Monticello FL
Today, we drove to Gainesville to meet up with Carolyn and Nina (friends from Pittsburgh) and visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/default.cfm).
The four of us trekked first to the visitor center where we got maps and planned our day. We started with a walk to an observation tower. We looked out over miles of prairie. The colors were amazing – red grasses, lavender and yellow wildflowers, and trees in every shade of green. We saw some wild horses far off in the distance and, a bit closer, osprey nest.
From there, we hiked nearly two miles into the woods in search of Sandhill Cranes. We found a falling-down house, fungi, and swamp, but no cranes. We returned to the car and devoured our snacks.
Next, we drove to a different part of the park, again in search of the elusive Sandhill Crane. This time, we walked across a half-mile of boardwalk, observing alligators, turtles, and egrets. We sat for quite a while at the end of the boardwalk, just taking in the majesty of the prairie.
We then started walking out towards another observation tower. This time, there was no barrier between us and the wildlife. Alligators were “right over there”. Kelly did really well – she did not run or scream. It was very hot.
After about a half mile, Carolyn and I turned back. Kelly and Nina went on, but were stopped very close to their goal by an alligator sleeping in the middle of the trail. While they were off looking for cranes, Carolyn and I sat at the end of the boardwalk and watched the wildlife for a long time.
Kelly got a new stamp for her passport and I resisted the urge to purchase a small cookbook devoted to Native American cooking.
After we all got back to the car, used the port-a-jane, and ate more snacks, we headed off for dinner. We found a place in downtown Gainesville, a Spanish tapas restaurant. We each ordered something different and shared.
It was a long and wonderful day. I enjoyed a day away from the angst of the trailer, just quietly enjoying the company of these two good friends.
But wait, there’s more. You knew we could not have a comletely idyllic day. While driving home, I found a tick on my neck. It was about one-fourth the size of my little finger nail and strongly embedded in my skin. I totally freaked. I dug it out and threw it out the window. Later, when we got home, Kelly found another one on my flank. There is irony here – alligators and snakes don’t bother me that much, but I freak at a tick.
From there, we hiked nearly two miles into the woods in search of Sandhill Cranes. We found a falling-down house, fungi, and swamp, but no cranes. We returned to the car and devoured our snacks.
After we all got back to the car, used the port-a-jane, and ate more snacks, we headed off for dinner. We found a place in downtown Gainesville, a Spanish tapas restaurant. We each ordered something different and shared.
It was a long and wonderful day. I enjoyed a day away from the angst of the trailer, just quietly enjoying the company of these two good friends.
But wait, there’s more. You knew we could not have a comletely idyllic day. While driving home, I found a tick on my neck. It was about one-fourth the size of my little finger nail and strongly embedded in my skin. I totally freaked. I dug it out and threw it out the window. Later, when we got home, Kelly found another one on my flank. There is irony here – alligators and snakes don’t bother me that much, but I freak at a tick.
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