Visitor Center Boardwalk

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida

 

January 2015

 

 

 

I usually don't get too excited about what I call, "short, little boardwalks behind visitor centers so a park can call itself accessible". One exception is the short (0.46 of a mile round trip), little boardwalk behind the visitor center at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It's a nice starter path to see what the refuge has to offer. We did learn one lesson the hard way. The visitor center closes at 4pm and we were caught on the boardwalk. Since we couldn't re-enter the visitor center to leave using the accessible route, I had to carry Kellisa and then her wheelchair down a few steps. We were fortunate that I was able to do that. I'm not sure what we would have done if I couldn't lift/carry Kellisa and/or her chair. What if she had a motorized wheelchair? Anyway, we had a nice little walk.

 

(More pictures) 

 

 

 



Black Point Wildlife Drive

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida

 

January 2015

 

 

 

 

We observed many birds and a few gators on our 7 mile Black Point Wildlife Drive in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. More pictures can be found (here).

Blue Spring State Park

 Florida

January 1, 2015

 

Our first hike of 2015 on the 15th anniversary of Kellisa's first ever hike almost didn't happen because she had a significant seizure the night before. More details and pictures (here).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

South Beach Access

Guana Tomolato Matanzas Estuarine Research Reserve

Florida

 

January 25, 2015

 

 

Kellisa and I had a few hours to ourselves on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We drove to Guana Tomolato Matanzas Estuarine Research Reserve where the air was crisp (53-62F) with a constant breeze, the sky was blue and the waves set the pace for our 6.07 mile walk along the beach. We saw one starfish, less than 15 people and lots of cool birds.

 

(More Pictures from the Reserve)

 

 



Congaree National Park

South Carolina

December 2014

 

 

The 2.4 mile Boardwalk Trail is a must for anyone looking for a top rated accessible trail into a wilderness area. Unfortunately, part of the boardwalk was closed for our visit, but we didn't let that or a good rainstorm prevent us from having a nice little hike.

 

(More Pictures Here)

 

 

 



Crowders Mountain State Park

Fern and Lake Trails

North Carolina

 

December 2014

 

 

 

We rarely allow the weather to stop a hike, so we didn't mind the cold and eventual light rain when we visited Crowders Mountain State Park. I usually scout out the trails online as much as possible before our arrival at a trailhead. When possible, I will talk to rangers and other hikers about trail conditions. This hike was no different as we stopped at the visitor center with a few questions. I asked if the trails were wide enough for Kellisa's Hippocampe.  The ranger told us that we couldn't hike the Fern and Lake Trails because they weren't accessible. I asked him to explain the conditions and he said it was filled with mud, roots and stairs. I followed with my original question about the width and all he said was, "Probably" to which I replied, "Thank you" and off we went to  successfully hike the Fern and Lake Trails.

 

(More pictures from the trails) 

 



Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning (2014)

 

 

It's our tradition to see the Jacksonville Christmas Tree at the Jacksonville Landing on Christmas Eve before heading to the evening service at our church.

 

Christmas morning in our house was completed in two shifts. Laurel wakes up by 6am every morning and Kellisa will sleep as long as possible every morning. We didn't want to make Laurel wait for hours or to wake up Kellisa long before she was ready.

 

For Laurel, it was a very Frozen Christmas and it was another "Wiggly" Christmas for Kellisa. Laurel's big gift was a small laptop so she can complete her (kindergarten) homework. Kellisa's big gift was a new iPod.

 

(More Christmas Pictures)

Christmas in Cimarrone

St. Johns, FL

 

December 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Laurel's first pony ride, sleigh rides, and Santa Claus....it was Christmas in Cimarrone.

 

(More Pictures)

Quotes with Pictures- Black Mesa

Don't confuse your path with your destination.

The path may be rocky now, but it's going to lead you to amazing places.

 

Black Mesa, OK

April 2008

 

 

 



Bungee Jumping

Ober Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, TN

August 1993

 

Lisa and I spent two weeks in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina back in August 1993. We spent an afternoon at Ober Gatlinburg and I couldn't resist the bungee jump. The poor woman who went right before me wet her jeans on the way down and she was crying hysterically as I made my way up the 90 steps to the top. I wasn't nervous or even afraid of the heights, my only concern was that my life was in the hands of a couple giggling teenagers who were working their summer vacation jobs. As the "kids" gave each other the thumbs up and told me I was a "go", I tried to quickly double check everything they did before I took the one step down.

 

(More Bungee Jump Pictures Here)