6 Nights of Sunsets and Moonrises

Living at the foot of the mountains for so many years of my life makes me forget just how big the sky is.  For 25 years now, the full moon has risen around 10pm.  But in Florida, it comes up just as the sun is setting (at least in October, anyway).  You get to say hello and goodbye at the same time.  The sky is still light when you first catch a peek of the moon.  It was magical to watch a nature show happening simultaneously on both sides of the sky.

My grandparents lived in Florida for most of my childhood.  Thanks to being able to fly for free with my dad's job, we visited them several times.  My memories of Florida were pet hair, the smell of cigarettes and coffee, spiders, lizards in the kitchen, fire ants, snakes, swamps, and sweat.  I never saw a gator or was fascinated by the type of fish or birds around me.  My grandma was obsessed with saving the manatees but I only ever saw one in captivity.  Florida was an adventure, but not necessarily my happy place.

We recently visited Florida because it was one of the few states Lee hadn't ever been to.  (He actually thought it was his 50th, but then realized sadly that he hadn't been to Kentucky or West Virginia, so we've still got work to do.)  We took the kids with us because the flight was so cheap.

We saw alligators, turtles, armadillos, dolphins, and manatees in the wild.  We were swarmed by amazing birds and millions of tiny fish that were feeding them.  We (I) had to be brave to walk under giant spider webs housing giant spiders, at the same time that creepy crabs scurried around under our feet.  We touched jellyfish on purpose.  The sand was as soft as powder.  The water was clear and warm.  The sky was immense.

With all of it's allure, Florida was still sweaty, filled with too many crawling things, and too many unpleasant smells.  I'm grateful that we were able to enjoy it's wonders and beauties together, but I won't be moving there anytime soon.  Thanks for the joy you gave us, Florida!  (Did that sound too Marie Kondo?)