In January of 2009, two days after retiring from my job of 37 years, I took a road trip around my home state of Florida
(mostly the West/Gulf Coast). I learned so much about Florida's history and all the interesting things Florida
has to offer. It's not all Disney World and the Space Shuttle - although, the Space Shuttle IS pretty spectacular!!

23.1.09

BOK TOWER GARDENS

Bok Tower Gardens is a beautiful, historic place. Besides the amazing gardens, the Tower is so spectacular, and when it sings, it becomes even more majestic! I can't possibly explain the history of it, so read about it here: http://boktowergardens.org/
(Click on photos to enlarge.)


You see the beautiful Singing Tower from almost everywhere in the Gardens.
On February 1, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the Gardens in Lake Wales that Edward Bok had made as a gift for visitation by the American people in gratitude for the opportunity they had given him.
Edward William Bok died in Lake Wales within sight of his beloved
Singing Tower on Jan. 9, 1930, and was buried at the base of the Tower.






This was the view that Edward Bok loved!


Beautiful birds grace the grounds of the Gardens.
The many varieties of flowers in the Gardens take your breath away!







The grounds are just a beautiful place to walk around.



NICE SPIDER!
When I left the Gardens, this varmint was waiting at my car!

I gave him a snack and shooed him away!

He looked like he was begging to go home with me!

And, then he jumped in my car!

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21.1.09

SANDHILL CRANES

These beautiful birds, Sandhill Cranes, are a common sight all over Florida. They don't seem to fear humans, and they are always a nice sight to see. These three are probably parents with a baby, as the chicks stay with their parents for a while.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)




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20.1.09

SPOOK HILL - Fun Roadside Attraction

This is a very pleasant childhood memory for me. My dad would take us here, put the car in neutral, and the car would roll UP the hill; it was an unexplained phenomenon. It was always fun for us as kids, and, even though I hadn't been there since I was a kid, it was still fun!

(Click on photos to enlarge.)
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19.1.09

RAINBOW SPRINGS STATE PARK

Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using Rainbow Springs for nearly 10,000 years. It's Florida's fourth largest spring and, from the 1930s through the 1970s, was the site of a popular, privately-owned attraction. When I was a child, we always vacationed here in the summer. It was nice to visit it all these years later. I was happy to see it has become a beautiful State Park.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)
This is the crystal clear spring swimming area.


This is a beautiful park to walk around in.
You can see how clear the water is!





Oh, yeah, GREAT place to swim!!!
There are so many pretty waterfalls, big and small,
all over the park.





The day I was here, there were a lot of Cardinals.



And a Pileated Woodpecker making himself a new home.

Lots of varieties of flowers.




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