If you guessed that I went camping this past weekend from yesterday's post, then you were right! We made our second trip to Tomoka State Park.
Last year was our first camping trip to Tomoka and if you remember from my post, it was rainy and cold. I wore boots to stay dry and wore a sweatshirt and cuddled on or under a blanket to stay warm. This trip is was sunny but brutally hot. I lounged about on my QuikShade Pet Shade most of the day.
(Photo collages are Left Side: 2014 Camping, Right Side: 2015 Camping)
(Photo collages are Left Side: 2014 Camping, Right Side: 2015 Camping)
Tomoka State Park is in Ormond Beach, Florida which is about a 3-hour drive from where I live. It is located along the Intracoastal Waterway and was once home to the Timucan Indians. The park is great for canoeing/kayaking and has a lovely little boardwalk where we watched the boaters come in after a hot morning on the water.
This visit to Tomoka was so much prettier thanks to the sunshine. The water, sky and plant life were much more vibrant in the sun. We realized how much we missed on that first cold and rainy trip.
I am sure you all thinking that it was a bit crazy for us to go camping in July in Florida. We admit, it was a difficult camp. Even though our site was mostly shaded, the sun still poked through and made it very hot. I do give credit to Ma and Daddy-dog though because they had an ingenious idea to beat the heat...bring the blow-up baby pool! They sat around it and soaked their feet after lunch every day until it was time to start prepping for dinner.
I am not one for swimming or wading but even I ventured into the pool to cool off. Soaking my paws really helped to cool me down. I think my face in this photo says it all...
I still say Tomoka State Park is a beautiful park to visit. It has other activities for visitors including hiking, birding and biking. However, if you plan to camp there, bring your own firewood/charcoal if you are not in an RV. Both times we camped Tomoka the camp store didn't carry firewood but the only way to cook while tent camping is in the fire pit. The store needs to step it up a notch!
I still say Tomoka State Park is a beautiful park to visit. It has other activities for visitors including hiking, birding and biking. However, if you plan to camp there, bring your own firewood/charcoal if you are not in an RV. Both times we camped Tomoka the camp store didn't carry firewood but the only way to cook while tent camping is in the fire pit. The store needs to step it up a notch!
It sure is pretty there. Looks like you found a great way to beat the heat! I am surprised the store did not sell firewood.
ReplyDeleteThat Quickshade thing looks pretty interesting. Looks like it was a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteokay - we agree - you are crazy camping in July in Florida :)
ReplyDeletethat's pawsome that they brought the baby pool! I must laugh as I saw how you grinned in the last picture... Could you sleep at night with that heat or are the nights cool in FL in summer?
ReplyDeleteeasy rider
You're kidding me. You're in a subtropical jungle and you want to go to the store for firewood?
ReplyDeleteYour very own swimming pool!! How cool
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Looks like you made the best of the heat! Smart to bring the pool
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
looks like a lot of fun Oz!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I bet you guys had so much fun!!!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
It looks wonderful even if it was horribly hot.... I was wondering what you use for a tie out. It looks like Oz has a long orange line in one of the photos???
ReplyDeleteThe pool part of it sure sounds like fun to me! ...although I have to use a hard plastic pool, or I'll pop it!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you see Cam's Friday post tomorrow - you'll see why!
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher
Oz, we think camping sounds like a lot of fun, but maybe we would prefer to go in the fall:) That QuikShade thingie is very nice, we could use one of those on our deck:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place and super photos.
Woos - Ciara and Lightning
What a fun trip! I agree about not wanting to get my feet wet but it sure was hot so maybe necessary. I assume you packed lots of buy spray? Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteCamping -how fun is that! We're liking the new ride too!
ReplyDeleteAbby the Lab
Love your smile when you are cooling your paws. Is that steam coming up out of the water from your hot paws? ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, Oz! Your mama and daddy dog did a great job! Looks like you enjoyed yourself, despite the heat. Your face is the cutest in the wading pool. Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteYuppers! That last pic is one happy Oz! Sure looks like you had one FABulous time!!!!
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
I would be in dat pool da whole time, BOL!
ReplyDeleteOh glad they brought the kiddy pool cause it has been HOT hot! You look so cute in your shady thing we wuv ours.
ReplyDeletewhat a great visit!
ReplyDelete