Friday, April 30, 2010

Tolkien Trees... Happy Arbor Day!






Here is the gathering of trees that we happened upon close to our campsite in Valrico, FL. The photos just don't come close to portraying the ethereal quality of the grouping. We climbed these small rocky hills enveloped by large oak trees draped in spanish moss with their roots creeping out like octopus legs. Some of these legs are heavy and rooted while others appear to be freely dancing. It's like the old trees got together and decided to create a space for children to run and jump and play underneath a canopy of gray and green, with bright fern leaves popping up all around.

I couldn't help but imagine Frodo and Sam sinking in between the roots of these trees in some sort of sleepy trance. It seemed like Tom Bombadil would come bounding in at any moment singing his merry song. I love Tolkien's trees and Tom Bombadil. Maybe it's best that he was left out of the movie so that my image of him is still from the first time we met. Anyway, it's fitting that this post is on April 30th, National Arbor Day. We planted a crepe myrtle in our back yard not long ago, and hopefully this fall we can add some fruit trees to celebrate again! We don't have the climate for spanish moss, but that makes it all the more beautiful when we get to head south to visit these places!

"The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more." Ralph Waldo Emerson


Thursday, April 29, 2010

Color and Texture in the Sunshine State


some patterns, sizes, and colors from our trip...


barefoot beach in Naples

maybe my favorite type of food...


one day we'll go to Greece and eat lots of olive oil and filo dough...


for now just Tarpon Springs


Historic Ybor City


Cuban food for lunch


markets...


orange, red, purple, greens, and lots of texture


sunflowers in the sunshine

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Little Manatee River




Here are a few photos from our float down Little Manatee River. We didn't see any manatees, but lots of fish and sunbathing turtles, and this little dragon fly who caught a ride with us down the river. Such a peaceful spot with canopies of oak and willow reflecting in the water all along the way.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hello Sunshine State


It's been a while since my last post, but we had lots to do before heading down south... deadlines for me, presentations for Laurence, and planting, so when we get back we'll have green popping up everywhere, hopefully! In the meantime we're visiting the place where it seems you can grow veggies and fruit and bright flowers year round, the sunshine state! Our first stop was a county campsite somewhere close to Valrico, FL, just outside of Tampa- one of my favorite places we've camped so far, even though I say that about every campsite. This one was exceptional because of the different Florida landscape, especially the live oak trees with spanish moss and the yucca growing everywhere - I posted a photo of our campsite below. These beautiful "live" trees live right next to dozens of strawberry fields and orange groves. So, after setting up our tent, we drove back down the highway to one of the numerous strawberry farms. Most of these had little produce stands out front and advertised shortcake and milkshakes, and even strawberry pizza. I'm pretty sure we chose the best one. Creamy, thick, pink goodness- thankfully Laurence didn't want to split one. We considered stopping here again for breakfast on our way out of town, but resisted.

After sitting in the sunshine a little while at the picnic tables overlooking the fields, we felt like a run was a good idea. We started out from the campsite and found some wooded trails that led us to the most beautiful gathering of trees (they'll get a post of their own), and then ended up on some gravel roads that circled around an orange grove. Probably one of the nicest runs I've ever been on. It helps that Florida is very flat compared to Knoxville, but the smell of the orange blossoms was delicious. Really, I think it was better than eating a fresh orange. At the end of the orange grove we found some bee hives with lots of bees busy at work- another of the photos posted below. I love the way this part of Florida feels... and smells. I'll post some more from our camping trip soon, as there's so much inspiring all around!




Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

photo by Laurence Eaton