Home Sweet Home
Going to school as an adult is an interesting thing. I think the experience becomes less chase and race and more about simple exploration. Most recently I’ve had the opportunity to take a Photography class with the Harvard Extension School, and while all of the classes I have taken with Harvard have delivered some type of enrichment, this one came in a much more physical form. This is because few people want photos of my home or office, so to pass the class I needed to get out of my routine and explore the world around me.
I like to travel and explore, this time I kept it local and explored my home state of Florida. I wanted to see what I might find if I looked more closely. The images that follow are of several explorative days on the road with my trusty sidekick Candy Clary (my Mom).
I wish everyone took the time to simply drive around and observe. Maybe a few of my shots could encourage others to stop at a few rusty roadside attractions.
De Leon Springs, originally a sugar plantation built by slaves, turned roadside attraction (with Water Skiing Elephants), turned State Park, features a natural swimming pool. The pool is spring-fed and maintains a constant temperature of 72 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Artists do their best to capture the beautiful day on the banks of the Silver Spring River. Photos were taken on December 11, 2016, at Silver Springs State Park, By Chrissy Clary.
Slick fish bones collect on the riverbank in Tarpon Springs Florida a town known for sponges and Greek food. Photo Taken on December 10 in Tarpon Springs Florida, By Chrissy Clary.
While the Mermaids of Wiki Wachee are unforgettable Manatee sightings are pretty special too. This baby was hanging out with the rest of her pod in the safety of the state park. Once upon a time, manatees were thought to be mermaids so it is fitting that they would find a safe spot at Wiki Wachee springs, a place made famous for turning beautiful girls into underwater performers. Photos were taken Dec. 12, 2016, at Wiki Wachee Springs State Park, FL, by Chrissy Clary.
For a short time when she was a child, my mom lived in a town called Wiki Wachee Springs. If you have never heard of the place, In its heyday it was a pretty big deal. This small, Florida roadside attraction features an underwater stage where guests sit and watch women dance as mermaids might dance. In 1960 millions of people attended shows, but today the park is a shadow of its former self. Interestingly the ladies performing were were not those who appear on the Wiki Wachee Website, they were a group of former Mermaids who ranged in age from 50 something to 71. Photos were taken on Dec. 12, 2016, at Wiki Wachee Springs State Park, FL, by Chrissy Clary.
Indian Summer Beehives collect yummy honey. The Indian Summer Honey company migrates from Florida to Wisconsin and then back again to take advantage of prime honey making weather. The photo was taken on December 11, 2016, at Indian Summer Honey Farm, by Chrissy Clary.
This De Leon Springs Park Ranger takes a break to catch up on the news while she waits on her next group of boat passengers. The photo was taken December 11, 2016, at De Leon Springs State Park.