March 09th, 2026

As you can plainly see, that's Joy and I (Joy on the left, me on the right) out in a forest ON FOOT for the first time in a long time. Way Overdue!  Joy patiently waited until I was ready and last week, at long last, I felt as if I had turned another corner in the healing of my stupid foot.  So with no small amount of trepidation but even more excitement, I felt ready to do an exceedingly small, short, brief actual real out in the forest hike.  

I should be embarrassed by how brief a hike it was, but, for a change, this time 'round, I am actually listening to both my doctor AND my foot and therefore, I am taking it very slowly and carefully.  Recovery is a long series of baby steps (especially at my esteemed age!).  I am, therefore, calling this Photo Safari, the Baby Steps Hike.

Joy and I took all of the local preserves (and there are quite a few) into consideration when choosing our destination for this first foray and ultimately decided upon Lemon Bay preserve, primarily because it is very LEVEL with no obstacles, usually, and with grassy paths.  Our goal was to find something where we didn't have to climb up or down a ravine, or climb over fallen trees, or hop over rushing streams, or wade through the ones we can't hop over, and didn't have to walk on loose sand.   Also keeping in mind the fewer hidden tree roots, the better! Lemon Bay is check check check.

But as soon as we arrived the very first thing we see is a GIANT and Very LOUD mowing machine. We arrived on the day they mow the paths. Dang it!  Change of plans.  Turned around and headed to Carlton Reserve instead.  Normally Carlton is one of our absolute favourites but alas, this time, not so much.  It's not Carlton's fault either.  

Right now Florida is experiencing a massive drought while other parts of the country are virtually snowed in. Very Bizarre. Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, Streams and other water sources are drying up which means less beautiful foliage and a lot less wildlife.  Cannot blame anyone really. It just is what it is.  Mother Nature's whims and all that.   But it surely makes for fewer photo opportunities.

Of course, Joy and I can always find something to take pictures of, even when we come home with far fewer than normal. Kind of makes sense anyway, shorter hike, fewer pictures, right?  Perfectly Logical.

At any rate, here are the very few photos that I took.  I guess if nothing else, it makes this a shorter post, which means quicker reading and fewer photos to cruise through.   Hope you Enjoy!!

Little by little, the hikes will get longer, the photos will get better and more varied, I promise! Hang in there with me please!

​Have a Great Week!