Loose Leaf Notes

We’ve been transported. Actually, Joe drove 9 hours straight to get us to our first stop in Florida, Ichetucknee Springs, just north of Gainsville where we camped for a couple of days, kayaked and swam in the natural turquoise spring pools.

We were almost up the creek without a paddle. Joe noticed at the last minute before we left home that the paddles were nearly left behind.

Driving south is an act of strip tease. My jacket came off in Georgia. By the time we passed the Florida state sign I had lost my socks and boots. The sun flashed through the trees along the highway like a psychedelic trip when I closed my eyes.

I love flamingos.

They were the impetus of the trip. We saw them at the Sunken Gardens in St. Pete.

They are more coral than pink. I couldn’t get over how their long legs looked like they were clipped together like the two parts of our kayak paddles.

We meandered through the 4 acres of tropical plants in the gardens.

There were lush flowers, tropical birds, cascading waterfalls and koi fish.

I hadn’t had a bath in the two days we were camping, so by the time we arrived at our hotel room at our next stop in Madera Beach, I hit the pool first thing.

The day ended with a walk on the beach and sushi.  Today we are headed further south. I imagine I’ll lose more clothes!