a few FL high points

When I started this blog I intended to write about the places I go. So far I have two posts and neither are about any travels. And that's not because I haven't gone anywhere interesting either. I want to at least add something about my time in Florida (which is nearing its end) so here are a couple of things, all of which took place last weekend:

1. Let's start with the actual high point of Florida - right near the Alabama border and at a whopping 345 feet. Even shorter than I expected it to be. If it weren't for the sign telling me I was at a "high point" I would've had no idea; there was zero change in elevation from that all-important monument to the surrounding land. Last time I was at a state's high point was in New York on top of Mt. Marcy; that one's about 5600 feet if I remember correctly. Alas. If I didn't already know that Florida was the flattest state, I know it well now. On the bright side, seeing that low high point satisfied my desire to say I'd been there. Total, I'm 2 out of 50.

2. The FL caverns: a beautiful specimen of the wonders of nature. I'd never been into a cavern before, and I was in awe from the moment I stepped in. My first reaction was, "Wow! I can't believe this is actually real." My only experience with caverns until then had been with fake, Disney-esque ones. In addition to being real, this cavern was old. It takes 100 years for the stalactites and stalagmites to grow 1 cubic inch (or some ratio like that). Point is that it takes FOREVER and some of those tites and mites were several feet tall. Old and breathtaking. These things have been around much, much longer than I have and will still be there when I die. Pretty cool if you ask me.

3. Boll weevil monument: Ok, so this one's actually in Alabama. Enterprise, AL to be exact. Long ago they were cotton farmers but then the boll weevil came along and destroyed their crops. Then they got into the peanut industry, and it was a huge success (thanks to the innovations of George Washington Carver). So in 1919 they erected a monument of an angelic woman holding a giant boll weevil above her head. A little weird if you ask me. But I guess it's cool that their community knew how to look on the bright side of adversity and find the good in it.

There's certainly a lot more I could write about Florida, but three's the charm for right now. BECAUSE... I'm leaving in a few hours. More to come on that.