North Florida

We spent a week around Christmas in Gainesville, where Elizabeth grew up. It was great to see family and to get back to some of our favorite outdoor spots. Forget about palm trees and beaches -- this part of Florida is all about beautiful spring-fed rivers and majestic live oaks draped with spanish moss.

We spent an afternoon on the Ichetucknee River, a beautiful, crystal-clear spring-fed river not too far from Gainesville. We tried to take our time and stop to watch the birds and turtles. Here's a little blue heron we watched for a long time as he walked around on the floating vegetation, snatching bugs periodically. The longer we sat still, the closer he came to us -- until Mom came back up river to make sure we hadn't fallen in.

Sunset at Cedar Key

a typical cypress swamp