Upcoming Trip

Here it is July 1st, 2010. Hard to believe, but wonderful and true.

I'm thinking of our upcoming trip, and that makes me think of last summer's trip, which makes me think of this blog. How nice to come here and catch up, relive some of those wonderful summer memories. It seems as if this blog has replaced journaling about the trips...but at the same time is journaling about the trips, just online, and for all to share.

This summer we're going to Nashville for a few days, then an overnight or two in Johnson City, TN. From there we'll stop in Delaware and then on to the Cape. The final stop is the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, then home. The girls and I won't be gone for as long as last year but the trip is still shaping up to be a good one. Nashville and Falcon Ridge are the "new" bookends that hold together the normal trip we like to do. It's so nice to have some of the every-year stuff mixed in with some fresh special-to-this-year stuff.

We're all looking forward to the trip and I'm hoping to blog about it to help remember all of those memories.

See you soon!

I did this on Saturday

Turtle Paddle with Eric Holt

June 26,

It is worth getting up early on Saturday morning for an outdoor adventure on Florida’s water.

Join the Trout Lake Nature Center Naturalist on Saturday June 26^th for a paddle on a Alexander Spring Run. The group will be joined by turtle biologist Eric Holt. When we pause in our paddling to aim our binoculars, Eric will help us decide whether the turtle spotted is a Florida Cooter, a released pet Red-eared Slider, or another Florida turtle species. To be amazed by the range of Eric’s knowledge and interests visit his website, “Empire of the Turtle.

There will be more than turtles to view on this paddle, and individuals of all ages and interests are welcome to join us. We’ll likely spot gators, wildflowers, waterbirds, butterflies, and more.

It was cool. The bridge is just past Alexander Springs, on the right-hand side. You can put in your kayak for free and paddle left towards the Springs, or right away from it. Eric had a good sit-on-top kayak that enabled him to jump out, dive onto a turtle, bring the turtle up like the prize it was, and get back into it right there on the river.

It sure was a nice day, and a leisurely paddle with Sandy Starr and the whole gang.

I'm glad I felt brave enough to just call and sign myself up for this adventure.