February Favorites: Marshlands

With all of the memory-keeping catch up going on at my dining room table, I've completely fallen off of the blog-wagon...   although, I'll admit, it's been refreshing to have a little techno-break!   ;)

So....I was thinking it might be fun to get back at it with a little series of blog-posts "February Favorites"...where I'll post some of our favorites....places, products, foods, events, etc.  Maybe some of you who also blog will join me!?

I LOVE the marsh/wetlands....most folks have one thought when they think of marsh "STANKY!"

I think this little love affair with the marsh began during my last year at FGCU (Fl*rida Gulf Coast Univ*rsity) during a required course (SW Fl*rida Colloquium).  We took fieldtrips every other week to immerse ourselves in the environment that is so unique to Florida.  Did you know that the Florida Everglades is the last self-sustained natural environment left in the continental U.S.?  I thought this class would be SO boring, but it actually turned out to be one of my favorites.  I'm hoping to pass my little fascination on to the kiddos with outings like this one....but they may think the marsh stanks just like their Daddy does. :) 

Now, my most recent marsh/wetland fascination is between Florida and Georgia on I-95 North...and trust me...we've driven through it PLENTY in the last few years as we make our regular journey between Florida and North Carolina.  We've driven this stretch during all hours of the day and night...and we can always "smell" it coming!  :)  It's kind of a joke in our family now...one of the kids will say "somebody pootie-tootied!!" and Dan will say, "nope-it's just mommy's marsh!" and they just laugh.

My favorite time is at sunrise and sunset... it looks so calm, peaceful...but under all of that water and grass-it's positively TEEMING with LIFE!  I guess in a way, it's the state of mind that I hope and strive for in this season that is so full of life.  Peace amidst the activitiy.  Beauty among the stank ;) sorry, I just couldn't resist! ha! What is your favorite natural environment?