Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Train Tracks And Mermaids


I woke up this morning in just as bad and blue a mood as I woke up in yesterday and made it through the morning as best I could and when I could put off the inevitable no longer, I changed into walking clothes and put on my shoes and headed out the door.

I have been thinking lately that I should try walking by the railroad track. It is literally in my back yard and the way is straight and rather flat and goes through woods and why I haven't done that before, I do not know.
And so that's what I did today.

It really was a lovely walk. I went two and a half miles west and the only part of it which was even a bit difficult was a few yards of bridge that I had to cross on the track itself. The rest of it is a fine byway and it goes past creeks and swamps and palmetto and pines and cypress. I saw a huge pileated woodpecker swoop and then land on a branch and two hawks floating on thermals high, high above my head. I saw deer prints and a few raccoon prints and I saw cows and horses in a field that backs up  to the track and I did not see one human being at all. The above picture is an attempt at panorama so click on it if you want the best effect.


Now isn't that just pretty? 
Fourteen years I've lived here and I've just figured this out. No dogs to worry about, no traffic. 
Okay, there is the occasional train passing. 


I stepped a few feet into the woods when this one came by. It was a rather boring train but not too long.

And then I walked the two and a half miles back and I did feel better, although my legs and my hips screamed at me that they are good and tired of taking responsibility for my endorphins and moods. They always pay me back, those hips and legs, but they never fail to take me where I want to go the next day.

Mr. Moon has fixed a headlight on my car and cleaned it too, in preparation for tomorrow's little trip to Weeki Wachee Springs. It's going to be chilly there and the kids won't be able to swim in the water park or the motel pool which is probably always their favorite part of the whole deal but we'll just have to make do and for the first time ever, going there, I won't be sweating my ass off which is a cheerful thought. For those of you who are relatively new here and have no idea what this Weeki Wachee mess is all about, you can go HERE and read about our last visit there, five years ago.
And my Lord, if you want to read about a trip we took there eleven years ago you can go HERE where I said, "What kind of a world would it be for my grandchildren-to-be if I can't take them there when they are old enough?"

Goodness. A lot sure has happened in the past eleven years. Jason was a son-in-law to be, Jessie and Vergil had not yet met, there was no Owen, Gibson, August, Magnolia or Levon. And yet, the springs are still bubbling up from the deepest depths of the aquifer, there is still an underwater theater where mermaids and fishes and turtles swim and I can guarantee you that children are still being enchanted. 
Probably not as much as this old grandmother but I'm a little crazy on the subject of mermaids. 
Will there still be a gift shop? 
Oh, you bet. 
Will there still be Dippin' Dots? 
We'll see. 

I sure do wish that Hank and Rachel and May and Michael were coming but we'll be going back one of these days and they'll come too. As long as there's a Weeki Wachee Springs with live mermaids, we will keep going back. 

There's a hell of a lot more to Florida than a lot of people realize and some of it is in my back yard. 

Love...Ms. Moon


6 comments:

  1. I went back and read those posts and was just gobsmacked by how time marches on. It’s a beautiful record you’re making here. Have fun on your trip. Three more babies now. Wow.

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  2. I'm glad you found another walking route! My mom and I walked the railroad tracks near our former house one time, and it was so amazing to see how the entire neighborhood looked different from another vantage point. And we saw an eagle, as I recall! So yeah, railroad tracks are great for wildlife -- I guess trains come through infrequently and yet they're open and easy to walk or prowl. I can't believe you last went to Weeki Wachee FIVE YEARS AGO!

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  3. The railroad tracks look very promising for new walks. Yay for no dogs or traffic (except for trains). And, now I really kind of want to come to Florida to see Weeki Wachee, what a magical thing. Just the words Weeki Wachee are fun. I'm looking forward to hearing how all the grandkids react to the mermaids this trip!

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  4. I wish there was a place like that for me to walk with Minnie. it's loose dogs on one side and corn or cotton fields on the other.

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  5. I'd love to take that walk along the railroad tracks with you!
    Looking forward to your trip to Weeki Wachee with three more grandkids ~ read both prior posts and they were awesome! Loved all the pics and your opening words on the earlier post, "Back when I was a child, back before the rat ate my state..."
    Those were the days!

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  6. There's just been a massive solar storm and apparently that can mess up those who are sensitive. Whatever it is, I hope it lifts!

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