Let's drive out to the Gulf Coast!

 We're discovering the 'real' Florida so we won't see seashells on white sandy beaches!

Great Blue Heron flying overhead

But we might see some fisherman trying to catch something on a hot summer day.

Then again, we might not see anyone! haha!

Did I mention it was HOT!

This was my jeep in the parking lot all by it's lonesome! 

John and I stopped at Felburn Park first and walked on a shady part of the trail to see the beauty of the water ponded up on the canal.

It's one of my favorite spots in Florida but not for a hike in June! We are already in the mid 90s every day with high humidity. 

We had our choice of parking places there too! 

Then we drove down over 4 miles of a dusty white road looking out the window at the canal.

It was so hot, the birds were in hiding.

This is a stretch of the Withlacoochee Bay Trail that ends up at a point on the Gulf.

Happy Birthday John!!!

We were happy looking out at the overlooks. It was windy and surprisingly cool there.

I love exploring the backroads of Florida at any time of the year. But our picnic lunch was eaten inside the Jeep with the AC running! Yes, I know....we are wimps!

A horse on the drive over looks like it has 3 eyes! 

Have you packed a picnic this summer? 

It's TIME! And it tastes even better out on a nature trail!

Happy Independence Day America! 

Thanks again for visiting me and leaving such heartfelt comments. 

Blogger buddies are the BEST! 

Love, Diane 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

I've spread my wings!

 When you suffer a loss, you have choices. If we're not careful, we let others or circumstances determine our paths. But I've been fortunate to have the strength and support of so many that the decisions I made came more easily.

Mississippi Kite

The first hike I made after my husband died was one week after he passed. I took this hike with two of my sons and my daughter in law. A week later, I took another hike with my son, D as a remembrance to my husband. Then when everyone left I hiked alone. I didn't want to do it but I needed to spend time in nature. And as they say....the rest is history.

God lifted me up, my family held me close and friends and neighbors supported me.

Spending time in nature has allowed me to heal.

It has given me joy.

I have hope and now I am looking forward to a brighter future.

Life is hard for us all. We have that in common....we all suffer.

Don't give up. Find joy in the beauty that surrounds you and be thankful.

Words are not enough to thank you for your outpouring of love last week.

All of my blog buddies mean the world to me. We love and support each other....through thick and through thin. It's a good thing. I don't take it for granted.

And of course a special thanks to J. for hiking in the summer heat in Florida. I think he likes me, what do you think?

My hiking buddy J.A. joined us on this hike and that was super special! Thanks J.A. for being there for me for this most difficult year.

God bless you, each and every one of you.

With love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Through thick and through thin.....

 Isn't that true friendship? Blog friends that see you through thick and thin?

You'll never know how much you have all meant to me this past year, I can't thank you enough for sticking with me through the saddest time in my life.

White Ibis in my backyard

But time passes. And we are forever facing more challenges. I know you are all going through hard times, whether you share it in a blog post or not. And I continue to pray for each of you. 

I was so exhausted after months of my husband's illness that when he passed away, I thought something was seriously wrong with me. I even spent one long afternoon in the emergency room having test after test done to find out what was wrong. But the doctor gave me a bill of good health and said I was normal. 

He said to go home and take care of myself so that's what I've done recently.

MaMa Deer on the Greenway

My family and friends have been so great at supporting me and encouraging me. I'm finally back to walking the trails at a moderate rate and enjoying nature with a renewed spirit.

OH MY! 

The spotted Fawn is running as fast as it can to keep up! What a fun siting! 

And this isn't a big announcement but I've reconnected with an old friend I've know for over 25 years and that's made all the difference. He's visited me from Virginia and I've drug him down more than one forest trail and haven't scared him off yet. What fun it is to hike with someone who enjoys nature as much as I do.

The 'You are in Bear country' sign didn't even scare him off!

So please tell me how you are in your comments. I'll spend the weekend visiting my blog buddies and catching up! I can't wait!

Take care and God bless you all. Words cannot express the love I feel for each and every one of you. 

So here's a big Southern HUG for you all!

Sweet hugs, Diane 💜

With the help of family and friends....

 I've felt uplifted this week.

And I know God is blessing me all along the way.

I'm getting outside as much as I can to see what nature has to offer. I still have low energy but I think I am seeing some improvement already.

So thanks again to all of you that have followed me on this journey and stuck by my side.

One of my favorite sitings in Florida is the Sherman's Fox Squirrel.

He is such a fun little critter and very photogenic!

Ahhhhh.....spring! 

Two red bellied woodpeckers were chasing each other from tree to tree.

Have you enjoyed some time outdoors this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

First Day of Spring

 I went for a hike....not surprised? 

I am trying to do things that have always brought me joy in the past.

I love being outside in nature of course and I am thankful for all that I have.

But I don't feel joyful yet.

I appreciate everyone here and your friendship and feel a little excited about visiting everyone today.

That's a step in the right direction!

I hiked down an old horse trail and even saw a few horses out for a ride. 

I think this is a juvenile bluebird.

It was a beautiful Spring day in Florida.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Finding the beauty that surrounds me...

 

I will have a challenge to find the beauty that surrounds me this Spring but I know I'll spend time in nature.

My precious husband passed away two weeks ago and my heart is broken.

I've been surrounded by my sweet family from the day before he passed so that has helped me get through it. But they've all gone home now so I will have to figure out how to live my life now and get out in nature as much as I can. 

My wonderful family took me on a few hikes while they were here so that has gotten me off to a good start.

I'll include the Sandhill Cranes we saw at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

And the beautiful Kestrel we spotted on our way down the bumpy road.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

I know I'll find my way but for right now I would appreciate your continued prayers.

Thank you all for your prayers through this terrible 4 month ordeal. I couldn't have done it without God's help and the care and concern from family, friends, neighbors and blog buddies.

If anyone is interested in reading the obituary, I'll include a link HERE.

Thanks again for your friendship. Hugs, Diane 💔

Ross Prairie and the Gopher Tortoise

 

I had to gas up the Jeep last week so I took a little drive over to Ross Prairie and actually hiked for one hour! One hour for the months of Oct and Nov! I haven't worried about it though. I'll hike when I get a chance and right now I have other priorities.

It was neat to see a brand new sign up at the trailhead.

And of course I love these piney woods hikes. The pine straw on the trail softens the sound and it is quite an experience. There was only one other hiker on the trails, a nice lady with her Yellow Lab.

There were so many Gopher Tortoise homes in the woods so I went back and found some old photos I had taken on this trail a few years ago to share.

I had hoped to keep up with my blog while we are going through a really hard time. But I realize now I can't. I have too much to do and rarely get on my computer. I look at my IPAD and try to read blogs and a library book when I sit down to take a break. But I am struggling. My husband has cancer, as most of you know by now and he is not doing well at all. He had 6 hours of Chemo yesterday and everything is a struggle.

I hope you all have a blessed holiday season. I need to take a break now for a couple of weeks but I so appreciate your prayers and kind words of encouragement.

Sweet hugs to you all, Diane 💜