Getting Wild and Crazy at Wildcat Creek

The National Park Service doesn't have anything on my parents (correction, father). Nor does an engineer with his fancy, smancy degree. I take it my father has watched one too many episodes of How It's Made or how it's built or how it's anything. My family home is located near the beautiful Wildcat Creek in Calhoun County, Florida. This creek feeds into the even more beautiful Chipola River. (seriously, you haven't tubed until you have gone down the crystal clear waters of the Chipola) We have a small national treasure on our hands, complete with natural springs and our very own "waterfall" that disappears into the ground, just to come out at the banks of the Wildcat Creek. But we are the lucky ones that are the only ones to get to enjoy it.

Waterfall, kinda

My father and his nephew and his sons have been diligently working on their little "mangrounds" or campground, to normal people. It started when they began clearing out a trail from my parents house to the nephews house, which is located across the creek and through the woods a good little ways, so that the boys can ride their four wheeler back and forth between the two houses. The only problem was how to cross the creek. Well...this is what they came up with.

Bridge

That's right, well drilling stem and cattle fencing. Looks safe, right? But I guess it works. And the other ramp is for this.

The doggies can't walk across the bridge because their litttle paws would fall through, so they have their own special crossing. Now for a peek at the "work in progress" campground.

There are a few candle lanterns hung up and then the infamous tractor tire rim grill. The pallets were used in the first attempt at a bridge, but was quickly abandoned for obvious reasons.

My father made this little bench/table to put down there, so that when they have their manly bonding time, they have somewhere to sit and eat.

Pretty nifty, right? Who knew that pops had woodworking skillz up his sleeve! And here are a few more random pictures from down at the creek!

Next time I am home, I will have to go deeper in the woods to the spot in the creek where there is a beautiful sandy beach area. But I had on my good shoes, so that didn't happen on this past trip!!