all kinds of little areas to boat/canoe, picnic and fish.

During the spring there are often manatees in the canals, and bird-watchers beware – this is a stopping place for migrating birds in the fall/winter!

2 Chicas found Tomoka State Park to be a true Florida jewel! Visit and decide for yourself.

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