traci in the swamp

Kanapaha Bontanical Gardens and Clark

A few weeks ago, Matt, Clark and I visited, Kanapaha Bontanical Gardens.   We pass the gardens nearly everyday, but hadn't yet made it there.  Kanapaha is dog friendly too (always a plus for us).  We've always been a big fan of garden visits, having visited Sunken Gardens, in St. Petersburg a few times, and Leu Gardens in Orlando, when Matt lived there.  We walked along the paths and admired the lily pads (which are pictured here) and admired the yummy smells of the spice garden.  Nothing like the fresh smell of Kentucky mint (which is the main ingredient of one of my favorite drinks!).

Clark also became a star and had his picture taken for the dog wall.  This very patient volunteer (who used to be a vet) was very sweet to him and thankfully Clark behaved.  (this picture is not the famous one)

We also stopped at a very beautiful and interesting tree.  Trees don't normally grow bottles, so we had to read the description and then when we got home I continued to read more.  Bottle trees originated as a way to keep evil spirits away.  Now many people who know me, would know that I love this type of story.  I'm a firm believer in Karma and such, so a bottle tree to me is perfect.  But Matt (and he's right) thought our neighbors might think I'm a bit strange if I try and make one in our yard.

Because sometimes, you just need a laugh

I don't really have any logic or reason for this post...but oh, well.  This is my blog, so I make the rules. 

I've been working on a project for school.  We have an upcoming F2F meeting this Saturday and our group will be making a 50 minute presentation on metadata.  Super exciting stuff...

Not sure how, but when browsing through Flickr, trying to find photos to include on the presentation.  I came across this photograph, I just thought it was too funny pass up.  I'm almost thirty (shh) and I still love happy meals.

Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Pippi Longstocking and a new job

* Well, quick report - I got a new job so with out of town training and just generally keeping busier than normal, I've neglected my poor blog.  But I'm here still and have actually taken some time to write a post.

In between leaving my old job and starting my new job, I took two weeks off.  This was great since I was able to get some things down.  Some being the operative word there.  I was able to read, crochet, work a little on school stuff, but mainly I just relaxed.  If you ever get the opportunity to do this, I highly suggest it.  Before when we moved from Tampa to Gainesville many moons back, I started a job on a Monday after moving on a Saturday (try to avoid that if you can).  I'm just full of advice tonight, huh!

During one of those ten days off, Matt and I visited Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island.  This was a wonderful quick trip.  We intended to find a place to jet ski, but unfortunately, horrible insurance ruined that (no where would rent jet skis cause of the liabilities).  We did end up finding a great place where we spent the afternoon talking with the locals.

We also managed to visit Fort Clinch State Park and the Pippi Longstocking House (picture to the right) and walked, for a few minutes (it was a million degrees - even when you are Floridian, you can barely stand the heat) on the beach.  The Atlantic Ocean is different than the Gulf, I have to say, I've always thought that and was reminded again. If you've never been, the Atlantic is much colder!  

We wound up staying at the Addison, an absolutely beautiful B&B downtown Amelia Island.  We also managed to meet Gator fans way up there.  We stopped in the old time Post Office (picture above to the left) to ask for directions, and managed to meet a fellow fan, who hugged us on the spot when he spotted Matt's UF hat.  Gotta love that! 

And we caught the sunset, not an easy trick when you are on the East coast of Florida, but we succeeded.  Like always, Matt and I can't be away from water long, so this helped us get our fix.

Sorry to be away so long, another post coming about our trip to Charleston for the Fourth of July (I know, not a Florida place, but we gotta get out of the state once in a while!!).

Treasure Island, Florida - family, return to childhood

My sister, Michelle and her husband Ron and my nephews drove from (straight through) Texas to Florida a few weekends ago (how, I don't know).  They stopped in Gainesville Saturday night before heading to Treasure Island for the rest of their vacation.  Matt and I spent some time with them that Sunday, taking them to the Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, the Butterfly Garden at the University, and lunch at Leonardo's Millhopper.  (The picture is us at the Devil's Millhopper).

There isn't anything cooler than spending time with your sister.  Thankfully fate worked out that I was able to head down to Treasure Island and spend some more time with them and our other sister Jackie and her kids.   It was just a regular family reunion, as we took our dad to the St.Petersburg Pier and enjoyed lunch together (imagine nine people at a fast food restaurant, with four of them under 13 - talk about crazy).

Our dad made us his famous spaghetti and meatballs and I headed back to Treasure Island to spend time with our mom enjoy the beach a little more.  Gotta love getting time off!!

Jacksonville and excuses

I do have some valid excuses (which I can't share just yet) for not writing more on my poor blog.  But my absence, has told me that I do have readers!!  I received an email, from a nice lady named Keri, who lives in Brooker, Florida.  She actually reads my blog and likes my Florida day trips/adventure tales - so thank you, Kari for serving as an inspiration (and semi kick in the pants) for me to write again.

Anyway, since last writing - Matt and I have been to New Orleans, Jacksonville and White Springs, Florida
(stay tuned for next post).   We've also checked out a few good restaurants and some not so much.  So on top of my valid excuses, we have been pretty busy.

We visited the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens - while we were in Jacksonville - which was a great day trip to a big city, which sometimes for some reason I need.  Jacksonville is actually huge!  Jacksonville (according to wikipedia is "the largest city in land area in the contiguous United States").

Matt and I enjoyed lunch at a great BBQ joint called Mojo's (since Matt's the seasoned food-guy, I'll let him do the talking).  I love smoked turkey and french fries and this place served both to near perfection!

We also took some time for one of our favorite actives, just plain exploring and drove around some of Jacksonville's neighborhoods, mainly stopping in the trendy (leave it to us somehow) neighborhood of San Marco.  We almost stopped to see Iron Man playing at the theater but decided against it.

We also stopped and walked around Jacksonville University's campus (which was one of our main reasons for visiting Jacksonville, since one of our favorite past times is visiting college/university campuses).  JU is beautiful, complete with plenty of trees and walking paths. I couldn't help but be impressed, the University is home to only about 3,000 students, but has a really big campus.

So all in all, our Jacksonville day trip was fun.  And we actually did a lot, visited a museum, a University, a trendy neighborhood and old movie theater and even had some ice cream.  And since it's only about an hour and half from us, I'm sure we'll visit again soon!

Technology killed the Arcade

Now I like technology as much as the next person.  I own a Nintendo DS, an iPod Touch and have favorite websites to visit to get my gaming fix.  But I also love arcades.  There's nothing like the flashing lights, bad pizza, or trying to win the cheap teddy bear (gotta get more tickets) or beating your personal best high score (personally, I'm the Queen at Galaga and Ms. Pac Man). I can remember growing up visiting these places.  The Madeiria Beach Fun Center , St. Pete Beach Amusement Center and the Treasure Island Fun Center (see a theme here) were often a weekly fixture in my childhood.  And now it's official, all of these (original) places are closed.

The St. Pete Times ran a great "special report" about the closing of St. Pete Beach Amusement Center (which ironically enough, was only a block from my first apartment).  This is the last arcade on the beach and now it's closed.  I vaguely remember reading that the Treasure Island Fun Center relocated, but that happened too.  I also fondly remember every time I visited the Pizza Hut (which is also now gone) playing Ms. Pac Man (this continued until my twenties - I know, I know, I'm a kid).

Well, I remember my dad always saying this,  "everything changes, they get rid of the old and replace it with the new" and that's obviously very true.  I'm very sad about the loss of my childhood haunts, but I guess that's all part of growing up.

Everything will be okay - Savannah, Georgia

Matt and I took this picture on our honeymoon - a year and a half ago now.  I just came across it and thought it was too funny to pass up and wanted to share it.

I've always wondered about this picture and the significance of the message (since it's written in several different places in Savannah) so I pulled out the handy-dandy Google search and came across the  exact same message on the exact same concrete slab on another blog.  Hmm....

High Hopes, ants and Frank Sinatra

This song pops in my head every once in a while, especially when I'm holding out hope for certain things.  I remember making a small fool of myself and singing this at a karaoke bar once, many years ago.  Although I thought, I'd get laughs and boos, instead I got smiles and lots of people joining me.

Enjoy!!

My friends - the cows

I always find it funny that I drive by cows everyday to and from work.  I had to share it here, so I finally remembered to take a camera and catch them in action.  I think the only bad thing about the poor cows, is the sign that says "beef" something or other. 

For some reason, I don't think these are milk cows!

Steinhatchee, Old Hickory, and lots of signs

Since Matt and I can never go too long without seeing the water, we headed to the Gulf of Mexico again this past weekend.  This time, we headed North to Steinhatchee.  They say Key West is a fishing town with a drinking problem, but I'd say Steinhatchee is a fishing town, with a fishing problem.  Since they are on the Gulf and on the Steinhatchee River - there is no shortage of places to head out on the docks or to fish by boat.  You can even dine at the Hungry Howies without even really leaving your boat.  However, there is no real grocery store, movie theater, shopping, and they just recently got cell phone service.

For lunch we tried Roy's Retaurant - a Steinhatchee landmark right on the Gulf.   The views were fantastic.  We continued our exploration after lunch and drove along Riverside Drive.  We had one interesting experience and made some observations.  Steinhatchee has lots and lots of signs (see picture and this is just one example), lots of beautiful vacation homes, and some very delicious (according to Matt) smoked mullet and smoked shrimp dip at a tiny little business called Old Hickory on the main road in Steinhatachee.

I love that we continue to find real Old Florida places.  While I do enjoy my cell phone, the various Publix Super Markets within a few minutes of the house and the fact that we have a mall within five minutes  (admittedly, I've only been there once, although I have been to Ann Taylor Loft a number of times), I still love the charm these old cities provide.

Update: I've been told by people in the know (thank you, Dean!) - that next time we are Steinhatchee we'll have to check out Steinhatchee Landing Resort, a 35 acre community with vacation guest cottages and recreation aplenty.  They even take dogs, so maybe we can even look at taking Clark with us next time!