Mother Nature is putting on a spring show along our area rivers these days, and the Sopchoppy River is one of the best showcases for wildflowers. A great profusion of wild azaleas bloom along the shorelines, some with almost pure white blossoms and others revealing a deep pink. They smell like honeysuckle, much sweeter than the non-native azaleas seen in landscaped environments. 

A new Vietnamese restaurant opened up in Tallahassee and it's receiving quite a bit of attention.  Pho 7 came into existence to fill the demands of Tallahassee pho (pronounced "fuh") lovers.  Pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup is known for its flavorful broth that both entices olfactory nerves and pleases the palate.  

My nose is running, my throat is a little scratchy and my car is covered in pollen.  Springtime has officially arrived in Tallahassee!  I will take the runny nose, scratchy throat and pollen any day in exchange for springtime in Tallahassee.

Springtime rolls into town every year and takes my breath away (and I don’t mean because of the pollen!).  The weather is amazing.  Warm, sunny days are accompanied by cool breezes that make me never want to go inside (which is evident after the first day or two when my face is burnt from forgetting that even with the cool breeze, you still need sunscreen).  Every where I look there are beautiful flowers in full bloom.  The pink and white azalea bushes blanket the city and the dogwood trees are breathtaking. I wish I could go on and on about the correct names of all the flowers and plants that are in bloom, but I can’t.   Over the years the kids and I have come up with our own names for them.  During the springtime we take long walks and they excitedly point out the gumdrop tree with its purple flowers, the fairy princess plant with its draping greenery and the red dragon, which is a single flower that pops up from the ground in my front yard as if to announce the arrival of spring.  I am a little biased because I love this city, but Tallahassee in the spring is truly one of the most beautiful places to be.<

You may be surprised to learn that Tallahassee is one of the best cities in the United States to watch birds. Really? Florida's state capital, in terms of number of species observed, consistently ranks in the top 10 during Cornell University's annual Great Backyard Bird Count. In 2012 we ranked 7^th in the nation with 148 species, true testament to the great birding opportunities our wonderful city provides to residents and visitors alike. So where can I go to watch all these amazing birds?

There could be no place more beautiful to view and purchase art than from under the mossy oak trees in one of Tallahassee's historic downtown parks.  The 12^th Annual LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival is a much anticipated Springtime event that showcases all types of art by hundreds of artists from across the country.  

Tornado warnings, fierce winds and sheets of rain greeted more than thirty kayakers and canoeists at Ed and Bernice's Fish Camp along Highway 20 twenty miles west of Tallahassee. The camp was the gathering point for Paddle Florida's second annual Dam to the Bay Paddle on the Ochlockonee River in early March-six days, 76 miles-and by first impressions, it would be a trip of the damned. But we knew favorable weather was in the forecast. So, we squeezed tents under pavilions and stayed dry the best we could. We even started a fire along the edge of one pavilion. Sleep was difficult that night as rain battered the tin-roofed shelters.

My main advice for hiking the Cathedral of Palms Trail is to avoid going with a chatty friend. Talking is fine along the 1.7 mile unpaved road walk on the Florida Trail from Wakulla Beach Road heading west, but upon entering the towering stand of sabal palms with the interlocking canopy overhead, the trunks and fronds forming a mosaic of dappled sunlight, a hush seems to envelop and verbal communication just seems out of place. After all, this is a cathedral of sorts, a special place, and quiet just helps you soak it all in.

One of the premier citizen support organization's in the state is in our own backyard-the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park. Few other organizations supporting state parks or other public lands have raised as much money, or advocated so strongly for the resource, as the Friends group, and they have won several awards to prove it.

I spent a lot of time at the movie theater growing up. I loved seeing movies opening nights, especially if I had been eagerly waiting its release. However, as I grew older, I was fine with waiting for a movie's second run at the dollar theaters. With age came patience, and the understanding that a ticket, drink, and candy could run up quite a tab. That realization became more apparent when dating.