 |
Stephen Foster museum
In looking for campground in Florida on the Reserve America reservation website Randy ran across The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. It offered the Stephen Foster Museum, Carillon Tower, Craft Square/Gift Shop and a view of the famous Suwannee River. Randy saw they had pianos and knew Joyce would enjoy those and the "Folk Culture". We stayed checked in February 5th and checked out on the Friday the 10th.
The museum featured dioramas from some of Stephen Fosters songs such as "Way Down Upon de Swanee Ribber", "Oh! Susanna", "My Old Kentucky Home". He wrote over 200 published songs and though they don't believe he was ever in Florida it was suggested and land donated as a memorial to him. The Carillon Tower is home to the worlds largest tubular bell instrument, constructed and installed in 1957. Both the museum & tower offer a collection of antique pianos. They also have craftsmen demonstrating various arts and traditional crafts usually Thursday- Sunday. It also had cabins to rent for those canoeing or kayaking on the river. |
 |
Carillon Tower
All during the day the Carillon Tower chimes every quarter hour and plays different songs of Stephen Foster on certain hours. Who knew you could be camping in a park enjoying something like this.This pic was taken on one of our bike rides from the campground.
|
We arrived on Sunday at the park. The site had been raked smooth and was ready for us.
 |
| Camp host with his 4 rake drag |
 |
| The most level and smooth site we've had |
 |
| Site #26 |
After getting setup in our site #26 we went to the museum to listen to a Dulcimer concert they were having from 1:30 - 3:30. They played the hammer and mountain dulcimer & played Wednesday-Sunday. The main performer has won various awards for his playing. They were campground volunteers. Jan also played the guitar and piano. Such talent! It inspired Joyce to get her mountain dulcimer in tune & ready to get serious about learning to play her hammer dulcimer!
 |
| Dioramas circled the main entrance in the beautiful museum. |
 |
| One of the many antique pianos. This one had a rare Von Ranko' keyboard. |
 |
Joyce enjoying the Hammer and Mountain dulcimer concert
|
We returned to our site and Joyce cooked boneless pork chop, roasted potatoes and green beans. We ate outside and enjoyed a campfire.
 |
| Suwannee River Journey |
 |
Stephen Foster never been here
|
Joyce had asked a Ranger what the WONDERFUL smelling (which the bees also loved) flowering bush below was called. The Ranger said they'd been asked a lot but none of them knew. After going thru a lot of online research Joyce finally found the name!
 |
Bee on a Pinxter Azalea plant.
|
 |
| Beautiful Rhododendron flowers |
 |
Home sweet home.
 |
| Our campsite...loved the woods behind us! |
 |
| Joyce cooking pork loin in her electric pressure cooker |
|
 |
| The finished product |
 |
Pork loin, scalloped potatoes and lima beans...mmm carb overload!
 |
| Almost forgot to add Joyce's homemade pizza on the grill |
|
The whole campground was beautiful and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay here. Again wish we could have stayed longer but the weekend was booked up. We rode our bicycles and toured the museum. There were small little home buildings were craft people shared their wares. We met park volunteers that work here till April then they move to Sherando Lake campground in Virginia to work thru August. That is a camp area we'd looked when staying with Joyce's sister a couple of years ago. It's only about 30 minutes from Laura's. Anita & Randy (the volunteers) loved the area so much they return to work there each year. We can't wait to try it out next time we're in Virginia!
No comments:
Post a Comment