10/29/06 (Sunday): We're finally on the internet again! Our new digs are so far back of beyond that you can't even get cable TV (there's no cable)! We finally figured out how to hook up to the Nature Conservancy's broadband.

So, with no further ado, here we go with Phase II of Joyce and Wiley's Great Adventure! I'll start with some pics of our new abode and surrounds.

As soon as you get off the main road (state road 27) you're in orange grove and cattle ranching country. There are lots of dirt roads, lakes and a surprising amount of wildlife.



Our RV is set up on top of a little sandy hill next to a barn looking out over a small lake.




This is our lake at sunrise our first morning here. We got up early and took a walk. We're on 5000 acres of sand scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge, which is some of the most endangered land in FL. The Nature Conservancy describes it this way:




"The Lake Wales Ridge is a landscape of contrasts. It includes desert-like habitats, but absorbs 50 inches of rain most years. It is the highest point in peninsular Florida, but stands only 295 feet above sea level. It is an enormous sand dune, but the ocean has long since receded. Its scrub habitat is a forest, but of miniature scale. It shelters one of the largest collections of rare organisms in the world, but its well-drained sand is attractive to both citrus farming and housing developments.

The future of the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem depends upon our commitment to create economic incentives for private landowners to manage their land for native species, to support public land acquisition and to ensure these lands are effectively managed.








Wiley and I will work to help Nature Conservancy by maintaining the section of Florida Trail that runs through the property, eradicating invasive non-native species, cleaning the office and helping out in the office. There are four paid employees at this site, 3 volunteers and 1 intern. Our boss, Adam, is in charge of the controlled burning program to help restore and maintain the ecosystem which would be here if man hadn't stopped the natural fires resulting from lightning.

That's about it for now. In future blogs I'll have pictures of our first week here as we explored the area, including a hike with Wiley and Marguerite, a visit with Julie and John, our first ride on an ATV, a visit to Vero Beach in search of treasure, and a hike at Arbuckle Forest (including a very rare sight). Stay tuned (I love my life!).