Did you know that George Washington's descendents lived in NE Florida not so terribly long ago? The kids and I took advantage of a respite in the rainy weather to hike a new trail. Hiking with kids is an amazing way to build an appreciation for nature. Not to mention we were all stir-crazy mad and in need of exercise after so much rain.  We packed a picnic basket full of lunch, some trail snacks, sunscreen, water, a map, and lots of bug spray and hit the road for a new-to-us trail about an hour south. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Intercoastal Waterway in Palm Coast, Florida, south of St. Augustine. I've seen friends posting incredible pictures from this part recently and had to check it out. What we found was so much more than just another nature trail. Driving by on the highway, one has no idea such an intricate garden even exists and its essence is nearly  as fascinating as its storied past. The highest point in th...

Edible Florida Beauty Berry If you were to become lost in the woods, would you know enough about the local flora to live off the land until you were found? Do you know which plants are edible and which are poisonous where you live? Do you have what it takes to survive? While I have no plans to forage for survival any time soon, the back-to-the-earth food movement fascinates me and I was excited to learn more about foraging and Florida's wild edibles with St. Johns County Naturalist AyoLane Halusky.  The kids and I started our school day with an introductory wild edibles class at Alpine Groves Park along the St. Johns River in NE Florida. One doesn't have to trek far into the mountains to forage for food. There are wild edibles all around us.  One must consider pesticides and pollutants before popping a leaf into their mouth though. Our friendly naturalist guide recommended being extremely cautious: "When I find a plant, I look it up in a book, then locate i...

A Gorgeous Magnolia Flower From Today's Walk It's 8 am and the kids have already been bickering for an hour. Tears have been shed. Threats have been made. Sound familiar? Surely mine is not the only household in which its youngest citizens insist on turning the institution into a circus on a daily basis? Some days it's hard to keep my cool. Nature provides the perfect opportunity to escape and compose myself. I bring the kids. It doesn't have to be far from home. In fact, the closer and easier the better some days. There's a sweet trail along the river not far from our house. When WWIII is about to break loose or I feel my last threat of patience about to snap, I load the kids and dogs into our mini van and head to a trail. With some comfortable shoes, sun screen, bug spray, and water bottles, we're ready for an adventure. It's not always peaceful. The fighting continues sometimes. I've been known to tell the kids (frequently) that I ...

There's just something about nature and being way out on a trail with the twittering birds and seasonal flora that keeps me coming back again and again. Perhaps it's because I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, in the shadows of mighty Mt. St. Helens and among the misty fir forests. I feel more alive in the woods than anyplace else. I love the workout. When hiking, I use muscles I wouldn't ordinarily use. Blood pressure decreases. My heart grows stronger. Hiking rejuvenates my soul. Any season is great for hiking and has a lot to offer, but I am partial to spring.  Here in Ne Florida, the forests are thick with vibrant greenery and birds abound.  The eighty-degree weather begs for outdoor activity and feels like warm silk on one's skin. How could we possibly stay indoors? The kids and I hit the trails at the University of North Florida today and marveled at the tiny pink and white blossoms on the wild blueberries. We discussed the animals that mi...