Big Shoals Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and more

We listened to a morning discussion on Florida folklore given by Merri McKenzie, included in the presentation were objects created by the folks living here for generations

Here is a long leaf pine basket with cover...quite intricate and the top has a little doll woven into it.
Ruby Shaw, a dynamite lady, prepared her specialty: chicken pileau (pronounced chicken perlow) This stuff was absolutely delicious! I have found a 'facsimile' recipe and will try it myself when I get home...I will be happy if I come close to this one!

We hiked with the Elderhostel group today at Big Shoals Park. Total distance was about 1.5 miles each way. Along the hike we came upon a quick and shy Gopher Tortoise (meaning we were not quick enough to get a picture of it before it tunneled itself in its hole).

Along the way we saw many saw palmettos but it was the Shoals that were the prize today. I have never seen deep brown but clean white water.