It is mornings like this morning that make me love our new hometown.
So picturesque!
I slept a little funny last night and didn’t feel like going to the gym right when the alarm went off. I decided to front-load my work day and ate an egg, cheese and jelly bagelwich before sitting down at the computer to crank out some work.
After working from 6 until 10 a.m., I still wasn’t in the mood to work out, but felt like I needed a break and time away from the computer screen.
Since Sadie needs a break every minute of every day, I figured she would be up for a hike!
After eating a quick snack, I loaded Sadie in the car and drove to a nearby trail where I turned on the Pandora Rockin’ Holidays station on my phone, threw it in my mini backpack and walked along, enjoying the gorgeous weather while Sadie had a field day.
She’s quite an enthusiastic line leader.
During our short two-mile hike, we saw two major predators!
Gator! (He was in the same spot where he was sunning himself when we saw him on our hike on Saturday.)
And a snake which I only saw because of Sadie’s pointing skills. Ten points for doggie safety!
We also saw some less freaky wildlife including lots of fish and turtles in the springs.
I still can’t get over how clear the water is in the springs. It’s unreal and I felt such a sense of happiness and peace just looking out over the water with Sadie peering out by my side.
We were hiked and home within an hour and I felt rejuvenated! It was really nice to get outside in the middle of the day, but once I arrived back home it was back to business!
Lunch
Lunch was very, very random today.
One of our neighbors dropped off three mini loaves of homemade banana walnut bread at our house and I couldn’t resist eating one for lunch.
I paired it with Greek yogurt for some protein and half of a pint of cherry tomatoes for a pop of produce.
Told you it was random!
I can’t resist homemade baked goods and knew there was no chance the three loaves could just sit on the counter while I made myself a different lunch.
Now I’m craving something savory and am thinking I may heat up a small bowl of soup for an afternoon snack before getting back to work.
Hope you’re having a fabulous Thursday!
I’m so jealous that you’re close to such great nature! I’d love to be able to take a mid-day hike. And you had such a cute lunch date, too
HRCK
I love hiking, but I am terrified of wild animals
Sana
You’re brave. I’m so scared of snakes that I don’t go to areas where I know I’ll have a good chance of seeing one. I had a minor freak attack in Vegas due to a giant snake being shown off on the side of the road…hilarity ensued (for everyone else lol)
Lena @ Fit on the Rocks
That water is crazy clear! Nice way to fit some activity in for the day, I’m sure Sadie loved it. That turtle is cute too! Haha
Caitlin
What a gorgeous hiking path! So glad you and Sadie got to enjoy! And ohh yum that banana bread. Its one of my weaknesses!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie
I’m always scared of being attacked by a gator in Florida. Even if I’m in the house.
RunEatRepeat
You make me miss working from home! I remember how nice it was to maximize my time outside by front loading my work day.
Elizabeth
Gorgeous. I can’t wait to get back down to Daytona when the weather starts getting cold up here <3 I used to go to Blue Springs every summer and I could never get over just how clear the water was there, either! Once when I was swimming I literally came face to face with the cutest otter thing. Cute animals for the win ^~
Love that you went on a nice long hike with your pup! {And glad that she's got snake-sniffing skillz, yiiiikes.}
Stephanie @ Snacking☀nSunshine
wow, what a beautiful hike! i love the reflection off of the water. it’s so still and peaceful. looks like the perfect midday break to me!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries
What an amazingly beautiful place you live in. Its awesome that you take full advantage of the nature around you!
Oh and Pandora Rockin Holidays station is the BEST
Gia
I’m so jealous that you get to do midday hikes during the week! I’m stuck at my desk. Lovely pics, it was fun taking a virtual hike with you
Kathryn @ Flopoodle
I’m always so afraid of running into rattle snakes when I hike with Tally–she is always so curious about ALL wildlife (2 porcupine, 1 mountain goat, and multiple deer encounters….and counting!) and I don’t think she would be smart enough to stay away from it. Scary!!!
Heather@Just a Colorado Gal
jealous of your hike! i’m pretty pumped about taking a day off work tomorrow though- feels like a friday! have a great night!
Mallory @ Have Your Cake
You are so lucky to have such beautiful scenery surrounding you! I can turn down chips and salty snacks any day, but baked goods have a hold on me. Enjoy the night!
Angela @ Health, Happiness & Harmony
Banana walnut bread sounds like exactly what I need right now!! What a gorgeous afternoon – you guys are lucky to have such great weather at this time of year! Great photos Julie
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
I had that same yogurt with my lunch today too!! I think it tastes like strawberry cheesecake. SO good.
And you’ve inspired me to bake banana bread or zucchini bread tonight. Yay!!
Catriona
I love how Sadie likes when you hold her like that!! I am very jealous of your midday hike with beautiful scenery and on a nice December day.
sarah
Ohmg. You are so brave. I’d freak if I saw a gator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or a snake!! I’m terrified I’m going to see a coyote or rattler in Denver.
Corrie Anne
beautiful. clear waters make me swoon! as for the gator and snake though, I am pretty sure I would have ran away. #truelife
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn
OH so pretty! I love having random snacks throughout the day–it makes it more fulfilling
Heh. But produce is always a good thing too.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife
Looks like you have such a gorgeous place to hike! Have you heard of Alligator Alley? It’s like this stretch of road where their are gators everywhere. Scary!
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine
OMG I hate snakes. I would have died. This is why I road race and not trail race.
Heather
That water is amazingly clear!
Amanda
I wish I had a hiking trail close to my house. I would hike allll the time. It is just so relaxing but I rarely get to /:
Olivia@unleashingmymind
miss seeing all the adorable turtles in florida. they are my favorite!
stevie
when my brother was a baby our dog saved him from a rattle snake! no one saw it and then my dog, Raider, ran up and snapped the head off the snake! It was right next to my brother! It’s so cool how dogs can see certain things that we don’t even notice.
Molly
My puppies named Raider! My hubby named him after the Oakland Raiders lol!
Tia
Ah what a nice day! Can’t lie, I’m pretty jealous.
Steph @ StephSnacks
I love random lunches, there always the best.
Tia
I love FL “wilderness!” haha. I worked in an environmental planning office in N. Florida one summer so gators and swamps have a special place in my heart.
Lea @Girl Loves Pearls
Great hiking spot! And a perfect hiking buddy! Haha
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
whoaaa you saw a gator?? thats crazy!!! i guess thats normal in florida though..? i just saw a big buck on my run..that was the highlight of my day haha
Amy
You are so brave! I would be terrified to encounter all of the wildlife! There is something different about Midwestern wildlife (coyotes, deer, raccoons, etc.) and GATORS and SNAKES! You are brave. Good think Sadie has keen skills
Claire
I had the same Midwestern reaction–YOU and SADIE ARE GOING TO EATEN BY A GATOR!!! RUN!!!!!
Lily
Ahhh I’m so jealous of your hike! It reminds me of the field trips I took when I was a marine biology major in charleston, SC!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
I have that Christmas CD. Love it!
Lisa
What a great break in the day! I love those rejuvenating activities. You and Sadie are adorable.
Alaina
Gorgeous scenery! I love midday breaks to get outdoors!
Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter)
Hi:) I love your blog, you are teaching me a lot, even at my age and I’m old enough to be your mother!
Going out on such a nice walk is great but I immediately became worried for you. I am sure that Ryan would agree that it isnt safe to walk by yourself in the woods. Please be careful:) k?
Shannon
Random but balanced lunch
! Love taking my workout outdoors for a change- so mentally refreshing!
Khushboo
Sounds like a fun hike! Love that picture of you and Sadie!
Hope
Aww what sweet neighbors!! I’m sure anyone who brings over banana bread is surely trying to make a good impression
That place is beautiful – I love turtles! Not so much alligators, though
Meg
That view is so pretty!!! I’m super jealous!
Dani
It looks so beautiful there – I feel really peaceful and happy in nature, too – it’s my favouirte thing to do, hiking! Thank and yoga. <3 It must be so lovely to have a dog to hike with too – such fun company! (I would be really really afriad of those gators though – eeeeeek! :-O ) You're brave girls, lol!
xyx
Yolie @ Practising Wellness
Being in London, I miss the wildlife of back home in Australia. Running while back home I would see all kinds of awesome animals, and London, just isn’t the same…
Jenn @ Lotus and Pie
where is this park? looks awesome! my parents live in summerfield, so i’m always looking for new things to do in the area.
Lauren