February 26 - We arrived at Elite Resorts of America. It is a very large RV park on Little Lake Kerr. We love, REALLY LOVE, our site with the full deck to relax and cook on the BBQ. To be out of dirt and sand and room for the truck and bike is awesome. Our walks down to the lake everyday are quite enjoyable. This is one of the sunset pictures Ray was able to capture.
Sunday, March 16 - After experiencing a mild winter in central Florida, Marsha and I are enjoying our second residency for the winter in Salt Springs, located east of Ocala and at the north end of Ocala National Forest.
This morning we decided to ride our 2005 Gold Wing motorcycle into the area of the famous horse ranches around the Ocala area. The temperature in early AM was already 60 with a high predicted near 80. We dressed in layers, with our outer layer being leather. We took route 316 west. Most of the roads in the Ocala National Forest are relatively straight with a very slight roll to them. At any moment, you expect to see any one of many native animals that inhabit the forest. Today, many black birds, buzzards, squirrels, raccoon, armadillo and many small birds welcomed us as we rode into the morning haze.
North of Ocala, approximately 7-miles, we started to pass horse ranches. Shortly after crossing over I-75 on route 316, we turned south on route 225. It is hard to explain the vastness of this area and each ranch has its own identity, some with large metal gates with initials or names. The ranches are divided with wood fences painted mostly white, black or stained dark. The land is cleared for grazing and looks like a manicured yard except for occasional large moss-laden oaks. The barns or stables appear to be so upscale they could be fit for human habitation rather than horses. In addition, the most pleasant surprise was the magnificent horses, most of them quarter horses with their colts staying very close to their mother. Moreover, we admired the amazing homes sitting majestically down the very long entrance driveways.
