John Lennon Tribute & Fundraiser

This year, the 9th Annual John Lennon Tribute and Fundraiser was held at the Dakota House on Lake Formosa.  This annual event brings local musicians together to celebrate John Lennon's music and his  message for peace, and to raise funds for the Heartstrings Foundation.

The Dakota House

Olivia & Thomas Wynn

The lovely Ms. Shadow 

Fun friends!

Roasting Soles

Little Big Econ Hike

Greenfly Orchid

Wooooo-Hooooo Southern Culture on the Skids

A SCOTS show is always guaranteed to be batter-dipped, deep-fried fun!

They played soooo many favorites:

Soul City

VooDoo Cadillac

Daddy was a Preacher, Mama was a Go-Go Dancer

My House has Wheels

 Miss Mary - Liquored Up and Lacquered Down

 Hahaha! A tequila perspective!

Throwing fried chicken to the crowd during "Eight Piece Box!"

A local band, The Woolly Bushmen, opened for SCOTS. Excellent!  

We kept repeating, "They're really good!"  

Orlando Wetlands Park

I recently spent a lovely morning hiking at the Orlando Wetlands Park 

located in Christmas, Florida. 

With land formerly used as cattle pasture, the City of Orlando created a 1,220 acre man-made wetlands.  Daily, nearly 35 million gallons of highly-treated reclaimed wastewater is pumped 17 miles from the Iron Bridge Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Orlando Wetlands for nature to provide the final filter or "polish." 

The Orlando Wetlands Park is a wonderful success serving as a natural home to raccoons, alligators, coyotes, bobcats, deer, and otters.  The variety and number of birds found at the park will delight any birder.  

The park closes annually from November 15 to January 31.  After re-opening in February, the Orlando Wetlands Festival is held to celebrate the wonderfully beautiful Orlando Wetlands Park.

The Yearling Trail

Ron, hike leader, is very knowledgeable about the history,
animals, and plants of the Yearling Trail.

Baby Bear Paw Print

Sink Hole

Cow Dip Trough

Long Family Cemetary

Trick or Treat 2012

Waiting for the Trick-or-Treaters!  Boo!

Cutie-pies!

 Our trick-or-treaters were very sweet, even the scary ones!

Happy Halloween!

A favorite combination -  

Alice Cooper and the Muppets!
"One for freaks, zero for civilization."

Los Straitjackets

Yay!  Los Straitjackets have a new album, Jet Set.  

Florida Trail Association = Fun & Adventure!

Ocala National Forest

From Juniper Springs, it's approximately a five mile hike 

via the Florida Trail through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness to 

the Hidden Pond primitive campsite.  

And the hike begins . . . 

Entering the Juniper Prairie Wilderness of Ocala National Park.

Crossing a treacherous river!

Bear Scat!

                                                    

Ahhh, our destination is around the corner, Hidden Pond.

Home, sweet, primitive home.

Cooling off after five-mile hike-in and camp set-up.

Camp pals making dinner, telling stories, 
and waiting for the stars to twinkle.

Dusk at Hidden Pond

Time to return to the real world.

               

 After the five mile hike out of the wilderness, 
a swim at Juniper Springs is refreshing.

J.C.'s Lobster Pot 

fries up a delicious catfish dinner.

Photos courtesy of Rodney, Pauline, Anna, and Joe.