Black Bear Wilderness Area

Clif and I decided early on in the week that today would be designated for hiking.  The dilemma: it is archery hunting season in the forests we would have liked to have hiked.  I found one, although not as long as we would have liked (2.8 miles round trip), but the name alone was intriguing.  Those of you who know me, know I have yet to capture a picture of a bear in the wild which is a goal of mine. :)
Bears are active this part of year, and sightings have been reported recently.



We ventured to Sanford, west of I-4 onto Orange Blvd to the north of SR 46.  This area is known for its bear sightings.  I was eager to get started despite the overcast weather and rain threat.  The mud was slick and slippery.  When crossing over the wooden planks I adhered to the sign that said "slippery when wet".  It didn't make a difference.  I slipped and fell right on my butt anyway!
My boots had absolutely no traction.



As we were hiking along, we heard a noise.  We stopped to listen.  It was a grunt of some sort.  We couldn't decide if it was a wild boar, gator, or a bear.  I managed to get down the slope to the water's edge for a closer look.  I took a quick picture while I was at it.



It didn't matter which way we looked, the view was the same.  The trail was a narrow berm in which these two bodies of water surrounded on both sides.  If bear were in the area, I think they walk the berm.  I can't imagine a bear wanting to wade it this.

A little bit further down the slippery trail, I spied this humongous gator swimming from a tributary into this canal.  I was just reaching for my camera when it saw me and Clif and lunged.  That was the biggest splash I have ever witnessed a gator making.  He was at least 14 feet long.  His head was huge, perhaps 2 feet long and a foot wide.  I was astounded.  I couldn't move.  I stood looking to see where it went.  It must have dove underwater as we never saw it again.  I looked back to share my excitement with Clif only to see him 20 feet down the trail.  He had high tailed it! He yelled to me to get out of there, but my thought was, if I start running, I'll fall on my butt again, then what chance will I have?  I just stood there until I realized the gator must have been just as scared of us as we were of it.



Just before getting to the St. John's River overlook, the view of this swamp was just breathtaking.
Look at how perfectly aligned the trees are!  If you look closely, you will see water stains on the trunks showing the different water tables the swamp has had in recent years.



This is the view of the St. John's River.  It is a mile hike from the parking area.  You can continue on another berm to the trail's end which is 0.4 mile.



We continued onto the berm between the swamp and the St. John's River.  The trail was just a tad narrower than the one we were just on.  You can see the bodies of water on both sides of us.  It was just as slippery.  I was glad to have my hiking sticks to stabilize myself.



Just as we got to the end of the trail, we heard and saw another BIG splash.  I told Clif it must be another 14 foot gator.



His reply, "I think that gator we saw earlier had a short cut and is stalking us!"

Needless to say, we made it safely back to the truck.  We didn't see any bears, but we had an adventure spying the HUGE gator and now have a tale to tell about it.



On the way home, Clif stopped on the side of the 417 to get a picture of a field of wild yellow daisies, or goldenrod, don't know which.  I know the picture doesn't do it justice, but on the way to our hike, (when it was a bit sunnier and no misty rain) they were so brilliant and breathtaking.  Clif remembered my comment, and stopped to get a shot for me.

Grandpa Harty's 85th Birthday Party

Although Grandpa's official birthdate is today, September 22, his party was yesterday, at Eagle's Nest Park in Clearwater.  We had many family members come in from all over the southern states, including surprise visits from some cousins!  My many, many thanks to Valerie, Amber, and Clif for being the photographers while I coordinated the activities for the young-ins.

We missed you Vicky and family.  I am hoping that this blog makes you feel you were with us. :)


Chloe and Grandpa hanging on the swing at Grandpa Harty's house waiting for Mom and Grandma to finish filling the water balloons before we head off to the park.




Diane couldn't wait to get her hands on Chloe and shower her with hugs and kisses.



It wasn't long before guests started arriving.  Diane goes out to greet Janet, her son John, and grandkids Paige and Kate.



Dina and her son Gabriel check out the picture boards from previous Miller Reunions dating back to the 1980's.  Aunt Bev was so thoughtful to forward these along from Texas for us to enjoy on this special occasion. Thanks Aunt Bev! :)



A better pose of Dina than the top of her head.




Barbara and Pete coordinated the picnic.  They are seated here with their daughter Jill.  Jill's husband Jeff is sitting between Barbara and Pete.  Mark introduced us to his girlfriend Claudia who is from Venezuela.  She is very personable, and we all enjoyed getting to know her.



Jill, Claudia, and Mark



 Jeff, Annabelle and I.



John with his youngest daughter Kate.



I was surprised to see Rick still has his "Miller Time" hat from the very first family reunion we had ions ago.





Richard's wife Jenna, with her youngest Mary Walter, posing with Nereida.



Sandra introduced us to her boyfriend, Brad.  He too is personable.  We enjoyed getting to know him as well.  When they left, he said, "I'm looking forward to many other family functions."



Mickey enjoying conversation with...



Jim.  Of course, Diane is still entertaining Chloe.



It didn't take the cousins long to get out and start playing ball.  It was the best thing for them to do while us adults continued with our greetings. From the left to right, Matt, Michael, and Jake.



Chris came up for the day from college.  He is attending Florida Gulf Coast University.



Mike and Barbara made it in from New Orleans.  They brought paper jets and bubbles for the kids to enjoy.  This was so thoughtful.  Thanks Mike and Barbara. :)



Mary and Janet



Julie and Ashley came in from Winter Haven.  Barrett had a ball game so he and Steve weren't able to come.



Let the activities begin.  We started with some parachute fun.  They had never seen this before and didn't quite know what to think of it.



But once they realized the balls flew off...



They just kept going and going...



and going.



Little Samuel took on the responsibility of collecting all the balls that bounced off.



Grandpa enjoyed watching the little ones enjoy themselves.  You can tell he is proud of his family.  You should be Dad.  You did a great job raising us.  Thanks Dad!  You showed us the value of family.



Great shot Amber.  One for the picture frame. 
 Stephen, Michael and Grandpa.






Paige and Nathaniel picking out their bubbles.




The kids had fun with bubbles while I set up for the sponge relay.



Robin making sure her camera is ready for the action shots, and Nereida in the background getting one of Jake.



And we're off.  Michael and Jack race with their water logged sponges to wring them into the other bucket.  Teammates cheer them on.



Jake squeezing out every last bit of water.



Stephen and Amber.




Cousin hug time.  How precious.  They're learning love and compassion at such an early age.




Aunt LaDon and Grandpa Harty catching up on the happenings of family members not present.



Then you have Clif experimenting with the camera on black and white.  One of my favorite pictures.



Next up, the pumpkin roll.  Jack says, "I need to wait for Paige to catch up."  They were too cute!



I had to help Nathaniel along.  He actually rolled over the pumpkin and fell on his head.  It was so funny.



Stephen decided our team was way behind, so he and a few others thought it wise to heave and chase.



 It got real funny when the younger ones also tried to heave and run, only to realize the pumpkins were a little to heavy for them to heave!



Cousin Jim from Texas also decided to get in on the action.



And when Jim's around, you know there'll be fishing.  Jim, Michael, Stephen and Matt are getting the poles ready.  Ashley is eagerly awaiting the adventure.



"Hey, wait for me!"



Lots of fish were caught.  This is Jack.




Paige caught hers.



Jake a little shy to hold his turtle.



Nathaniel is the true fisherman.  He's not afraid to pick up the grubs.



Matt reals in a big one.



Yes, even Stephen caught one.



Turtles galore.  Those who didn't want to fish, fed the turtles...obviously!



We tried out a new game I found online called Blind Shooter.  We had to make the boundary a lot smaller.  The kids loved running around trying to allude the shooter.



Michael trying to squirt his brother Gabriel.



Jim and Jane from Texas, holding Chloe.


Valerie and Stephen making their own bubble fun.



Hmmm, does Clif look a little like Dale Ernhardt here?




Time for cake.



Not only for Grandpa Harty, but Jill's birthday was actually the day of our picnic.  Of course, she had to have a cake too.  Krista, Julie, Matt, cousins Barbara and Mike from New Orleans looking on.



Paige is going to make sure no one gets her cake!



While we enjoyed eating our cake, Rick shared a poem he wrote about Grandpa Harty's 85 years.  The world has been blessed by his presence.



Gabriel couldn't be prouder of his Great Grandpa!



Onto a couple more games before ending the festivities.  What's a picnic without the water balloon toss?



And of course, the further apart you go, the harder it gets.



Michael, Valerie, and Chloe.  I think this is the first family picture I have of them.




I've never seen these photo party favors.  Boy did the crowd have fun with these!  Nereida sporting her new lips.



Barbara can't contain her laughter.



Mark and Claudia getting in on the action.

It was a great way to end a great day.  Happy Birthday Grandpa Harty (Dad). :)