Changes for the Good

When we first moved to Tarpon Springs in November of 1992, the park was absolutely gorgeous. Azaleas ringed many of the Live Oaks that dripped with Spanish Moss and all the playgrounds were of natural wood that fit right into the landscape.  Not so much today.  The wooden play areas have been replaced by plastic in primary colors.  They say it is safer for the children. I guess.  The azaleas are gone because they are "not a plant native to Florida."  And the grounds that were carefully manicured have grown up and are not as carefully tended because of the budgetary constraints these days.  I really don't mind that part.

The beach is what has changed the most.  It used to be flat.  Very flat. Sand and rock and no dunes or many plants.  Today is a much different story.  We have more palms.

We have a "wall" of sea grapes on the northern end of the island.

And they have grapes right now.  They are edible after maturing and turning to a deep reddish-purple hue.  They can be made into wine, jams and jellies.  I have never attempted it nor have I ever seen any of it for sale.  I haven't even seen many birds attempt to eat them.

You won't see the sea grape in areas that get hard frosts as frost kills the plant.

Most of all, I love the dunes that our ecology-minded park rangers have built over the last few years.  Some are quite tall now but we can still get a nice view of the Gulf.

A friend suggested that this would make a good painting.  I quite agree.  So even taking these pics with my cell phone, we still finished our two mile walk on Thursday a little sooner than we did on Tuesday.  And thoroughly enjoyed it.  It got cloudier as we walked but we were able to finish and get home before the torrential rains that graced us in the afternoon.

Walking with a constantly changing view and good conversation with friends makes the time go so quickly.  I certainly am enjoying our park again. There have been lots of changes.  Changes for the good -- in our park and in our healthier routine.