Journal 3, Fied Trip to Koreshan

This week we went to Koreshan State Park.  I had never been there before and actually I am not sure I had heard of it previously, but I am still pretty new to the area.  I thought it was just a nature park that had some trails and canoes to rent.  I haven't been feeling well so I wasn't exactly looking forward to this trip. 

When we arrived and met our guide, it did seem like it was going to be more of a nature focus.  That quickly changed though when our guide was asked to explain the history behind the Koreshan.  I had no idea that it was a short lived religion or that the land and such was donated by the last living 'believer'.  This had my attention and I liked hearing about how it all started, how they carved out their lives in the total wilderness y themselves and how things were done very different from the time (such as women having a big role in the settlement).

The story behind how Dr. Teed got the land from Damkohler was also interesting, more so the mysterious way that most of his family was killed.  It reminded me of the old murder stories I watch on the History Channel about people like Lizzie Borden.  

Dr. Teed's beliefs in religion and the earth were strange to say the least, but he apparently got a decent group of people to believe in him and work to make his compound (for lack of a better term) grow and thrive for a while.  Upon his death the religion faded as fast as it had started but left behind a very interesting story for future generations.

I may not have felt well but I am glad I got to go to Koreshan and learn about the history surrounding the site and the people who made it possible.  I learned a lot about how the area came to be and it is a  piece of history that shouldn't be ignored.

Journal Two Field Trip– Urban Fort Myers

While this was not my first time being downtown I did notice things this time that I had not noticed before.  After discussing in class the way some cities make their urban areas more appealing to people and the differences in traffic with narrow streets versus wider ones, I noticed how the roads downtown were narrow and made more for pedestrian usage than vehicles.  I also noticed that the building all look historic, even new ones as they tried to keep with the same feel and architecture.  I knew there were restaurants and little shops in the area but wasn't aware that there were no chains like McDonald's (with the exception of Starbucks which is considered a higher end chain).  I was also not aware of what the storm retention basin was for and how it was used.  Our guide explained these things to us along with some history of the area and told us that the brick that was used to pave the roads and side areas were actually recycled from the buildings that were tore down previously.  I loved that the material was reused!

Our guide was very helpful and had a plethora of knowledge for us.  I was particularly impressed with the history information he was able to give us about the tribute statue of an African American soldier.  This monument is a non-commissioned officer and is the only monument in FL dedicated to the African American troops who served during the Civil War. 

 

 

I did think the experience could have been better.  If I were being honest, it may have been better to have smaller groups (either pairs or groups of no more than 3) because we couldn't all talk to each other much to discuss things and/or there wasn't enough time for us all to ask the guide questions or we wouldn't be able to see everything (which we didn't).  Also, unfortunately we had a group member that was pretty rude and kept interrupting, leaving the group, was just asking for the answers to the sheet instead of going to the place to see it and more (I won't name names as I am not trying to get anyone in trouble, just an opinion and observation from someone actually trying to learn things).

I still enjoyed the experience and our guide.  I have actually looked up some of the information we didn't get to so I can take my kids down again armed with some fun facts!

Sense of Place

I live in LaBelle, FL.  It is very peaceful here and a very small, quite town.  I am from Louisville, KY so living here for three years has definitely been different from city life.  I have learned to adjust and come to love and appreciate the peacefulness in LaBelle.

My home is on a street that has no sidewalks anywhere near us.  The houses are pretty far apart and I only know two of my neighbors.  It's not really safe to walk a lot on the road because people tend to drive way too fast like a "back country road."  I do however have a nice yard with very large, old and beautiful trees all over the place.  Some of the trees are palm but most are oak.  My back yard backs up to several acres of cow pasture so that adds to the quite as well.

                 


My favorite place is my front porch (when there aren't any mosquitoes out) because I can sit on the swing with my husband or kids and talk or just sit quietly and enjoy the sounds of nature all around.  Squirrels are always running around and there are lots of birds in the trees.  My kids love watching the lizards the most I am sure, but I could do without those!

Even though I was born and raised in Kentucky and spent most of my life there, I feel Florida is "home" to me.  The weather offers me the opportunity to do all the things I love like fishing and beach activities and I grew up without much family so having my husband's family here and with us a lot  is a wonderful experience.

 

 

 I still visit Kentucky and love the different feel, but LaBelle is now my home.