The Abominable Snowman moves to Florida!

 OK...maybe I exaggerate! Maybe he just came for a summer vacation! 

But I did look out in the preserve at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and wonder what in the world was out in the marsh.

I thought it was a mound of sand or a bleached out tree maybe.

But when I got home and looked at my photos.....

it was a big web full of caterpillars.

I couldn't resist playing with photos and overlaying a few to get some neat effects!

And I put him up in this big tree right along the trail! EEEEE!!!

And then I looked around at some of my other photos and found a few more 'monsters' to share.

So even when the sky is blue and bright, the woods could have monsters lurking.

You just never know......

if you let your imagination run WILD!

And come walk in the woods with me!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Sometimes I wonder.....

I wonder what some people think it means to go deep into the forest on a hike. I know there are wild animals in the forest. (I hope I'll see one) And sometimes you get bit by a bug. (but not often) When the wind dies down it can get hot and humid. (but that's not a bad thing) And usually you do not encounter any other people deep in the forest. (but that's ok with me) 

It's QUIET.

(Reindeer Moss on the forest floor)

It's peaceful.

It's calming. 

You can lose yourself in the wonder of it all.

(hundreds of love bugs on the fragrant blooms of the palm trees)

Some might even say it's magical or mystical.

I would say it's altogether glorious.

And I know a lot of people understand what I'm talking about. I still like to walk around my neighborhood and speak to my neighbors and see what pretty flowers are blooming in their flower bed.

But for perfect harmony and joy....

I prefer a walk in the forest.

All photos taken on a 2 hour hike starting at Shangri-La trailhead, #65 for this year!

I hope you're able to get outside in nature this week. Breathe in the fresh air and stretch your legs! It's good for what ails you!

How are things going where you live? Are you feeling better about getting out in the big world? We're still taking precautions and being careful. Let's care for one another and stay healthy!

Happy Memorial Day!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio too!

Forest views and Encouragement!

I appreciate all the words of encouragement my blog buddies are sharing!

It is a difficult time for us all!

So this will be short and sweet!

And I hope you'll let me know in your comments how you are! It's hard not to be worried or stressed but I hope and pray everyone is healthy!

I haven't bought a JEEP this week but I sure enjoyed the comments from last Monday! It's always fun to dream!

Take care of yourselves and be healthy and happy!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

Walk this way little girl....

....come down this trail!

 Hurry past the big scary spidey.....

 and squeeze past the ghostie on the left. 

Don't wander off the trail where the other ghosties live....

just keep on walking!

These were on a bike trail on the Florida Trails THIS WEEK (the middle of November). It has something to do with a big bike race they have every year. I sneaked down it just enough to get some photos.

No bikes were encountered AND no hikers were harmed...or even skeeeered...in the taking of this hike! heeheehee!

So what do you say?

 Wanna go walking with me in the deep dark forest?

 I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

Are you afraid of the dark?

I take a lot of photos in the forest of scary things. No, they are not real dangers! They are just twisty limbs,

 blackened stumps 

or dark shadows. 

And I have people ask me all the time if I'm afraid of walking in the forest. I always reply, I'm afraid of a lot of things but walking in the woods is not one of them! And yes, when I lived in the mountains of NC I even walked at midnight quite often. I loved seeing things 'by the light of the moon'.

But of course I am afraid of things that shouldn't bother me. 

So I did an online search for 'good mental health' and found some really great information.

The website HERE has some of the best points....

1. Get plenty of sleep.

2. Eat well.

3. Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs.

4. Get plenty of sunshine.

5. Manage stress.

6. Activity and exercise.

7. Do something you enjoy.

8. Connect with others and be sociable.

9. Do things for others.

10. Ask for help.

I won't play a guessing game on what my problem is but I'll just say, I have more anxiety in specific areas than is healthy. So I'm working on it....gathering information right now.

I've included some of my scary forest photos in this post! 

Creative people always love to use their imagination!

 "An important part of keeping fit and healthy is to take care of your own mental health."  Hiking helps me!

 

What are you afraid of?

 I’m joining Thankful Thursdays  and

Katherine's Thursday Favorite things HERE.