Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Myakka River

To celebrate my birthday I gave my self two special gifts; A new camera and a long weekend excursion to the golf coast. Myakka River State Park is truly enchanting.

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Far from the amusement park flash and suburban sprawl typical of Florida, I felt completely free and at home in this place.


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Under the hammock of live oak and cabbage palm, every branch is lushly curtained with Spanish moss. Wild tree orchids, resurrection fern and multicolored lichens catch hold of the gnarled bark and take root.

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Even the heavy heat of August does not penetrate the canopy, and for once, the moist air feels in keeping with the surroundings.


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Golden silk spiders weave giant orbs through the trees and I saw no less than ten alligators patrolling the waters. Their still emotionless eyes in a constant state of meditation. I felt like I had entered another world.

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The Civilian Conservation Corps built a series of beautify crafted palm log cabins in the mid 1930’s. I fully intend to book one for a few days when I reach the end of my contract. I'm not sure why but small hand constructed buildings speak to me on a basic level. Simple, humble and charming.

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4 comments:

penelope said...

i went to the park site and that place is wonderful! i love the cabins and i'm so glad you posted about it. simple and charming, for sure!

Eleni said...

Wow, I thought you were in the Caribbean, not Florida! Stunning pictures, as usual. Good to have you back :)

mombo said...

How soul satisfying it must have been for you to be back in wild nature. Especially after weeks of the manicured culture of Club Med.
It delights me to see you doing a tree posture amidst the spanish moss and gators! Loved the photo's of the mosses and tree orchids. AND I loved seeing you greet us out your window to your other world.

Thanks for sharing this beauty with us.

Anonymous said...

Imagine those CCC workers building those palm cabins. Just think... maybe they were built by your grandpa Merrick!

Our current government should sponsor our unemployed youth to do the same for this Now Depression as they did for the Great Depression?! People with foreclosures and homeless families could work and live in them too!

Wouldn't you love working on this Habitat for Humanity project!baaska

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