O’Leano State Park, High Springs, Florida
“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you . . .I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ~ Genesis 9:11-13
Do you ever think about little snippets of information you gleaned from your elders? Particularly grandparents? I was faced with two such memories this morning. First, in my devotions, I was reminded of a spiritual mentor I had back when my kids were young and we attended Springfield Baptist Church. Her name was Marlene Richards. She’s gone Home now, but she was a fountain of spiritual insight in a way that was nonconfrontational. Just a simple phrase, or sentence was usually enough to force my head and heart to grapple with things God wanted me to do or to know. This morning’s devotional was about David and how despite having committed egregious and willfully disobedient sins, God still considered him a man after His own heart, forgave him, and blessed him. When I asked Marlene why God would do that, her response was, “I don’t know, but aren’t you glad He did?” And that was all it took for me to understand that I had pride issues I needed to deal with, that I was judgmental of my fellow man without looking at my own sins, and that I considered my God too small to forgive such sins. Thanks, Marlene!
Then, as I looked up how to get rid of excessive sodium in your system (remember last night’s dinner?), I was reminded of my maternal grandmother, Ruth Glass. Besides drinking lots of water, one of the things mentioned online was eating potatoes. I had a vivid memory of my Grandma Glass telling me to put a potato in something I had made that I’d added too much salt to. Thanks, Grandma!
Blaine took some time this morning and repaired the ceiling in our pantry that was gradually dropping down. He had some awkward positions, but he managed. I think being in construction all his life helps with that. 😊
I don’t seem to have much to say about how we spent our day today. We didn’t venture out until it warmed up some – after lunch. By then, it was warm enough for shorts and t’s, although I wasn’t so sure when we first started out.
The last time we took this route, we were on foot. Today, I felt like a novice mountain biker. There were sooo many roots today! And a few small hills. Some sand. Some deep pine needles. I’m certain, beyond any doubt that Blaine could’ve done this much faster by himself. But.
I never had to get off and push! I consider that a real accomplishment!
Early on, the edges of the path held a few information boards. We posted them two years ago, if you’re that interested. 
Today, I just took a couple of pictures of pictures. : )
I think he didn’t realize that for various reasons, it was more difficult for me.
When I was growing up, we used to collect them and stick them on some of the curtains in our house.
As an adult with our own place, we used to do the same on the kitchen curtains. Fun memories!
we spotted two alligators here – one on the island.
We don’t know if it’s because of all the green stuff growing here now or not.
Still and calm today.
Blaine decided to buck the system and took us on a “no bikes” path that led us over bridges and past the River Sink overlook, where we saw our first and only wildlife of the day. Fortunately, no one was walking the narrow walking trail at this time.
Still no movement, but at least now we know why!
I was looking for information about the sink/rise areas, and found this:
A severe drought from 2000 to early 2004 diminished the amount of tannins in the river, increasing underwater visibility. This allowed a team of permitted divers to research and survey the underground system for the first time. They found that the conduits in which the river travels average a depth of about 140 feet below the surface, with some areas reaching 180 feet. The passageways are an average 40 to 60 feet in height and 60 to 80 feet wide, some of the largest in the area. Divers surveyed and mapped just over 50,000 feet of underground passageways within and just outside of the park, naming it the Bellamy Cave system.
For dinner, we had wild rice and mushroom soup and some delicious multi-grain bread. That came all the way from Canada to the Winn Dixie in Florida! We were shocked when we saw that tonight! And the loaf only cost us $3! How in the world is that possible? And why would they get their bread from Canada? Oh well. We don’t mind, because it was really, really good! So was the soup, if I do say so myself. 😉
Yesterday we exercised our arms. Today, it was our legs (and I think my arms as well because most of the time I had a death grip on my bike’s handlebars). Tomorrow, we exercise our minds. Now that’s what I call a well-rounded workout!
WILD RICE AND MUSHROOM SOUP
4 T. butter
3 T. flour
2 green onions, sliced
12 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 ½ C. chicken broth
1 ½ C. cooked wild rice (or 6 oz. Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice without the seasoning packet)
1 t. chicken bouillon (optional)
Melt 3 T. butter in a saucepan. Add the flour, stirring constantly and cooking over medium heat until light brown. Set aside.
Melt remaining butter in a soup pot and add onion, mushroom and garlic. Sauté until liquid from the mushrooms evaporates.
Place the pan with the flour mixture on low heat. Gradually add some chicken broth and continue heating and stirring to make a smooth sauce. Add the remaining broth and cooked rice to the mushrooms in the soup pot. Stir in the flour mixture and continue to simmer to desired thickness.
HINT: This doesn’t freeze well – the rice disintegrates and the mushrooms get rubbery. Also, if you have leftover soup, the rice will continue to absorb the liquid. The next day, it’s more like a stew than a soup. If you want it thinner, add some water or milk, or leftover chicken broth if you have some.