Marianna Florida

We did 3 back to back camping trips.  Week 1 was our typical Blue Springs (which the boys went days before us girls), weekend 2 was back to Marianna Florida.  We went to Marianna 2 years ago on a whim and found great caverns and a second blue springs recreation area!  We stayed at a different campground than 2 years ago.  The ONLY draw back I found of this campground was it was just a field with sections for pulling in campers.  Not many trees so not much shade for the trailer which means the A/C was on over drive and didn't get a chance to rest - it felt like it was constantly running!

Tim found a gold dollar coin right a we parked!

This is the office right when you first pull in.  We got to the campground around 2pm Florida time so we just hung out at the camper, got in the pool, then we went to eat dinner at "The Wharf" (which was DELICIOUS by the way), and finished off with some frozen yogurt.

We got up bright and early Saturday morning to try and get to the springs as early as possible.  When we got there I believe we were like 5th in line to get in.  We set up at a pavilion that wasn't reserved for the day.

I was a little upset I didn't bring another book or even realize how close I was to finishing my new Debbie Maccomber book.  I finished it within an hour of being there.

I found a great deal on a Lilly swimsuit at TJMaxx and was so excited to finally wear it!

This was a great book.  A little different from the typical romance novel she writes but it was still great!

The boys loved this slide!

Sunday morning we asked the  campground if we could have a couple hours extra after check out time and they were more than gracious!  We didn't have to leave until 2 pm!  We went ahead and rented kayaks from them (first come first serve) and went exploring on the property.  Merritt Pond was on the property and it was GORGEOUS!  

Because it was Sunday morning most people weren't out on the water (we saw maybe one or two boaters and a sprinkle of kayakers).  We almost had the whole place to ourselves.

I mean ya'll the water was crystal clear!  I couldn't believe it!

We found a dock that wasn't attached to a house and stopped.  The boys got in the water and snorkeled for a bit.

Ya'll know I don't typically get in the cold water but this water wasn't cold and it was clear had there been a way to get into the kayak easily I would have gotten in the water too!  

There were two tree stumps in the water that Tim realized he could use to get back into his kayak.

He found another downed tree stump that he could hop on to get back in on our way back so he got into the water again.

This is when I realized I hadn't taken ANY pictures of the campground.  It was hit by a hurricane 18 months ago so they are still rebuilding a bit.  The swimming pool was right across from our campsite.

There was also a small dog park.

Next to the pool was the activity center, laundry room and bathrooms with showers.

They have a small café attached to the gas station that is right in front of the campground.  We walked over to it Saturday night and ate dinner.

 I wish I had gotten more pictures of the campground, the service and people that run it are amazing!  We will definitely be back Marianna is only 2 hours from our house and it's quickly becoming a favorite of ours.

Blue Springs Recreational Area - Marianna Florida

Thankful to a dance mom that I have known for a good 10 years that clued us in on this little hidden gem!  Marianna is her hometown and when she found out we were at the Caverns she told us to go and explore this place if we had time!  She totally turned around our disappointment of the caverns swimming hole! We are forever grateful for her.  What's funny is both of the swimming holes my family loves are called "Blue Springs".

 This is the entrance to Blue Springs.  Once you pull in you come upon a little gazebo with a cash register and a group of teenage workers.  We ALWAYS ask if there is Military Discount, thankfully this state park lets in Military personnel in for FREE!!! Even though it was a cheap $4 per person and we were happy to pay that price, you can't beat free!  We told all our military friends when we got back because we loved this park so much!!!

 When we first entered we thought parking might be an issue with the trailer.  But once we got further in we realized there was a TON of parking in the back lot that would allow the truck and trailer to be parked under a tree with enough space to back out and for people to get around us if need be. We found an empty shelter with several picnic tables and set up shop with the cooler, chairs, Mason on the dog lead and our wagon to pull all the stuff!

 I walked down after getting everything set up to take some pictures.  They have a bunch of these great picnic tables with roof's which would be great for a small family (I don't know that if we got all our Ohana to come that this would fit us, maybe all our food but not for all of us to sit at!) and you would be right next to the water if you had small children that needed to be supervised.

 This place is HUGE!  There is a ton of stuff for varying abilities to have fun.  There was snorkelers, paddle boaters, diving board, slide, a beach with sand, playground, and just floating.

 Dad and Cale by the beach portion/wading pool.

 Picture with part of the beach.

 Where Kennedie and myself were parked at.  I opened my book I downloaded on the Overdrive app available through our local library and settled in.  We should have brought our gallon bug spray with us to spray the concrete because there was a TON of ants.  They ended up getting into Mason's food.  We tethered him to a spot where he could access food and water, shade, and a place for a bathroom break.

 Some great concrete picnic tables, and off in the distance you can see the truck and trailer.

 My view!  It was beautiful!!

 This park is just beautiful!!!

 Boys came back for a snack and a drink.

 Cale loved the slide.

 Oh these boys!

 Cale on his boogie board.  We keep these in the camper just for this occasion, I think this is the first time this season that he has used it.  This was after his jump from the diving board.

Another pictures of the slide and the picnic tables with roofs.  That one at the end looks shaded enough our big Ohana could make it work.  We can not WAIT to go back!!