I took a friend and my daughter to one of my favorite hiking spots, St. Andrews State Park, smack in the middle of Panama City. What I didn’t do was take into account the amount of rain we have had, and every single trail was flooded. Not a “take a high trail” sort of flooded, more a “pair the animals in twos” sort of flood.
Gator Lake was a good four feet above normal levels. It was amazing. Even the beach was affected. Brown seaweed marred what is usually clear, emerald green water.
When that plan fell through, I thought, maybe, we could hike around Camp Helen State Park, since my daughter has never been there… but some nasty black storm clouds, and forks of lightning, fouled up that alternative.
We’re hoping to get some kayaking in on Sunday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time.
You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, and/or iPhone4)
Thin spiral notebook 
Rain has fouled up SO MANY of my summer plans this year! GRR! Now you can imagine what my entire yard (five acres) looks like. =/
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Hopefully we’ll have a beautiful fall, and much less rain.
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I think you and my friend should get your nature blogs in sync. if you want to look him up Kieran Vogal aka Doctor Kazoo .
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You were braver than I. You took rainy day photographs. You are to be congratulated for your persistence. I chose the lazier route. Rain is coming again as I write.
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Wow! What a mess. We have had a lot of rain too! I think a boat might be a good idea for next weekend. LOL! Great photos! I love the dragon fly.
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I’ve been thinking about getting a kayak. That would have been perfect.
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Cool! I went kayaking before – it was sooooo much fun!
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My daughter and I went kayaking with a friend this morning. It’s so peaceful on the water.
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Nice!!!!
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Gorgeous shots, as always.
I love the dragonfly, and the seemingly abandoned sand castle 😀
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The sand castle did look all forlorn and abandoned on the beach.
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Oh my that does look like some pretty impressive rainfall
mollyxxx
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It was stunning. Even my galoshes wouldn’t help.
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It looks like it was such a clear day that it’s hard to believe there was so much rain!
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It was a gorgeous day, but it had rained for several days before. I really did not expect that amount of flooding.
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oh, no….and here we have had more beautiful, warm, sunny days than normally – ‘normally’ it’s cool and rainy at this time of the year – i don’t complain, I love it like this!!!
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The rain has ease up some, and the temperatures have been very nice. I’m hoping the worst of the wet weather is over.
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Oh dear! That looks like a wash-out.
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At the trail head, there is a wooden boardwalk. Three steps drop down from the walk, leading to the trails around the pond. The water was so high, it covered the steps. I couldn’t believe how much it flooded.
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Wow, that’s flooding!
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I knew it had rained more than normal, but I was not expecting all the trails to be completely under water.
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