Camp Blanding Joint Training Center

Trying to plan today last night was loose at best as all the weather apps we use indicated 40% chance of rain, or higher.  Both where we played golf yesterday, as well as where we were headed.  There seemed to be a dip in the rain likelihood between 9am and noon around Starke, FL as well as warmer temperatures forecast, so we decided to get an early start and drive the 2 hours down to Starke, FL, where there were two different 9-hole courses to select from.

Woke up to 55 degrees in Waycross and were on the road about 7:30.  We plugged in directions for the closer of the two courses which had slightly better reviews figuring that if it was closed or crowded, we could wander over to the other course.  We enjoyed 4-lane roads (65mph speed limit) till we got to the Florida border, as well as temperatures climbing as we went further south.  On the way down, Kris checked for a Starbucks near Starke, FL, and found there weren’t any.  To which Darrell decided to be silly and told Kris that today was our day to tie so neither of us would have to buy.

The golf course we selected did not even have a web site, which is a strong indicator that it is a mom-and-pop type operation, which we like to support when we can.  We arrived about 9:30am to an empty parking lot (and 73 degrees), which was a surprise as today is the day Veterans Day is observed for work purposes.  We expected people being off work might be trying to play golf.

Surprise number two was the rate - $18/person with a cart.  While we enjoyed the rate, we lowered our expectations regarding the course.  After warming up on the range (range balls were provided in a plastic grocery bag, not the usual plastic basket), we tee-ed off behind a three-some.  We both hit good tee shots, with Darrell putting his second shot on the green about 6 feet from the pin (from 160 yards away).  Reach in the green, we found them to be in poor condition, a sign of a golf course struggling.

Darrell birdied the hole and headed for the second hole up by three shots.  On the next hole, Darrell parred the hole, to increase his lead by another stoke.  We then played pretty even golf with Darrell being two over par at the turn, and up by 7 strokes.  Of course, this usually gets Kris fired up, and she proceeded to chip away at the lead by making par on six of the back nine holes.  After the last ball had dropped in the cup on hole 18, Darrell had the honors by one stroke.  And it was sunny and 83 degrees when we finished.  Both of us enjoyed playing golf in shorts and short sleeves for a change.  And no rain.  Waa hoo!

What to do.  We settled for a poor substitute for a Starbucks Frappuccino by getting carmel frappes at McDonalds.  The traffic on US301 going through Starke, FL, made it a bit of a challenge to get in and out of the McDonalds.

After a couple of errands, we headed for Option A for camping tonight, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center located about 11 miles east of Starke, FL.  Camp Blanding is a Florida National Guard base.  Last year, we had stopped by the base to check out the camping option for future trips.  Info on camping on the base said we had to have advance reservations, but no one answered the phone when we tried to call.  So we took a chance.  Entering the base, the base was deserted, in part because it was a federal holiday.  We made our way to the check-in office to find it closed.  After picking a site (there were many sites to choose from), we checked in with the campground host just as we saw a rainbow over the lake:

Sprinty got nestled into a fairly level electric-water site with a view of the lake for $20/night.  The view is nice enough to draw the attention of Echo, Lookout and Soar: