The TallyCast

The idea of going down to the coast, during the winter is not the most obvious idea, buta trip to St. Marks (http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks/) rewards those willing to do so.  While one needs to wear some warm clothes (although always layers, the varying wind can make you frigid and then toasty, as it waxes and wanes), the usual wonders still abound.  Traveling the eight miles from park entrance to the lighthouse at the end of the road, the pools of water in the marsh wetlands still shine a brillant blue.  The number of birds is less then other times of year, but a stray heron or buzzard can still be spied, along with a passel of ducks.  And, when taking a short hike one of the numerouse trails through the marsh and woods, I was able to spot four alligators today.  If one is up for a more organized trip, the bike riding is pleasent and there are put-in spots for boats, but allow for spur of the moment nature dosages.  Only an hour south of Tallahassee, you can make it all of the way to the lighthouse at the drop of a hat.  Finally, while not a beach coast, a trail from the lighthouse offers a pleasent mix of ocean sounds and smells, and assuming you’ve the correct footwear, you can walk out a spit of land seemingly made entirely made of old shells.