Free Florida State Park Admission

Celebrate Veterans Day with Free Entrance to State Parks

In honor of our nation’s veterans and active military personnel,

day-use entry will be free to all state parks on Veterans Day,

Wednesday, November 11.

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going places?

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

- Unknown

And today, I'm going to hunt down a rare bird that has been spotted about halfway across the state. I was determined to get an early start so we can make it home before dark. (And this time, I did remember to put my tripod in the car).

Before we can leave, though, I'm waiting for 'the tree guy' to come and take down an oak I've been begging Duller for 5 years to have removed. It's not a bad tree, but it's blocking our one live oak. Poor tree, it's just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it'll make great firewood after a year or so of seasoning. Meanwhile, maybe some of the pieces will server as stools around the pond I've been begging Duller for 7 years to finish. (*;^)

Where are you going today?

Y'all have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

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Road ramblin'

Sometimes I wonder...


But most times, I'm sure! OK, I know I'm pretty much an anomaly. I definitely march to the beat of that different drummer. And I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in Florida who knows how to drive!

I'm never in such a hurry that I put my life, and that of every other person on the road, in jeopardy just to reach my destination 30 seconds sooner. Yes, I drive the speed limit. It does tickle me - and this really does happen quite often - when someone flies past me and a few minutes later, I pull up next to him at a red light.

It absolutely boggles my mind, though, when someone passes me and never gets any further ahead. If they're not going to go any faster, why did they feel the need to pass? DS's theory is, 'now they're ahead of you'. I don't mind being behind someone. Oddly, I sometimes even stay behind a slower driver for a while. Why not? I do believe that there is joy in the journey. For me, getting there is often more than half the fun.

Unless I have a specific deadline, I stay off the interstate. Exploring the back roads is much more enjoyable. There are times I've had to backtrack. During a trek across the state line a couple years ago, I was bumping merrily down a dirt road when I noticed something strange just ahead. There were wading birds in the middle of the road. I stopped and grabbed my binoculars to get a better look. Hmmm... they're catching frogs - or maybe fish!. The road was totally under water up there. Now I'm game for a new experience, but my truck isn't equipped with scuba gear. (And truth be told, it wouldn't have been a new experience for me. [*;*]) I had to back up about half a mile before I found a safe place to turn around. A couple of weeks later, I wanted to see what was on the other side of that 'lake', so DS and I grabbed the atlas and plotted the route. We explored several other roads on the way and had to backtrack on 2 or 3. No wonder we never saw any other vehicles back there.

We've seen gators in the road before, but never half submerged!

One of the better roads we traveled that second day...

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Colossians 3:12-13

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