The Gulf of Mexico and Lake Jackson Mounds

Happy Spring Break!! I know that I haven't blogged for awhile, so here are a few pictures from around Tallahassee; first, I had to put up a few pictures from Lake Jackson because it's about 20 minutes from my apartment (but this pink flower is the only flower-an azalea, I think- on the little bush right outside my apartment door). Lake Jackson was a ceremonial center from 1100 CE-1500 CE built around this lake (called "Lake Jackson"). It was a part of what is known as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (although a few scholars now refer to it as the Mississippian Iconographic Interaction Sphere), a geographic region within the present Southeastern United States that consisted of several different tribes, languages, beliefs and customs, but it appears that all of these groups shared certain cultural characteristics through iconography, trade and interaction. Who could have known that right here in northern Florida there is such a rich and diverse history?? Well, I suppose a lot of people actually know that!! Second, I wanted to put up a few pictures of my very first visit (from the US side) to the Gulf of Mexico (Viva el Golfo de Mexico!! Hahahaaaa). 

Lake Jackson!

There are a few mounds at Lake Jackson. Excavations have shown that Lake Jackson was an important ceremonial center; many ritual objects have been found in the excavations and even one burial is consistent with someone of great importance and prestige.

At the Gulf of Mexico, my first impression was that it was very beautiful, but then there was this "little" alligator. There are some signs around St. Mark's that caution the visitor about not getting too close to the water because alligators are living there and hanging out in the water (and on the banks of the water!).

Somehow these pictures are kind of mixed up! I don't understand this new format for uploading pictures (I write this because I'm not sure how my pictures will line up with my explanatory text!). Anyways, I was at the library all morning yesterday and ran into Carolina. We took a lunch break and I told her that I had not yet been to the Gulf of Mexico. So, she suggested that we take advantage of the lovely weather (and take the afternoon off! I mean, it IS spring break!) and go to the gulf, which is about 30 minutes from Tally. Here are some pictures from our great adventure! It was really windy but absolutely beautiful and it felt really nice to be at the ocean (even if there really wasn't too much of a beach feeling). There's a lighthouse at this place called St. Mark's; it was immensely picturesque!

                                          

      

                                                    

After Carolina, Hazel and I left the Gulf, we stopped on the way back to Tallahassee and went out on a canoe (I don't even know what river it was!). Supposedly there are manatees in this river, but we didn't see any (Carolina said that they are like "water cows"). I loved seeing this turtle and bird hanging out together on this enormous tree that formed a kind of island in the middle of the river. It was a great final activity for the day! I had to include a photo of my friend Carolina and her lovely dog Hazel (a wire fox terrier who loves her "uncle" Bryan).