Birch State Park

I suppose Birch State Park has been a presence in my life since 1963 when we moved to South Florida. I’ve certainly had my share of family picnics, company picnics, Boy Scout campouts, and even been to a wedding there. There were huge stands of Australian Pine trees there through all of that.

I remember seeing the shallow root systems turned sideways after so many of the trees were knocked over by Hurricane Cleo in 1964. Probably first saw them from the tourist train that ran through the park. We (my brothers and sisters and I) loved riding on that train. I really didn’t understand how powerful a hurricane could be, even after seeing those trees knocked over. I just assumed that the trees had weak root systems (which I think they did – real shallow). (Seeing South Dade after Hurricane Andrew was the first time I understood how strong the storms were; Hurricane Wilma was the first time I was scared during storm.)

In the Scouts we I got to know a different part of the Australian Pine, their cones. Those things were always underfoot, under the tent, under a sleeping bag – you get the idea. And even for someone who hadn’t worn shoes for a couple of years (except for school, church, and visits to grandma’s) those things hurt when you stepped on them.

“They” (the State Park System I guess) started cutting down the Australian Pines a couple of years ago because, as the (very hot – so hot he could be in a video – so hot he made Tom of Finland park rangers look dull and boring – so hot that it was all I could do not to salivate as I saw him handling a pet snake today) park ranger explained they are “non-native and invasive.” (Yeah, that park ranger is hotter than a Chip Daniels video.)

I last saw the park a few years ago, after the chopping, but before a canopy grew back. Didn’t look too good. It looked like a bad haircut at the Academy Awards.

I’m happy to report, especially to my park aficionado friend in Wellesley that it didn’t look too bad today. I hiked my ass around that park and around memory lane today. The park is looking good. I saw lots of Gumbo Limbo there today and a few Silver Buttonwood and probably quite a few native and non-invasive species that I don’t recognize.

It was a beautiful day in Birch State Park.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/hughtaylorbirch/

Today's fortune Cookie

It came along with a quart of mixed won-ton egg-drop soup and two naughty DVDs from Tropix:

Courage is the mastery of fear - not the absence of fear. Then, the two magic words must be attached: In Bed!

Wu Tang, many years ago interpreted this to mean that during the second three months of using Zoloft, a man will be able to maintain an erection, but not release. Thus he will bring great pleasure to his partner, but will wind up having to 打猴子, (literally, spank the monkey) in order to please himself.

Jun Lo, on the other hand said that spanking the monkey, in and of itself brought great courage to the one who is destined to drive the maiden aunt home, especially when mixed with two ounces of gin.