St. Augustine: "Music in the Park" at Anastasia State Park

Once a month there is a community music night, Music in the Park, hosted by the Friends of Anastasia State Park, yes at Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, FL.   Music in the Park is usually the second Saturday of the month starting at 6 PM, remember to set your calendar as it is always a fun event.

Monthly Music Jam/Open Mic
at Anastasia State Park

So here we are at the August event which happens rain or shine.  NOTE:  The show is cancelled if there is a lightening storm.  And this actually happened in September show.  Although some were unhappy it was the best plan because who wants to become a victim of Mother Nature?  Certainly not I.

Park Volunteer Bill (far right)
running the sound board
for these lovely ladies

August saw a change in the format by adding a sound system so the audience could hear the performers.  The addition of microphones and speakers was wonderful, now the main performer could be heard while others provided a back-up band.  So, it was still a jam or song circle of sorts where each person performed a tune or two and others listened or played along.

The jam morphed into a quasi open mic
this seemed to suit everyone

The core music group comes from the Friends of Anastasia State Park, Park Volunteers, and the Park Rangers.  The musical talent is amazing. 

Park Manager Warren Poplin
far right

It is also a popular event with local musicians who are frequent participants in the jam.  

Anastasia Friend Chuck (far left)
with local musicians

And, it provides an opportunity for campers to explore their musical talents and sometimes select this weekend for their trip.

Three campers with a fine unaccompanied
harmony version of a popular tween song

Remember... Music in the Park 6 PM -9 PM second Saturday of the month.  

St. Augustine: Spider Season at Anastasia State Park

August 1st we began our volunteer assignment at Anastasia State Park as 'camp hosts'.  Now each park operates differently so don't expect the job title to exactly match your impression of the job.  Regardless, each job is different which makes it fun and rewarding.  

Amazing spider web at the bathhouse

On this assignment camp host involves cleaning the bathhouse and campsites at the bare minimum; however, most volunteers give it their own twist and we enjoy trimming, removing invasive plants, and scouring the back woods for trash.  Not to mention wonderful bugs...

Giant Leopard Moth

Such as the giant leopard moth which is Florida's largest eastern tiger moth.  It is not often these are seen as giant leopard moths are nocturnal; however, occasionally, one is still hanging around 7 AM when I check the bathrooms. 

Perhaps a Argiope aurantia
(Black and Yellow Garden Spider)

Now, this summer we heard frequent questions about the spiders.  Mostly people asked
"Are they poison?"
"Will they bite?"

My answer from experience is a qualified, "No". I never recall being bitten by a spider but maybe I've been lucky.  So, with a plethora of spiders it was time to learn more.  At present there are about 39 species in Florida and 79 species in the continental US.  Now, I will do my best to identify from the photos.

This Spotted Orb Weaver loves the trash compacter

So each morning you wake up and walk out the door of your trailer into a spider web.  They are strung across the awning, the doorways, betwen near trees, and across the road at 18 feet high.  Just how do they manage this feat?

Golden Silk Orbweaver

The Golden Silk Orbweaver is a tropical spider that inhabits swamps and shady woods.  Yes, that is Anastasia State Park which is quite swampy this fall due to excess rainfall. I grew up calling this a Banana Spider because it resembles a banana. It is harmless or relatively harmless.  Though it is cousin to a rather aggressive Brazilian Banana Spider.

Golden silk spider, Nephila clavipes

According to the University of Florida, The golden silk spider is common in this area and one of the  largest orb-weaving spiders in the country. The female is 25 mm to 40 mm long and colorful while the males are about 4 mm to 6 mm long in a bland dark-brown.  These beautiful spiders (female) are commonly found in forests, along trails and at clearing edges.  Look for the male in the edge of the web.

Golden silk spider, Nephila clavipes

The Spotted Orb Weaver builds nests that are up to two fee in diameter and hunt mostly at night while sleeping during the day.  We found this one early on a cloudy morning.  She was hanging out at the trash compactor along with several Golden Silk Orbweavers.  Being a heavy mosquito day I for one was thankful to see the spiders.

Spotted Orb Weaver - (Neoscona crucifera)

Back to poisonous spiders with some information from Fresh From Florida.

In Florida we have only two main types of venomous spiders: widow spiders and recluse spiders.

Three species of widow spiders are native to Florida, and a fourth species has been introduced. No species of recluse spiders are native to Florida, but three species have been intercepted.

You may find these spiders in or under objects like boards, firewood, storage boxes. To avoid a bite wearing gloves is recommended.. Read the following article for more information and pictures
 http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Plant-Industry-Publications/Pest-Alerts/Pest-Alert-Venomous-Spiders-in-Florida

So enjoy these gifts from nature.

Georgia: Savannah Ogeechee Canal Museum

What a delightful treasure.  On our return to Florida in July it had been a long day's trip on I-95 so a walk was in order.  As we neared the entrance to the campground I noticed an interesting sign.

This sign caught my attention
Little did I know it would be so interesting.

This was a short walk from the campground.  Why not take a stroll?

Nature Trail leading to the canal

Yes, there was a slightly overgrown foot path near the road that lead to a shelter.  Perhaps this was a road side park and picnic area between us and the fenced museum building.  

Flowers abound in sunny areas

Walking the path made sense and we soon learned it was part of the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center.  The area was lovely with moss draping from tall oaks as we walked the path which led to a canal.

Canal and Locks

 This was the historic Ogeechee Barge Canal, a prime relic in the history of southern canals.  History from Wikipedia records the canal as "The Savannah - Ogeechee Canal was an important and profitable enterprise during the mid-nineteenth century. Originally chartered in 1824, the 16.5 miles (26.6 km)'s of canal was completed in December 1830. Numerous problems (such as decay of wooden locks and repeated erosion of embankments) plagued the canal during its early days of operation. The parent company declared bankruptcy in 1836. A new company was formed that widened and improved existing structures within the canal. From the 1840s to the 1860s, the canal generally prospered and became an important element in the south Georgia economy."

Swampy area along the canal

The canal begins with the tidal lock at the Savannah River and continues through four lift locks as is traverses 16 1/2 miles.  The canal terminates with another tidal lock at the Ogeechee River, the location of the museum and nature center.

Ogeechee River

Canals were the lifeblood of Georgia commerce after 1820, the canal era.  Before then the residents relied on rivers and transferred goods several times from water to land as the rivers did not always connect.  

A paved road borders the canal for some distance

The canal was destined for demise after heavy June rains damaged the canal in 1876 and the yellow fever epidemic left few workers to repair the damage.  Couple this disaster with the railroad era and it is no wonder the canal fell into neglect.  

Looking into the canal

Fortunately local citizens formed the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society  and obtained a grant to build the park and museum.  

Luckily boardwalks cross part of the swamp

Our visit was in the early evening, after closing hours, so we could not speak with anyone.  The trails were a little overgrown and I suspect that in July when the weather is hot and muggy, and with frequent rains and plentiful insect life maintenance is more difficult.  Not to mention the occasional snake.

This water snake did not anticipate visitors

Followed by a quick escape into the canal

To say the least, the area is beautiful and without the effort of local residents and volunteers the historic canal, surrounding area, and the history would be lost.  It would only be a matter of time before the swamps were filled and houses dotted the land.

Interesting bird house
this area is swampy

You can follow the activities on Facebook Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society as their page lists tours, events, and other interesting facts.  Visit the site for recent photos, comments, and professional photos.  And, try to schedule a visit between 1 and 5 PM when the museum is open.

The nature center features
wild flowers

Called Back: New York to Florida in four days...

Well, our New York adventure ended abruptly with yet another family issue.  I received a call from my mother's living facility to return NOW to St. Augustine, FL.

Trumansburg
Rainy AM for an exit

So, we packed up Thursday morning in 48 degree weather to head south.  This was with bittersweet emotions, knowing we were needed in Florida, yet knowing we left jobs undone at the Grassroots Festival as it started.  However, we could not delay any longer...

Truck and trailer
ready to roll

Returning required four long days on the road.  Now some folks can drive that 1100 miles in two days but not us.  With the travel trailer in tow, two cats, and two retired adults... life can go a little slower.

Yes, we need to dump the tanks from time to time
This is the campground in Virginia

Realizing I-95 is not always the best route, even though the mapping programs push that option for a total of 1058 miles, we varied the route just a bit for a total of 1187 miles.  I mean, you just can't believe on I-95 the distance can be driven in 14 hours.  

View from our campsite
Haymarket, VA

So we journeyed down the 'back-roads' including Hwy 29 and Hwy 15 stopping the first night near Haymarket Virginia at the Greenville Farm Family Campground.  The campground was located conveniently on Hwy 15!  And it was a clean, spacious, and treed area.

Our campsite was among these tall trees

Early the following morning we packed up which didn't take much effort as we never "unpacked", emptied our tanks (above), and headed out for more adventures.

On the road again

We were past the New York and Washington DC parts of the country so it was time to get back on I-95.  Leaving the small roads behind we bit the bullet and boarded the interstate.  This was a long day of driving with the reward of returning to Medoc Mountain State Park in North Carolina.

Medoc Mountain campsite as seen
from inside our home

 It was good to return to Medoc Mountain (a previous post) as the park is beautiful, a bit remote, and quiet this time of year.  There were few campers giving you the feeling the entire park was just for you... and the other half-dozen folks in the campground.

Since no one is around,
can't I get off this leash?

After a peaceful night with no rain and bright stars... yes we are often up around dawn to walk the cats and star gazing is a suitable hobby ... we were back on I-95 heading south.

Early morning cat walk

This day the miles rolled by quickly.  We made the typical stops for gas, food, bathroom breaks, and cat walks but there simply isn't much else when traveling I-95... unless you hit the dreaded traffic jam.  This time we were lucky and the traffic flowed easily.  Amazingly we had driven all the way to Savannah.  Checking the computer for a private campground I found Savannah Oaks RV Resort on the Good Sams Club website.  The description was reasonable so we gave it a try.  It was not my favorite campground but it worked for the evening and it had a clean laundry facility which came in handy.

The best part about the campground?  It was adjacent to the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center sponsored by the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society.   You can read about this in a separate post.

Now it was a short trip to Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine where I was able to secure a campsite for a few nights.  Upon arriving there were two important tasks:  checking on my mother and taking a beach walk.

Anastasia State Park
St. Augustine Beach

New York: Trumansburg and Taughannock Falls State Park

Last February we volunteered at the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival where we met folks from North Carolina and New York.  The New York group was primarily from Trumansburg, the headquarters of the GrassRoots Festivals.

Downtown Trumansburg
just a few blocks long

Fortunately, this summer we had the opportunity to spend two weeks in the area.  We began to learn why folks are so enthralled with the town and area.  There is a certain magic in the lower Finger Lakes region of New York.

The Taughannock River runs through town

One day I walked to the near by grocery and on the return noticed a small trail leading into the woods with an almost hidden sign "Smith Woods".  Yes, I had to venture on this trail which turned out to be a nature preserve through an old forest. The woods is a 32 acre plot of "old growth trees" some of which are over 200 years old and thus predate European settlement. 

Typical of the area
A nature preserve founded in 1909

From the Fair Grounds, where we volunteered for the GrassRoots Festival, it was a short distance to Taughannock Falls State Park.  So, one beautiful day we opted to take the afternoon and explore the state park.

Taughannock Falls
33 feet taller than Niagara Falls

There are several trails with the most dramatic and longest loop being the rim of the Taughannock Gorge.  From the gorge you can see the falls plunge 215 feet past rocky cliffs into the chasm below.  As an aside, this falls is 33 feet taller than Niagara Falls but not as wide.  Regardless, it is still impressive.

View from the top of the canyon wall

You can also walk up the river basin on a 1/2 mile trail to admire the falls from the base.  Along the way you can get up-close and personal with the river as it continues to carve its way to Cayuga Lake. And, yes we did both.

Looking across the gorge

The canyon walls rise nearly 400 feet above the gorge and the rim trail offers spectacular views of  the walls, multiple waterfalls, the river far below, birds, hikers, and swimmers.  Viewing the world from the edge of the rim is quite an experience.

Steep steps await you as you climb
to the rim of the gorge

To reach the rim from the mouth of the gorge, lake side, you must climb.  And as you ascend the steps provided by the park you pass through hemlock forests which almost block the bright sun.  Among the hemlocks you will find other hardwood trees such as sugar maple, striped maple, and the distinctive white oak.

The south side of the river and gorge is covered
with hardwoods, the north side 

The loop crosses the forest and borders the road on the west end, the river source, and descends to Cayuga Lake on the east side.  The lake is huge and impressive but not as exciting to this flat-lander as the woods which have different trees on the north and south rims.  

Cemetery Chapel
adjacent to Smith Woods

Bottom line:  Add this area on your bucket list.

New York: The Cornell Plantations

As mentioned in a previous post, when we visited Cornell in Ithaca New York we spent time in three natural areas managed by Cornell, The Ornithology Lab, The Cornell Plantations, and the Fall Creek Gorge with it's multiple waterfalls.  Due to the length I'll deal with each in a separate posting.  Here I'll cover the Cornell Plantations.

Welcome Center
photo from Cornell's website

It always helps to have a plan so our first stop was the Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center and you can't miss this with the unique architecture.  The building and surrounding vegetation promises an adventure.  After speaking with a host and obtaining a map we exited to the gardens.

One of the many gardens
Herbal Flowers

 Passing through a few shrubs, all labeled, we entered an herb garden; however, with the bright blossoms one tends to forget these are medicinal herbs.  I could have stayed here all day enjoying the picture show provided by mother nature.  However, after admiring these beauties we strolled through a traditional herb garden and on to another flower garden.  The area is hilly and these gardens were carved into the hill with flat spaces and stone walkways.

Bright with bloom
the flowers are amazing

Crossing the road we entered the shrub area which appeared manicured at first glance but that was not the case.  The master gardener designed the area so each shrub would be the perfect size and not require pruning.  There were no clip marks, only evidence of full growth.

Tastefully arranged shrubs and herbs
no need to manicure these

We continued on into the natural woods which were rather dark due to the tall trees.  Again many trees were labeled but there was no evidence of planned planting.  In this area Mother Nature seemed to have full range.  Here we descended a hill into a deeper forest before hearing the rush of water.

Fall Creek runs through the Cornell Plantations

Following the sound of water we happened on a trail that followed the edge of Fall Creek to the bridge that initially brought us into the area.  I must say Fall Creek is delightful whether you are in the gorge or simply along the river's edge.  And there are ample falls along the full range of this creek.

In most areas the herbs, vegetables,
shrubs, and trees are identified

Being time to return for our next adventure we returned along the river to the main gardens.  After a stop in the Welcome Center to say thank you.  In speaking with the host he recommended we see the Fall Creek Gorge and provided a map and directions.  So, once again we were on our way with many wonderful memories.