Lithia Springs

 

Lithia Springs is a county park near Tampa that is on the Alafia River for paddling, it contains a natural spring for swimming. It is next to a large upscale residential development (Fishhawk Ranch) with over 40 miles of concrete bike trails that wind through all their natural areas. A trail starts near the park entrance.

They do not take reservations but when you find a campsite they  allow you to stay for 30 days or just 14 days if you pick a popular riverside campsite.

I got here by 9 am on Sunday morning and of course it was full but several people would be leaving before noon. I wanted to get a riverside site but none would be available so I took site 15. I will watch for anyone moving out near the river and move for the remainder of my planned 2 week stay.

This is a photo of the spring swimming area.

This is typical bike path scene, the Sandhill Cranes are very tame and wander all through the development and are not frightened by bikes or people

I rested and watched the World Cup soccer match and some NFL football games on Sunday. 

On Monday and Tuesday I took two bikes rides totaling 37 miles, gotta keep doing my Cardiac Rehab. It is cool about 70^o each day, we are getting some light rain on Tuesday afternoon. Here is a link to a map I created for trails in the area https://bcpoa.org/FHMap.pdf

Judi & Larry Fordyce are supposed to stop and camp with me for a few days starting on Christmas Eve. Hope it doesn't get as cold as the weather reports are indicating.