SNEAK IN A SPRING

David and I had a good adventure yesterday,

 we took a little hike -almost a mile down this trail-

to arrive at this beautiful hidden gem--a freshwater spring! 

 After a brisk swim and some 

underwater explorations, we headed back down the trail

 to beat the afternoon rain. 

This is a native hibiscus, called a scarlet rosemallow, 

which is always a beautiful pop of red when you spot some!

This is a bass--the way the light reflected it made it look like a ghost!

And a selfie just because we were having fun!

I was so happy to be able to take a hike, to breathe and have only my usual MS pain without all the extras like anemia and know that perhaps the worst of this chapter of health is behind me!

 

MUD VISIT

It wasn't too crowded considering it was a Saturday, and the water was so refreshing in the 100* temperatures!

The water surging from the spring is channeled out here where it meanders to the St Johns River eventually. 

 Caleb and his son did some fishing here.  

Just catch and release. 

 We enjoyed  the antics of a blue crab, too.

Caleb did catch this Pleco by hand--it was like a dinosaur-ed fish because it was very scaled not with fish scales but with hard, sharp scales!  The fins at the top of his spine were all spines, too!  It was amazing and ancient looking!  After a wonderful few hours we hiked back to the car and to our house for a pool swim!

After dinner, Ella and I had some time to crochet--she wanted to make a stingray which is a great beginner project.

I made a black and white one from the plush yarn-too cute!

This one I added a mouth on the underside! 

 The day was perfect in every way!!!

 

SPRINGS AND SUMMER

We took our youngest son and children to the springs at Welaka--what a treasure that place is tucked in like a hidden world!  The water was so refreshing after a long hike in to the water!

We sat and enjoyed the view and then would swim again--

a very relaxing few hours!

Everyone had a good time jumping in 

and swimming across the spring!

I came prepared this time to join in the swimming 

and had a wonderful time in the water!  I even swam over the springs--the water pressure is so great-

1.4 millions gallons a day-it holds you up in the water!  

My daughter in law sent gifts from her grandparents--very old bottles that he brought up when diving off the coast of St Thomas Island many decades ago--very cool to hold the bottles and feel the difference from new bottles!

  And the fabric is from grandma who is also an avid quilter! 

 I will enjoy them both very much!

 And look!  I even managed to finish the second doily!