Day 2 of our 2025 RVing Adventure with Historical & Musical Interludes

Day 2 of our 2025 summer of travel was in the Salt Springs area between there and Barberville. I have heard much about Barberville, from our friend Sheryl, but we never have experienced it!

Debbie and I got 3 and 4 miles in respectively. We walked the many paved roads of the camping area and to the entrance and back a few times!

The Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest. The spectacular natural mineral spring gives the area its name. Plenty of outdoor activities keep campers and day-use visitors busy, including swimming in the springs, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and boating. 

In the early 1900s, many people came to the spring, believing it had medicinal healing powers. Today's visitors will find Salt Springs gushes a staggering 52 million gallons of water daily at a constant 74°. Debbie and I might put our feet in the water one of these days before we leave!

After a leisurely morning, we headed to the Barberville Yard Art Emporium on Route 40. Sheryl was right, you can not describe what you see there! This unique location is currently in the running for "most unique roadside attraction" in the USA Today Best 10.

If I had a ton of money, much of this one of a kind artwork would have come home with me!

We saw so many interesting and unique things. Some I would buy and hang inside!

Other things I would put outside for everyone to enjoy the beauty with me!

The most unique thing we saw today, was a friend we have not seen in about 30 or more years from Hemlock NY! Karen Locke is the mother of our son, Chris's best friend from high school, Teddy Decker. Karen and her husband Jerry had come to Barberville from the Villages with their neighbors. I was walking by and she said ... is that Wendy, no.... yes.... no.... oh, what the heck. She said are you Wendy Parsels? I said yes... what a small world! I called Charlie on the phone and he said "no S&%$?!" He made his way back over to say hello, too. We exchanged info and hope to get together in the fall!

Debbie and I could have walked around for hours, but Jim and Charlie were ready to go. Debbie wanted to get something for the front yard, but Jim was not willing to share his bed with the dinosaur until they get back to Zephyrhills! We will have to make another trip up here!

Naturally, we decided to stop somewhere for a bit to eat. 

We settled on Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill in Astor, Florida.

It sits along the water's edge near a bridge over the St Johns River. We were seated next to the windows on the river. Our server Sarah was awesome. We must be creatures of habit. Charlie & Jim had BLT and fries. Debbie and I had Shrimp Tacos, hers were grilled and mine were blackened!

The mural outside of the restaurant was beautiful! We got back to camp mid-afternoon and enjoyed sitting outside and visiting! 

Tomorrow is another day for adventures! Stay tuned to follow more of our #TwoLaneAdventure