Field Expedition: Science
Taking a road trip with just one of my boys does not happen often. I took advantage of an opportunity to take Grayson to several state parks and to Alabama to see my grandmother. I wanted to reconnect with my first born.
Whenever we hit the road, we have our Florida State Parks Passports in hand to visit new sites and learn a little bit along the way. It is summer, but I had an educational agenda on our mini vacation. Four Florida state parks, George Washington Carver Museum, and Tuskegee Airmen museum in Alabama were on my list.
Our first stop off of I-75 was Torreya State Park. Torreya Pine trees only grow in three places in the world. The Florida Torreya only grows in a small portion of the state where the weather and conditions are just right. They look like pine trees with a very different needle pattern. The park sits on a cliff that overlooks a major waterway that has been used for transportation and military operations for over a hundred years.
We visited with Ranger Howard in the barracks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, that now serves as his office and camp community room. He has worked there for 13 years and says he loves the campers here. Ranger Howard says that campers are the best people he knows. It was a little hot for us, but maybe we will come back in the fall with our tent.
Next stop was Falling Waters, State Park. I had no idea Florida has a waterfall. It is surrounded by many sinkholes. These sinkholes are small, but somehow opened up this beautiful space in the ground that is enjoyed by thousands. It was super hot and humid down there, but a spectacular view.
After arriving at MeeMee’s house we took a day to visit and rest up for our trip to Tuskegee. My sister, Candace came to join us on our next road trip. We had not seen her in a year and we’re thrilled for her to join us.
It took us three hours to get to Tuskegee. Perhaps it was the back roads that slowed us down or my sister’s bad navigation. We made quite a few turn backs and had a lot of laughs. It was well worth the extra time.
Tuskegee Institute has a beautiful campus. Most of the buildings are over a hundred years old made with hand-molded brick. The history that took place here is incredible, and way more than I was prepared for. George Washington Carver Museum is a National Historic Park and is run by the National Park System. The museum had been updated in February and was truly a fascinating place.
When people hear George Washington Carver’s name they think of peanuts and botany. He was so much more. What he discovered and shared with the world transformed every part of our lives and the products we use. It was profound.
Tuskegee Airmen museum consists of two original hangers and the surrounding property where the airmen of World War II trained and built many of the planes they flew. What they accomplished during the war is quite amazing and I believe little known. This is also a National Historic Site and has just finished creating new exhibits in one of the hangers. Grayson loved the planes an the videos of the actual airman’s accounts of their time here and what they had to go through to be accepted by the United States into the armed services. It has all three of us a new appreciation for these men who broke barriers and became legends in their service to the United States.
After another day of visiting with my grandma, we hit the road home. Our first pit stop was at Florida Caverns State Park. Candace met us here for one last visit. The caverns were awesome and were an apparent accidental discovery by private owners in the 1930s. The CCC again was instrumental in creating paths through the caverns for future generations. The work was grueling and they left their mark with porcelain bowls in the ceiling. They helped to reflect candlelight while they worked.
Can you figure out what is a stalactite and a stalagmite? It is fascinating how minerals and water can create such beauty under the earth.
Last stop on our long day home was Three Rivers, State Park. What a magnificent forest and waterway. The camping area was full. It was a circle at the water’ edge, nestled among cypress trees. Beautiful. We took a short walk in the day use area that overlooks the water. A nice breeze gave us just enough energy to keep on journeying home.
Having this time with my boy was special. He is growing up so fast. I enjoyed our conversations and reminiscing about all the beautiful places we visited on our trip together.
Torreya Pines only grow in three places in the world.
North Florida waterway and unique terrain created successful military operations and created an environment for forest growth and animal habitat.
Falling Waters State Park taught us about sinkholes. The way the sinkholes were structured, we could see their formations clearly and how the waterfall was uncovered.
George Washington Carver provided the science community with new discoveries that propelled the advancement of new products.
We learned a different side of World War II that are often not talked about. The racial tension in the armed services and the tenacity of the men who served to prove they had what it took.
Mineral science is a fascinating study when you can see how they form. Having the opportunity to visit the caverns ignited a mineral study when we got back home.
Identify trees, leaf rubbings, and bark comparisons
Look for different color lichen, moss, and mushrooms.
Identify edible plants and animal tracks.
Make a mini-laboratory with a microscope and tools from your Naturalist Kit.
Take water samples and look for organisms.
Try day camping. Set up camp in the morning and enjoy the park in the evening. This is great if you have little campers or to get your feet wet to experience overnight camping.
Ask questions about the park from rangers.
Learn to fish. Many states teach fishing in state parks.
Learn to canoe or kayak. See wildlife from a different point of view.
Search for butterflies, moths and other insects. Describe them in your family journal.
My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George
Hatchet, Gary Paulsen
Trees of North America, Usborne
A Tree is Nice, Janice May Udry
Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees, Jim Arnosky
The Kid’s Campfire Book, Jane Drake and Ann Love
Camp Out, Lynn Brunelle
Be a Friend to Trees, Patricia Lauber
The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein
Our Planet Earth, Harris
Cross Creek, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
The Yearling, Majorie Kinnan Rawlings
Field Expedition activity 1
Field Expedition activity 2
Field Expedition Trees
Field Expedition Trees and Leaves research