An Early Saturday in Palm Coast for Arbor Day - worth skipping the coffee...

8:30 am on a Saturday is way too early for me to want to be outdoors... These weekend mornings should be lazy, with a few cups of good coffee waking me up slowly to a day with no plans. This Saturday though couldn't be helped. It was Arbor Day in Palm Coast, and we had a nifty tent and table graciously provided to all "green" businesses and organizations free of charge.

Pulling into the packed vendor parking in Palm Coast's Town Center where the event was schedule to begin in a half hour I noticed with some surprise a very long and winding line heading to the City of Palm Coast Tree Tent - the main attraction of the event. I would have never guest this many Palm Coasters were early risers on Saturday.

Sweetbay Magnolias, Silver Bells and a half dozen or so of other trees were being given away to residents free of charge, as has become the habit in this city every year. The trees and their bearers were gleaming in the early morning light. Everyone seemed thrilled to be granted a gorgeous tree for their yard, and equipped with planting instructions, folks stuck around for some worthwhile exhibits and entertainment.

One of my favorites was a tent belonging to Whitney Marine Science Labs. There were horseshoe crabs, and sponges and starfish and some other sea life that I couldn't identify. Kids got their hands wet, happily, for a chance to touch the underbellies of these creatures.

A few tents down, there was a butterfly farm stand, belonging to a family from Melrose. Today, they brought the Monarchs, but they pride themselves on raising native species, so as to avert any possibility of them going extinct. Someday soon, I am taking the family to visit the actual farm, and say hello the fabulous folks who run it.

At almost exactly noon, a full box of these butterflies was released, mostly by little kids. I was one of the few lucky adults who got to hold on to a butterfly long enough for its wings to warm up so it could fly home, wherever that might be.

All in all, it was a great day to be outdoors, in gorgeous Central Park in Palm Coast, and it was awesome to see and chat with so many people who were into the greener way of life.

Glad we were asked to be a part of it, and look forward to next year.

Florida Green Homes, LLC is a builder of certified Green Homes in Palm Coast, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Daytona Metro Areas. We only build Earth Friendly People Friendly Homes. Our homes start at 112,9K on your lot, and superior Green construction and energy efficiency come standard.
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