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.

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