Tomoko State Park reminds me of a tropical rainforest although technically it is not.  It's arched canopy, lines every pathway and sandy road.  This area has been used by many a homesteader, ranging from Native American Indians to an 18th century British landowner who used it for indigo production.

Indigo, although not native to this country was cultivated here and was the dyestuff most widely used in America in the 18th & 19th century.

Click to enlarge and  learn more about Indigo

Sample of the production
model I presume?

Yeah, but what I want to know is where do you get enough urine to fill a 2,000 gallon vat?







I take the one mile trail and am rewarded with unique species, not found on the west coast.

I'm aware this area is teeming with wildlife.  A read a placard that reminds me to look for gray squirrel, whitetail deer, cotton mouse, pleated woodpecker and the barred owl, but mentioned nothing of this guy, the nine-banded armadillo, the only species found in North America.

I startle him, he startles me and I am surprised at how fast this guy can move.  I have all I can do to keep up with him to get these shots!









 Around the next bend I see the coolest looking  baklava bark from a  "Slash Pine" tree.  The pines in this area require an occasional fire to reduce the competition from other trees.  Due to fire prevention policies here, other hardwoods, such as oak and hickory are crowding out and replacing these pines.












I have no idea what this bug is, but is it impressive!  You'll get a better perspective of scale with this quarter I'm holding.

An evening of line dancing at Rockin' Ranch, rounds out the day and I leave wishing I knew more of their local favorites (as well as having my umbrella that's in the car, as it's pouring buckets outside). 

I'm not about to step outside when I return to my campsite, so I assemble my bed completely from the inside, but am unable to remove the back lid without opening the rear hatch.  No matter, everything slips underneath.

Well, there's a reason this area mimics a rain forest!  I guess one should expect rain, even in the "Sunshine" state.