Boo Shutdowns

You know, the impact of the federal govt budget crisis is pretty huge. A precedent - no. This has happened in my lifetime even. But I was a bit too young to appreciate it. Praying for the quick resolution of the budget. In the mean time, an FAQ of the NATIONAL park system (with which I am also infatuated) on how the crisis might affect the National Park System.
http://www.npca.org/park_policy/faq-shutdown.html

wish we could go

This past wknd, we went to Fanning Springs State Park (more detailed post coming later). Just a quick post that we learned of a fabulous Garden Festival that happens each year at Fanning Springs on the second Sat in April. This year, it's THIS SATURDAY!!!!!! It showcases FL-friendly gardening and has plants and master gardeners and flowers and rain barrels and friendly-faces and oh, I could go on. Anyway, if you're looking for a fabulous Sat adventure and are in a botanical-kinda mood, head over to Fanning Springs state park. http://www.floridastateparks.org/fanningsprings/events.cfm?viewevent=6311#6311 Peace - KDK

The Beach in January?!?

Why not?!? Typically, B works on Sundays (he's PhD student) so he does not get behind. This partciular Sunday, we decided that since his work that day consisted mostly of reading, we would drive to the beach. He could study on the way there, the way back, and while we were there. We opted for Anastasia State Park. Located in the historic St Augustine, it's a short drive to the beach. So, we packed a picnic lunch and all of our best beach amenities and set off for Anastasia. I even packed my yoga mat and did some yoga-ing on the beach. As it was January, the beach was not crowded at all which was quite nice. While we didn't get into the water, we thoroughly enjoyed all the other things this glorious Atlantic beach had to offer. We also took our outdoor love seat that reclines which is a little slice of heaven.

After the sun went down, we headed into historic St Augustine and walked around finishing up with dinner and of course, beer. We curiously self-toured Flagler College as well which was absolutely beautiful. Tons of history in this area including America's oldest city. You can do all the touristy stuff or just get lost in the nature, historic cobblestone streets, and explore the area like the many a European before.

The ceiling at Flagler College:

A local church - downtown St Augustine

San Felasco Hammock

Hammock. Not as in the kind from which I am posting (think lazy). No, in fact, it's the ecological kind. The kind of hammock that takes thousands of years to form.

There are two entrances to SFH. The south entrance has 3 different trails off Millhopper Rd in Gainesville. No bikes there. The north entrance is almost to Alachua on 441 where bikers can go crazy. Running & horses allowed up there, too. Before I gave up running, the south trails were my sanity. I ran there with a friend, too, on most occasions, which kept me accountable. I ran one of the north trails with some running friends, too, which was back in early Dec when it was VERY WINDY making it VERY COLD. We had a blast nonetheless.

HISTORY WARNING. San Felasco was the sight of some battles - can't exactly remember which ones. Maybe some from the Seminole war? I read about it in Lars Anderson's book on Paines Prairie, but can't remember. I do know the name is thought to be derived from Saint Francis - patron saint of animals and the environment. Anyway. Lots

of preservation re: this area - it's 7000 acres!

It's fabulous though not much historic to "see" per se, better for hiking, running, biking, horseback riding.

Good ol' armadillo. On this run, it was the first warm day in a while. I happened upon several DOZEN armadillo during my 5 mi run that afternoon. Crazy. You could hear them digging all around. Surround-sound brought to you by your fave roadkill.

The Great Florida Savannah

Paynes Prairie. Wow. Tons of history. Fabulous wildlife. Wonderful trails. Superfun outdoor activities. Great scenery. Local author Lars Anderson provides a memorable tribute to Florida's great savannah in his book, paynes prairie, which I borrowed from the local library and read. Again, another one of FL's sinkholes.

I've been to PP twice now - once I hiked Bolen Bluff Trail with my mom and dad when they came to visit beginning of Nov 2010 (one of my patient's recommendations). We saw wild horses!!! *cue Garth* and lots of birds. Paynes Prairie is afterall a gateway to "The Great Florida Birding Trail." Another one of my patients told me occasionally whooping cranes can be seen here! (In my other life, I am an occupational therapist). Anyway - can't seem to find the pix of the horses? Maybe I took them with my parents' camera? At the end of the Bluff, there is an observation tower which was pretty awesome. Make sure (as all hikes) you take water though - not very much shade once you get to the bluff part.

Whooping cranes have been seen in the above places (See FL?!? that's around PP) according to wikipedia entry.

Anywho. The second trip to PP was with the hubs. We visited the amazing visitor's center, climbed the observation tower at the end of Wacahoota Trail, hiked Jackson's Gap, and drove past Lake Wauberg which is BEAUTIFUL. The visitor's center is chocked full of history and has very clean bathrooms. Jackson's Gap is very shady and sandy - again take water. Though we didn't do anything there that day, Lake Wauberg has tons of things to do including kayaking, sailing, rowing, fishing, etc.

We also drove through downtown Micanopy that day though we didn't stop (no time). But, boy oh boy, do we have plans to go back! Such a neat little downtown area with antique shops, coffee shops, and the Mosswood Farm Store. The family who owns Mosswood Farm Store has a family member in TN by the name of T who is my friend. So, I plan to go there - just haven't had a chance. Downtown Micanopy is ADORABLE to say the least. So look for a future post re: antiquing there!

Here are some links for more information: http://www.pineapplepress.com/paynesprairie.html (Lars Anderson's book for purchase)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paynes_Prairie (handy dandy wikipedia)

http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/default.cfm (FL State Parks website on PP)

http://mosswoodfarmstore.com/ (Mosswood Farm Store)

and here are some pics from B's & my visit:

Tree huggin' on Jackson's Gap Trail Bubba & Big Tree on Jackson's Gap

This is actually on private property right next to Jackson's Gap Trail which is named for Archie L Jackson, a 19th century catlle ranger who moved cattle through a gap in the fence near Chacala Pond (according to wildernet.com). If I remember correctly, this remnant of a barn/house was used by Jackson - don't quote me on that.

Our First State Park

The first few posts by force will be retrospective. The very first FL State Park we went to was Devil's Millhopper in Gainesville, FL. One of our best friends, J, who was a groomsmaid in our wedding, came to visit us in our new locale. She holds the honor of being our first houseguest in FL - though I'm not sure how honorable this is as we were in the midst of re-painting the entire house and still unpacking (we had been here less than a month!). Nevertheless, she's incredible, and so was Devil's Millhopper. HISTORY WARNING. You see, FL is unique in that it's chocked full of sinkholes which occur due to limestone and heavy earth above. Anywho. Devil's Millhopper apparently got it's name (according to good ol' wikipedia) from looking like the hopper of a mill and animal bones found in the bottom suggesting animals entered here on their way to meet the devil. It's supercool (literally - due to the canopy above) with many-a-stair (232 to be exact). Devil's Millhopper became a state park in 1974. More info here: http://www.floridastateparks.org/devilsmillhopper/default.cfm Here are our pics that J took with her camera. I stole them from her FB page. Thanks, J! Love you!

so i'm switching gears...

yes, it's been ages. since my last post, B & I moved from TN to the Sunshine State with absolutely no regrets. We very much miss all of our friends and loved ones, however, we are quickly falling head over heals for this beautiful, sun-drenched, nature-loving, beach-going state. For my birthday this year, my fabulous in-laws gave me a FL State Parks Family Pass, and this has become my new goal - to visit as many state parks as possible while we live here.

Soooooooo my blog will now focus on our journey through Florida's wondermous state park system. My goals are to chronical these adventures for ourselves and for anyone who is interested in the history - both natural and other - of this fabulous state. We have even begun map-pinning our journey in our office :).

I'm excited about this new focus. About a year ago, while still living in TN, I began running/training. This changed my life - for the better - at least for a while. I had the world's best running buddy who happened to also be my neighbor, co-worker, and now, close friend. When we moved to FL, I continued my passion for running until a nagging foot pain drove me to seek treatment. After multiple MD visits, MRIs, and custom orthotics, I have now given up running since you only get one physical body for your whole life. For this, and other reasons, I am shifting my focus and re-inventing myself. As a goal-oriented person, this new found passion for the FL State Parks system is a re-invention of sorts.

BEST RUNNING BUDDY EVER