The Move Inland

Since I’d booked an Auto Train ticket for late March it was time to head toward the middle with a stop or two. Returning to tent mode was desirable though a state park during spring break was out of the question. When I tapped Hipcamp once again, I found Black Horse Resort Ranch offering camping, a swimming pool, trails, a community kitchen and clubhouse. With the Ocala National Forest on three sides, I could be an active camper without being an equestrian, so why not? A new experience.

On day one with map in hand, I set out walking the longest trail until I dead-ended at the ponds. The trails are sandy so with temps in the high-80s it felt like I was walking in the desert not the woods. Much to my surprise I never saw another soul on foot or horseback. When I returned, I tried to confirm the trail length, but what I heard was that it was bear breeding season so I best be careful. “You walked all that way in that deep sand today​?” I was also asked if I wanted to see a photo taken by a horse lover the day prior of a 5’ rattlesnake. All of this info was brought to my attention after my two-hour journey. I did not repeat this activity.

My second night, I was enjoying the sunset from my site but it was obvious that a group was gathered around a large campfire. Very few sites have firepits so I wondered if this was an invitation only situation. Indeed it is, and since I was a week-long tent camper (the only tent camper), I never received an invite. As it turns out, there’s a group of equestrian RVers who have been seasonal visitors here for 20-to-30 years and penetrating that clique takes more than simply showing up. Woe is me, but they definitely wanted me to “have a blessed day”.

While I did get myself into the nearby town of Umatilla for two days of pedaling, the Ranch is a nice property where I could walk the perimeter trail, lift weights at the clubhouse, and relax poolside with a book. It was a hot day by the pool when I started chatting with Monique, a young, single woman who was also a novice ranch resident. She hails from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, so alas, we had plenty to talk about and plan to stay in touch.
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Was this the experience that I had envisioned? I’m not sure I had a vision, but I’d say that this did not feel like the Ponderosa.