“Nehrling had several favorite species, which he grew and bred far more than others. Caladiums, Amaryllis, Palms, Cycads, and Bamboo were among those most grown at Palm Cottage. Nehrling describes in his writing as having planted 25000 individual Caladiums each year in his Lath Houses, as well as thousands of other species that required protection from the strong Florida sun.” – Nehrling Gardens web site
Palm Gardens is located just west of Orlando in the town of Gotha.
Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It’s not a thing to be waited for – it is a thing to be achieved. – William Jennings Bryan
Sharing lovely Merritt Island with my birds is the Kennedy Space center. They have some really great exhibits chronicling our journey into space. And it’s always exciting visiting a place where so much history has been made. One odd thing, no flash photography at the Atlantis exhibit – I understand in museums with delicate paintings – but a space shuttle? Maybe someone can enlighten me.
Quote found at http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/SEH/quotes.html
Yet another monument to man’s attempts to conquer the environment. They were stopped by the Atlantic Ridge, a 120,000 year old sand bar – turned coquina rock that proved too much for them. However, not before they reversed the water flow through the Enchanted Forest from flowing westward towards the St Johns River to the east towards the Indian River Lagoon.
The Enchanted Forest is a Brevard County park, that is indeed enchanting!! As you walk along the ridge, sometimes 25 feet above the canal, you can see geological history in the coquina rock walls. This elevation and the rock walls make it an unusual site in Central Florida. This is the highest point in Brevard County.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” – Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt was an avid sportsman who was a strong supporter of national parks in the US – particularly the western US.
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/inspirational
This was the first electric swing bridge in Florida – Over the St Johns River between Sanford and DeBary. Not much left, but at least they preserved some.
“Reaching a ‘creative’ state of mind through positive action is considered preferable to waiting for ‘inspiration'” – Minor White 1950
The above quote goes well with the adage that God helps those that help themselves.
Currently reading The Moment of Seeing – Minor White at the California School of Fine Arts by Stephanie Comer and Deborah Klochko with an essay by Jeff Gunderson. Excellent chronology of the school’s development with historical documentary photos of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Minor White among others as well as photographs from the students and teachers at the school dating from the late 40’s/early 50’s. If you love photography and history seek out this book.
Quote comes from the book.
This Saturday is the Orlando Wetlands Festival http://orlandowetlands.org/ .
If you’re in the Orlando area this is a double header day. First visit Ft Christmas a recreation of a 19th century frontier fort – plus other historical buildings, then bus over to the wetlands for a tour. Plus other festival happenings.
Picture This by Frank 