The Start of Summer in Florida!

As they say, “I’ve got good news; I’ve got bad news.” In this case there really isn’t any bad news. Only that my goal of a weekly blog is falling on hard times. But there’s a reason that I’m happy to share.

It’s Sunday – not even Saturday – and I have yet to publish this week’s blog.. After thinking about it, I have decided that until such time as we’re in the RV for our next adventure, I need to settle on doing a blog when I can – hopefully, bi-weekly (since weekly hasn’t worked out very well!).

I can hear some of you asking, “Why is this? What does he have to do – being retired et.al.?” Between now and December 10th, there are only 181 days – of which we will be out of the house for 81 days – leaving only 100 days to get ready. Ready for what? Surprise! We are going to have a photographic art show in Fernandina Beach on December 10th!

Margaret and I met with the folks at Intercoastal Wine store on 2nd street. In addition to selling wine, they allow local artists to hang art on their walls for three months. Our timing was impeccable – Dec, Jan, and Feb are open. So we signed up!

So between now and Dec 10th, I have to finish printing the “good” stuff, deciding on titles, pricing, organization, presentation, and all the things that go with having a show. Fortunately, Margaret has practical experience from her days in California, owning the Frame Game, in preparing artists for shows. And I know she knows her stuff. Every time I come up with an idea, she steps in and sets me straight!

Anyway, it promises to be challenging and hopefully, a lot of fun. I know I’m having fun printing (and critiquing) my photo collection from the past 4 years. The challenge is finding photos that are not only technically correct, but are artistically interesting. On a personal note, I am finding that to print or not to print and then critiquing it after it is printed is helping me grow artistically – at least it seems to be helping!

Last time, I said I would be doing a series of blogs on our local Fort Clinch State Park. Thinking about Fort Clinch the last week made me realize it isn’t fair to dash off a few thoughts and a random photo or two. Living so close to Fort Clinch State Park – it is 1.5 miles to the entrance and 3.0 miles to the Fort itself – we almost take it for granted. During our frequent outings for coffee and breakfast, we often swing in to Fort Clinch State Park to enjoy the woods, river – ocean – and marsh views. In fact, thinking about writing about the park, I realized that there are so many aspects to the park, that it would do an injustice to gloss over the big picture.

For those of you that haven’t been to the Park, there are at least six different aspects. And these are not simply facets of a single feature. Each part is unique. I really want to do it justice, thus I will do my best to cover each part in a separate session.

First off, if you’re not familiar with the Park, you might wish to visit their web-site - http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/ . It will give you an over-view of the Park and activities. I will try, in these blogs, to give you our perspective as a frequent visitor.

I will end this rambling with a photo of the day. There is a new attraction in Fort Clinch – a viewing platform overlooking Egan’s Creek, including the Fernandina Beach lighthouse. I will write about this in the future. The photo is of a tree “stump” on the way to the overlook. As I said in the last blog, I enjoy seeing “things” in trees. Part of the fun is that it is different every time I look at it. Enjoy!

Wayne

Photo Credit - where Credit Due!

Taken to task by the "unknown" photographer!
The photo taken of Margaret and myself in front of the Signorello Winery in Napa Valley (posted 9/26/07) was obviously(?) not taken by me. We were with Carolyn and Harry. She took the photo. Thanks to her - it's one of the best ever taken of the two of us!

Feel better now, Carolyn?

Wayne

Images in trees!

Here it is, Saturday. Where the time goes when one is retired, I’ll never know. Maybe someone can explain it to me! It is my intention to put together a weekly blog to let folks know what’s happening. I thought I’d do this on Thursday but one thing and another and now it's two days later!

We are in the final stages of preparing for our trip to Seattle in July. Unlike traveling in an RV, preparation entails lining up hotel room(s), rental cars, and calendar dates with friends. It may be too early to sigh a sigh of relief but I think we’re about ready. Now as long as the airline doesn’t do something untoward (like cancel our reservations!), we’re ready.

Thinking about my closing comment last time, about finding “interesting” things in nature, above are a few photos from a class I took at FCCJ early this year. Although the class wasn’t what I had hoped for, and significantly different than expected, the first assignment was challenging and interesting. In a few words, he said, “Get as close as your camera will allow. Don’t worry about the setting or technique, just get as close as you can.” Well, I didn’t quite follow his instructions – well, I did to a degree, getting as close as I could. But I couldn’t help “improving” the shots in Photoshop! I’ll leave it to the viewer to decide what they’re seeing. Sort of a Rorschach test! By the way, these photos were taken at the local Bosque Bello cemetery, here on Amelia Island.

I’ve also decided to do some blogs on one of our local state parks – Ft. Clinch. There are enough different aspects to the park that it will take me a few weeks to cover it. Stay tuned!

And just in case I didn’t have enough to do – what with house repairs, preparation for summer / fall travel, I signed up do to a web-site. I should have done it years ago, but I don’t think the technology nor my motivation was ready. Turns out there is a lot do, think about and decisions to be made re: descriptive words, photos to use, and why-am-I-doing-this. I’ll keep you informed when it’s ready to go.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

One outing from O’Leno State Park was to Ichetucknee Springs State Park – about 12 miles west. Ichetucknee Springs is one of the large, fresh water springs in Florida. Not as large or as famous as Silver Springs, it is a great getaway in the heat of summer. As the Florida State Park web-site describes it:

The crystalline Ichetucknee River flows six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before it joins the Santa Fe River. In 1972, the head spring of the river was declared a National Natural Landmark by the U. S. Department of the Interior. From the end of May until early September, tubing down the river is the premier activity in the area. In addition to tubing, visitors can enjoy picnicking, snorkeling, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing. October through March scuba diving is available in the Blue Hole only (you must be cave certified). White-tailed deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, wood ducks and great blue herons can be seen from the river. Picnic areas, equipped with tables and grills, are available throughout the park.

There are two spring outlets in the park – one surfaces at what is called the Blue Bottle because the cave exit is shaped like a bottle. The other, larger spring (shown above) has a small beach. I don’t know what the water temperature was but it felt quite cold to touch. I sure didn’t want to go in the water and I sure as heck didn’t want to go down in the caves under water. People do it and love it; but people also get themselves killed down there!

If you’re interested in more information on the cave system and the folks that dive, check out http://www.alex-warren.com/OldBellamy1999-2002/Article-DOB/Article-DivingOldBellamy-CB.asp

I’ve never seen a detailed map of central and north Florida showing the various caves – mostly fresh water – but I know it’s extensive. I’m not even sure anyone knows the extent of the systems. Since they’re all limestone formations, I just hope that none collapse anytime I’m in the vicinity!

After visiting the springs, we drove on west to the Suwanee River in Branford, FL and had lunch. There were a lot of cars in the lot at the restaurant (no, I can’t remember the name) so we pulled in. Turned out it was a lunch buffet (I usually avoid buffets), but since it was the only place in town and we were hungry, we tried it. Good thing. All Southern style cooking and delicious. We didn’t go hungry!

After lunch we headed back via Lake City, FL and down I-75. A nice day’s outing. Margaret wants to go back someday and kayak down the Ichetucknee Springs river. We’ll see.

I have to comment on one photo. While walking through the woods we passed a tree with a protruding trunk - the local elephant plant? But then I get a lot of fun in seeing "things" in trees, roots, and bark - things that "aren't there"!

Until next week,
Wayne