Suwannee River Time

The other day I was speaking with Ranger Kim Rivers about time and how it is observed.  Now, Kim is a park ranger at Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park in White Springs FL with a background in story telling and folk art giving her experience with much of the state.  So we were discussing how people actually observe time.  

Ranger Kim
Greats you with a big smile
She is always helpful

From living in South Florida, I learned about "island time" when usually events happen 2-4 hours after the scheduled time.  There was "mainland time" which was more or less the scheduled time, "Yankee time" that required you to arrive early, "Cuban time" was 1-3 hours after the appointment, and "Hatian time" that might happen 4 hours after the official time.  

Perfect place for Suwannee River Time
Branford Tract off the Suwannee River Greenway

So, now I'm learning about "Suwannee River Time"... which means when ever we get around to it... could be today, tomorrow, or never.  On Saturday we decided to head for the Live Oak Farmer's Market which is scheduled for 9 AM to 1 PM.  Planning to leave White Springs at 8:30 we managed a 9:45 departure time arriving at the Farmer's Market a little after 10 AM.  Well, there were a few vendors set up with wonderful products... yes I did purchase from several booths.   

Vendors at the Live Oak Farmer's Market

The Farmer's Market website mentioned the group Patchwork was to play but with no time scheduled.  Now, Patchwork is a group not to miss so with no sign of music we inquired about time and received a vague answer. Something like, "Hang out for an hour or so there's plenty to do..."  I thought "Suwannee River Time".  Even with the temptation of home cooked lunch and Patchwork, we headed off to explore explore Branford, both the Suwannee River Greenway and catch the  Catfish Festival.

Wild flowers carpet the road ways

The Catfish Festival website promised a 7AM start with foot races and music noon-6 PM.  There were to be vendors, a fishing outfit pageant, and more.  The drive down was pleasant as it was a beautiful morning and the roads were blanketed with wild flowers.  However, upon arriving in Branford we found not much was happening other than an outdoor yard sale.  

Branford Train Depot
Now the Shrine Club

Not a problem as we wanted to cycle the Suwannee River Greenway and once the bikes were unloaded from the truck we headed down the path.  The next 2 hours were spent exploring the greenway which runs along the CSX train rail bed, formerly a Henry Plant Railway.  More information about our bike adventure on the greenway.

Bill ready for the Suwannee River Greenway

After completing the bicycle ride, around 1:30, there was still no sign of a festival so we headed back to Live Oak.  Along the way we stopped in O'Brien for a 'flea market' and McAlpin for a Community Rummage Sale which was to end a few hours earlier, "Suwannee River Time".

This sign was effective!

Community Rummage Sale

This put us back in Live Oak around 2 or 2:30 PM.  Just our luck, Patchwork had just ended their music sets and were packing up.  However, luck changed when we learned they were still serving food.  Somehow in all our travels we had not eaten lunch so this was perfect. 

Yes, now they were serving food!

There wasn't much of a menu but we took what was offered.  Quiche, hamburger, or hot dog with grilled squash, and pasta salad.  The lady handed us beautiful plates of food and kept asking if we needed more!  Well then we asked how much and tried to pay but no money was accepted.  Because of the special Mother's Day event at the Farmer's Market lunch was free.  The meal came as compliments of the Farmer's Market organizer and vendors.

How I love north Florida roadways!
Where you can enjoy
Suwannee River Time

We arrived back in White Springs and I began to think... was the Catfish Festival May 9th or May 16th?  A check of the Catfish Festival website confirmed it is May 16th.  Once again we were trapped by "Suwannee River Time".

Suwannee River Time