Ponce de Leon Springs
I did a lot of swimming in Florida. There is no shortage of places to go for a swim. Swimming in the middle of January felt odd. I didn’t even originally intend to swim, but I got so warm hiking, and the water looked so clear that I decided it would be a tragedy not to!
Instead of learning about a plant, I decided to learn about the Flat Bug! Or Aradidae, which get their name from their flattened bodies, they used to hide in tight spaces amongst tree bark or leaf litter. They feed on fungus and decaying wood. Sometimes they can be attracted to the pheromones of bark beetles. These little guys have also been found in bird and rodent nests. They breed twice a year, and the males will typically lay on the eggs. I loved my little flat bug and was glad he wanted to go on a walk with me! Brave little guy!
Ponce de Leon Springs had crystal-clear water; I saw fish and turtles right from the shore as I kicked my feet in the warm water. Even as it flowed away from the spring, the water was clear, and the little swamp felt so peaceful. I met a flat bug on the first bridge I crossed, and I tried taking him to many places to see if he wanted off, but instead they joined me for my entire hike. Only when I found another bridge at the end of the hike did they leave me.
The Fools Journeys 
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