Dangerous Beauty

Agave Plant

Weekend in ATL

This past weekend I went to Atlanta, Ga for an Anusara Yoga workshop lead by Anusara founder, John Friend. It was a 2-day workshop that included two 2-hour sessions each day. Not having practiced yoga much since moving, I was a little apprehensive as to how well I would be able to keep up. However, I felt comfortable with most of the asanas.

Using Airbnb, I found a place for K and me to stay. It was the woman's first time hosting and my first time staying with someone using Airbnb. She was very welcoming and had a cute small cottage that was perfect for our weekend stay. Overall, it was a positive experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed a few of the beautiful parks ATL has to offer, including Oakland Cemetery Park, Piedmont Park and Grant Park. Additionally, I enjoyed some of the local restaurants, including Holy Taco and Rita's Bluebird. Rita's Bluebird was so packed both times I stopped by that the first time I just got a latte and the second time I got my lunch to go.

There were many more restaurants and places I'd like to experience. The ATL Botanical Garden is having an Orchid Daze event that I would love to visit. Visiting Little 5 Points was on my list, but I didn't make over there. Much more to see and experience... I hope to make it back to ATL sometime soon!

Majestic Sites

Had the opportunity to paddle down the creek that runs through Ichuaway. The creek is primarily spring fed and is relatively shallow. Wading is easily performed during the summer [low flow] months. Boating access to the creek is restricted to research purposes only. I have been itching to get out on the creek since I saw it while interviewing and was thrilled to have the opportunity.

Ichuaway Creek

The upstream portion of the creek is similar to a coastal plain in that it is relatively flat with gently sloping creeksides. The lower portion of the creek has steep creeksides with large outcroppings of limestone. It is a beautiful and majestic site. Since the creek is not accessible by boat and Ichuaway is private property, paddling down it was serene. The sun was out, the air was cool, and it was an afternoon you could loose yourself in.

Hello lakes!

Growing up on the Florida east coast, I am not very familiar with fresh water systems, let alone lacustrine (lake) systems. The experience I have with fresh water consists of the few times I went out on the St. Johns River when I was little, floating down the springs in Central Florida while in undergraduate school, and the paddling I've done on the creeks and Yadkin River in NC.


Therefore, the world I have entered into in work has been a bit out of my area expertise. I have decided to take the approach of sitting back and taking it all in. A prime example of this occurred today. I had the opportunity to do some field work on Seminole Lake, in Georgia. Seminole Lake is a man-made lake, as are all the lakes in Georgia. It was created in the 50's when a dam was built below the confluence of the Flint River, Spring Creek, and Chattahoochee River.


Being out on the lake was an interesting experience. It reminded of the time I spend in Panama, though I am not quite sure why. The lake is overrun by hydrilla and there are dead tree stumps poking up out of the water. It is an osprey's nesting paradise. In addition to the ducks, there were some white pelicans and we even spotted a bald eagle!

Field work!

Today was my first day in the field. We headed out this afternoon for a recon trip looking for potential sites for a stream project. At the end of last week, I had the opportunity to make some maps for the field outing. I enjoy making maps, but what is even better is making maps that I get to use in the field. Since the majority of map making I've performed has been for presentations or for other people's field work, I am looking forward to using maps I've made... taking them for a test drive and seeing how well they perform.


And they were great! We drove, tromped, and gazed upon various potential sites along one of the creeks. It was great to get out in the field, to see, smell, and feel what the future holds. We started at the northern end of the property, where a dam was installed many years ago. The engineers designed and installed a dam in the limestone rock. Needless to say, the dam failed. As the Calcium Carbonate dissolved over time, the dam gave way. Surprisingly, the dam was never dismantled. It remains, an anthropogenic relic cluttering up the natural environment.


The site hunting made for an enjoyable afternoon. In addition to getting a better idea of the stream riffle areas, I drove from site to site familiarizing myself with the roads on property. There was mention of mapping the stream, which would include paddling the entire stretch. The stream is off limits unless research is being conducted. The chance to paddle down it is exciting as there are class 2 rapids, which look like they would be a lot of fun!

Exploring SW Ga

This past weekend was a 3-day weekend and an opportunity to get out and explore my new home. As the temperature started to increase Monday, my officemate and I headed out to explore the Kolomoki Mounds Historical Park. This state historical site has Indian mounds that were excavated. Although the excavations did not prove to be insightful to the anthropologists, according to the information plaques, the mounds allowed the anthropologists to learn or speculate about the Indian people's lives and society.


Most of the mounds were rather small and we wouldn't have even known they were there if there hadn't been an information telling us so. However one mound was large and with a steep set of stairs going up to the top. According to the information plaque that was where the tribal leader's hut was located.


After checking out the tall mound, we continued on a trail into the woods. The trails were littered w/ leaves and comprised of beautiful barren trees, sporting their winter best. I fell in love with the beech tree. The serpentine trunk reminded me of a dinosaur or large reptile with its smooth bark and strength.


There were a few deep ravines and small streams running through the park, in addition to two lakes. In the protected areas of the lakes lily pads had congregated. In other alcoves of the lake, cypress trees were present. One can rent paddle boats at the park and there was discussion to returning to explore the drowned cypress area in the future.


After visiting the park we headed to White Oak Pastures, a family farm that produces organic grain fed beef, chicken, goats, and sheep, in addition to organic free range eggs. They are focused on animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and local food.

White Oak Pastures is a multigenerational family farm that cooperates with nature to produce artisan products that are healthy, safe, nutritious and delicious. Care is given to ensure that all of our production practices are economically practical, ecologically sustainable, and that our animals are always humanely treated. We never falter in our determination to conduct our business in an honorable manner, for the sake of our animals, our land, and the people who eat our products.

We were lucky enough to receive a tour from the owner, Will Harris III, which included the on site beef and chicken processing plants, a rarity for small scale organic meat farms. He also drove us around the farm, educating us about the various environmental practices the farm utilizes, answering our myriad of questions, and describing the journey the family has taken since it was established in 1866. It was a wonderful experience and although I brought my camera with me, I did not take one picture, as I was too involved in taking in the experience!

New beginnings

It just doesn't seem like Friday. Having finished my first week of work must be why, but it just doen't feel like a whole week has passed. My first week at work has been great! It has been filled w/ various orientations and meeting people. Thankfully there is a photo directry to aid in remembering who is who. Although everyone has been very nice, I still find the mass of unknown people a bit overwhelming and tend to retreat to my office for lunch, reading papers while I eat. I have started carpooling w/ my officemate, which not only makes the 30 mintue commute so much more enjoyable, but it also cuts down on gas and wear and tear on the truck.


Sadly, I have not made out on the property much, but am looking forward to scouting out sampling sites next week. I did make it out for a midday walk the other day and lost myself in the sandy dirt roads embraced by large live oaks weaping w/ strands of moss hanging from thier branches. I felt as though I could walk the dirt roads for days.

Hunting, furniture hunting that is...

A whole week. A whole week all to myself, in the new [to me] little house, exploring, and looking for furniture. Ugh! Who would have thought it would be so hard to find used furniture? If you need to know where the used furniture stores in SW Ga or Tallahassee are, just ask me. I think I've been to every one of them in the past few days.

Some questions that have crossed my mind lately.... Why are there numerous antiwue shops in Havana, a tiny town North of Tallahassee? Who buys all these antiques? and more importantly... What is the difference b/t an antique and used furniture? Well, besides the difference in price... or is that it? Some of the places have beautiful, well kept, or restored furniture. Others are overpriced used furniture stores. I was able to find this beautiful trivet lying near a pile of chairs. After a bit of rust-off paint, it looks as good as new.

However, it has been nice driving around the area and becoming more familiar w/ my new home. There is a Publix 30 minutes south, which was wonderful to find. Apparently Publix now has a dried bulk foods section! I wandered around Publix like a deer in headlights. I think I may have even left a trail of drool as I perused the store. Let's just say I never would have thought I would have such fondness for a commercial grocery store chain.


Additionally, I was somewhat successful in furniture shopping. I bought a table and ladder back chairs. I repainted the table and have yet decided what to do w/ the chairs. I would like to strip and stain the wood, but so not think I am up for the challenge at this time. So, I think I am going to simply paint them, but cannot decide what color. Suggestions?