8th annual Back to Nature festival sponsored by the South Walton Community Council (SWCC). Took place Friday through Sunday, October 16-18. Events were free or $10. Click the links and photos below for my reports, images, and videos. See the locations on a Google map.
- Welcome Night - 7pm Friday - Come to our free welcome night at Bud and Alley’s Restaurant in Seaside! Enjoy food and cash bar, event registration, meet event leaders and fellow participants. Enjoy live music by Jimmy Ward. FREE.
Sunrise Meditation with Jimmi wZ - Saturday and Sunday 6:30 am - Come Join James Wisniewski on an informal self-guided inner journey to bring us Back to Nature. The Morning Sunrise Ritual is a culmination of James's life time study of different meditation practices from around the world, simplified to 45 minutes that include gentle yogic stretch, breath, meditation, and a swim. All drawn to the intent of bringing the mind to stillness and revealing a devout appreciation for nature in all its wonder. James will begin at 6:30 am (just before sunrise) on the beach in front of the obelisk next to Bud and Alley's in Seaside. Wear warm loose clothing with a swim suit underneath (the swim is optional yet most important and delightful) bring a towel and a blanket if you want to avoid the sand. FREE.
Planting at Oyster Lake: See movie: Flash (including YouTube choices), QuickTime web or alternate. Back To Natives - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) continues its Exotic Invasive Project on the coastal dune lakes. Exotic and invasive plants around Oyster Lake have recently been treated. Now we need your help to get the native community re-established so the exotics are held back. Participants will learn about the multi-stage Exotic Invasive Project that CBA is coordinating in Walton County and will plant various types of native vegetation, such as sawgrass, cordgrass, duck potato, and blue-flag iris. Meet along the sides of the road at Dune Breeze Villas. Limited to 20 people. CBA will provide water. In the interest of conservation, please bring your own bottles/canteens/cups, etc.
Yolo Boarding - See movie: Flash (including YouTube choices), QuickTime web or alternate. Sunday 10 am - YOLO (You Only Live Once) paddle tour: Take a leisurely paddle around Western Lake and into the lake outfall as you learn the basics of the fastest-growing new watersport--Stand-up Paddling. This is an easy trip suitable for beginning stand-up paddlers. Led by members of YOLO Board, a locally owned stand-up paddle company, you will have an opportunity to tour Western Lake and see it from a whole new perspective--standing up! If you want to rent a YOLO Board for $15, please call (850) 622-5760 in advance to secure a rental. Meet at the boat ramp inside Grayton Beach State Park. Maximum 12 participants
- Gator Walk at Topsail State Park - Sunday 5:45 pm - Explore the world of the Florida alligator at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. A park ranger will guide you to the banks of a lake where you can see a large gator lair and learn more about these ancient creatures. The tour starts at 5:45 at the day entrance parking area on CR 30A. From the day entrance you’ll catch the trolley to the trail head. From there, you will make a short hike to the lake. Afterwards, you will walk back to the day entrance parking lot so there is some hiking involved. You will also be walking in the dark so it’s a great opportunity to see some of the night inhabitants of the park. Please wear closed toe shoes as some of the hiking is through the woods. Bring binoculars, insect repellant and a flashlight. The tour will last approximately an hour and a half and is limited to 12 participants.
Back to Lookout 2002, Back to Nature 1.
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