Goodbye Tennessee Aquarium, Hello Florida Botanical Garden!

For a couple of years, I volunteered at the Tennessee Aquarium in the horticulture department. I am grateful for the wonderful experience. We decided to move back to Florida, so I bid farewell to the aquarium last fall. Watering and taking care of the plants behind the Delta Country exhibit and at the greenhouse, I learned a lot about the plants and animals - turtles, ducks, fish. I miss them and miss the lovely Chattanooga waterfront as well.

The Tennessee Aquarium on the riverfront in Chattanooga downtown

Hello Florida Botanical Garden! We love this place and visited often; I've always wanted to volunteer here when I move back.  I use to drive 20 miles to the aquarium once every two weeks, now I drive 3 miles to the garden once a week. It is a welcome change, trafficwise.

One of the reasons we chose to live in Pinellas County is its extensive park system. Hurricanes Helene and Milton did quite a bit of damage to these parks. Some are still closed. The garden, which is also part of the Pinellas County Parks, opened two weeks ago. On the day I started, they had a poinsettia delivery. The volunteers were tasked to move and situate them to their final destination. The poinsettias were absolutely beautiful. Just in time for the holidays! The holiday lights at the Florida Botanical Garden opens on Friday Nov 29 and runs until Saturday Jan 4, 2025. Click on their website link for more details.

some of the lovely poinsettias are anchored here.

Many an artist likes to draw/paint at this scenic spot

great place to sit and relax

Turtles and bird basking in the sun; there's an alligator around somewhere

we trimmed the Norah Grant Ixora so visitors have an unobstructed view of the lake

If you are in the area or on the way to the beach, plan to visit this amazing garden. You'll be glad you did.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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Weekend Reflections: Beaches are open!

So happy the beaches are finally open!

These two pictures of Madeira Beach were taken on a nice summer day in July when we took a walk on the beach to see the turtle nests.

A walk on Madeira Beach in July

to see the turtle nest

This next picture was taken a few days after Hurricane Helene passed through. Not only were homes flooded, the storm surge had pushed an incredible amount of sand onto homes, hotel parking lots and over to the streets! For weeks, the county worked on shoveling, cleaning and sifting those sand before  moving them back to the beach.

All that sand sat in the beach parking lot at Madeira Beach

Last week, I was in the St Pete area, and drove along Gulf Blvd, from the southern end at Pass-A-Grille Beach to the northern end at Belleair. I was saddened to see the widespread devastation and the erosion of the area's pride and joy - the beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.

map of the Pinellas County beaches

Stuff from flooded homes lined the street at Passe-A-Grille

Three weeks after the duo hurricanes, I was walking the neighborhood in Belleair and was shocked to see several boats sunken or grounded on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp. Guess what is the boat name? 

Did the captain try to run here from Hurricane Milton?

And the boat name is ... drum roll ,,,  Ain't Right. No kidding!

A couple days ago, we took a walk on Indian Rocks beach. This is one of our favorite beaches; it's closest to us and there are lots of parking spaces. Look what the hurricanes have done to it.

Part of the boardwalk to beach was blown apart

Rebuilding continues

Shorebirds are happy

Indian Rocks Beach in July.

Many beaches are opened except for Sunset Beach (Treasure Island),  Madeira Beach, and many county beaches and state parks. Click here to find out the current conditions of the gulf beaches.

The sun is shining. The beaches are being re-nourished and beautified. Businesses are re-opening. Y'all come visit!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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