Five States in Three Days

Another road trip began on Friday, March 21 as we departed Smithville, Texas heading east. Some long driving days laid ahead as we travel to Florida. Karen has an appointment for her one year post-op hip replacement examination in the Jacksonville, Florida area on Tuesday, March 25.

This was the route on Interstate 10 we are taking to Jacksonville, Florida.

Friday we spent about six hours driving 333 miles, stopping for fuel and a wonderful meal of crawfish etouffe over angel hair pasta and grilled shrimp before arriving in Lafayette, Louisiana. We parked in the Cracker Barrel restaurant back parking lot for the night. The next morning was Karen's birthday and she enjoyed a relaxing morning.

Saturday we drove the 217 miles in about 4 hours to Shepard State Park in Gautier, MS for the night. Shepard State Park has 395 acres abounding with trees and wild flowers, bike and nature trails, 38 developed campsites, restrooms and bathhouses, tent camping and picnicking and an 18-hole disc golf course. The park is nestled in the heart of Singing River (Pascagoula River) country, where legend has it that members of the Pascagoula Indian nation linked hands and walked into the Pascagoula River rather than be taken captive by hostile Indian tribes. The mournful death chant they sang as they walked earned the Pascagoula River the nickname “Singing River”. Tales of the heroic exploits of French and Spanish settlers and romantic legends of the Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians are standard fare in the scenic coastal area surrounding Shepard State Park.

Sunday, March 23 we drove 254 miles into the Florida panhandle and about 4 hours later we arrived at the Eastbank Campgound in Bainbridge, GA. Eastbank Campground is located on Lake Seminole on the Georgia-Florida state line and in the eastern time zone. The lake and surrounding area provide a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for fishing, camping, boating, picnicking, hiking, biking and birding.

Eastbank Campground is a beautifully appointed Army Corps of Engineers facility and a definite do over.

This water-front campsite is $14 a night with our America the Beautiful Senior Lifetime pass.

Monday afternoon we arrived at Blu By U Farms, a Harvest Host site. for two days just outside of Jacksonville, Florida. This will be one of our two base camps while we are in the area for Karen's appointment.

The farm, formerly Veterans Farm, was started in 2010 with the Blueberry bushes in 20 gallon containers and wide rows so the Veterans could maintain them easier in their wheelchairs and scooters, etc. Blu By U purchased the farm in August 2015 off of Craigslist.

Blu By U farm located at Long Branch Road has a Jacksonville address and is located in Clay County with the post office in Baldwin, FL and the town of Maxville just at the end of the road. Blu By U Farm has 8 acres surrounded by an 8ft tall fence around the perimeter, to keep the deer and other animals out, with the Blueberry field on 3 acres within the 8 acres. The farm has expanded its property lines over the years up to 20.5 acres including a wooded area that they are looking into putting cabins in the woods for campers.

The farm also consists of a 1/4 acre pond, two 70ft long greenhouses, 2 deep wells for irrigation and a house/office that was built between 1870 and 1905 which was moved to the location in the 1950’s. Modern conveniences have been added including a kitchen, 2 bathrooms and storage room.

​Blu By U Blueberry Farm opens every year during April and May for about 4 to 5 weeks, so anybody can come and pick their own blueberries. They also sell Blueberry plants in 1 gallon containers and 3 gallon containers, local honey from Apiaries located on the west side of Jacksonville, FL. The bees are brought out to the farm for pollination before the picking season. The farm also sells locally made soy candles and goats milk soap bars provided by Inspired by Light which works with Teen Challenge.

I purchased some Blueberry cobbler and jam to enjoy. They also have Blueberry recipe books, other snacks and drinks for sale.

The RV sites are spacious, located between rows of newly planted fruit trees. Will, the manager here, told us that they are adding more electricity, water and an eventual dump station to the venue. Monday night was quiet, only interrupted by periodic braying of one of the donkeys on the farm. Tuesday morning we were awakened by the distant sound of one of the property's roosters. This is a very affordable and comfortable place to stay in the Jacksonville area which we will take advantage of again in the future.

Billy was very friendly and loved our attention. He followed us around the entire corral enclosure supervising our encounter.