Selby Botanical Gardens

I you are visiting Sarasota, I highly recommend a visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. We arrived late in the day so I did not have as much time as I would have liked to explore the seven acres of epiphytes, bromeliads and orchids. What I did see of the Texaco Oil founders 1920's estate was quite exquisite.

If you can't go naked..

When I was sixteen years old I sacrificed one of my mothers indian gauze dresses to make this swimsuit. I used instructions from an old 70's sewing book, titled "If You Can't Go Naked Here Are Some Clothes You Can Sew on Fast." The suit is a bit worse for wear and has many sloppy mendings but it's still one of my favorites.

After breaking camp at Myakka River we headed to Siesta Key for a dip in the gulf.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.