agesilaus wrote:
We just came back from Manatee and it was bizarre. Picnic tables were open andin use but picnic tables under a roof were taped off. The swimming area for small kids was taped off. They had maybe a hundred blue 'x's' taped on the side walk spaces about 6 feet apart. That park has never had that many people in it and what do they expect, that people are going to line up to take a swim?? Not a ranger in sight either.
And the ranger at the gate denies knowing anything about reopening camping even tho they are taking reservations for the 25th on?
Despite the foolishness we had a great swim in the spring, we were just about the only two really swimming, tho there were a couple paddling around the edge. The water is very clear for the springs tho not crystal clear.
As for the delay it never made sense to close camping in the first place. And leave the hiking trails open so people can get exercise. Georgia did not. Close the rest rooms and visitor centers OK but camping is a low population activity. Florida has almost 100% elected state officers from one party, but one the commissionaire of Agriculture is from the opposite party and she is in control of the parks and I assume closed them. I think Governor DeSantis overrode her to reopen them.
Closing the parks and camping was a bad decision but the Governor got sucked up in the hype. Everything north of Orlando is very low risk. The Fed decision to close the Ocala National Forest was even dumber. It cost me one camping trip to the springs already.
