Sept 16
This week's Adventure Friday, required a change in plans. We had initially planned to go to Big Shoals State Forest and Park this week, but they still have flooding from the Hurricane, so Gary found a closer place to go fishing and adventuring, Lake Townsen Preserve on the Withlacoochee River.
Fishing
This area is known for fishing, so in addition to a boat ramp, there is a long pier for fishing. For the first hour and a half or so the kids and Gary spent fishing while I walked the twins along the pier. Even Will at one point wanted to fish, and got ahold of one of the new fishing rods without a hook. Of course, he managed to drop it in the river, and that was the end of that. The kids had a good time, and several fish robbed lines of their bait, but unfortunately no one caught anything yesterday. Jon on the other hand really loved watching the trucks back their boats into the water, and seemed enamored with the boats in general. Each time one arrived, he would insist that we walk over to watch them.
Facilities
After fishing, we went to explore the rest of the nature preserve. As it rained off and on all day, we opted to skip the trails, but instead ambled over to the park. The playground equipment was in great shape, and all the kids found something worth climbing on and exploring. There were also a large number of picnic tables, some a bit worn, and some seemingly brand new, nearly all with covered roofs both near the fishing pier and up near the playground. There were also some very neat and well cared for bathrooms near the playground. The kids played for about an hour and a half, except for Britt who had to take a break from sword fighting with his brothers for his online session of Driver's Ed.
All in all, the area was beautiful and well maintained, with clean restrooms and a nice park for the kids. We will definitely be coming back again to fish. If you'd like to make a visit the preserve is located where County Road 439 dead ends into Lake Lindsey Rd, just south of Istachatta, FL. The park is free.
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