Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak
"Spacious Skies"
Showing posts with label Princess Place Preserve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Princess Place Preserve. Show all posts

Monday, November 5, 2012

Spanish Moss Covered Ground


Spanish moss covered the ground throughout the woods on Hominy Branch Trail.  It really looked like dirty cotton balls everywhere.  It has such an unusual appearance. I like the way the morning sun created shadows of the trees falling across the moss.

Sand, Mud Holes and Swamp



Took a 3.5 mile hike down Hominy Branch Trail at Princess Place Preserve. I walked on bridges that crossed over a swamp until reaching a long trail of white sand.  Sand is more difficult to walk on then walking on  a normal mountain trail.  Your shoes sink into the sand and you have to make extra effort to pulled your feet out of the sinking footprints. The sun starting beating down on my head and the white sand reflected the heat. It was a whammy of double heat! After the sand, then it was wet marshland and the trail became muddy.  Mud is also a challenge to pull your shoes out of of sinking mud holes.  Of  course the horses left their evidence in the mud and you had to be careful where you stepped in the mud! The mud really weighs down your feet and legs. The trail was a challenge in the hot Florida climate.

Friday, November 2, 2012

'Eleonora' - A River of Silence





“From the dim regions beyond the mountains at the upper end of our encircled domain, there crept out a narrow and deep river, brighter than all save the eyes of Eleonora; and, winding stealthily about in mazy courses, it passed away, at length, through a shadowy gorge, among hills still dimmer than those whence it had issued. We called it the "River of Silence"; for there seemed to be a hushing influence in its flow. No murmur arose from its bed, and so gently it wandered along, that the pearly pebbles upon which we loved to gaze, far down within its bosom, stirred not at all, but lay in a motionless content, each in its own old station, shining on gloriously forever.”
― Edgar Allan Poe, Eleonora

A "Huckaberry Finn" River




"We catched fish and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn't ever feel like talking loud, and it warn't often that we laughed—only a little kind of a low chuckle. We had mighty good weather as a general thing, and nothing ever happened to us at all—that night, nor the next, nor the next."
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Huck and Jim, Chapter 12.

Reflections of "Red River Valley"

 
 
 
Red River Valley

From this valley they say you are going.
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway a while.
So come sit by my side if you love me.
Do not hasten to bid me adieu.
Just remember the Red River Valley,
And the one that has loved you so true.
Red River Valley is a folk song and cowboy music standard of controversial origins that has gone by different names—e.g., "Cowboy Love Song", "Bright Sherman Valley", "Bright Laurel Valley", "In the Bright Mohawk Valley", and "Bright Little Valley"—depending on where it has been sung.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Leaves Across the Bridge



Walking the trail at Princess Preserve Park, the hardwood trees were shedding their leaves.  The red leaves against the backdrop of a red cedar bridge was a welcome sight among the endless pine trees, swamps and sand.

Oyster Mushrooms


Oyster mushrooms growing on a decaying tree in Princess Preserve Park.  Oyster mushrooms grow throughout North America. If it rains enough and it's not too hot or cold, you can find them any month of the year, although they're most common in the second half of autumn.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

'The Arms of An Angel'


The Arms of an Angel

The arms of an angel,
A vision of light,
You brighten my world
Throughout the darkness of night.
Your stretched out arms,
Carries me into the heavens,
On a carpet of dreams
Into dawn's early light.
On the earth's green floor
I gaze at the wonders,
I can see the colors
Beneath the rushing waters,
Reflections of light,
Sprinkles of star dust,
Moonbeams Dancing
Across nightly shadows,
The morning sun comes,
The magic is gone,
I awake to find
A new day has begun.

By PL Fallin

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Door Will Open through Understanding

Sometimes the door will open only when you understand why it was shut in the first place.  Some of us are ordained to be artist, teachers, writers, counselors...  Our emphasis should be "Lord, here's what I want" to "Lord, what do you want?

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Fishing for Life's serene moments



This area was a favorite place to pull up your chair and cast a fishing line.  Fishing from the river banks is still popular on the Intracoastal creeks and rivers.  Quiet, blissful, a place to contemplate life's serene moments.

Friday, March 4, 2011

A Drowsy, Dreamy Influence Where Artesian Water flows....



"A pleasing land of drowsy head it was,
Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye;
And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
Forever flushing round a summer sky..."
Castle of Indolence, D. Knickerbocker

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Crossing Over Cherokee Grove



The original name of Princess Place Preserve was Cherokee Grove.  On a small island they built a park with picnic tables and a gorgeous veiw of the marsh and river.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Rocking Chairs of the Marsh land



The Princess Place Lodge has rocking chairs on the back porch to sit and soak in the glory of the marsh, the wildlife, Matanzas River and the oak trees with thier branches drooping with spanish moss.  Close your eyes and the Rocking Chairs carry you back for a moment to the old Florida of the 1900's with the scents and sounds of the wildness and beauty of the area.

Bridge to Oysters Beds & Sand Bars




The bridge connected a small island to the Preserve and there were oyster beds and sand bars along the banks.  It was wild, serene and beautiful.

Nymphs & lively spirits of streams and lakes



Nymphs were lively spirits who lived near streams and lakes and protected trees in the forest. They definitely have been protecting these oaks for hundreds of years.

Matanzas River at Princess Place


Matanzas River runs from Princess Place Preserve, Washington Oaks State Park and Matanzas Fort.

Looking Glass at Princess Place Preserve


I wanted to capture the clouds reflection in the water. The looking glass for the Intracoastal waterway at Princess Place Preserve.  Did Princess Angela ever gaze into the water to see her reflection?