Paynes Prairie State Preserve

We visited Paynes Prairie State Preserve on December 27 & 28, 2013

It is located between Ocala and Gainesville Florida

 

Main Entrance to Park

 

Here is a map of the park

From FloridaStateParks.org

 The following are some pictures from the main road in the park.

 

Very nice and peaceful for walking

 

or bike rides. 

Additionally, there are numerous of trails available for hikes, mountain biking and horse riding.

 

Be on the look out for wildlife

This white tail deer was standing right on the edge of the road.

The Rangers told us that there are wild bisons and horses located on the north side of the park.

 

There is a very nice visitors center located at the end of the park road.

Inside the center are a number of displays and helpful Rangers.

 

It is a short walk from the parking lot to the Center via a concrete path.

 

Right before the start of the metal railing, look for a small blue 4x4 post on the left side of the path.

When you find it, turn your back to the post and look up at the top of the pine trees to see a Bald Eagles nest.

While we were looking at the nest, two eagles flew in with food for their chicks.

I did not have my camera handy, oh well..  :(

 

From the Visitors center, there is a path leading to a fifty foot high observation tower.

 

Views from the top

 

 

There are numerous information plaques throughout the park

(click to read)

 

 

Also, they having a

"Dial and Discover" system that allows you to hear about different items utilizing your cellphone.

 

The park is located on Lake Wauberg

Including a small boat ramp and

boardwalk

view of lake from boardwalk

We did see people fishing from the boardwalk.

 

There are a couple of picnic areas located by the lake too.

 

and a decent playground.

There is a nice path from the playground to the campground.

 

Okay, I know that you visited this site was to see information about the campground!!

 

Great name for a camping area, Puc Puggy Campground, do you agree?

 

Map of Campground

From ReserveAmerica.com

 

The campground has two bathhouse that were clean and in good condition.

(Warning: they are not heated)

 

Most of the sites were very private and lots of trees.

The sites appear to be very easy access for backing into them.

They have fire rings with a grill.  Note: our site did not have a normal grill and I did not see any on other sites.

Additionally, there are numerous tent sites located all in one area.

 

Campground road.

 

Our site, Site #42

The following are some other sites in the park.

Pretty much all of the sites were about the same.

 

Site #18

 

Site #43

 

Site #47

 

We really enjoyed our stay in Paynes Praire State Preserve.

 

One last picture of a unknown plant/tree

 

I hope you enjoyed my write-up.

 

Please keep checking back as I add more parks.

 

Have fun camping and enjoying nature....

 

Please check the link on the right for other State Park reviews.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Hitch Mounting Instructions

Here is how I mounted my front hitch on my 2004 Winnebago Winnie 31C on a Ford E-450 chassis.

I purchased my hitch from etrailer.com, they had the best price that I could find.

The instructions that came with the hitch did not say that you had to remove the front bumper. However, there are only 4 bolts that hold the bumper on, so I just removed the bumper for the installation.

Here are the tools you will need:

13/16 deep socket
3/4 socket
ratchet
drill
9/16 drill bit
Diagonal cutters (wire cutter)

Helper (I drafted my Son for this)

It took us about 1 1/2 hours to complete this project in my driveway.

Lets get started.....







Camper before we began












You will need to remove plastic shroud under the bumper. Use the diagonal cutters to carefully pull out the plastic pin and then the plastic rivet. There are 2 of these, one on each side. The shroud will be easily removed after removing the 2 plastic rivets.









This is the outside bumper bolt on the passenger side. It takes the 13/16 deep well socket. Only remove the large nut, the small nuts stay in place.










Here is the inside bumper bolt on the passenger side. It is a tight fit with the horns right beside it. You can put a hand through the opening in the grill to help with this.











This is the outside bumper bolt of the drivers side. Again, only remove the large nut.










This is the inside bumper bolt on the drivers side.
This is an easy bolt to reach. Warning, I left one nut on slightly, on each side until I could get my son out of the house to help remove the bumper. He was studying for his college finals. Got to have my priorities... Ha Ha Ha... Just joking....











We removed the bumper and set it off to the side. The bumper is not to heavy.












The 2 hitch mounting holes on the passenger side. We will be using the oblong hole in the back and the smaller hole (inside the frame) in the front of the picture to mount the hitch.











The mounting holes on the drivers side.










You don't have to do anything to install the back mounting bolts. Use the carriage bolt and the plate that comes with the hitch. Looking the the side holes, I have no ideal how you would get these items inside the frame without removing the bumper. I know some people have done it, but I would rather remove the bumper.

This is the passenger side.








This is the drivers side. The hitch instructions show the metal plates are suppose to be mounted across the frame. However, they are to long to do this.












I could not resist to test fit the hitch, looks pretty good to me.... You have to slide the hitch towards the rear in order to get the front holes to align.












This is the front mounting hole on the passenger side. You have to enlarge this hole. I used a 9/16 drill bit, it worked for me.









The same hole on the drivers side. You also have enlarge this hole.















Here are the 2 bolts and plates installed on the drivers side. I forgot to take pictures of the enlarged holes and the passenger side. Forgive me.... :)













The hitch is installed!!!!!!!








We reinstalled the bumper. This is the inside passenger nut. It is still difficult to reach but can be done.

Warning: Tighten both outside nuts first, then check and make sure the bumper is level. There are some adjustments to level out the bumper.










Here is the inside bolt on the drivers side.

Reinstall the plastic shroud, rivets, and pins. This took a little finesse to get it back in place. I wanted to make sure that it was installed to make sure the engine cooling system was correct. You know it is very hot in Florida during the summer...

Hallelujah!!! We are done...... I think we did a good job... Let me know what you think by adding your comments in my shoutbox below... Also, if you think I did something wrong, please let me know...

This is what it looks like under the bumper. You do not have to cut any of the plastic to install this hitch.

Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch #65001

Sorry for such a long post. However, I do better when I can see pictures when I do projects.

Also, I am not an expert and do not guaranty this is the complete proper way to install the hitch. It worked for me, but, you may want to use a professional to do your installation.

Till next time, have a great time camping......