My Nature Walks and Day Trips Blog

Views of New Orleans Audobon Park on St. Charles Ave.

2011-10-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Photos taken Oct. 8, 2011

If you are ever in the New Orleans area visiting the French Quarters, be sure to put this park on your list of places to see. The trolley car actually makes stops at the park, and it truly is a relaxing place to walk around or rest for a while. For more information about Audobon Park, you can click HERE to find out more.
Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit :)

Seaside Florida .... Pictures Taken Feb. 19, 2011

2011-03-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

I hope that you enjoyed the views at Seaside and the leisurely stroll...it was my pleasure to take you along.
For visitor information about Seaside you can visit this link HERE
Thanks for stopping by...
Queenie

Florida Lakeyard Views....Taken Feb. 14, 2011

2011-02-23T05:11:00.000-08:00

I hope that you enjoyed the scenery here...
Queenie~

Oaks By the Bay Park...at St. Andrews Bay Area in Florida

2011-02-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

These pictures were taken Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011.....

Florida has so many beautiful things to see and do, and the mild winters make winter time bearable to me....we had a warm front pass through on this particular weekend that I took these pics, and the temps was a perfect 71 degrees.

Now this week is another story... rainy and highs in the 50s....we'll just have to take the good with the bad down here in the south...It's typical winter weather....cold days with some warm fronts along the way. Though I love living in Florida, I have to admit that I do love the mountain areas of Tennessee and mountain trails too and I think that I will forever say..... that I left a piece of my heart up in those Great Smoky Mountains back in 2006, and my heart longs to go back there to visit again. My hopes are that Maybe I'll even live close enough to visit the mountains more someday. But if not, I will love this great State of Florida too, especially this place in these pictures that I'm sharing with you today....it is just one of the many reasons that I love Florida. No matter where I may rome, I know a piece of my heart will always stay in Florida too....

Hope you enjoy the views....all pictures can be clicked to enlarge and then just press backspace to get back to this blog....

There's one of my favorite things in life...kitties....that was a nice surprise along the trail....he picked him out a great place to relax didn't he?

These three pictures were taken going over one of the bridges along the way to getting there...love those beautiful blue skies....and the boats docked in the harbor...

I hope you enjoyed the nature tour....I'll be back again soon to share more nature walks with you......
Big Hugs,
Queenie

Lakeviews

2010-10-17T09:21:00.001-07:00

What's sweeter than Lakeviews......baby ducks...see them? Pictures can be enlarged by clicking them.

Queenie

Summer at Bellingrath Gardens and Home

2010-06-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome~ these are pictures from our day trip to Bellingrath Gardens and Home, a 65 acre estate. It is located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, Theodore, Al. (Just outside of Mobile AL.) For more information and directions, you can click HERE to visit their official website. To Learn about the history of the Bellingrath's please click HERE

Below I used an exerpt from the website's history page, to introduce you to the type of person Mrs. Bessie Bellingrath was, (she was a beautiful person that's for sure).
As the economic depression worsened, friends quietly kept Mrs. Bellingrath aware of families in need. She would appear checkbook in hand, begging for an azalea, camellia or whatever bloom she saw in the family yard. She would convince the stunned homeowner that Bellingrath Gardens had been unable to locate one and then offer hundreds of dollars in an era when the U.S. government declared that $25 per week was a comfortable income. ( You can read the full page by clicking on the history link above).

Isn't that amazing? I love knowing how her beautiful gardens came to be. :)

The gardens are a constant reminder of her passion for beautiful flowers, as well as her beautiful (open heart) for those in need.

I hope you enjoy the tour....

The home was stunning on the inside, we did take the home tour..... but pictures were prohibited inside. There were many antiques from all over the world inside. Beautiful to say the least. We bought a lot of post cards from the gift shop, so that we could remember the inside of the home :)

I hope that you enjoyed seeing the pictures that I took on our day trip. Below is more from the history page, from the website:

Walter Bellingath married Bessie Mae Morse of Mobile in 1906. The couple had no children. After his wife's 1943 death Bellingrath dedicated the rest of his life to work on the gardens she had worked so hard to create. "These Gardens were my wife's dream," he once said, "and I want to live to see that dream come true."

In 1955, at his death at the age of 86, his estate had been converted over to the Bellingrath-Morse Foundation to oversee the operation of his beloved Gardens and to open his home to the public. Profits beyond those needed to operate Bellingrath Gardens and Home benefitted Central Presbyterian Church, St. Francis Methodist Church and provide scholarships at Huntington College in Montgomery, Ala., Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Rhodes College in Memphis (formerly Southwestern University).

This place is such a lovely testimony of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath's love for nature, each other, and the love they had for other people too....don't you think? :)

You can learn more about the history by clicking HERE. Thanks for taking the garden tour today....I hope that if you are in the Mobile, Alabama area that you will visit Bellingrath Gardens and Home.
Have a beautiful day....
Big Hugs,
Queenie

A Winter Nature Walk in a Florida State Park

2010-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

These are views at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, Florida....

It's an absolutely beautiful and peaceful place to visit.....right on the bay....

There are three different nature trails in this park, plus a boat ramp, and camp sites.

This is where my family and I visited over the weekend to go for a nature walk, and just relax for the day, and take in a different scenery......

We enjoyed the views here.....hope you have too! For more information on this Florida State Park go to this link: http://www.floridastateparks.org/rockybayou/

Thanks for stopping by!

Queenie

Welcome to a Winter Walk in Georgia

2010-01-25T11:17:00.001-08:00

This is Providence Canyon State Park in Georgia....it's known as Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon. For more information of Georgia's State Park go to http://www.gastateparks.org/

The canyons were formed here, due to poor farming practices by the early settlers in the early 1800's when trees were cleared to plant crops. By 1850, ditches three to five feet had been cut into the land. Today some of them are as deep as 150 feet.

Today, the park covers over 1,108 acres with 16 canyons. Some 43 shades of soil can be seen here.

I hope that you enjoyed seeing some of the unique scenic beauty that Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon" has to offer. Thanks for stopping by and Hope you have a great day!

Welcome To A Florida Native Plant Garden In The Fall

2009-11-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

These pictures were taken in the historic district of our town, the lakeyard area. I took these last fall, but I wanted to share these again, for those that may have missed them.

The little garden, sits beside our historic library and is a wonderful place to sit and read......or just sit and take in the sites and sounds of the lake.....

If you look closely, you will see some wild life.........the little squirrel is greeting us today.....

There are brick paths that meander around the plants and bird baths.....

and there are places to sit and rest, like that bench straight ahead....

Fall has definately made it's way to the Northwest Florida Panhandle....see the brown leaves that have fallen. It's the perfect temperature today....waking up to the 50's and it will be about 74 degrees today....it doesn't get much better than that.....

there's an orange butterfly....see it?

Morning Glories still blooming, but not for much longer......

This reads: A Florida Native Plant Garden, designed to feed the birds, butterflies, and the souls of the humans who visit it. I've always felt fed by being here.

In this picture you can view the back side of the library. It was established in the 1880's and has been built onto over the years, but is still being used as our library. I wish I would have showed you a picture of the front side of it.....it is beautiful.

A few leaves turning red, just ahead....

Well, this is what fall looks like in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. I am thankful for the beauty that abounds here. It may not be my dream fall, but I am still thankful for the beauty that I get to see everyday. This may not be my dream fall....it would consist of lots of orange, yellow, and red, leaves on the trees.....but I will just have to view that sort or fall through the eyes of other bloggers. I can dream and I always will. Thanks for taking a walk with me in the Florida Native Plant Garden in the fall. I hope you enjoyed your walk.

Big Hugs,

Queenie

Panama City Beaches, The Downtown District and McKenzie Park

2009-03-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Let's go to Panama City Beaches and the Downton District for a day trip...it's just an hour's drive.......

The water is so pretty and calm today.....

There are not very many people here today......because it is wintertime and the temps are in the upper 50's. I will tell you that we have very mild winters here in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, but we still have our cold days and weeks....and cold fronts that come and go. It won't be long though, and the temps will be staying warm, and then all of the spring breakers will arrive......this beach will look very different. It is rare to see it this quiet. It is so peaceful here today.....there's only a handful of visitors......taking in the sights and sounds......Let's walk along the beach......

There's some seashells.......let's pick up a few to remember our day here......

Look at the colors of the water......ahhh.....

Hold on....I've got to write this in the sand.....there now. I couldn't come here without leaving this behind. I've been writting this in the sand for at least 24 years now....I will always write mine and hubby's initials in the sand...he is and always will be, my forever sweetheart.....

There's a seagull....we can always count on them to keep us company here on these beaches.....they always greet us.....

I don't know If I've ever seen the ocean so calm here before......absolutely beautiful.....

I guess it's time to head back to the car now.....we still want to go to the downtown district and do a bit of browsing in some antique stores.....

Wait, before we leave.......Let's run some sugar white sands through our hands and fingers, just for the fun of it.....

One last look....

Now, let's go Downtown Panama City....

Here we are....You can learn more about the history of the downtown district of Panama City and Bay County by this link at http://www.bayhistory.org/

There's an old Theatre....

and an old clock.....I love the charm of those in the downtown districts of town....every town seems to have one.....and they are all different.....

There's an antique store....we'll definately be checking that out.....but let's keep driving for now.......

Another antique store....

I just love their sign....such a classy victorian lady....

Okay, I think we can park the car and do some walking now......

This place looks like alot of fun......and yes, it was.....I did find some things here.....to see what I found go to Queenie's Vintage Finds and Treasures at http://queeniesvintagefindsandtreasures.blogspot.com/

McKenzie Park.....Is right in the middle of town....after all of the walking we've done, let's go inside the park and rest a while......

Oh, there's those moss-draped Oaks that I love.....

Let's go sit on the benches beside the water fountain....we can even throw in a coin and make a wish.....

Okay, I guess we've made a day of it.....let's go now, but let's ride by the St. Andrews Marina....... just to take in the view.....

Time to head home....

Good-bye, Until we meet up again.....

Queenie~

Let's Go To Ponce De Leon Springs State Park in Florida

2009-02-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hi, this week I decided that I'd participate in OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY with Susan at Southern Day Dreamer. You can visit more beautiful Outdoor Wednesday Posts at Susan's blog at http://asountherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Isn't this place beautiful let's start at the beginning......

Just a 20 minute drive from where we live at..... is Ponce De Leon Springs State Park In Florida......and this is where we decided to spend our Friday afternoon.......come along with us....

It's February...... wintertime in Florida, but today temperatures are in the 70's and it feels like perfect weather for a nature walk......

This is wonderful.....we have the whole place to ourselves....the only other people here today.... is the Park Ranger and a couple who take care of the State Park.......

It's so peaceful and quiet.......I can definately tell that it's wintertime here....

Ponce De Leon Springs was acquired in the 1970's to provide public outdoor recreation and has been used for social gatherings of all sorts since the mid- 1920's. The two limestone vents produce approximately 14 million gallons of crystal clear 68 degree water daily. The refreshing feel of the waters likely led Native Americans and early settlers to feel younger as they entered the water on sultry summer days. The temperature of the water stays 68 degrees year round.

This looks like such a nice place for a picnic.....

This is the swimming area......

Look how clear the water is and look there's some fish .....

To your right is the swimming area and keep walking and to your left is the creek that the spring spills over into......

Very shallow and clear.....

I love the sound of the water as it goes over the rocks.....

Roll up your pants legs.....lets walk in the shallow creek....there's a stairway we can go down.....and the water feels so refreshing.......

I feel younger already...what about you?

Look at all of the different colors of river rock pebbles that are in the water....

Okay let's head back and go on the nature walk....through the woods.....

It's so fun crossing the boardwalk bridge isn't it?

Let's see.....I think we'll take the Spring Run Trail....it's a tranquil walk along the clear spring water beneath shady, moss-draped cypress trees....it's about a 30 minute walk.....sounds wonderful......

What fun..... another little bridge......

We're back now......I see our bridge that we cross......

I guess it's time to go.....but I'm not quite ready to leave.....I don't think I ever want to leave.......

Let's sit a while here and take one last look at this beautiful place......take it in and savor it a little longer........

I Hope you enjoyed walking with us at Ponce De Leon State Park.....it has been such a peaceful and beautiful day....such a wonderful way to spend our Friday....I'm delighted that I could bring you along......

I never tire of being in nature......seeing.....and.....feeling.... all it has to offer. Farewell.....until next time....

Queenie~

Let's Go For A Drive In The Country.....

2009-02-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

It's a beautiful day and the weather has warmed up to about 70 degrees. The sky is beautiful and blue....it looks like it will be a perfect day for a drive in the country.....so let's go to Sadies Flea Market up in Dothan, Alabama.....it's only about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive, and if we get there early enough......there should be a good selection of vintage goodies.....

There's the Alabama State Line.....but we've still got quite a few miles left to go......

We better slow down now.... there is small town that we have to ride through.....

Very quiet and no traffic....that's a good thing....

More farm land and wide open spaces......

I love seeing the green pastures.....

Another small town.....

More open farm land.....this is a cotton field, but it had already been harvested....there were still traces of white on the ground....you can click the picture to see it better, and then backspace to get back.....

We are almost at our destination now...

It's a good thing that it's still early....there's not much traffic yet....

We better slow down....I think I see the sign ahead......

Yes, there it is..... Sadie's Flea Market in Dothan, Alabama......Let's park the car as close as we can....because we want to do the foot work on the inside....not in the parking lot....

This is a good spot.... Park it and let's go!

We're finally here.....I hope we find some goodies....looks like there is alot of people and vendors....

Something is calling my name.....but not over there.....

Let's keep walking....I know my treasure is some place out here.

Yes, I found some treasures ....but I have to tell the truth.....I got so excited that I forgot to use the camera anymore......

except to take one last picture and to say good bye to the ponies. I know you understand....sometimes I just get caught up in the moment and forget all about taking photos. It sure has been a fun day...... Such a great way to spend a Saturday.... Hope you enjoyed the ride through the country......and a peek inside one of my favorite places to rummage.

Queenie~

Just a Note: To see my lastest finds and what I found today (Saturday),....click this link, it will take you to my other Blog Queenie's Vintage Finds and Treasures at http://queeniesvintagefindsandtreasures.blogspot.com/

Come along for a Day Trip To Destin, Florida......

2009-01-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Destin Florida is only about a 45 minutes drive from where we live at, and it's where we went for a day trip on Friday. We must cross over the bay to get there.......(any of the photos can be clicked onto to enlarge and then backspace to get back to this post)

So let's go.....there's not too much traffic today.....YET......

The views are so pretty along the way....

We are almost there now....

I can hardly wait.......

We are getting really close now.....

There's that beautiful aqua-marine colored water....yes, we have finally arrived....

I can hear the sound of the waves........

Let's park the car here at this public park, and go up onto the boardwalk......

Watch your step......

We could walk the boardwalk....

but the seagulls are everywhere right now.....so let's sit at the picnic table and watch them for a while....the weather is perfect.....it has warmed up nicely.... it's a nice 65 degrees today.....I'll say it's alot better than last weekends freezing temps.....from that cold winter blast we had.....

It looks like the seagulls are taking in the views here too.....

The clouds are really moving in today....I wonder if it's going to rain.....maybe not.....

It looks like a wedding will be taking place here this afternoon....what a beautiful place for a wedding.....see the floral arbor and the few chairs for the guests (click to enlarge, then backspace to get back to this post)....it looks like it will be a very quiet and intimate wedding.....

Let's walk this way now.....

I guess it's time to head back home now......I hope you have enjoyed this day trip to Destin Florida Beaches.....

I have enjoyed the sites and sounds here today. I never tire of the ocean scenery here......it truly is a beauty... like no other.......each time I come here I am like a child seeing it for the very first time........goodbye, until next time......

Queenie

A Walk in Florida at "Oaks By the Bay Park"

2009-01-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

Just an hour's drive, from where we live it at..... is this beautiful park....... It was only 50 degrees today....so we had the park to ourselves.....

This park is in the historic downtown district of Panama City, Florida.....the park is called Oaks By the Bay Park.....it is in the St. Andrews Bay area of town.......

This oak tree is estimated to be 250 years old.....it is so beautifully draped with moss....alot of the trees here are......

A four headed palm....

This plaque gives reference to this rare four headed palm....the only one of it's kind known in the world......you can read more about it, if you click on the picture.....

This plaque is a reference to the huge oak tree that's in the center of the park......

I see a boardwalk path and some water.....

Here's a nice spot to sit a while, but on second thought.....since it's a little chilly today....let's just keep moving........

The water is at low tide right now.......

Well, it's time to head back.......

Let's take a different path onto the boardwalk.........

Watch your step here.........

Oh, the Lantana's are still in bloom here, in this park......what a nice surprise..... because mine at home have been burned by freezing temps already. I wonder if tonights expected freezing temperatures will harm them.......maybe they have enough foilage around, covering them...... to protect them......

Guess it's time to head back to the car it's starting to get really chilly......but before we go....

Let's take a quick look at this interesting piece of history....(click picture to enlarge), it tells a little bit about the civil war and .......

what this large kettle was once used for.......it was a salt kettle from 1861-1865.......

I look forward to coming back here again in the spring and summer months......this looks like a wonderful place for a picnic....nice and shady, and so peaceful and beautiful. Look in the tree here...there are two birds.....bidding us a farewell.........

A look back at the historic district of town..........

Farewell until next time......St. Andrews Bay.......

Queenie~

~A Winter Walk on Turkey Creek in Niceville, Florida~

2009-01-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

Under the picnic pavilion is a boardwalk that leads to Turkey Creek, but hurry now, they will be closing the park at dark at five 0'clock sharp.....

If you'd like to, you can click the picture it will enlarge the plaque, and you can learn more about it here.....or just keep going......

Just follow the boardwalk.......

View to your right......

To your left.......

Now into the woods.......

To your right are views of the creek along the boardwalk........

It looks like a nice place to sit and rest a while if you'd like.........

I love the way the sunshine finds it's way......and shines through .....onto the shady pathway............

Some Florida Native Plants..........

I think I see something throught the woods........

Yes, I do....... it looks like there's a deck that leads to the water............

No, swimmers here today....it's much too cool in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, in the wintertime .....to go swimming.........but in the summertime this place abounds with swimmers......Well,

Better head back the sun is started to go down......and it will be dark soon.......

We're back now......and looks like just in time, because the park will be closing soon now.....

I hope you enjoyed the leisurely stroll at Turkey Creek.............

Our family always enjoys walking here along side this creek. It's just a short drive from where we live at. It's especially wonderful to walk these shady paths in the summertime, when it's so hot here......but, today the weather was perfect.... mild.... not too cold ....we wore a light jacket...... it was a great day for a winter walk. I love to get outside in the beauty of nature summertime or winter.
Queenie~

Remembering a Summer Vacation To Tennessee~ Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg

2009-01-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

The views from the 14th floor of the hotel that we stayed in the "Park Vista".......

Overlooking Gatlingburg Tennesse (The Gateway City to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park) Such a sweet town nestled in the mountains.....this view didn't compare to what was in store for us inside the National Park..........

Views at Cade's Cove.......

and along the way.......

I will never forget the beautiful scenery around every corner and the way the water sounded as it went over the rocks....so serene and peaceful.....I don't think I would ever tire of this beautiful place.....

This place will always hold a piece of my heart......one day I hope to have the pleasure of visiting it again.....until then I will look at the pictures and dream.......

Queenie

A Beautiful Day For A Day Trip~Just a Short Drive Away

2008-12-21T21:31:00.000-08:00

In Alabama....let's do a little site seeing.............

There's lots of pretty old homes in the historic district here....

and I love those moss draped oaks.......this is such a charming town to visit....small and quiet.......

I think the old homes are so pretty........

The downtown district looks like a fun place to explore..... and there are alot of thrift stores to plunder through......

looks like a fun place to do some antiquing too........

though I didn't find anything.....I had such a fun day anyway......

Queenie~

Summertime Dreaming and Just a Short Drive Away

2008-12-21T21:20:00.001-08:00

Such a beautiful place....always so fun to visit....I never tire of the view or the sounds of the ocean waves....it's winter and cold right now....but thank goodness for photos and dreams, the scenery here warms me up....

Queenie

Dreaming of Summertime and a Nearby Florida Spring

2008-12-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

It was off of the beaten path.....but it was well worth finding....

The water is cold, I don't dare venture in, but the beauty here at this swimming hole spring, in Florida is something special.

Queenie~

Don't You Love Old Homes.......let's take a summer drive.....

2008-12-21T20:07:00.001-08:00

These pictures were taken back in the summertime.......everything looks so pretty under a carpet of green doesn't it?

Yes, I must admit.....two of my favorite things are summertime and looking at old homes.....

Queenie~

The Lakeyard Area of Town In Late Summer

2008-12-21T19:54:00.000-08:00

Such a peaceful place to take a walk and think.....I can lose myself here...for hours....

Hope you enjoyed the view....

Queenie

Winter at Eden Gardens State Park in Florida

2008-12-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of rich history at this gorgeous estate......such a beautiful place.....hope you enjoyed the tour.......for the detailed history and for information, you can click HERE to visit the official website.
You can click HERE to go to the official website photo gallery.

Queenie
(Edited to add an official website link)

Let's Go See Something Pretty Come Along~It's just a short drive away

2008-12-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

To Florala, Alabama....This is an Alabama State Park, and this is Lake Jackson.....

I love this place...hope you enjoyed it! If you would like directions or more information about this Alabama State Park, click HERE to visit the official website.

Queenie~