Nature Walks and Day Trips....Places To See...

3/2/09

Panama City Beach, FL. and St. Andrews, Downtown Area

Today, we're driving to the Panama City Beaches and the St. Andrews Downtown District ....

The water is so pretty this time of year and so calm today.....

There are not very many people here today......because it is wintertime and the temps are in the upper 50's. In case you didn't know it, I'll tell you that we have very mild winters here in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, but we still have our very cold days and weeks....and cold fronts that come and go. It won't be long though and the temps will be staying warm, and then all of the spring breakers and tourists will arrive......the beaches will look very different.

It is rare to see it this quiet. It is so peaceful here today.....there's only a handful of visitors.

There's some seashells.......we can pick up a few to remember our day here......

Hold on....I've got to write this in the sand.....there now. I couldn't come here without leaving this behind. I've been writing this in the sand for at least 24 years now....mine and my husband's initials...he is and always will be, my forever sweetheart.....

There's a seagull....we can always count on them to keep us company here on these beaches.....they are always here to greet us.....

I don't know If I've ever seen the ocean so calm here before......absolutely beautiful.....

I guess it's time to head back to the car now.....we still want to go to the downtown district and do a bit of browsing hopefully in some antique stores.....

Wait, before we leave.......I've got to run some sugar white sands through my hands and fingers, just for the fun of it.....

One last look....

Now, on to St Andrews Downtown Area....

Here we are....You can learn more about the history of the downtown district at this link http://www.bayhistory.org/

There's an antique store....we'll definitely be checking that out.....but we'll keep driving around for now.......

Another antique store....

Okay, I think we'll park the car and do some walking now......

This place looks like a lot of fun......and yes, it was.....and yes, I did find some things here...

McKenzie Park.....Is right in the middle of town....a great place to sit and rest a while......

There's those moss-draped Oaks that I love.....

There's a water fountain....we'll have to throw in a coin and make a wish.....

Well, it's time to head home now...

I hope you enjoyed coming along with us today!

2/15/09

Ponce De Leon Springs State Park in Florida

Isn't this place beautiful?

Just a 20 minute drive from where we live at..... is Ponce De Leon Springs State Park in the Northwest Florida Panhandle......and this is where we decided to spend our Friday afternoon.....

It's February...... wintertime in Florida, but today temperatures are in the 70's and it feels like perfect weather for a nature walk......

This is wonderful.....we have the whole place to ourselves. The only other people here today, is the Park Ranger and people who take care of the State Park.......

It's so peaceful and quiet .......I can definitely tell that it's wintertime here....

Ponce De Leon Springs was acquired in the 1970's to provide public outdoor recreation and has been used for social gatherings of all sorts since the mid- 1920's. The two limestone vents produce approximately 14 million gallons of crystal clear 68 degree water daily. The refreshing feel of the waters likely led Native Americans and early settlers to feel younger as they entered the water on sultry summer days. The temperature of the water stays 68 degrees year round.

This is a great place for a picnic.....

This is the swimming area......

the water is so clear .....

To your right is the swimming area and keep walking and to your left is the creek that the spring spills over into......

So shallow and clear.....

I love the sound of the water as it goes over the rocks.....

It's fun to roll up our pants legs.....and walk in the shallow creek....there's a stairway we can go down.....the water feels so refreshing.......

I feel younger already...what about you?

I love the different colors of river rock pebbles that are in the water....

let's head back and go on the nature walk....through the woods.....

across a boardwalk bridge....

I think we'll take the Spring Run Trail....it's a tranquil walk along the clear spring water beneath shady, moss-draped cypress trees....it's about a 30 minute walk...