Kat Sack here! Sometimes Katastrophic Sackrilege to the running community, but most definitely The Mountain Lioness to those who follow and join my adventures. I currently call Tallahassee, FL home. The mountains are my favorite place to be and explore but given my location, I dive into other types of rad places too!

I created this blog as a personal project to document my adventures. Photos are great, but I love text describing more of the story and to recall what I have learned. I am no expert at outdoorsy activities, but I learn as I go! If you end up here, I hope you can get something out of it.

My original focus was on backpacking, hiking, camping, kayaking, and mountain biking. I have thus shifted the scope as I discovered my love for National and State Parks. I have the National Parks Passport and the Florida State Parks passport which have allowed me to discover places I originally would never have seen. Now I write about national monuments, history, run-cations, etc.

At some point I hope to dive into personal growth as well with topics including self-sufficiency and improvement, turning boredom into adventure, steps to heal my body and mind, and overcoming social adversities.

Life is an adventure. Go outside. Pay attention to all that is around you. Get lost in the moment. Everything has a story. Listen for it, even if you do not speak the same language.

Buckingham Gates Development Protest Info

Quick Info:


This is a link to a Google Drive with all documents I come across as well as notes, photos, screenshots, etc.:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15-KWaXXH8xSbJW3doDjrboufBfcHzMu6?usp=sharing

Facebook Event for the Next Environmental Board Meeting:
https://www.facebook.com/events/424574878199595/

Volunteers for canvassing needed! Kathy Mears is organizing canvassing door to door in the neighborhood, raising awareness about the project with informational flyers and getting a petition signed. You can reach her by email: katmears@gmail.com. Flyers etc. will be provided.

NextDoor Threads:
-- Planned Development off Richardson Rd.

Anything to add here? Drop a comment or email me at themountainlioness.kat@gmail.com


Tallahassee Environmental Variance - TEV190003

City of Tallahassee Permit Info for TEV190003
Case Number: TEV190003
Case Group: Land Use and Environmental Services
Case Type: GMLU_EV
Case Status: EB HEAR
Location: 1143 RICHARDSON RD

Tallahassee Preliminary Plat - TSD190012

City of Tallahassee Permit Info for TSD190012
Case Number: TSD190012
Case Group: Land Use and Environmental Services
Case Type: GMLU_PP
Case Status: PLANCHECK
Location: 1143 RICHARDSON RD
Senior City Planner: John Reddick 850-891-7176


Public Meetings


Upcoming:


Tuesday 11/12/2019 6:30PM - Environmental Board Public Hearing
Renaissance Center, 435 North Macomb St
First Floor Conference Room
Facebook Event

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Past:


Tuesday 10/8/2019 6:30PM - Environmental Board Public Hearing
Renaissance Center, 435 North Macomb St
First Floor Conference Room
Official Meeting Agenda

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Monday 10/14/2019 9:00AM - Tallahassee Growth Management Application Review
Renaissance Center, 435 North Macomb St
First Floor Growth Management Conference Room
Official Meeting Agenda

Meeting Notes:
  • The meeting began with public participation. Anyone wishing to speak filled out a comment card and submitted it. Attendees requesting to speak all received a fair turn and brought up great points.
  • Planned Unit Development: Cambridge Pare Planned Unit Development (TRZ190011)
  • Preliminary Plat: Southwood Unit 50 (TSD190011)
  • Preliminary Plat: Buckingham Gates TSD190012
    • Since the Environmental Variance (TEV190003) had not been discussed at the 10/8/2019 Environmental Board meeting, they voted on a continuance to the next meeting pending the EV's approval/disapproval. All of the applicants materials are due 1-/25 10:00.
    • John Reddick (Senior Planner) mentioned Tallahassee Land Development Code Article VII Sec. 10-411b. "No earthwork disturbances for stormwater swales, detention ponds or retention ponds shall be located nearer than 30 feet from any (existing) property line adjoining a low-density residential zoning district. This does not include earthwork disturbances for underground stormwater facilities, stormwater swales centered on (proposed) property lines with a common utility easement, or perpendicular crossings of property lines by stormwater swales. Redevelopment projects are exempt from complying with the 30-foot distance requirement set forth in this subsection (b)4 for earthwork disturbances associated with stormwater swales. Earthwork disturbances associated with stormwater retention or detention ponds for redevelopment projects must comply with a 15-foot distance requirement from any (existing) property line adjoining a low-density residential zoning district."
    • Still needed from the applicant- general stormwater analysis, utility water and sewer concept, traffic analysis of Richardson and Apalachee Pkwy also Cross Creek and Apalachee Pkwy
  • Type B Site Plan: Lafayette Street Apartments (TSP190059)




Current and Past Drainage Issues Related to the Area


Current: Breckenridge on Park Drainage Improvements

City Link to Project: https://www.talgov.com/you/breckenridge.aspx
PDF of the Construction: https://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/you/bop-construction.pdf

Past: Morningside Drive Stormwater Ditch Sediment and Flooding

1/4/2019 Initial Request
Digitally #5390927

4/25/2019 Completion
COT Permit #TOP090961


Specific Details

Tallahassee Environmental Variance - TEV190003


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Tallahassee Preliminary Plat - TSD190012

There has been filed with the City of Tallahassee Growth Management Department an application for Development
Application Review.

Below please find a summary of the request.
Project: Buckingham Gates (TSD190012)
Agent: Kimley-Horn (850) 553-3526
Location: Between Richard Road and Cross Creek Drive, north of Apalachee Pkwy
Area: 15.04 acres more or less
Description: The project is to subdivide the parcel into 33 single-family residential lots.
Meeting Info: October 14, 2019 - 9:00 a.m.- Renaissance Center
(First Floor, Growth Management Conference Room, 435 North Macomb Street)
Growth Mgt. Staff Contact: John Reddick, Senior Planner 850-891-7176


Tallahassee Environmental Code/Variance Board

Website: https://tallahassee.granicus.com/boards/w/7af1c47dd0341cec/boards/13155

Board Bylaws
1) To enforce the City's environmental regulations, codified in Chapter 5, Environmental Management, of the Tallahassee Land Development Code (FLDC); 
2) To grant variance to Chapter 5, Environmental Management, TLDC, as authorized by the TCGO, the Tallahassee-Leon County 2030 Correspondence Plan, and the TLDC; 
3) To decide appeals as provided in Section 5-127, Chapter 5, Environmental Management, TLDC; 
4) To enforce the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Discharges provisions in Section 21-610, Chapter 23, TCGO; 
5) To enforce, consider variances from, and hear appeals from Chapter 6, Flood Damage Protection, TLDC; 
6) To enforce and consider variances from Chapter 9, Environment, Article V, Fertilizer Use, of the TCGO; and 
7) Any other duties assigned by the City Commission

Article VI. Variances and Appeals 
Sec. 5-126 - Environmental variances.

Environmental Appeal Board Meetings & Variance Board Meetings

Environmental Appeal Board Meetings (Environmental Appeal)
These meetings are not on a regular cycle and are held on an as needed basis. The purpose of these meetings is for the Environmental Appeal Board to review environmental appeal applications as provided by the City's Environmental Management Ordinance. These meetings are open to the public, but are not formal public hearings, and public comment is received.

Environmental Variance Board Meetings (Environmental Variance)
These meetings are usually held every month, usually on a Tuesday, in the Growth Management Conference Room, First Floor, Renaissance Building, 435 North Macomb Street. The purpose of these meetings is to review environmental variance applications. These meetings are open to the public, but are not formal public hearings, and public comment is received.



Development Review Committee (DRC)

DRC Composition

The directors (or their designees) of the following City departments:

Development Review Committee Meetings

These meetings are normally held twice a month, usually every other Monday in the Growth Management Conference Room, First Floor, Renaissance Building, 435 North Macomb Street. The purpose of the meetings is for the Development Review Committee to review Type B site plan and Preliminary Plat subdivision applications for compliance with the applicable City ordinances. The Development Review Committee also reviews and makes recommendations on Type C site plan applications and Planned Unit Development applications. These meetings are open to the public, but are not formal public hearings, and public comment is received. This agenda covers Type B and C Reviews.

The Outer Banks are Dynamic Barrier Islands - Hurricane Dorian May Accelerate the Normal Cycle

The Outer Banks are Dynamic Barrier Islands - Hurricane Dorian May Accelerate the Normal Cycle


Disclaimer: I am NOT a scientist. 


The Outer Banks consists of important barrier islands with fascinating geological and cultural histories. The islands are known for their lighthouses, covered in enormous beach houses, and seems to have an unofficial unspoken competition of who has the most and longest fishing rods in holders sticking up from their Jeep Wranglers. Growing up in Virginia Beach, we had some Cat 1 and Cat 2 hurricanes, but it was a well known fact that we depended on the OBX to slow the winds down and protect us. I had been to the OBX as a kid and actually was just there for several days about a month ago for a sort of family reunion. Now I'm back in Tallahassee, FL where Hurricane Dorian has been interesting enough of to keep Trump off the top news stories, until he had to sharpie in a loop on the hurricane cone map to make sure Alabama gets to feel included too.

Anyway - when I was there last month I visited Cape Hatteras National Seashore where there was plenty to learn about the islands constantly changing in shape, size, shorelines, and natural communities. They even had to move a lighthouse not too long ago due to the shifting islands.

In regard to Dorian, Tallahassee experienced no hurricane, the Bahamas were obliterated, and as I began to write this a week ago, they were airlifting OBX residents out due to flooding.
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USA Today - Hurricane Dorian still 'raging' as airlifts begin in Outer Banks. Storm moving out to sea

"The storm's powerful winds knocked out power at 215,000 homes and businesses across the state as massive storm surge threatened buildings along the coast.

"Flooding on the Outer Banks had some residents seeking refuge in their attics. Hundreds were feared trapped by high water, and neighbors used boats to rescue one another.

"Officials announced plans Friday afternoon to airlift residents off Ocracoke Island to a shelter further inland, according to a press release. The county said it would commence evacuations of the island by ferry as soon as possible."
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Let's talk about Ocracoke Island. The ferry is pretty cool. I took the 2.5 hour ferry from Cedar Island to Ocracoke. It was my truck's first boat ride! Ocracoke is the most sourthern barrier island and can only be accessed by boat. The island is driveable once you arrive with a vehicle. I used this time to finally add my 2019 stickers to my National Parks Passport. Cape Hatteras NS was the 2019 Southeast regional sticker!

Once I arrived, I went to the National Seashore visitor center. Here's a better picture to view the island map.

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Fast forward to two days later, I'm at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Visitor Center. This is where I learn more about the islands and how they had to move the lighthouse further inland. There are two ranger talks titled 'Shaping This Barrier Island' - "Explore how wars, wind, HURRICANES, and ocean currents impacted Hatteras Island." I didn't make it to the ranger talks.

The Cape Hatteras Island Museum goes into detail about the lighthouse move, among other interesting tidbits. I apologize for the terrible pictures, I was rushed. They were blurry and NPS exhibit spotlights can be difficult. Heavy editing to try to get some sort of clarity.

'Why?' should always be the first question. In 1870 the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built about 1,500 ft from the shoreline. The foundation was great, but the island area around it kept moving because barrier islands are extremely dynamic landforms. Wind and water carry sand from east to west across the island. By the mid 1990s, the lighthouse went from 1,500 ft from the shoreline to only 150. The NPS didn't want to just lose a national historic landmark, so they relocated the whole entire station operations in 1999. The lighthouse is now 2,900 feet southwest of the original location. Then they had to get ready by digging, sawing the lighthouse from the foundation, and other stuff you can read in the photo below on the right.
Below is a roller that was one of 100 that were used to move the lighthouse and its platform along the steel travel beams. They remind me of those god awful roller slides at places like Discovery Zone and FunScape.

The journey lasted 23 days and was complete on July 9, 1999. This doesn't mean challenges are over. They are, but just for the present. Big storms, in addition to the natural sand migration will keep carrying sand from the oceanside to the soundside. At least they know how to move it for the next time.

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The above information provides a general understanding of how the barrier islands change and how much it can affect. The angle of the info changed when I immersed myself in the wilderness on the Buxton Woods Trail. I'll have another post later with more info about the cool nature stuff I saw on the hike, since this one is focused more on the barrier islands.

There are informative sign posts along the trail as most nature trails have. They focus on the factors responsible for the formation and character of the largest forest on the Outer Banks. Get your hiking shoes on and join in. Buxton Woods is surrounded by water and about 30 miles from the mainland. Water warms and cools slower than land, buffering extreme temps. There are very few below freezing days, and it is a rare occasion for the temps to rise above 90 degrees. The exact origin of the islands is unknown. The sign says that "an overwash/migration theory combined with spit extension seems most acceptable." I'm not a scientist, so the explanation is just over there ------------------>>>> 

Dunes - 'an asylum for island vegetation'. The trail goes along sandhills that were once dunes adjacent to the beach. Newly formed dunes offer a protective shield for the old dunes allowing plants with less salt tolerance to colonize the old dunes. On the trail there is saw palmetto and yaupon, but it used to be covered in seagrasses that could hold the sand deposits together and prevent it from blowing or washing away. The root systems become the backbone of sand dunes.

Land growth was a big factor allowing the woods to grow. As the salt spray is farther away, larger trees start growing among the shrubs, eventually shading them out. A wide island is more stable and has enough protection to allow a small maritime forest community to develop despite harsh coastal conditions. Once the community reaches maturity, live oaks dominate. Loblolly pines are present where there is even less salt. The soil is another challenge. It is infertile and made largely of quartz sand where there is little nitrogen and other necessary nutrients.

Since the islands are dynamic, there are also temporary features that can occur. Sedges are a great example. They are freshwater ponds/marshes that form between old beach ridges that dip below the water table.

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After getting dirty in the marsh, I went to the beach access area where the lighthouse used to stand. First you see an image of the sign with where I was standing and the old location. Then I have two more pictures from that same location - one of the open beach area and then looking to my right at the lighthouse in its current location.
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Barrier islands change more rapidly than most landforms in normal conditions. Events such as hurricanes (and potentially Dorian) can accelerate the process. Is it a bad thing? My amateur understanding is no. It causes inconveniences, like having to relocate an entire lighthouse, but the project ended up being awarded an outstanding civil engineering achievement. Also change is a good thing if you're willing to put in the effort to adapt.

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Ciudad Perdida | Lost City - Trek Day 3

Colombia

Ciudad Perdida | Lost City

The Trek 

Day 3

Casa Paraíso  >>  Ciudad Perdida  >>  Casa Mumake

31 Julio 2019


Introduction

Sections

Casa Alfredo

Casa Paraíso

Location: 11.0500222,-73.921675 | Google Maps

Ciudad Perdida | Lost City - Trek Day 2

Colombia

Ciudad Perdida | Lost City

The Trek 

Day 2

Casa Alfredo  >>  Wiwa  >>  Casa Paraíso

31 Julio 2019


Introduction

Sections

Casa Alfredo

Casa Paraíso

Location: 11.0500222,-73.921675 | Google Maps

Ciudad Perdida | Lost City - Trek Day 1

Colombia

Ciudad Perdida | Lost City

The Trek 

Day 1

Santa Marta  >>  El Mamey  >>  Casa Alfredo

30 Julio 2019


Introduction

Sections

Santa Marta


The Journey


El Mamey

Vamos a la Playa!





Casa Adan

Casa Alfredo

Updates and Recently Published Posts

Coming Soon!

>> Diving with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium!

     >> Fun tourist attractions in Boston, MA! Including the Boston Marathon and duck boat tours!

  >> Reaching the summit of the tallest point in Florida!

        >> More caves!

I'm on Facebook Again

I created a page on Facebook to share my experiences and love of learning and the outdoors. I also post my running race photos on the page as well for easy tagging access. Please Like/Follow if you can - The Mountain Lioness - Facebook. I post most often on Instagram though - my IG handle is @themountainlioness.

Recently Published Lioness Adventures


NEWEST! 2019-03-23
Photographing patterns and my feelings within Ponce de Leon Springs State Park (FL) - Literally no photo editing, not even cropping.
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2019-02-03 
Photos from an exciting multilevel cave visit during the 2019 Florida Cave Cavort.
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2018-12-20
The Ceremony for Wakulla Springs becoming the newest state geological site, the virtual tour presentation, and a bird-filled boat ride down the Wakulla River.

The National Park Service & Environment VS The Federal Government Shutdown

Currently I am working on a day-to-day summary of the many ways the Federal Government Shutdown is affecting the National Parks. The unintended consequences are affecting not only the environment, but also the economy. It's a work in progress as I research and analyze the effects. Any and all leads and information are welcomed.

Click HERE for more information about each of the days.

Backyard Pond Friends

Saturday February 2, 2019 - I walked outside onto my back deck and heard a commotion. A breeding pair of wood ducks were swimming around the pond pretending like they were totally not just getting it on. They are stunningly beautiful.


Winewood Friends!

Sadly Igor has been gone for awhile now. Anamaria has been away as well, I believe due to them using the fountains now. I did briefly spot her swimming in the last week of March but no other signs. The red-shoulder hawks are very busy creating new hawks, and the Winewood Turtle Club should be extending me an invitation any day now.

Igor the Egret (top left), Herald the Heron (top right), and Anamaria the Anhinga (bottom)




Wilderness First Aid Certification

January 5-6, 2019 
I completed my Wilderness First Aid certification with REI and NOLS at the Chatahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, GA. It was a 16-hour course that combined first aid training with how to act upon issues specifically in the backcountry. There were 28 like-minded students in the course, and I had a blast learning with so many motivated, outdoorsy badasses in the the 16 hours of training.

Gulf Winds Track Club 30K/15K! 

January 19, 2019 08:00
My photos from the run: The Mountain Lioness - Gulf Winds Track Club 30K/15K
GWTC Official Results