Florence Marina (SP) & Providence Canyon (SP) 6/13/22 - 6/16/22 (#13)

We knew it was going to be warm (HOT) & it didn't disappoint. There was no one is our spot on Sunday night so we left a bit early on Monday & arrived at Florence Marina around noon to check in early. 

Our site (#24) was on the end of one of the lanes & was partially shaded. Only problem was that the non shaded area was where the connections were. Greg got us level & unhooked & started plugging things in. Had to stop several times to sit on the picnic table to cool off. Got everything hooked up & ate lunch before venturing outside later in the day. It was HOT until well past 7:00p a bit of a breeze was our only reprieve.

#24 - Looking northwest, no neighbors

Southeast

The park is only about 8 miles from Providence Canyon (also called the little Grand Canyon). We got up & had breakfast early on Tuesday morning so we could hike a bit of the canyon before the heat of the day set in. The breaker on the power pole flipped a couple of times the night before so we didn't feel comfortable leaving Nelly so, she went on our little adventure with us. 

It wasn't crowded & we decided to head down to the canyon floor. There are 9 separate canyons that are moderate to difficult hikes. It was about a 15 degree decline down about 1/2 mile from the visitor center. Once at the bottom you have to cross a creek bed to go to the easier hikes of the canyons 1-5, or go right for the more rugged trek to 6-9.

During dry times you can walk along the edge of the bed where the soil is a bit compact but you eventually have to cross over several times. It obviously wasn't deep but still wound up with a bit of mud stuck to our shoes.

Nelly didn't know what we had gotten her into, her feet were orange as was her belly before we went back up, wish I had a picture.

Here are a couple of pics from the floor of canyon 5.

Nelly was hot & we stopped to give her water several times on the way back up. We went very slow & she was persevering until about 30 feet from the top. She stopped & refused to move so I carried her the rest of the way. We sat for a while at the center & met a very tall, nice young man from Waycross. He hiked the 2.5 mile rim in about 40 minutes. With Nelly, that would have taken us at least 1.5 hours, if not more.

We stopped at a larger picnic area on the way out of the park that had several viewing areas of the various canyons. Here are a few pics:

Although this & THE Grand Canyon were formed by water, this is all minerals exposed instead of rock. The canyon itself was formed by bad farming practices in the 1800s. They clear cut too much timber which caused erosion when it rained. Little by little the canyon was formed & continues to grow.

Went back to the CG around noon & stopped at the office to let them know of the weak breaker (couldn't run anything (hot water, microwave, etc.) while AC was running). They replaced it within the hour! Greg went back to the office to buy a t-shirt & came home w/some Dippin Dots Ice Cream. 

Decided to take a nap after that. We heard thunder around 4:00 & got up to close the awning & realized the clouds were really cooling things off. It even sprinkled about 30 drops. It was enough that you could shower & then sit outside w/o having to take another shower before bed. Decided to go ahead & give Nelly a bath too.

Papoose to help her dry off

Wound up being a very pleasant afternoon/evening. Even got another good pic of Greg.

We got up early the next day & walked the CG & got a few things packed up before the heat set in again. It was definitely HOT that afternoon - heat index said it felt like 113, I believed it this time. Took yet another nap & had a relaxing night. Thunder threatened rain again but none came during the night.

I'm hot Mom!

Got up early the next day & headed back to the farm where it was HOT there too. 

Can't handle the heat so we are done camping until late September...

Notes: 1) The extension added to our barn where we can park the campe, makes a world of difference when packing & especially unpacking. 2) Everyone, from the check in staff, to the maintenance crew, to the camp hosts were really nice! 3) Oak snake wanted to go camping w/us. Was by the camper as I was finishing last minute preps to leave. Greg gave him a flying lesson over the fence.