A snowshoeing we will go

One of our fave things to do in the mountain snow is to shoe through it. There is no better way to commune with nature in the cold then to escape on paths less traveled.But don't get me wrong, it isn't a nice leisurely stroll and at times it is heart-pounding work. Luckily the picturesque views are numerous, allowing for multiple rest stops.Now THOSE are trees...And you must take time to stop and hug the cedars...Wow, look at the lake!McGruber! Don became McGruber (if you haven't seen that SNL skit, you are missing out) as he tried and tried again to fix Dave's busted up snowshoe.Poor Dave...Should we really hike up this former avalanche area? Sure, why not?Because it isn't much fun. But it is fun to slide back down.Life is Good!

Sand Hill Surplus

One Sunday in January we headed to Paynes Prairie for a hike. There were a ton of cars there and while the weather was perfect, we have never seen this many people in PP before. We didn't have an answer until partly down La Chua Trail we heard them...

Sand Hill Cranes - thousands of them!Upclose (borrowed from the internet)... In the winter, sandhills migrate from Michigan and Wisconsin to south Georgia and Florida. This is a banner year for sandhills at PP (they estimate 5,000 this year). Why so many? No one has THE answer but lots of speculation including recent drought conditions and unseasonably warm weather.

One of their fave eats is amaranth seeds. Amaranth is an ancient grain, the first to be cultivated as a crop in the New World. Aztecs used amaranth extensively, even in their sacrifice ceremonies.

When the Spanish came along, all things Aztec were forbidden, including growing amaranth. It is making a comeback these days. The grain grows wild on the prairie. This has been a very good year for amaranth; perhaps the sandhill cranes know that and have come to harvest the good stuff. Some sandhills like Paynes Prairie so much they will stay year round but most go back up North.

Perfect place to escape the snow...But be careful of the gators...

Winter Hiking

We spent a fair amount of time this winter hiking in Paynes Prairie and San Felasco. Every time we go we see something new... every time!
This was a particularly relaxing day. The weather was perfect and we were tired so we sat (and snoozed) for awhile under a stand of pine trees.The kids played with sticks and dirt for a long while...These photos are blurry b/c Grant was bent on charging me each time I tried to take a picture. Still, they turned out to be some of my favorite pics of him...Blowing in the wind...On the walk home we tried out our gymnastics skills.

Balance Beam...Somersaults...Cartwheels...For my 40th birthday, Scott and Dara completely surprised me by driving down from Florence, SC and knocking on our door 11:30pm on Friday night. Don and our friend Veronica planned a surprise party for me on Saturday night - complete with friends I hadn't seen in awhile. It was a total surprise and a lot of fun. Too bad I don't have any photos from it!! Guess I was too busy being surprised to think of taking pics.
The next day we went for a quick hike before they headed back north...

Georgia on my mind

We spent the first days of the new year (I know I've become a bit of a pathetic blogger. I moved it down the priority ladder... but I will try harder!) with our most excellent friends Scott and Dara (or Scotty and Dary according to Olivia). They have a beautiful cabin in north Georgia surrounded by even more beautiful scenery. While we only had a short stay, we made the most of it by hiking, even in the rain.Precarious crossing...Pulling up the rear...

Family Nature Time

During the Thanksgiving holiday, we managed to keep our caloric count in check by getting outside a bit. We hiked one of the many San Felasco trails...and found some insects also burning a few calories...Nate, future scientist, identifying this HUGE orb weaver for us...The allure of finding fossils was still high so we took everyone to our secret spot.Grant gettin' in on the action. And never complaining that these boots are actually two sizes too small...Like mother, like son...We were SO happy that Scotty and Dary could join us for the day as they passed through Gainesville on holiday travel. Scott and I were the last two to be pulled from the stream...The gang, post fossilizin'....Awww, we MISS you guys!!!

How did Tarzan do it?!?!

BeforeAfter

We ventured back to Bolen's Bluff recently. Sadly, this time without Flat Stanley. We again saw the horses...so note: if you want to see the wild horses at Paynes Prairie, go to Bolen's Bluff - we are two for two there.What's more rare than seeing wild horses in Paynes Prairie? Seeing Olivia and Grant voluntarily holding hands...

Flat Stanley's Adventures in Gainesville, FL

Flat Stanley came to visit us this week!

He arrived in the mail during UF's homecoming week. Perfect timing to join us in some homecoming related events. The University and schools shut down for homecoming so first up on Friday was the homecoming parade along University Avenue. Unfortunately it was raining so we got there late and it ended early. The parade itself has a very home town/college town feel to it but the kids like it. Poor Flat Stanley spent most of the time in his plastic baggie raincoat so he was unable to clap, do the Gator chomp or grab candy that was thrown from the floats.

On Saturday, we bought Flat Stanley a ticket to the Florida vs. Kentucky homecoming football game. We cheered the Gators to a 63 - 5 victory and Flat Stanley lost his voice from yelling so loudly.Tebow running it in...The marching band played and danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller during half-time. The crowd got into it. Don commented, "I believe this is the first time I have ever clapped for the band..." Terri, don't take offense. I think it's because back in the day he would leave at half-time, do shots, and race back for third quarter. It was called "Kamikaze half-time." They don't allow you to leave and return anymore so I think he realized what he was missing all those years :)Then, per tradition, they bunch up and play right in front of the student section...The obligatory gator photo...He even bought himself a souvenir Tim Tebow jersey...

Oh no. A little too much fun for Flat Stanley...One of our favorite places to visit is Payne's Prairie. We had yet to hike the Bolen's Bluff trail so we took Flat Stanley on Sunday. The weather was PHENOMENAL... We met a friendly little boy (and his parents) on the trail and the kids had fun exploring with him. Here they holding a fuzzy caterpillar on the stick...Cattle, bison and horses can been seen on the prairie, but it is rare. In the 1500-1600s, Spanish colonists began cattle ranching in the prairie. The wild animals are descendants of those brought over by the Spanish and left to roam free after the British raids in the early 1600s. On our hike, We were very fortunateto see some of the wild horses! Seven of them were resting under shade trees right along the trail.It appears they are used to people as we were able to get quite close...Flat Stanley had his own adventure too. When we were gathering for a group photo, he decided he wanted to explore the prairie by himself and jumped from the observation deck into the bushes and grasses below!! Luckily, he wasn't hurt but he did get tangled in some vines and couldn't get out. Since we didn't have boots or long pants on (we were warned that moccasins were present), a kind stranger offered to rescue Flat Stanley for us. Three cheers for David!Flat Stanley is now in the mail on his way back to our nephew Ben's school where he will tell all the students about his fun adventures in Gainesville, Florida.