Backroads wandering........Florida springs

North Florida is home to the largest collection of natural springs in the world with approx. 300 known springs--27 of which are first magnitude (over 64 million gallons daily flow).
Manatee Springs, near Chiefland, is a first magnitude spring and has a nice elevated boardwalk that takes you from the springs pool out to the Suwanee River, where you can see the natural terrain of cypress forests and overlook the crystal clear water along the way.
At the end of the boardwalk, which ends with an observation deck, there were hundreds of ducks congregating in a swarming mass, and as I walked further out I was totally amazed to discover there was a huge pod of manatees just a few yards off the platform!

I have rarely seen even one manatee in the wild, and it was totally thrilling to see so many of them up close. (They are not so easy to photograph though!) They start to come up into the rivers and springs in Nov. to get to the warm water--the springs are usually about 72 degrees year-round.



On the trail back to the main springs pool, I passed this sign......


......and wondered if the spring divers are ever menaced by alligators?
There were a bunch of divers in the spring pool that day (you can see them underwater if you enlarge the pics) and the water was such an amazing color of blue--photographs just don't pick up the clarity and color of the water.

Peacock Springs (below), near Luraville, is an entirely different type of spring area. The small clear pool leads to one of the largest underwater cave systems in the US, with over 28,000 feet of passageways, and is an internationally renowned cave diving destination (you must have cave diving certification). But this is all you see above ground!

Another spring along the Suwanee River is Madison Blue, and there were divers there as well. It's situated just yards from the river with a pretty stream connecting the two.
While walking the trails I remember thinking how I hoped all the snakes were underground because I would never see them in all the leaves.......and as I left the park and pulled onto Highway 6 toward Madison, there was a massive diamondback rattlesnake (that had apparently just eaten some critter judging by it's huge belly) stretched out across both lanes of the road. I couldn't get a pic of it since a truck was quickly approaching behind me. I'm really glad I didn't come across that on the trail, but I hope it made it across the road!

Next.....Cedar Key - "1950's Key West"?

Backroads wandering......St. Joseph Peninusula State Park

These are the only mammals I encountered at this beautiful beachfront sanctuary surrounded by the Gulf to the south and St. Josephs Bay to the north. (about a 45 minute drive west of Apalachicola)
The bay side sand dunes were covered in beautiful clumps of bright yellow flowers....

.....and the estuaries were alive with water birds stalking little darting fish, easily visible in the clear water.
Gulf side the dunes were covered in sea grasses waving in the breeze......
.....and in the long stretches of beautifully rippled white sand--there were no footprints!

I have been told you have to camp here, or stay in one of the cabins hidden in the trees at the end of the narrow peninsula to enjoy the whole experience.

Next......the amazing and abundant blue springs of North Florida

Backroads wandering.......Apalachicola

Recurring thoughts of salt air and watery sunsets finally convinced me that I was long overdue for a little backroads wander, and before I knew it my car was crossing over this bridge to the quaint Florida town of Apalachicola........
.......and I was checking in to the historic Gibson Inn......which is situated directly at the end of the bridge and within walking distance of everything in town (and which also has a great little pub where guests and locals congregate on the weekends).
(Of late, I have found myself constantly daydreaming about frolicking in the beautiful waters of the Cayman Islands, but with 'champagne taste on a beer budget', I was grateful just to get near ANY shore!)
I haven't traveled to this area-The Forgotten Coast-before, and I found it very low-key and charming! (Oysters are a big deal here.....judging by the massive mountains of discarded shells)
There are all sorts of cool nautical scenes.......
.....and beautiful old homes.

There's just nothing like 'off-season' in Florida! You can wander around without plans, since no one is here and you don't need to worry about reservations or traffic.......and the weather is perfect!!

Next......St. Joseph Peninsula State Park....aka the most beautiful unspoiled and uninhabited beach in Florida (since the discovery and ruination of the Southwest coast, that is).

Bike cam

After working 'round the clock for so many months I was SO ready to dust the cobwebs off my mountain bike and hit the trails!
We're enjoying a stellar autumn here in Georgia so far, and we have hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails in the metro ATL area.......so my riding friend Paula and I hit the dirt rollin'.......
......for some much needed exercise.
The fall scenes were gorgeous! (These pics don't really capture it as well as I had hoped)

.....Paula usually manages a few spectacular wipe outs--but always keeps on pedaling!
(I made sure she was OK before taking her picture)
Fall and winter are my favorite times to ride since you can see prettier vistas with the leaves down........and no ticks!

Holiday inspiration and weekend events featuring talented friends

Here are a few great places for holiday inspiration if you find yourself in the Gainesville, GA area this weekend!

Don't miss Iron Accents in Clermont, where the beautiful annual open house is underway....

.....owner Valerie and her talented crew of lovely ladies have been working non-stop to decorate to the hilt.....

....but I don't want to give it all away so be sure to stop by and check it out--you will be amazed and inspired!

At the 20th annual "Marketplace" at the Gainesville Civic Center (where Iron Accents also has a gorgeous booth) I ran into a few of my favorite talented artist friends....

.....Chris Loeb of Three Birds Studio is such an amazing jewelry artist, who not only makes the most fabulous trendy creations in glittery glam, but also has the sweetest personality ever!
She is assisted by her lovely friend Andra (an equally talented artist who has a booth at Lakewood 400).....
.....and it's always a joy to chat with her and see what stunning pieces she has been creating....
.....hmm...I'll take one of each......
.....I don't know how she does it all--with so many holiday shows--and she also sells monthly at Lakewood 400 and Scott's Antique markets......
.....where she always seems to have tons of new creations every time.....
....I'm starting to think she must have a few elves down in the basement hard at work!

Bev Norris, of Cottage Farm Chic, is another amazing and lovely artist friend who does so many shows it makes my head spin!
Bev, accompanied by her sweet and vivacious friend Mary Kay, always has a stunning booth filled with the latest in trendy and unique merchandise.....
....and you can find her at Lakewood 400 every month in Hall G where her booth is always a show stopper!

I was delighted to discover these amazing gals--Sue Sigmon Nosach and Debbie Torbett of 2 Broken Broads --who are creating stunning works of art with an inspirational outreach.
As "friends bound by ovarian cancer join their talents to show that broken does not mean without beauty and purpose" they create their gorgeous windows from broken and discarded glass.......
.....to inspire new perspectives in others, while using a portion of the proceeds to further research of gynecological cancers! How Totally Awesome!!!

I have no doubt they are in for a meteoric rise to stardom with their gorgeous creations and inspirational purpose! (Good luck with CL, gals!)