A Palm Tree

I've been watching what I believed was a dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) that came in as a volunteer near the corner of our house. It seemed to be getting larger and larger, and for a while I wondered whether it might be a real palm tree--a cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). Then I thought it was probably just a large specimen of the dwarf species, and dismissed the idea that it might be a cabbage palm--until a few days ago. We're planning some major re-landscaping in the front yard, and the landscaper suggested that he plant native needle palms (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) in this area. "Why not leave the dwarf palmetto where it is, and surround it with needle palms?" I said."That's no dwarf palmetto," he said, "it's a cabbage palm."

"Then we should probably transplant it," I said. "No," he replied (and here's a factoid!). "Palms don't transplant when they're small. That's why you see large trees planted, often propped up with boards; they need to have enough stored energy in their trunks to replace the roots damaged in transplanting."

A Camino Gathering and Hospitalero Photos

Our Camino Gathering and Book Signing last night was good fun. Here is a link to our Camino Dreaming blog post about it.

Today, we received a request for submission to the Hospitalero Newsletter. Looking for photos, I decided to post a few pictures of our experience as volunteer hospitaleros in May.

Paddling Festival Color

The Hidden Coast Paddling Festival was last weekend. We signed up for 4 paddles, 2 nature hikes, a reception, a dinner, two keynote addresses, and a breakfast . . . all for $100. Bargain!

My overall one-word description of this amazingly well organized and spectacular event is COLORFUL.

Paddle #1 - Old Cedar Key on Friday afternoon

Just around the next turn, roseate spoonbills!

Heading back to shore.

Nature Walk #1--Barnett Creek Trail on the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. We were going to lead this hike, but because of the government shut down, it had to be cancelled since the Refuge had to be closed. Boo, Congress!

The reception at the Island Hotel Friday evening. Good food. Good company.

Later, we had a wonderful Keynote about the "Vacation from Hell" . . . a wonderful kayaking trip in the Arctic . . . but few of us in the 100 participants would consider doing ourselves.

Paddle #2 - Goose Cove on Saturday morning.

Getting started, paddling past the homes along the airport road

After our adventure paddle against the incoming tide in Tyre Creek, we heard about the clamming industry in Cedar Key while nestled into the docks of a clam nursery.

Paddle #3 - - Dennis Creek. We flaked. Much too tired from Paddle #2. 

Nature Walk #2 -- Dennis Creek Trail. Also cancelled due to the closing of the Refuge because of the government shut down. We really wanted to lead this one!

Spirit Walk in Cedar Key with Ms Debbie.  History and Ghost Stories on Saturday afternoon.

Look at the center pieces! Now that is how a clamming town decorates.

Even the bar had great decorations

Fun people talking about the great dinner of clam linguini and other Cedar Key delights.

What was the evening talk about? Snakes! Thanks Harvey Lilywhite.

Getting ready for Paddle #4 on Sunday morning from Cedar Key beach.

Paddled to Atsena Otie island where we were welcomed by the shell horn of local re-enactors

Each of us was greeted and handed a palm frond souvenir decorated with shells.

Our native American re-enactor welcome team.

Chatting while enjoying our fried mullet and cheese grits, granola, yogurt, juice, frappachino, and fruit on the beach

The color of kayaks!

Beautiful and joyful

Getting ready for the afternoon trip to Seahorse Key . . . where the SNAKES live

Heading back for the beach . . .  happy, happy, happy