What Fort Was That In Yesterday's Post?
I always get nostalgic when I go home for the holidays and hit the beaches I grew up on. Beach sand brings back so many memories of surf fishing for whiting, camping with my grandparents, surfing, learning to drive in Dad's old Scout, girlfriends, beached whales, beached ships, storms, and countless summer days ... (which gives my perky dermatologist some measure of job security).It was nostalgia that pulled me back into the Fort Matanzas National Monument on Black Friday. Besides a youth spent on the surrounding beaches, I had lived inside the park as a Ranger back in the 80's.As usual , the NPS is still doing a good job of allowing visitors, while still protecting

FC's Black Friday Shopping Adventure
I knew when I turned into the crowded parking lot, that this was going to be one of THOSE Black Friday shopping adventures.

Cypress Circumference
Let's take a walk.I didn't have time to upload this short video when I posted about the ancient Goethe Giant cypress tree last week.In the video, I set my spiffy new USF Bulls cap on the ground as a starting reference and then walked around the base of the Giant.I thought that might help you grasp the enormity of this tree. Today is cold and grey, with a rumor of frost tonight ... I'll believe that when I see it.I will be tucking the datil peppers in though just in case. They are still holding peppers and even a few blossoms.My gator photo'n plans have been replaced by a trip to the JEEP shop for a squeaky belt that needs check

Sticking It Out
See that stump?Not the stick, the stump.Yes, that one.Friday of last week, there was a beautiful egret perched on that stump as I drove past in the JEEP.I stopped, and backed slowly up to the window in the willows through which I had spotted him.He flew away.See that stick?Not the stump

Rainy Ride
Bear and I headed south on US19 in a steady rain, which just got steadier, ... much steadier, the farther we travelled.I had decided to cruise down to Yankeetown (yes, snowavians, there is such a place ... we tried to keep the infection contained long ago, but some escaped)heeheeBy the time I hit Inglis, roads were pondin