Winter Hiking...Come on along!

 

Winter hiking is the best here in Florida, as you can imagine!

A 'bird' ornament high in the pine tree! It's REAL!

And some Reindeer Moss!

 Temps were in the 60s and 70s for these hikes....perfect!

And there are some trails that I have to save for the cooler weather. Walking down in the canal diggings is too hot in the summertime. I can hike in hotter temps as long as I have a bit of a breeze but in these low areas it's hard to 'catch a breeze'!

This is a section between the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway paved trail and Shangri-La.

It's very peaceful and I love these big old limestone formations. 

I know I've shown them to you before but I still love to share.

You can imagine faces and animal shapes in some of the rocks.

When I got back up to the higher trail, I spotted an American Kestrel.

I thought it was perfectly posed and took a lot of photos on the perch.

But then it took off flying to snag a Dragonfly in it's talons!

So then I took another group of photos. 

Time to stand still and watch the Kestrel eat lunch!

I was ready for a break anyway!

Amazing!

Nature has outdone herself this winter with red berries!

What a fabulous day for a wintertime hike in Florida!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

 “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”  Dr. Seuss

I had no idea where I would go and what I would see when we hiked at Ross Prairie State Forest, Nov 10th 2013! But here we are 8 years later with (as of this Monday morning) 760 hikes to our credit! (these are hikes into the forest, I don't count neighborhood walks or community park strolls)

I don't usually pick these up when I see them, I leave them for someone else. But today I couldn't resist!

We've seen some amazing things over the years. 

I still marvel at the fact that we can see something 'we've never seen before'! But we do!

This was a funny sighting. We hiked Ross Prairie this week and when we finished we climbed in the Jeep to have a little snack of apple slices before we drove home. I looked in my side mirror and saw this...

I told my hubby, there's someone behind our vehicle juggling. He said, that's ok honey, we'll get you home and get your medication adjusted. (a little joke, meaning, you might be seeing things...I don't even TAKE any medication! hahahaha)

But I hopped back out and took photos so here's the proof! 

I was also pleased to see the hiking lady I met about a year ago. 

It's always fun to talk and catch up with someone who loves the woods as much as we do.

Have you had a chance to get out in the great outdoors this week?

Reindeer Moss (looks a little like snow, doesn't it?)

We took these photos on our very first Florida hike. We haven't changed a bit, have we? (that's a rhetorical question...don't you DARE answer it!)

A link to our first Florida hike 8 years ago is HERE!

 

Here's to another year of hiking adventures!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 

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!

Ross Prairie Hike

When we started hiking here in Florida a few years ago, this is the first trail we hiked. 

And it's still a favorite!

What is that white stuff? 

Don't worry, it's not snow, it's white sand!

And this is Reindeer Moss....really! (also called Deer Moss)

A Palm tree is growing across the trail, of all things!

Aren't the grasses beautiful at this time of year! 

We are still having beautiful weather and enjoying our hikes and day trips.

What's your weather like today?

We've had highs in the 80s, cooler weather on the way. 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .