A large part of the natural beauty of the South,  is the silver garland that hangs from the live oak trees just about everywhere.

The image of beautiful Spanish moss hanging from majestic trees, instantly reminds us of sultry summer days.

In the oldest city,  there lies a stretch of road that looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a story book.

A shaded avenue where the sun peeks through a dense canopy of trees, casting a play of light and shadows that filter the sunlight into a warm glow.

Magnolia Avenue is famed for its enchanting oak tunnel,  where Mother Nature has spent centuries perfecting her craft, where these grand ancient oaks,  whisper tales of the past to those who drive beneath them.

Time seems to slow down here,  it’s easy to forget that the modern world is just beyond the branches and you half expect a horse-drawn carriage to roll by.

Squirrels scamper like they just did a shot of espresso,  as Spanish moss sways from the ocean breeze.

Now Spanish moss is more Southern than a banjo at a barbecue, but it’s not Spanish at all.

It was given its name by French explorers.   Native Americans told them the plant was called “Itlaokla”, which meant “tree hair”.   

The French were reminded of the Spanish conquistadors’ long beards, so they called it “Barbe Espagnol”, or “Spanish beard”. 

So if you meander just a few minutes off Route 1 into the historic district, you can cruise beneath a ceiling of Spanish moss and let the whispers of old Florida fill your soul.