Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, Florida
It was a whopping 34 degrees this morning! But the sun was shining and by the time we went out to the “laundry room”, it was already 42. It’s supposed to climb to the low 60’s today. If it’s going to be cold, I much prefer snow. I miss snow. . .
Since we’ve already visited this place, we don’t seem to have the itch to get out and explore, so it was more research and reservations for us this morning.
About 1pm, Blaine suddenly jumped up from his computer work, “I gotta get outta here!” , practically ran to the back and started throwing clothes everywhere in his attempt to change.
Before I could blink, he was done and ready to go! But where??
He still hasn’t grasped that I need to know where, what and how long so I know what to wear.
We walked around the Park, stopped in to check out the floors in the tower and museum, and walked a couple of trails.
Inside the tower, Blaine was softly whistling “Camptown Races” and it was echoing beautifully around the chamber. I tried to capture it, but the phone didn’t do a very good job.
I didn’t remember this piano from last time.
I’m sure we must have seen it though.
The wood grain and color is gorgeous!
This bush was growing between the tower and the museum. Beautiful!
Don’t despair! He didn’t pick it. It was lying on the ground.
The grass was full of these tiny purple flowers!
Beautiful!
Until someone mows . . .
Remember Jenny Lind from the PT Barnum post?
I knew we’d seen something about her here!
The pictures and mannequin are supposed to “represent” her.
While at the museum, I couldn’t resist looking at the dioramas once again. This time, I looked even closer at them. They truly are remarkable. In one, I’d seen the violin player moving before, but this time, I noticed the pianist rocking back and forth as he “played”.
We left the museum and returned to the Springs, just to see if anything was different. For one thing, we approached from the side and walked down to the river. I guess we didn’t realize we could do that last time? Who knows? I can barely remember yesterday, let alone 2 months ago. : )
Where the Spring empties into the Suwanee River
The lighting was such that you could see the rock under the water in the “spa” area today
Doesn’t that make a pretty picture?
They’re really loaded down. Wonder what they’re up to?
As we were walking one of the trails, a 4-5’ black snake crossed our path and took off lickety split! It looked perfectly straight and shot off like a rocket! I wasn’t aware snakes could move that fast nor that straight! While a bit disconcerting, it was a sight to see and I’m glad we did! Especially since it ran away from us!
View from the trail.
I don’t think they’re part of the group we saw at the Spring.
Blaine took this one.
Even he can’t resist taking a picture of something this beautiful!
Once we ended up back home, we took up the bikes and left again, down the road/trail beside our site. I didn’t take my phone because I didn’t have a safe place to keep it, but most of the ride was down the same road we walked the other day.
The 5 miles we biked seemed more like what I imagine mountain biking to be (except most was flat) – lots of debris in the road. And sand. The ever-present sand.
When we started out, we had to ride downhill. Neither of us remembered walking downhill, but we surely did because we were just here yesterday.
I was positive I wouldn’t make it back up.
But I did it!!!! What a great sense of accomplishment!
Short break to allow our blood to flow again.
Anyway, we stopped at the River Overlook! I had no idea we’d end up there!
I wanted to sit a spell with a close-up of the river. It was real nice.
Great spot!
The pant legs are pulled up because the right one was catching on my gears, so I did ’em both.
See why I was sitting here?
Except for the tiny ants I didn’t see at first. One bit my toe! Nasty little buggers!
We ended our day with comfort food. Tuna casserole. The recipe came from a woman at Springfield Baptist Church, Marilyn Clackler, and it’s terrific! Thanks, Marilyn!
TUNA CASSEROLE
2 cans tuna (in water), drained
1 can cream of celery soup
1 soup can of milk
1 c. mild cheddar cheese, shredded
½ c. Miracle Whip
½ c. onion, diced
7 oz. dry noodles
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Blend soup, milk, Miracle Whip. Add cheese, onion and tuna and stir to combine.
In the meantime, cook noodles in boiling water till tender (do not overcook). Drain and add noodles to soup mixture.
Turn into a 1 ½ qt. casserole dish which has been sprayed with Pam.
Bake for 20 minutes or till heated through, or microwave on high for 10 minutes or until hot, stirring halfway through.
Serves 4
TOTAL HIKING MILES: 4
Year To Date: 186.5
Daily Average: 2.78