Do you know someone in Tallahassee, or something? part 2

While Matt’s parents were here we went back to Havana (all the shops were open this time). It’s a neat little group of stores but nothing that is really one-of-a-kind. There was a General Store full of nostalgic toys, jars of various pickled items, and garden supplies. There were also plenty of “antique” stores that mostly sold other people’s really old stuff. There was an art co-op gallery called Light N Up with quite a lot of variety – pots, paintings, jewelry, photographs and some sculpture. There’s also an amazing store called Wanderings which features all kinds of very fashionable furniture along with accent lamps, art and various trinkets from around the world. A lot of tempting pieces, if stuff like that wasn’t all so pricey. The biggest find of the day was an old maps shop pretending to be a shop for paintings. They had framed pages of old books, illuminated Bible pages, old maps of Europe, old maps of the Americas. The place is run buy some old Dutch guy that just really likes maps. How did he end up in Florida? Havana is worth a visit if you happen to be in the area and if you like that sort of thing, but don’t go too far out of your way to see it.

We also went back to Wakulla Springs so Mom and Dad could see manatees. Unfortunately, the glass-bottomed boats were still not running and the manatees have moved on down the river. Maybe they went to escape the bugs! The biting gnats were out in force. Maya strove mightily to defend herself from the tiny insects but she still has bites that itch. All of us got quite bitten up. On the river ride itself the bugs were not so bad. The driver/tour guide we had this time was quite memorable. He had an almost stylized way of speaking which was a wonderful act for the tourists or was just the way this guy talked (most likely the later). He didn’t sound quite like Uncle Remus, but it was in that direction, like Cousin Remus or something. When we first pulled away from the dock he warned us that he was not the best driver. But then he assured us that was okay because we weren’t in the best boat anyway. It was like that for 45 minutes. We saw quite a lot of alligators – more than last time.

On Thursday, while we were all still recovering from our insect bites, we finally did see mammoth bones - at the Museum of Florida History. The museum is the ground floor of the state archives so there is a lot of synergy of preservation going on there. Also a plus is that the museum is free – even parking. We don’t know if other states have a museum in the capital like this, but Florida’s is really neat. We saw reconstructions of paleo-indian artifacts found in Florida, mammoth bones, old dugout canoes, silver Spain mined out of Bolivia and lost when the ships sunk off Florda’s coast, portraits of Seminole leaders, battle flags from Florida’s Confederate and Union brigades, a “battle log” shot full of cannon balls, old farming, logging and citrus industry equipment… It was a big place and just kept going and going. We didn’t see quite all of it. We had to cut it short to go eat lunch. An amazing place. We’ll have to go back and see the rest.

Figaro was also along for the trip. He’s not feeling too well. Mom and Dad wanted him close to take care of him. It was fun to have two rabbits in the house, but Asher is glad to have to whole house back to himself. He had to mostly stay in the bedroom while Figaro got to be in the living room. He’s such a rabbit. Get better Figaro!

It was a good visit. Anybody else want to come visit?