White Springs, FL: The growth cycle of a Holiday Pole Tree

This is our second year working on the holiday light show at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.  And, it is difficult to say what is the most fun: building pole trees, decorating the grounds, greeting guests, or simply enjoying the light show called the Festival of Lights.  Anyway you look at it, this volunteer gig is a win-win situation.

Festival of Lights Promo Picture

One of the fun decorations is building the pole trees.  Well, this year we built about ten trees from 6' to 27' in height.  The operation is basically the same regardless of the size... except with trees over 10' it is best to have a high lift or bucket truck.

Pole trees are not much different from other bare root stock plants.  You plant the bare root bulb, water it, wait, and after a short time it sprouts leaves which result in dense foliage and perhaps fruit.  Same with pole trees.

First you "plant" the tree

So, the first step is to decide on the appropriate location which involves considering the space and electrical capacity available, tree height, and other near by decorations.  Next you gather the tools into a truck before heading to the build site.  The tools include: rope, stakes, pole, level, shovel, post hole digger, lights, extension cords, power cords, ladder or high lift.  

Here Bill works on the 27' tree

At the site you dig the hole and plant the bare root stock.  Then tamp it down as you fill in the hole while verifying the tree is straight, use the level for this job.  Next step is to pound stakes into the earth at somewhat equidistant locations from the base in a circle. 

Mark the perimeter and install stakes

Now were are making progress.  You connect the power cord to the electrical outlet, drag it to the base of the tree, and then add an extension chord or three-way plug.  Now you re-check the light strands to insure they work as you connect about four into a long strand.  Be certain to secure the connected ends with a loop or knot so they will not slip loose.  After you assemble a couple of strands it is time to build the tree.   

After several days the tree sprouts

Wrap one end of the light strand around a stake, feet the line to the top where you wrap the light strand around the pole and pass it down the opposite site to another stake.  Then wind the light strand to the next stake and repeat the process.  After a bit you have a completed pole tree and the bare root has sprouted leaves.  Wait until evening, turn on the lights and you will find an amazing display as the tree blooms.

And eventually it blooms

There you have it, the growth cycle of a pole tree.

Live Oak: Entertaining at the Raid on the Suwannee

The Raid on the Suwannee is an annual event in the Live Oak Florida area.  It is a historical re-enactment of a Civil War battle that could have, but did not, occur.

Getting ready for the battle that didn't occur(photo from Suwannee Democrat)

From an interview in the Suwannee Democrat:
“It’s a ‘what-if’ event,” said Bo Hancock, one of the organizers. “But it’s still part of history.” 
If the Confederates had lost at Olustee, Hancock said, the next step for the Union would have led them into Suwannee County as they marched the railroad line to destroy transportation infrastructure. 

This is history at it's best, living history.  Leading up to the weekend event there were several history presentations at the Suwannee River Regional Library.  The presentation on 'Edmund Kirby-Smith Florida born Confederate General and his wife' caught my interest as we were both born in St. Augustine.  Then too, I spent many hours at the Public Library which was housed in his childhood home.  

Reenactors bring history to life
(photo from Raid website)

On Thursday night we learned about E. Kirby-Smith in a presentation by Wayne and Jane Simms with their appropriately named "All's Fair in Love and War" program which tells of the romance between General Edmund Kirby Smith, a Civil War general born in the city, and Cassie Selden, a Virginian who became his wife.

Wayne and Jane Sims
Storytellers

Saturday was a volunteer day, notice it is not a work day, supporting the Dulcimer Retreat at Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park.  However, Sunday we were 'off' and volunteering at the Raid on the Suwannee as musicians for the 10:05 AM music set.  It was chilly that morning but the show must go on and so we headed to Live Oak on a beautiful crisp fall day. 

Dressed for the 1860s
bringing period music to the festival

We arrived in plenty of time and began to set-up for the performance.  The band '7 Lbs of Bacon' provided the sound system and one of the band members adjusted the sound. However, shortly into the performance there was a problem with the system that required some reorganization.  Now, Bill is a good sound man but it is difficult to handle both sound and perform using your own system much less an unknown sound system.  

Fellow Park Service volunteers came for the day
Stephanie and Carl (helping with the sound)

Fortunately, park volunteers Stephanie and Carl were in the crowd and Carl can run sound!  You guessed it, we asked him to assist.  Yes, Carl does understand sound managed to get us up and running in no time.  Thank you Carl.

Norm McDonald, wonderful storyteller and musician
good friend who suggested us for the event

Now, we never applied as musicians for this event but our good friend Norm McDonald introduced us to the director with a good recommendation.  So, when an opening occurred we were first on his list to complete the show.  Can't say I know many Civil War tunes but we have a long list of songs and dance tunes from the era, 1840-1870, plus several of our Florida Folk songs were appropriate for this event.  It was a lovely day with an appreciative audience, living history, friends, good food, and happy memories.  What else can you ask?

Participants taking a break from the festivities
to enjoy the vendor's fare

Stephen Foster State Park: Ranger Brownie's Campfire Program

Among my favorite memories of state and national parks are the ranger programs. 

Campfire Program!

The team at Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park has a rather full schedule of programs for which I am glad.  Yes, you may recall that we have hosted a few of the programs sharing Florida Songs and Stories.  

Ranger Pete (foreground)
Bob Ellis & Ranger Brownie (rear)

This Saturday evening it was Ranger Brownie Akers turn to host the campfire program.  Lo and behold it was about the Different Faces of Florida Music.  Brownie covered a wide range of artists from the traditional fiddle tunes brought by the Crackers to the recent past with songs from Arlo Guthrie and Jimmy Buffet.  I write the recent past because he didn't include any rap...

Bob Ellis fiddling while
Ranger Brownie sings Stephen Foster

Shortly after arriving in White Springs, Ranger Brownie met Bob Ellis who plays both fiddle and whistle.  They formed a band and began providing entertainment for local events.  Together they treated the audience to many traditional tunes from the 1850s to the 1970s. 

Ranger Brownie treating us to a Stephen C Foster song

Being a resourceful man and knowing there were several talented volunteers and park rangers,  Brownie found a way to include Florida folk artists (volunteers Marg and Bill, and Ranger Kim), Canadian Bluegrass pickers (volunteers Margo and Robert), and budding musicians (volunteer Alan).  He spun magic throughout the program by weaving an interesting story of Florida music to invite others up for a cameo appearance to illustrate his points..

Ranger Brownie accompanied by
Ranger Kim, on harmonica.

Bill and I were delighted to share a couple of Florida Folk songs composed by contemporary Florida folk artists.  We considered using our originally songs but friends have written songs of this area that were more appropriate. (Sorry, no pictures of our long set)

Ranger Brownie and Ranger Kim

Not only did Ranger Brownie think of music and history, he asked Ranger Pete to provide insect control.  Now Ranger Pete is a back to nature type of person, thus insect control must be natural and what is better than smoke.  The solution more than chemical.

Ranger Pete
Providing mosquito control!

Ranger Pete's solution was to find a somewhat dry log, cut an X in center of one cut end and start a file.  This scheme creates a smoke stream that repels most insects.  The fire starts on the top and then moves down into the green center creating a wall of smoke that did the job.

The ultimate Pest Control

Yes, it was a fun program that ran a bit overtime; however, no one seemed to care and many felt the show could have gone longer.  But as every artist knows the secret is to "Leave them wanting more."  So, when you enter a park, inquire at the ranger station about programs and events. 

Big Shoals State Park: Bicycling the Woodpecker Trail

On a beautiful day in White Springs FL there are many outdoor activity options:  hike the parks and natural areas, bicycle the town or parks, canoe the river, stroll the town, or sit on the river bank. 

Suwannee River at Big Shoals State Park

Canoeing the Suwannee River is always fun but the river is just over 51 feet so the rocks and logs would require a bit of portage... forget that idea.

Time tested guidelines for canoeing
on the Suwannee River

So, we selected my favorite mode of transportation, the bicycle.  Sometimes I believe I was born on a bicycle but it was my buddy from the age of three when my grandmother gave me my first tricycle.  Wheels... let's go!

The Suwannee is quite tame now

Big Shoals State Park it is!  Off to ride the Woodpecker Trail, a 3.5 mile one way paved trail between the Little Shoals entrance and the Big Shoals picnic area.  We bicycled from Stephen Foster Cultural Center State Park down CR 135 to the Little Shoals entrance. Taking the small road into Little Shoals we crossed into the State Park Property  and road the paved Woodpecker Trail, no vehicle traffic, to Big Shoals.  

Trail to the canoe launch and river overlook

This is a lovely ride through oaks, restored pine forest, logged pine forest, and scrub.  Along the way you cross a few bridges which still had some water flow in the creeks.  After exploring the trails near the picnic area we hiked down to the canoe launch for a better view of the river.  And then returned by the same route.  It was a perfect day for a bicycle trip.

Hard to believe six months ago this river was raging!
And two years ago it was out of the banks

Citra FL: Orange Creek Restoration Area

So here we are in Citra performing miscellaneous tasks and Bill says, "I'd like to check out the public lands on Hwy 318."  Using our phones we locate the area and learn the name is Orange Creek Restoration Area, gotta love Google Maps.  

Entry Kiosk

The area is a joint management between St. Johns River Water Management and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

Entry Trail

The area contains many miles of multi-access trails and the south entrance is less than 10 miles away.  It is now 3:30 PM in early November so we'd best boogie as the days are short.

Lovely old oak along the trail

With over eight miles of trails at the South Entrance there is something for every able bodied person.  There are three loop trails that intersect so you can adjust the hike for the available time.  Now, I do not recommend this as a leisurely stroll due to the varied walking surfaces and bugs. 

A hammock along the way

Swampy area as we return to the trail head

 Walking surface varies from sugar sand to muck with various types of grassy and swampy paths.

Mucky area as the trail turns
from the lake area

The area has been altered over time to control the water flow.  In recent history, the land was used for farming from the 1940s.  As farming changed Water Management purchased the land in 1998 and began to restore the area to the original vegetation.

Restoration area includes
plantings of pines

Today the 3,542 acre property includes a variety of habitats:  wetlands, timberlands, pastures, and wet prairies, and what I call a swamp. However, the district calls them marsh areas.

Orange Creek and pond

Marsh to lake

The water flows from Orange Lake down Orange Creek into the Ocklawaha River then to the St. Johns River and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean.  Got that? 

Interesting Flower along the trail

Now in this varied terrain you would expect to find a variety of plant communities, as evidenced by my photos.  These plant communities allow a varied wildlife habitat and sure enough we saw deer, ducks, a northern harrier hawk, pilated woodpeckers, small brown birds, coots, blue heron, and more.  There were a few variety of lizards and skink along with butterflies.  

Trail through the native palms

And, I almost forgot the squirel, owl, doves and evidence of armadillo and hogs.  Naturally, most of these were too fast for my inexperienced photography and the cell phone.

Looking across the prairie

When in the Citra area I highly recommend a hiking trip to the Orange Creek Restoration Area.   I can vouch for the South entrance off Hwy 318.  Next time I want to check the North entrance off Hwy 325.  You'll find trail maps, directions, and additional information on the web site (http://floridaswater.com/recreationguide/orangecreek/).

Yellow flowers dot the drier grass
on the prairie

St. Augustine: Anastasia State Park, Late October

After spending three months at Anastasia State Park, I realized we would be leaving in two weeks on November 1st.  The surprise is not that we were leaving but that the time went so quickly.  

Early morning October sun through the oaks

We arrived in mid-July to assist my mother and eventually change her place of residence.  While we were at the park it just so happened a volunteer canceled for August and we were available, this was fortunate for everyone as our scheduled volunteer dates were September and October.  

Pelicans riding the air currents
Heading south for the winter?

So here we are in mid-October when it is northeaster season and the beach collects extra debris. It can be an exciting time with high tides, rough surf, and brisk winds. Then after the storm passes you get cooler days with crystal clear skies which are brilliant blue in the day and totally starry at night.

Notice the reeds washed in with the high tides
It is a bit cooler now...
people are wearing slacks and jackets

While volunteering you meet many wonderful people:  park rangers, resident volunteers, park friends, locals, and park guests.  There is so much to learn from each person so I am blessed to be a part of the volunteer community.

Park Manager Warren (right)
Jamming at a park event

Park friends:  Chuck & Kayla
Park Ranger: Mark
Jamming at another park event

Park rangers have an amazing tolerance for human nature, mistakes, and problems.  I bet one of the classes at the Florida Park Service Ranger School is "Making Lemonade from Sour Oranges" because every ranger is wonderful in dealing with the public and taking every situation into stride.

Lucy... one of our team mates
Always smiling

Lynette and Bill, volunteers
veterans of many parks

There is no "Volunteer School"; however, each park holds an orientation session that helps you learn the duties and more important the culture of the park and the Florida Park System.  It seems only the folks who continue to volunteer have a strong work ethic, enjoy people and hard work, and strive to make each day a bit better for both themselves and others.  Perhaps that is the best part of volunteering with the Florida Park System.

Shaun and Marj... park guests
A few of the delightful people you meet

The park guests are always a treat... well sometimes there are grumpy clients... but for the most part people are happy and helpful.  The above couple stayed in our service area for ten days so we had time to get acquainted and make friends.

October morning at the beach

Another benefit of volunteering in the state parks is the scenery.  How can you be unhappy when you awake to the sound of the ocean, birds, or a stream?  You can't complain when the scenery is beautiful and nature is in full bloom.  

Looking north from the boardwalk
Salt run, Light house, Vilano Beach bridge

Let me end with an old saying to remind me that hard days are not that hard, the rainy days not so damp, the cold not so bitter, and the love of friends and family ever present...

All's well that ends well.

Jacksonville: Little Talbot Island State Park

We had several destination goals on our day-trip to the Talbot Islands: Kingsley Plantation (read the post), Ft. George Island Cultural State Park, and Little Talbot Island State Park. These and several other parks and historical sites are located within a short drive of each other.

Slipjig strolling the grounds of
The Ribault Club
Notice she is formally dressed in her tuxedo!

Actually  Kingsley Plantation and Ft. George Island Cultural State Park are adjacent to each other on Ft. George Island and shared hiking trails allow scenic access to both. 

The Ribault Club
photo: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortgeorgeisland.html

As Florida became a playground for the rich, St. George Island was one of those exclusive destinations.  In 1928 the Ribault Club was built to host lavish parties, games, and events.  It was a favorite spot for some of America's most wealthy residents.  As times changed it fell into disrepair; however, after a four-year historic restoration, this waterfront Club has reopened.  You can tour the facility,learn the history, and hike the grounds.  It is also available as a rental for weddings, special events, and meetings. Currently it is operated by the Florida State Parks, the National Park Service, and a concession, Cape Leisure Corp.

Scrub, flowers, and mule grass
abound on the dunes

The next stop was Little Talbot Island State Park, a short drive from Ft. George Island.  Over the years we have made several visits to the park which is a nice 'escape' from Anastasia State Park where we were volunteering. 

Trail through the sand dunes to the beach

In truth both Little Talbot and Anastasia are located on barrier islands with long stretches of beach, trails, and camping but there are differences.  One of the major differences is the beach, at Anastasia you have a long, hard packed surface to stroll along with multiple swimming areas.  This is not the case at Little Talbot which being further north and closer to the inlet has rough waters and soft sand.

Swimming at Little Talbot is limited

While both parks have an abundance of bird life and nesting areas there is less interference at Little Talbot Island.  Much of the safety is due to the remoteness, Anastasia is now surrounded by houses, businesses, and population growth while Little Talbot is somewhat remote from housing and traffic.  The Little Talbot website boasts "With more than five miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches, Little Talbot Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida."  So, life here is different from much of developed Florida.

Beach path mostly deserted

As you explore the island you will find various terrain from maritime forests to desert-like dunes and undisturbed salt marshes. These various habitats results in a variety of wildlife from river otters and  marsh rabbits to bobcats and gophers.  I'm not even going to attempt to list the native and migratory birds.

Mule grass with the beautiful fall foliage.

So, if you are looking for a relaxing day or weekend, plan a trip to the Talbot Islands State Parks where you will find:

-- Seven Florida State Parks:Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, Amelia Island State Park, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park, Big Talbot Island State Park and George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park. 

-- The nearby Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve including Fort Caroline, Kingsley Plantation, and several other areas.

Sea oats help to stabilize the sand dunes

If you are a history buff and/or looking for the Real Florida, you will not be disappointed by the wide range of opportunities that exist here.