Big Hearts Needed

A neighbor of my Brother's raises alpacas. This week two pit bulls broke into their cage and destroyed most of the herd. To the owners, the alpacas were like family members and they are heartbroken over their loss. They have no insurance and will need help to rebuild the herd. Send any contribution to;
Upright Alpaca Farm, LLC
P.O.Box 983
Dunnsville, VA 22454
Thanks for any help you can give.

Hurricane Isaac and Hudson - Thankfully a Nonevent.

This photo was taken a week before Isaac came near Florida. It is the deepest the water in my canal has been since I moved in and it actually floated over the walkway to the floating dock. A few more inches and the water would have been at the grass level - not too far from the floor of the house! It was caused by winds blowing the water from the Gulf into the canals.
Thankfully, despite the predictions of the Weather Channel, Hurricane Isaac did very little to Hudson other than wind spurts and rain. My heart goes out to the people in places hit hard by Isaac.

Danger of Tides near Anclote Island

We struck anchor close to the sand bar but with the tide going out so quickly the boat was stuck on another sand bar. Thank goodness three women came by to help us push the boat off. Quite an adventure!

Anclote Island Shell Paradise

The sand bar near the island is a shell collectors dream.

Sandy and Her Amazing Phone

Sandy seems to be able to do anything with her phone. On our trip she used the GPS and also weather tracking to watch the incoming storm.

Anclote Island Light House

 North past the sand bar and to the northern side of Anclote Island is the island's light house. There is nothing on the island except the one closed off pier and the lighthouse. Campers must bring in everything they need and take out any trash with them. This side of the island seemed to have a lot of sea grass in the water, so we travelled back to the sand bar to go ashore.

Land Ahead

Your first view of Anclote is actually a sandbar that is a bit across from the island. It is a good place to gather seashells.

Through the Channel Markers To The Gulf

The shallowness of the water in the Gulf surprised me. There are some areas that are only 6 inches deep, so it is critical to follow the channel markers out. There is also the danger of getting caught in sea grass. Being newcomers, we were careful on our way out, but these more experienced ? folks zoomed pass us.

The Condos at the End of Sea Ranch Ave.in Hudson

Heading out the Canal to the Gulf of Mexico

Boating - At Last!!!!!

It has been a year since I moved to Hudson and until now, I have never been on the local water., even though I live on a boat canal. Sandy and Adrian kindly rented a pontoon boat with me and we set off to Anclote Island - one of those marvelously exclusive places that you can get to only by boat. There is very little there - it is just the idea that you can get there only by boat!

Farewell to Giraffe Ranch

In my blog, I probably touched on less than a fourth of the variety of animals that live at the ranch. It is a must see!

Camel Trek

Also for an additional fee you can ride a camel train through the park instead of taking the safari jeep.

Lemur Feeding

For an extra $20, you can go into the lemur cage and feed them. They will gently hold your hand to be sure that you continue to feed them. Lemurs are native only to Madagascar and it is rare to see this many in one area of the US.

Not Happy, Jan

Handsome Profile

Animals Everywhere at Giraffe Ranch

Cattle on the Giraffe Ranch

The ranch actually raises a small breed of working cattle known as Irish Dexter. They are more efficient and less costly to raise and the meat is much healthier than from other cattle. They also raise a herd of Austrian Haflinger horses.

Everyone Needs a Little Scratch Under the Chin

Visiting Rhinos

Ready For My Close-Up

Feeding the Giraffes

Australian Budgies

 You can see these cuties flying around free in downtown Adelaide, Australia.

Horse of a different Color at Giraffe Ranch

One of the donkeys that roamed the ranch mated with a zebra and the result is an interesting mixture of the two breeds. You can see that he has a donkey like body with stripes on his legs like a zebra. His Mom follows close behind.

Fainting Goats

I thought Les was joking when he pointed out the fainting goats, but he proved that this breed faints whenever it is stressed. as part of a defense mechanism.  Les frightened him by running at him and the goat dropped for a few seconds before getting to his feet and running away.

Safari Ride

Your admission into Giraffe Ranch includes time spent wandering in a central area, short informative overview and Q & A  by Les or his son, and a safari ride over the extensive ranch in a 16 person covered safari vehicle, just the right height to meet some of the taller animals...

Giraffe "Ranch" - Not "Zoo"

In the last blog entry I used the word "zoo" and Les, the owner/manager of Giraffe Ranch is adament that people understand that it is a liscensed working ranch that happens to have exotic animals on it. He is the perfect person to run a place like this because he has managed zoos all over the world and lived and traveled extensively in exotic locations. He also holds all the right educational requirements necessary to operate something so different from your typical zoo or theme park.

Monkeys Upstairs

In additon to having their own houses, monkeys have an extensive network of overhead wire passageways that run across the central zoo area - so all you need to do is look up to see fascinating breeds of monkeys like these marmosettes.

Giraffe Ranch - Animals Up Close and Personal

The sense you get when you first arrive is that animals seem to be everywhere on the loose and freely interacting with each other and you. There are fences where they are needed but the fences are unobstrusive or seem to be part of the scenery. Massive tortoises and exotic birds seem to wander freely over the grounds and come up to meet the new visitors. There is almost a kind of zen-like feel to the surroundings.

Best Kept Florida Secret - Giraffe Ranch

No one - and I mean no one local - has heard of Giraffe Ranch - and it is less than an hour's drive from Hudson. They don't really advertise and without a GPS it is difficult to find, but it is one of the most intersting places I have seen in Florida. Well worth the drive and entry fee. I have been to safaris in Kenya, Tansania, South Africa, and Namibia, and in many ways, Giraffe Ranch was better.

The History Keeper

Walking into the historical archives building at the Pioneer Florida Museum, you will meet its amazing curator. She tends to 2 rooms of historical documents but the real treasure is the opportunity to sit and talk to her. She is part of Florida's history and gives you rare insights into how Florida became what it is today. Articulate, intelligent and a great story teller, she is mesmerizing. It was difficult to leave but the heavy rains started and the museum was closing for the day.

A Walk Back in Florida History

The Pioneer Florida Museum is actually a small town of buildings from the 1800s brought to the Museum from all over Florida - a church, a typical family home of the period, a General Store, a farm area, a sugar cane mill, and this schoolhouse. They also have an enormous building housing artifacts of the period, a building housing tools and farm equipment, and a separate historical library. It is a well kept secret.

Pioneer Florida Museum

During a visit here, Sandy recommended that we visit the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City. I hadn't heard anything about it and imagined that it was a broken down shack with a few farm implements.

Baby Muscovey Huddle

Muscovey ducks aren't the most attractive but the ducklings are adorable.

Baby Duck Season

It must be the season for all baby ducks to hatch because they are everywhere.

Old Kitty, New Chair

Big Kitty recently turned 17 and celebrated by regally stretching out on a new living room chair.

Mardis Gras Princess

This cutie was selling Mardis Gras beads at Sam's Restaurant.

Mardis Gras King and Queen

Every Mardis Gras has a King and Queen and these folks had attitude to spare.

My Vote for Least Decorated

This entry proudly sailed through in the parade with zero decorations - and why not? The fee for entering the parade goes to charity - so why shouldn't folks just enter, decorations or not? 

Sam's Entry

Since 98% of the crowd watching the parade was on the deck of Sam's Restaurant, the crowd went wild when the boat sponsored by the restaurant went by.  Great costumes - sort of Pirate meets Mardis Gras.

My Vote for Best Boat

Winners were announced several hours after the parade, so I must confess that I don't know who officially won, but #12 had my vote. They had a Bourbon Street street sign and a palm tree on the prow along with all the streamers and balloons. Some work went into this beauty.

My Vote For Most Fun Group

These folks seemed to be having the best time and they were throwing Mardis Gras necklaces to the crowd. Where did they get the flag?

Mardi Gras Parade #8

Decorations ranged from nothing to clever costumes and props. #8 was one of my favorites. Just remember, this is off-season in Hudson, not Mardis Gras in New Orleans. I heard that last year's parade had only 3 entries, so the 10 + entries this year was amazing.

Stay Out of the Judge's Way

Like most of the crowd I was pressed against the railing waiting for the big moment, when the lady with the handbag informed me that I was in the way of the judging and could I please step away. This was indeed a serious race complete with judges with clip boards. The prize resting on the seat behind her an impressive selection of items and services donated by members of the community.

Free Beer Holders!

Several flying beer holders fell short, into the Gulf and the kids (and a few well oiled adults) happily swam after them

My Neighbors

It surprised me to see neighbors from my very own canal cruising around waiting for the start of the parade. Love the unbrella!

Pre-Hudson Boat Parade Partying

Waiting for the parade to start was a good time for neighbors to catch up with each other and there were several transfers of people from boat to boat as they made the rounds.

The Annual Hudson Boat Parade

In the summer Hudson empties of all the snowbirds (who come here to keep warm during their cold winter months in the north). The summer is the time they can go home and enjoy their cooler weather while those of us who live in Hudson full time think of ingenius ways of ignoring the sweltering heat - like the annual boat parade. I had no idea what to expect other than the theme this year was Mardis Gras!
This boat full of partiers stirred up the crowd gathered at Sam's Restaurant ahead of time by firing styrofoam beer holders into the crowd with some type of cannon.