Cocoa Beach wildlife and outings.

Where should you go for spring break?
Is it worth the horrible traffic jams? Yes!
Is it worth the pile ups on I-95? Yes!
Just Go! And, I suggest Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Clean beaches, great wildlife, and lots to do!
Some pictures that I took in Florida. Spring break 2018.

Just look around you. Nature is everywhere!

Taken with Nikon camera.

Butterfly on a flower

 Look out!

On the prowl.

Fun in the sun!

Pelicans just hanging out.

Catching some rays!

Land shark!

Don't feed the birds!

Some places to visit on your visit. Links below:
1. Lone Cabbage fish camp.
2. Cocoa Beach Pier.
3. Of course, Kennedy Space Center.
4. Ron Jon Surf shop.
5. Manatee Sanctuary Park-This is not a true sanctuary. There are no manatees. It is just a small park with bikes to rent and a walking track. 
6. Golf n Gator putt putt.
7. Twistee Treat.
8. Watching the cruise ships launch between 4 and 5 everyday.  Schedule link

Elk Reintroduction in the Smoky Mtns.

Map of Cataloochee Valley

Elk once roamed the mountains of North Carolina and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from this area by over-hunting and loss of habitat. The last elk in North Carolina was believed to have been killed in the late 1700s. This caused the Eastern Elk (Cervus canadensis canadensis) to become extinct. 

Reintroduction of the elk began in 2001 when 25 elk were brought down from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. In 2002, the park imported another 27 elk from the Alberta area. This reintroduction program was called the Great Elk experiment.
The question remained-could these elk be reintroduced into the ecosystem without throwing off the balance? Yes. It has been a great success! Today, over 150 elk roam the mountains of the Appalachian. Can you see the elk? Yes. The best times to view elk are usually in the early morning and evening around sunset. Many elk can be seen in the Cataloochee Valley near Maggie Valley, NC.

The  valley area is free and parking is ample. 

There are public restrooms, and camping is available.

Warning! Do not approach the elk within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces elk, which is illegal in the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Look out for warning signs and do not enter fields to view elk. ALWAYS remain by the roadside to view. Never go between a mother and her calf. No selfies allowed within fifty yards!

Here are some pictures from my excursion to the valley. Enjoy!!

source: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/elk.htm

Fungus at King's Mountain State Park

Fungus (mushroom, yeast, and molds) are pretty cool. 

They belong to the Fungus Kingdom and are technically 

decomposers. Fungus play a huge role in a food chain. 

They can usually be found on dead, rotting logs.They do 

not photosynthesize and do not need sunlight.They do 

not contain chlorophyll or chloroplast. They like dead stuff!

I saw some really cool  fungus on my hike at King's Mountain 

Park.

The park is adjacent to

Kings Mountain Military Park (a Revolutionary War battle 

site). The park has about 6800 acres and offers activities 

such as hiking trails, picnic areas, seasonal canoe rentals, 

equestrian trails and more.

Fun fact: There are about 1.5 million 

different species of fungus.

Some are beneficial, some are poisonous, 

and some can cause disease! 

Next time you are on a hike, stop and look for some 

fungus growing on logs in the forest.

They are pretty amazing!

Michigan love

My love for Michigan runs deep. I was born and raised in the Great Lakes State and graduated from Michigan State University. My blood runs green and white. Sparty on!
These are some of my favorite things.

MSU scarf modeled by Lucy.

MSU tote bag. 

MSU cups and socks.

High school spirit week. Sparty on!

MSU mitten art project.

Michigan stones. Picture from Awesome Mitten.

Michigan art made from license plates.

Michigan craft using string, nails, and a piece of wood.

MSU sweatshirts. Costco

MSU luggage tag. A must have for travelers!

Michigan mitten shadow box. Meijer.

MSU rain boots. Meijer.

Michigan "HOME" pillow.

Michigan nature.

There really is no place like home.
 Michigan.

Indian Mounds Drive. Grand Rapids.

View of the Grand River

One of my favorite places to be in Grand Rapids is on Indian Mounds Drive. It is located along the Grand River near Johnson Park. It is about a four mile drive of happiness.

So peaceful!

It is a one way road, and the entrance is near the park.  The tree canopy completely surrounds the road, and it feels like a drive in a mystical forest.

Map of Indian Mounds Drive

According to an Indian Mounds website, "a group of people known as the Hopewell settled in the Great Lakes region around 100 B.C.  They built their villages along the banks of the Grand River and grew crops such as corn, squash and beans.  They lived in this area for nearly 500 years. It was once believed that there were between 30-40 burial mounds along the west bank of the Grand River.  Today, the 17 remaining mounds are southwest of the city on the east bank of the Grand." 

The drive in the Fall

A view of the bridge across Grand River

You can drive, bike or walk along the road. Cars can only go one way, and the car traffic is minimal. Kent Trails and other walking paths can be accessed from the road. You can even launch a kayak or canoe off one of the launch sites. So, why not take a drive along Indian Mounds Drive? It will not disappoint!

Winter Drive

Flooded Grand River