Two trips to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 There are so many great places to hike here in North Central Florida and I catch myself, saying 'OH...this is my favorite trail'. Is it OK to have more than one favorite?

A couple of weeks ago John and I spent some time at Blue Run Park. 

We'll go back soon for a longer hike but I just have to share the highlight of our stop at Blue Run Park.

Athena the Mermaid

Is there anything more delightful than meeting a real life mermaid?

She was delightful and the sweetest young lady you'll ever meet. 

And of all the 'sightings' I've had at Blue Run Park, this may be one of the most memorable!

A couple of months ago when my son, D. was here we spent a couple of hours at Blue Run Park and I got a lot more bird photos.

White Ibis

Limpkin

Moorhen

And my favorite, a Little Blue Heron!

This hike had a memorable moment too. My son shimmied up a tree and shook down some oranges.

I wasn't sure if an orange growing in the wild would be sweet but it was the sweetest orange I've ever tasted.

If you live in this part of Florida or want to visit, be sure to spend a day at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon. 

Check out the link HERE ! You'll love it! 

You just never know what you'll see!

Love, Diane  💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

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 💜