When you reach the top, keep climbing.

Now that I'm finished with HCC I've been interning at the Environmental Protection Commission for a few months now with their MIS dept. I've taken the semester off, just trying to work and save money for a trip to Montana next summer, and a camera. Here is my next chapter of 'Without me there would be nothing.'

I dance with the eyes, through awe and fear,
My sting will weep for a lifetime.
Then your hatred will feed me,
But that is not my crime.
So I cradle your momentum.
If you seek my forgiveness,
Without global convergence,
That's an act you'll not witness.
Without me there would be nothing.

The title to the previous entry is: Tidal Currents

You cannot dream yourself into a character, you must hammer and forge yourself into one.

Lots of trail content pending editing and I have yet to get my photo/video editing programs working. Been busy with interning and my programming capstone project. I'll reboot my operating system when I'm finished with my current project and take the time to back up everything and get it all working smoothly again. Until then, I've been working on a poetry/riddle series dubbed 'Without me there would be nothing.' Each of the writings follow a custom poetry format, which I designed to allow flexibility with flow. The individual writings' of the series have no 'title' per se, but merely an answer to the riddle that will be released on the subsequent post. Each chapter primarily pertains to one a multitude of natural phenomena that are essential to world we inhabit. Here is the first installment:

I draw my strength from the moon and sun,
They yank and release at my seams.
I will take all I can, piece by piece,
And cyclic are my screams.
I am a double edged sword,
Sometimes furious though often fun,
And always frequent nonetheless.
But from my fury, no one can run.
Without me there would be nothing.

Trout Creek: To Know the Road Ahead, Ask Those Coming Back

Holidays are over and school has started again but I recently went out to Trout Creek, located on the southern end of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, along with some other local areas. I'll post more when I fix the my photo editor, these are all raw photos.

The cold winter day goes unseen amongst Florida's inevitable lack of snow; however, activity is high because most locals don't dread the colder season, as they can go outside without instantly sweating due to the sweltering heat and humidity we get most of the year.

Strong, low winds plow through the airy open flood ways that surround Trout Creek, embroiling the natural growth causing the formation of an erratic jumble of branches like a contorted, mossy jungle gym.

The paths are entwined between brush and trees. Low humidity and temperature makes breathing through a heavy trek much easier, keeping my core heat regulated as my lungs radiate warm blood with chilled breath.

The fungi and termites make quick work in the decomposition of these fallen trees.

Trout Creek flows steadily south. Water flowing south from Withlacoochee River feeds Cypress Creek and ultimately comes through here and out the mouth of the bay.

This pond connects to Trout Creek via the spillway below, flood waters are controlled by the counties reroutes and dams.

The abundance of cypress knees collect across this dried up riverbed to create it's natural cemetery formation.

This bridge shows a heavy tread left by the tramp of walkers and bikers alike.

The local hog population leave their mark, as is their standard M.O. mangled ground plowed by tusks in search for roots to eat. These hogs will eat anything...

The opposing end of the Panther trail from Flatwoods Park is my stopping point for today.

With more trail content piling up and school in full swing it will probably be a while until I can compile it well.