Lee Duquette parked their
RV at the Thousand Trails Campground in Wauchula, Florida so that they
could kayak the Peace River. It was a nice campground with paved roads
and plenty of 50-amp full-service sites, with adequate space between
sites. But only a few TV channels and very low water pressure. The campground
had cabins, a boat ramp, tent sites, a nice pool, small hot tub and
a small recreation room. Wi-Fi was only at the recreation room by the
office, NOT at sites. No washing cars/RVs. Only back-in sites. Check
out time was noon for RVs. This is the second time that the two RV Gypsies
have been at this campground. In
2013 they went to Solomon's Castle, Bok Tower Gardens, and Spook Hill
while at this campground. If you go there now, there is a link on
that page back to here.
Scroll down for photos during this 2014 visit, kayaking the Peace
River and more. |
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Wauchula is a city located
in Hardee County, Florida, United States. Wauchula has been called the
"Cucumber Capital of the World", although citrus has become
a more important agricultural crop over the past few decades. |
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Lee and Karen Duquette explored Paynes
Creek Historic State Park located on Lake Branch Road one-half mile
southeast of Bowling Green, Florida, on the site where Fort Chokonikla
(1849) once stood. After paying the $3 entry fee, the two RV Gypsies
took a short walk on the Peace River Trail. NO alligators were seen
here. It was a hot day - about 93 degrees, so this was the only trail
that the two RV Gypsies explored. There was not much at this park, just
a few hiking trails, and the Visitor Center, a small picnic area, a
small playground, and a monument honoring Fort Chokonikla. |
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 During
the 1840s, tensions between the settlers and Seminole Indians prompted
authorities to establish a trading post in Florida's interior, away
from settlements. Built in early 1849, the post was attacked and destroyed
by renegade Indians that summer. In late 1849 Fort Chokonikla was built
nearby as the first outpost in a chain of forts established to control
the Seminoles. The Seminoles never attacked the fort, but the Army was
nearly defeated by mosquitoes.
On November 21, 1978, it was added to the U.S. National Register of
Historic Places, under the title of Payne's Creek Massacre-Fort
Chokonikla Site (also known as "site of Chokonikla blockhouse
and bridge" or "Military cemetery").
Today, nature enthusiasts and hikers can enjoy walking along trails
through the park's natural areas. Paynes Creek and the adjoining Peace
River provide opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. A museum
at the visitor center depicts the lives of Florida's Seminole Indians
and pioneers during the 19th century. The visitor center is open 9:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Located one-half mile southeast
of Bowling Green on Lake Branch Road. |
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Karen Duquette noticed that the water level
was high enough to creep up onto several of the steps. She also wondered
why the steps were there since swimming is NOT allowed due to alligators.
Surely nobody stands there to fish, and it is not suitable to launch
a canoe or kayak there.
Oh yeah - the steps were put there just so Karen Duquette could take
a few photos, of course. |
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Lee and Karen Duquette went inside the Visitor Center at Paynes Creek
Historic State Park, and Karen decided to aim the big cannon at Lee
Duquette. What a brave soul Lee was, he stuck his hand inside the cannon
that was aimed at him. Guess he knew Karen would not want to really
hurt him. Duh!
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 Lee
and Karen Duquette took a kayak trip on the Peace River by renting a
kayak at Peace River Adventures. They were picked up at Thousand Trails
campground and driven to the ramp where they launched the rented kayak.
Half a day cost $45 for a 2-person kayak on this date. Single kayaks
were $45 each, so the two RV Gypsies decided on the 2-person kayak.
It was a nice, peaceful, quite trip and the two RV Gypsies were the
only people on this portion of the Peace River. Maybe because it was
a very hot day. (Prices are always subject to change as time passes
and NOT controlled by Lee and Karen Duquette).
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Below: Three turtles on a log. |
NO alligators were seen,
but Lee Duquette did see a snake. Karen did not look. |
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Below: Later, Lee and Karen Duquette hiked
Fern Garden Trail and the Richard Lieber Memorial Trail in Highlands
Hammock State Park in Sebring, Florida. |
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Below: There were lots of
mosquitoes on Fern Garden Trail, but Lee and Karen Duquette had sprayed
themselves and did not get bit. However, due to the heat and the mosquitoes,
it was still NOT a pleasant hike.
The tree below is the 1,000 year old Live Oak that is referred to
as the "oldest living thing in the Hammock" according
to the park's history books. Parts of the tree has been reinforced,
as seen in the photo below on the right which is part of the tree laying
flat on the ground. |
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