per·i·pa·tet·ic
ˌperēpəˈtedik/
adjective
  1. 1.
    traveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods.
    "the peripatetic nature of military life"
    synonyms:nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant,migratory, unsettled
    "I could never get used to her peripatetic lifestyle"
  2. 2.
    Aristotelian.
noun
  1. 1.
    a person who travels from place to place.
  2. 2.
    an Aristotelian philosopher.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A to Z Blogging Challenge: J is for Jerkwater Jaunt


J is for Jerkwater Jaunt


It doesn't take long for newcomers to Florida to realize that summer is not the best time for a jerkwater jaunt. What's a jerkwater? It's an American term for a place that's "insignificant and out-of-the-way; so called from the jerking (drawing) of water to fill buckets for supplying a steam locomotive."

By the end of April or beginning of May, it's no fun to spend a lot of time by the water's edge. The air gets steamy. The insects start biting. In early April, you still have time to check out a few trails in the Bear Creek Tract of Lake Talquin State Forest. It's not uncommon to see irises jutting out from the earthen dam.


The chance to capture native azalea beauty justifies a strenuous walk up and down steep hills.


Daughter journeyed a few hours east to spend a few days with her not-so-juvenescent parents.


After a couple of nights tossing and turning on the spare-bed air mattress, she didn't mind joining SAM in a low-back stretch or two.

By early June, the great blue herons inhabiting the area will have this jerkwater jaunting spot all to themselves. This one (a juvenile?) was curious about us but decided to fly away as soon as he noticed my jinks with the camera. It's just as well that the heat and bugs are cranking up and will drive us away. The herons don't need to hear humans jouncing about in the woods all summer long. It's peace and quiet they want--not jarring noises--while feeding, breeding, and nesting in the trees.


Please see A to Z Blogging Challenge for links to more "J's" from Challenge sponsors and other writers.

15 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos. Never heard this word before.Don't forget to come by my blog to pick up your award :)

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  2. Hi W2W .. never knew where 'jerk' came from .. in the context you use it here. It looks beautiful .. and obviously Florida in early Spring or very late Summer - love the photos and the story .. fun "J" .. cheers Hilary

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  3. I always wondered where the term "jerkwater" came from--thanks for explaining, W2W!

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  4. Always inspired by the opportunity to "increase my vocabulary." And see some beautiful pictures. :)

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  5. Thanks for the utterly new place I never knew about.. And no, neither did I know about the troubles of living near a lake :) or the fun ;) since I never lived near a water-body so to speak!!!

    Following you from A-Z challenge!

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  6. Thanks for the utterly new place I never knew about.. And no, neither did I know about the troubles of living near a lake :) or the fun ;) since I never lived near a water-body so to speak!!!

    Following you from A-Z challenge!

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  7. Jerkwater, I learned a new word today! Never heard that term before. The insects have been biting us since February but with warmer temps then normal, to be expected...

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  8. Your description of the word Jerkwater made me smile, and what lovely pictures. I liked the narration too, as well as spotting the other Js. Have a great week.

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  9. Fascinating post. That blue heron is magnificent. Here in New Zealand we a have a white heron, which is quite rare. I sighted one recently, but alas had no camera with me.
    I'm enjoying all your A to Z posts. Well done.

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  10. Interesting post. I love this challenge series you've taken up. Learning a lot.

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  11. wonderful pictures! ive never heard of jerkwater jaunt before. thanks for sharing!
    nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  12. Hello W2W

    Thank you for this lovely post! I've learned many words on your blog so far and "jerkwater" is a new word this time. And the blue heron is really beautiful. This bird must be female and juvenile, for her feathers look like a smart cocktail dress. The knock-out roses are fascinating. Love "William Shakespeare"!

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  13. a wonderful collection of J's. native azaleas! Our state flower is the Mountain Laurel

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