Love What You Find

^^a bumper sticker on the car of a kindred spirit also exploring Bulow Creek^^

ok, we will! Thanks for the advice!

Back in 1831, John Audubon, painted this picture

Greater Yellowlegs

directly across the creek from where

this picture

 was taken!

Florida has quite a number of amusements "parks", and I'm sure
I've been to most of them and have truly enjoyed them,
but

when it comes to parks,

this is the type of place where my heart belongs...

The other day,

Mish and I took the opportunity to do some exploring.

Bulow Creek is a great nearby destination, and

our whole time there we saw only two other people.

No lines, $4 total admission and with

my new Timberlands on my feet

we were ready to roll.

(Side note:  Quote of the day...
Mish: "Hiking through here, you need to simultaneously
look down for snakes while looking up for spider webs!" True!)

Lol...most of the pictures that I took on this day were of Michelle

taking pictures...(still the mom capturing moments of her daughter), and since technically

she is not the subject of this post, the pictures posted here are limited.
Now if I get my hands on her photos, well. then I'll have some displaying to do!

Bulow Creek,

Disney may have Cinderella's castle,
but you have
Fairchild Oak,
the largest live oak in the south
and over 2000 years old!

Now,

I've heard the term "tree-hugger",

but if you ask me,

this grandfather of an oak is reaching out to hug.

 And

I'll certainly be back for one!

"and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

~Robert Frost

"Have Courage and Be Kind"

This quote could have come directly from this

little Princess...

Here is her heart,

"Lucas, you can help me open my gifts."

Said in a sweet, little princess voice.

And as far as her courage,

well,

from past posts, you can see she's a trailblazer...

confident and bold and knows her own mind.

(and she just received two shots at the doctor's; braced herself  and not a tear shed)

Cinderella,

meet Cinderella!

(Lucas: "Nana, let me whisper.

I'm not going to tell anyone else, but that's really Ms. Emily!")

Livia,

may life

hold many treasures for you...

...because you are such a treasure to us!

and remember,

"God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory",

Phil.4:19

the best treasure to us all!

The Musings of the Roadtrippers

^^^guess who would be the one hanging out the window^^^

^^^or how about boiled peanuts!^^^

^^^inside joke...let's just say my camera survived!^^^

^^^The Highwaymen's Legacy continues^^^

^^^or in this case, Satchels' chocolate cake!^^^

So here is some advice

from these three road-trippers....

and, more importantly...

Sisterhood

"Sisterhood is about shared experiences,

knowing you have someone who would be there for you

and would listen to you no matter what,

and who could always tell if there is something wrong.

They are the ones who, with a single look,

know if you are about to burst into giggles

or into tears and why.

They are the ones you could be raging angry with one moment,

and completely forgive ten minutes later

She will always be there for her sister,

and her sister will always be there for her,

because they love each other

no matter what." 
~M.Madow (paraphrased)

The ending of 2016 and beginning of 2017

were pretty epic for one particular reason...

Donna was here for a 10 day visit!
And in those ten days we tried to fit in all aspects of our Florida lives...
off the beaten track of the typical tourist...

from beautiful Blue Springs where we went straight from the airport
to see all of the manatees that gather in the Springs for the winter,

the only problem was that we did not see ONE manatee!!

To the bat bat houses on UF campus

but the problem here was that it was "freezing" (by Florida standards)

and apparently the bats agreed, because the thousands that flock out at dusk

did not appear!  Donna did claim to see ONE though!

She did get to have some of the best pizza in the world at Satchels,

and made a stop at our favorite Swamp.

(Paynes Prairie next time!) 

She met Christa's beloved cows

and we hopped up to Alachua to feed carrots to some old-timers.

She met my co-workers...(Kristy, she wants to spend time with you!)...
and we spent a lovely lunch with Susan, where as we pulled away,
Donna lamented that we didn't get our group shot.  So, Susan, we need a do-over!

Mish took Donna on a behind the scenes tour of her current stomping grounds,
Flagler College, and

we enjoyed St. Augustine's

beautiful Night of Lights,

the Alligator Farm and the newest addition, the Aquarium.

And the time she was able to spend with grand-nieces and nephew...priceless!

Donna,

don't let too many more sunsets pass by before your next visit!

There are more laughs to be had, more memories to make,

and a kayak trip with your name on it!

"Hurry back!!!!!!!!!!"

(an exclamation mark representing all who is saying that quote)

A Boot Scootin' Party

Christa Jean,

even "your" cows wanted to be nearby

and

celebrate you!

The only time they stopped by all weekend,

and they certainly added to the décor...

you certainly are a "cow"girl!

And thanks for wanting this themed party,

which forced me to buy BOOTS!!

(They're too pretty to put away...lol)

Your love for life

(and Karma Cream)

is contagious,

and affects all who cross your path.

Keep spreading the love,

cause it comes right back round to you!

(that could be a lyric in a country song!)

 Happy Birthday, Dear Daughter,

and may this next year

be as wonderful to you

as you are to all of us!

And keep on dancing!