Return to La Chua...

The trail opens at 8 am. Thinking that would be

a good time to avoid some of the heat and humidity

so common this time of year in Florida.

Several cars in the car park by 8:15.

No one in sight, so I had a quiet stroll

to the boardwalk and a nice breeze at my back.

This is the bench by the gazebo that overlooks

Alachua Sink. The heart and soul of Paynes Prairie.

This bench is almost a mile from the car park and
about a half mile to the observation platform.
A canopy would make this a good spot to take
a breather from the grueling sun. At this point
of the journey, I am thinking about my cold water
and car air conditioner... and I can not stop thinking
of the lyrics to horse with no name....
On the first part of the journey, I was looking at all the life.
There were plants and birds. and rocks and things,
Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain.
La, la, la la la la, la la la, la, laLa,
la, la la la la, la la la, la, la

Ok ... that is just me feeling the heat.. the sun...
I did mention that I am not an outdoor girl.
Much more adapted to sitting in my air conditioned
house and listening to the gentle whirring sound
of my computer .

Today's reward...
the object of my return to La Chua Trail this morning.

One of several gators on the outer banks of the Sink.

Not as close as I would have liked for the best shots

... but probably close enough for my comfort zone.