Nothing Profound to Say

Just checking in to say although my life flipped upside down six weeks ago, things have strangely worked out. Suppose I need to put more faith in the universe. I want to, I'm just a control freak and want to make things happen.

Last night was the final night I'll be attending the Wakulla Ecotourism Institute/Green Guide Class until next semester (yes, I'm on the three-semester plan). I haven't spent much time with the class but was excited to learn some of the businesses these folks want to start. I'm not going to spill the beans on their plans, you'll just have to stay tuned.

[Note: The above image is from the weekend's road trip to South Florida.]

Getting Caught Up with Life

My ex-husband died last week. I'm trying to get over the shock of a 43-year-old man not waking up. While I try to deal with my feelings about the whole relationship, I know I need to move forward with my life. I still have loose ends to tie and don't have the energy to do so right now. But here I am...

Following the plane crash in Tallahassee on Friday, Feb. 8, I headed to the scene the next day to get some snapshots.

What else is happening in my life?

I'm going back to Green Guide Class in Wakulla next week. I had to miss this week's field trip.

This Friday is Salman Rushdie as part of Seven Days of Opening Nights then my parents arrive for a weekend visit. Think we'll be visiting the Knott House on Saturday. After that, not sure what we'll be doing.

One thing's for sure, I need to get going on cleaning up my apartment.

Did You? Did You? Did You?

VOTE?

Looks like McCain will take the Republican vote and Hillary's taking the Democratic one here in Florida. Interesting. Here in Tally, don't think I saw a single Clinton sign. Have seen loads of Ron Paul, handful of Huckabee and sprinkling of Giuliani signs. But then again, maybe Tallahassee isn't representative of the entire state.

Anyway, I cast my vote during the early voting period and suppose my choice ranked third, I haven't heard.

And what's new with me? Just got back from a business trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and head out again on Saturday for another biz trip. TCC's Green Guide program started last night and I'll be taking a few classes this semester. I heard it's the largest group yet. Which is very cool.

I'll be able to catch up on things going on in and around Tallahassee soon (I hope).

Green Guide Class: Bitter Sweet

It's hard to believe this semester's Wakulla Ecotourism Institute is over. It's been a fabulous ride and I'm looking forward to finishing up next semester.

Last weekend was a field trip to explore some of the sink holes in Wakulla State Park and Apalachicola State Park with Cal Jameson. Cal's a self-proclaimed hippie from the 1970s who skinny dipped in many of the sinks he showed.

Oh, the tales he told!

It was a great day hearing a slice of Wakulla history with another resident who lived. He talked of how the hippies camped near these swim holes in the 1970s and how the sheriff would try to bust them up. He talked about the raising of a car found at the bottom of a sink (and explained how sink holes end up being dumping grounds for stolen items, like stolen cars).

Some of the sinks were crystal clear and very tempting to jump into. Some were covered in duck weed and some topped with fallen leaves. He gave us a map and pointed out which ones are still swimming holes and showed us where we can drive, park and ride a bike (or walk) to the cooling off spot.

The next day, the class graduated, all but me. I'm a part-timer, remember? It was bitter sweet. One after one each student gave their presentation. I was so proud of them. I got a little teary-eyed here and there.

A celebration followed at Melody's and Norm's place, bonfire and all. It was a great way to chill, meet some of the family members of students and end the semester.

I'm looking forward to the next set of classes which begin in January. It'll be interesting to see how the next group of future green guides are.

If anyone's interested, be sure to get in touch with Tallahassee Community College. Check out the video below, too.

Be sure to check out my latest article on Ecotourism Travel to Wakulla.

Green Guide Class: Creatures from the Black Lagoon

Sunday was another beautiful day in paradise, at least another beautiful day in Wakulla County. Green Guide Class was at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.

I arrived early to grab lunch at the Lodge's restaurant (mmm, fried chicken) then met up with the rest of the group and Jeff Hudd with the Florida State Park Service. First was a glass bottom boat trip (see the photo of the manatee tail, other classmates and me with the camera?) in which we had different tasks (I had to look for the secchi disk, no, not pronounced "sexy disk"), followed by sampling collecting - dipping our nets in native water plants and non-native (hydrilla) and comparing the number of species found, then a river cruise up the Wakulla River.

It was a fabulously, gorgeous day, not too hot, not windy, just perfect. Saw woolly mammoth bones at the bottom of the springs (from the glass bottom boat), the invasive impact of hydrilla (it's everywhere!), three manatees (including a calf - awwww!), a big ass alligator along with loads of birds, turtles and other gators.

I'm taking a break from classes over the next couple of weeks, I have too much going on this week to make it down south and Sunday I head to Italy for a week (yes, already).

Soon I'll have photos organized for everyone's viewing enjoyment. For now, enjoy snapshots from the day in Wakulla Springs State Park!

Oh, and for you movie buffs. Creature from the Black Lagoon was one of many flicks filmed here in the park.

Green Guide Class: Critters in the Air, Sea and Land

Despite a 6 a.m. wake up call, today was awesome. Finally, the temperature has cooled down and the humidity has dropped making being outside enjoyable.

My day began at Mashes Sands Park on Hwy. 98 past Panacea. We met up with George for some early morning bird watching. (Stupid me, I forgot my binoculars, but honestly, I have no idea where they are. Well, I know which room they're in, just not which box).

I also learned something new about horseshoe crabs - usually the shells found washed up on beaches is just that, a shell. The crab inside most likely shed it for a new one. Pretty cool!

Next was lunch at Posey's - grouper sandwich, yum!

Then, Jack Rudlow, founder of Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories gave us a tour. I have to say, this place is pretty cool. There were several touch tanks to feel all sorts of sea critters, from starfish to scallops and sea urchins to seaweed. There are also non-touchable tanks to observe and watch the sea life, such as sea turtles, sharks and fiddler crabs.

While there, a fisherman had hooked a Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle and brought it in to have the hook removed. The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is the only authorized turtle rehap center in the area. I've enclosed a photo of the turtle and circled the hook. Luckily, the hook was easily removed and the turtle will soon be released.

We were also at the lab during feeding time, which was fun to see the reactions of the sea critters. Enjoy the video below of the spider crabs feeding. They really are ugly creatures but fun to watch. Over on my QuirkyKitschGirl site, check out the video on the remora (suckerfish) feeding. These are the fish which attach themselves to the bottom of sharks, manatees and turtles.

Since I was already in Panacea, I decided to head over to the Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola. I love that town! Indulged in gumbo and oyster stew, saw a crab race and enjoyed great music. A band was even playing on a boat! (Not in the boat below, I just liked this boat.)

Got to tour the newest hotel in Apalachicola, Water Street Hotel & Marina. It only has 30 rooms but they're huge and very comfortable. It's not in the downtown area but an easy walk to the action. Nice property, I'd definitely stay there sometime.

I'm Lovin' Green Guide Classes - UPDATED with Photos

I've completed my first set of six classes/field trips in the Wakulla Ecotourism Institute (towards my Green Guide Certification) and am loving it! My fellow classmates are terrific, everyone is bringing their own special background and interests to the table (there's about a dozen of us). The instructors are incredible, too, and eagerly share their enthusiasm and expertise in their designated field. I'm enjoying learning about the geology and biology of this area.

Last Sunday was a field trip to Wakualla Springs State Park where Sandy Cook, Park Manager, spoke to the group followed by a tree identification walk in the park's hardwood forest. (I have photos but haven't had access to my home computer to upload them). This weekend the group's kayaking - I can always kayak!

I'm really glad I've enrolled in the program and am looking forward to learning more and eventually implementing what I've learned.
Photos added: Um, I really did pay attention, but can't think of the tree name! October is breast cancer awareness month and bikers supporting the cause were at Wakulla State Park. Saddleback Caterpillar - no molesting the wildlife, there's poison in those hairs!