After the indulgences of the Festive Season it’s sometimes a good thing to go out and enjoy the fresh air with a brisk walk.  That’s exactly what we did on the Sunday after Christmas Day.  Having eaten and drunk far more than we should, it was time to retrain our bodies into a stricter regime of exercise and healthy diet.

Our normal festive tradition is to visit Pinewood House at Bo9k Tower Gardens before Christmas, but this year, we had missed that, so we made a plan to go there afterwards, and on Sunday 26th we did exactly that.  It was a chilly day, with a strong breeze coming from the Artic, so we bundled up into warm clothes and set off for the 20 minute drive through the orange groves to Lake Wales.

The groves are full of fruit at this time of year, and set against the dull brown of the dying grass, they look green and colourful and full of bright orange globes of tangerines, oranges and clementines.  Later on in the year the groves will show the grapefruit and the lemons and limes that  grow so readily here in Central Florida.

From the road that we took, the Bok Tower stands against the skyline for almost the whole of the journey, and is well signposted from the highway.

Once we turned into the main entrance and paid our entrance fee for both the Gardens  and the tour of Pinewood House, we drove through more citrus groves along the ridge.  Bok Tower stands on one of the highest  points in this area, and you can look out over the groves to the towns and cities in the distance.

Arriving at the car park – not many people about today! – we walked towards the main entrance.

Entering the building our eyes were drawn to the sight of the magnificent decorated tree in the center of the room.  Being greeted by members of staff, shown  the historical story of the gardens,  and having received our maps and directions, we left and walked out towards the gardens themselves.  The sun was shining fitfully, and the brisk walk did much to lift our spirits and energise the body.  There are still many things to see, even during the winter months;  the gardens themselves are through the woods and have secretive grottoes, hidden corners, statues, both modern and old, and even  flowering shrubs, in particular the camellias which were blooming.  There is also a light perfume in the air, and we assume it is the scent from the citrus fruits and the camellias.   Squirrels scamper among the leaves or drop down to the feeders that are strategically placed for guests to see them.

Pinewood House itself is a 1930 Mediterranean style home commissioned by Edward Buck for his winter retreat.  Built before the days of air conditioning here in Florida, this house is a prime example of how the air flow was managed dur9ing the summer to keep the house as cool as possible.  With large double doors and window on opposite sides of the long ground floor, that can be opened for a cross flow of cooling breezes, surrounded by old oaks trees for shade, and with deeply set back windows on the second floor,  one can imagine just how naturally air conditioned this home would have been.

Once inside we were amazed at the decorations this year.  Each year, this home is decorated for Christmas by various volunteer groups who each take a room and decorate to a theme.  The theme this year was Victorian Christmas, and according to the docent, the Victorians used whatever was in their homes as decor.  They also tended to go over the top, so as one walked into the entrance hall, the view from the drapes lace and ribbons, along with assorted nosegays and fans intertwined through light fittings, and around mirrors can be somewhat overwhelming.    From there we were invited to take a look at the pantry, which was beautifully showcased with decorations, but where there was a good deal of old fashioned cooking equipment and products that would have been in use when the house was built.  Moving on , we entered the dining room, again, elaborately decorated for a Victorian Christmas meal.  In almost every room there were decorations that really spoke to the season, and one of those was in the loggia which was themed with Father Christmas .

My other favourite was the Music Room, which was set up with white trees and various instruments. with music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra playing in the background; this room was part of the main living room with its fireplace and sofas facing the other tree in the corner.

After the music room, one is directed up a small winding staircase to the bedroom area, and again, many beautiful decorations transform the landing and the children’s bedrooms into a wonderland.  Other bedrooms are decorated to various themes, and in one bedroom called  Lucy’s bedroom,themed A Child’s  Dream, it is absolutely chock-a-block with toys from the Disney films and parks.

Having made our way back down the main staircase, we exited through the front door into the gardens again, past the poinsettia displays along the path and back out into the chilly wind.

Offered a shuttle ride back to the main entrance, we declined and walked up to the top of the ridge to view Bok Tower itself.  Silhouetted against the pastel sun, and surrounded by the towering oaks and palms, and framed by the pool where the swans were chasing food thrown by the other visitors, it was extremely difficult to photograph.     There was one photo , however, that did show some of the detail around the top of the tower.   The carillon concerns take place on a regular basis, and according to each daily programme, there will be carillons during your visit.

From the top of the ridge and the stunning views we made pour way back to the car park and the welcome warmth of the car.    A mug of hot chocolate completed our trip today.

You can find more details on www.boktowergardens.org;  tel 863 676 1408

Do make the opportunity to visit these gardens whenever you are in Central Florida;  they are an oasis of peace and tranquillity.

For a really relaxing day, you can’t do much better than Discovery Cove in Orlando. All you have to take with you are swimsuits and flipflops! We had the good fortune recently of being able to take a day off and visit the Cove for the first time in 10 years.  It was absolutely fantastic.  From the confirmation of our ticket arrangements, to the warm welcome from everyone in the park, we were looked after from start to finish.

Remember, this park is very exclusive, so the number of tickets sold is restricted to a thousand guests in any one day.  This restriction means easy parking,  and never feeling crowded.  We walked from the car park through the manicured tropical foliage of the pathway, into the entrance atrium.  Soaring ceilings provide the backdrop for the models of leaping dolphins high above our heads.   A brief wait until a service desk is available and we are ushered across to a welcoming service representative.   Our tickets are checked off, and we are requested to look into the camera.  Photos are taken and we are shown to another desk where we collect our photo ID and lanyard.

The ticket is totally inclusive, so no further money is needed.   Go to http://www.discoverycove.com/ for full details

Once we have our name tags on, we are free to go and do as we please, so our first port of call was the Laguna Grill for coffee.  We could have had  breakfast but felt that would be too “piggy”.   After relaxing over our coffees and watching and listening to the birds hovering around the outdoor eating area, we picked up our  bag containing our swimwear and wandered slowly off to admire the beach , the lagoon and the dolphin lake and to find the lockers.  Having changed into our swim suits in the shower rooms, we placed all our belongings in our locker.  The showers and restrooms are close to the locker area that we used, and provide hot showers with body wash, shampoo and conditioner, as well as a constant supply of clean white towels.

Close to this part of the beach and lagoon, is the area where we were f itted with our Discovery Cove wetsuit jackets.  You also collect your Snorkelling equipment here;  the snorkel itself is yours to keep.  You are given a mask and snorkel in a net bag, along with a packet of suncream.

If you feel that you won’t enjoy the water in say, the Dolphin encounter, then the attendant suggests  a full wetsuit, but in this warm Florida summer, it’s hardly necessary.  Incidentally the waters in the Stingray lagoon and in the Dolphin encounter are  kept at approximately 72 to 75 degrees, so it can feel a little fresh when you first walk in.  Someone said to me, “It’s OK once you go numb”!……. something of an exaggeration but it does feel chilly to start with.  However the Serenity bay snorkelling area is really warm.

Actually our first visit to Discovery cove was made in the month of February, and it was bitterly cold;  we wore full length wetsuits all day long, and still had to get under the hot water showers to warm up, so this time in our hot summer it was real pleasure not to have full wetsuits on.

We found ourselves a couple of loungers and settled in for a bit of a rest! before heading off to snorkel and swim  in Serenity Bay.  The water was warm, and swimming hours are from 8.30 till 5.30 so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the water and the beach.  By being so restrictive with the numbers allowed in each day, Discovery Cove ensures that unlike other water resort parks, there is plenty of space.  You are not constantly dodging other swimmers or having to wait to use any of the facilities.

Serenity Bay and its sandy beach area does not get crowded, and nor does the water; this makes it ideal for children and beginners to learn some of the pleasures of snorkelling without pressure .  We saw lots of little ones getting their first inkling of what they could see when they learnt to breathe through the snorkel tube.   We also saw the ones who had got themselves a mouthful of water, too, but we’ve all done that at some point or another.

There are plenty of lifeguards on duty, so no reason to fear for anyone’s safety.

From the Serenity Bay shallows, the lagoon starts to wind its way into the Lazy River , where  the water gets deeper and there’s more current. For those of  a nervous disposition, there are lifejackets that can be selected and worn for confidence, as well as the original” noodles” to help you float along.

The Lazy River takes you under the waterfall curtain that separates the rest of the park from the Aviary. Wild birds fly low across the river, whilst on the banks you will be able to observe peacocks and other bird varieties.  The  deep  water current will carry you through the Aviary unless you wish to stop, in which case there are shallow and rocky areas where you can conveniently stop and stand to observe.    Obviously the birds are kept in the aviary by netting, hence the waterfall at each end of the aviary;  these are the natural barriers to keep them inside the aviary area.    Once through the second curtain of water, you continue to drift again on the River. Choices can be made as to returning to Serenity Bay or  continuing further along the River when it branches off.

We decided to take the short route and returned to the Bay and the Beach in order to take a look at the Tropical Reef and the Stingray lagoon.   Brightly coloured fish dart among the reefs and rocks of the Tropical reef, while Stingrays glide among the swimmers.   For those who are brave enough, there is even a shark encounter in the centre of the Reef.  Fortunately, the sharks are safely behind aquarium glass!

A smaller separate lagoon holds the Stingray encounter group.   No energetic snorkelling here; certainly you can swim and look through your mask to observe them, but the water is so clean and clear that you can simply stand in the waist deep lagoon to watch them.  The attendants do ask that you move slowly or stand still and the rays will come to you – there’s always one person who seems unable to understand basic instructions, and they did go over to him and ask him to stop kicking up the sand in case he accidentally hurt one of the rays.  All the rays have had their barbs removed, and are very docile.   They are all females, and up to  10 years old;  apparently if there were males in the group, the lagoon would be overrun with rays;  they can breed prolifically, especially in such good conditions.

Having has such an energetic morning we retired to the Laguna Grill for lunch;  we could have something to eat and drink from the Beachside Bar, but wanted to experience the selection of dishes from the Laguna Grill Menu.   From freshly grilled Salmon with veggies to Turkey Club sandwich, we were not disappointed, and we were able to choose  our desserts and drinks from the extensive buffet too.

Finding a table under the umbrellas was easy- again, lots of space for everyone to spread out for enjoyment.   There was even a smokers area well away from the rest of us.

Feeling very comfortably full, we retired to our beach lounger and watched the Dolphin encounter groups as they entered the water for their introduction to these magnificent and fascinating creatures.  One of the nicest sights was that of a disabled person being wheeled in her special chair into the water,  and supported by two helpers and a lifejacket,  she was able to get into the water to stroke and kiss the dolphin. The  huge smile on her face almost obliterated the rest of her features.!

We rested up for the rest of our afternoon, finally bestirring ourselves to come away. Strolling back through the tropical pathway lined with beautiful foliage, and hearing the gurgle of the streams as they bobbled over the pebbled riverbeds just completed our relaxing time.    A lovely day, and one to remember and recommend to family , friends and guests.

With such year round good weather here in Central Florida, it’s not really surprising that outdoor pursuits are so popular.  Anyone can choose from a long list of hobbies from sky-diving to fishing, and never be bored or run out of things to do.

We have walked in some of our State Parks and enjoyed catching glimpses of our  wildlife in local conservation areas.  Even the shy and timid deer, flocks of wild turkey and small groups of wild pigs can be seen if you are careful and quiet.  Listen to the bullfrogs and the alligators;  their deep grunting will resound from the waterways and echo through the woodlands.   Walking through the various landscapes that Central Florida can offer will give you a better idea of what our early settlers and the natives had to cope with when they first moved here.

Fishing  can range from calm,  serene and relaxing freshwater  fishing on the many lakes that dot our landscape to surf casting or even deep sea fishing from the coastal marinas.

You can choose to sky-dive, or parachute jump, or even take a trip in a hot air balloon or a bi-plane and see the landscape unfold beneath you.  View the lakes from the air and realise they are too numerous to count.

Bird watching  and butterfly counting is an important task in this area;  many migratory birds and butterflies pass through Central Florida on their way to their breeding areas,  either further south or to the northern climate.  Amateur photographers have  a hey-day; from the amazing hues of sunrises and sunsets, thunderstorms and skyscapes to beach photographs, children, vistas and views, there’s so much to record on your camera.     Artist too, come to paint en plein air, or to photograph and take home to their studios for painting later.

Shopping is almost a “must do” pastime here;  there are many excellent malls and major stores with everything a shopaholic could possibly want.   Browsing is encouraged…………..

Golf is also one of the major outdoor hobbies that can be undertaken all year round.  There are almost as many golf courses as there are lakes in this part of Florida and whether your handicap is low or high, you will find a golf course to suit your style, from the country casual and small local public courses to the more ambitious and difficult courses for the seasoned golfer.  This is also an area where several excellent golf teaching institutes can be found , from the David Leadbetter Academy at Champions Gate, the Annika Sorenstam School at Reunion and the Faldo Institute at Grande Pines.   So  if you are a beginner and need extra instruction, you can get to a local professional PGA instructor on smaller courses, or take a class at the various Schools that are available.

If none of these hobbies appeals, there is always the option of staying  in your vacation home and relaxing around your pool while the kids practice their swimming skills!

It’s not often my 15 year old grand-daughter is silenced;  she usually has plenty to say on every subject under the sun.  However, we managed it!!!   How did we do it?   An Orlando helicopter tour!

Because this is her last week staying here in Central Florida with us, before she goes back to the UK and School, we wanted to give her a really special trip for her memory book, and this is what we chose to do.

A short ride along Highway 192 in Kissimmee took us to mile marker 10, where Helitours Orlando is situated.  Easily noticed from the road because of the helicopter parked on the side, there’s plenty of parking adjacent to the helicopter landing pad.  Using a Jet Bellranger four  seater helicopter, this company has been operating for 15 years or so .  The pilot was in the office when we walked through the door, and luckily was ready to go there and then.

Away we go

No time for her to get nervous or worried about this flight.   We were helped into our seats, and the front seat next to the pilot was given to our grand-daughter.   This is where the best views can be obtained.  We sat in the back, strapped ourselves in and donned our headphones, which are speech activated, so we were all able to converse with each other and with the pilot.   Our pilot was very experienced and obviously knew his stuff.  He told us he’d been a pilot for 22 years.   The helicopter was very comfortable, and once we had our headphones on, the engine noise was totally reduced.

The tour we had chosen to take was to fly over  Epcot, Caribbean Beach Resort, Hollywood Studios, the Swan and Dolphin,  and many other areas around the major attractions.    It is quite amazing just how much can be seen while flying at low speeds  in a helicopter.  Sights that you wouldn’t see in a small plane, are easily visible from the low levels of a sight seeing helicopter tour.

Whilst the people on the ground and in the resort areas looked like ants scurrying round, we were gently flying overhead in an air conditioned helicopter with a  knowledgeable pilot .  He pointed out many of the features of the resorts and parks that are not even visible from the ground.    Something that we were all amazed by were the number of lakes;  we all know there are lakes in our area, but from the air, you can see so many of them, and there seem to be many more than you can imagine.

The views from this height were amazing.  In the first photo you can see Epcot in the distance, and the second photo shows the Town of Celebration from above.   I didn’t realise there was  a canal running around the town and out into the swamp land.   That’s what makes this helicopter tour so interesting;  you see things from the air that you simply didn’t know about.

Our grand-daughter was speechless, and remained that way for several hours, except for repeating Wow!   every time one of us asked her if she had enjoyed the tour.  I heartily agree with her, it was a Wow! trip, and well worth the cost

We all agreed that this had been a fantastic experience and not one of us wanted it to end.  Sadly all good things come to an end, but I’d love to do it again, and again……………..

Inside news from LEGOLAND Florida. Yes, it’s coming !   Fall of 2011 is definitely the target date.  We all know that it could run over  depending on weather conditions, ground breaking and construction issues, but the LEGOLAND staff are pushing hard for that to be the completion date; somewhere between October 1st and December 21st is officially what is called “Fall” or Autumn if you are from the UK.

The LEGOLAND Florida park is going to be the 5th LEGOLAND park , and the largest to date, being 150 acres of exciting shows and rides.  One of the most interesting things that has come out of the discussions is that for those of us who enjoyed visiting the Botanical Gardens at Cypress Gardens, the gardens will remain as part of the new park.   So will the Mansion and the Water Ski Show that  many visitors to Central Florida are familiar with.   This is wonderful news for some of our more mature visitors who like to come to Central Florida during the winter and spring months.

LEGOLAND emphasize the interactivity of their parks, and certainly the plans for the Central Florida park are going to provide that for the small “Heroes” who are their target audience.  There will be nine different themed areas, called Blocks.   A Block is what they call the themed zones, and a Brick is the LEGO piece that children use for their creative constructions !

From the first area to the right of the Entrance, called The Beginning, children can go to Castle Hill, where there will be a Dragon Rollercoaster which apparently runs through the castle, onward to Fun Town, then to the  Land of Adventure,with its dinosaur theme,  onward to the City, where there is the Firehouse , Police Stations, Fire Engines and water pumping hoses.  The Imagination Zone is next on the list, and is where creativity takes first place.  A wild Coaster ride is next at the Xtreme block, and finally the children reach Miniland, which is especially designed for the younger end of the spectrum, with Gamesville, and Duplo,  slides and smaller rides.

There will be restaurants, and one of LEGOLAND‘s favourite menu items can be found – “granny fries”  – this is a snack comprising slices of apple,( the healthy option), dipped in sugar and cinnamon (uh, oh) and deep fried ( oh dear, there goes the healthy bit).  Apparently those who have tried them absolutely adore them.

LEGOLAND takes pride in offering good healthy food, so it is unlikely that you or your children will be served burgers, hot dogs or fries.

The planning also includes the BIG Shop where LEGO merchandise can be found, including some pieces unique to the Florida park.     There will  be a Factory Tour for those who are interested where you can see how the bricks are made and designs created.

If your children or grandchildren are between the ages of two and twelve, let them know that “Heroes are Wanted” at LEGOLAND Florida.

As a footnote, some of our Florida visitors may recall the 40 foot tall open air dome that sheltered part of the entrance area of the old Cypress Gardens.  That has now been dismantled, since it didn’t fit into the plans of the LEGOLAND Florida park,.  The contractor who was hired to dismantle and haul it away is a member of a local church  and when he asked if the church would like it, they replied that they would.  The 125 foot diameter dome was re-engineered and installed behind the church in Lakeland.  It now protects the arriving and departing congregation from the sun and the rain.

LEGOLAND came to Winter Haven, Florida yesterday for their very  first Open House.   Especially arranged to show the people of Winter Haven and the surrounding areas what the future Legoland Florida will look like, the event was overwhelmingly popular with adults and kids alike.  So much so, that they had to bring in Traffic control officers to direct traffic due to the number of vehicles entering the car park at the Orange Dome in Winter Haven.

The Open House was designed to show how the former Cypress Gardens park will be transformed into LEGOLAND Florida, which will be the largest Legoland park to date.  The Florida park consists of 145 acres and will retain the original botanical gardens and water ski show.  Some of the existing rides that are age-appropriate will be kept and re-themed and the Mansion will be used for special events.

Winter Haven residents turned out in force and were welcomed by LEGOLAND staff who were on hand to answer any questions that arose from the displays.

I arrived at 3.45 p.m. for what was to be a 4.00p.m.  till 7.00p.m. Open House.  Thinking I would be early and be able to snap up an easy parking spot at the Orange Dome, which is one of Winter Haven’s landmarks, I was surprised  to find that the car park was already full and vehicles were being directed to park on the grass areas around the Dome.

Walking up to the main entrance were many people, adults and children, senior citizens and professionals , all of whom were queueing at the main entrance.  Television camera crews were wandering around with their cameras at the ready, and exactly at 4.00 p.m the doors were opened and we filed through.

Staff were on hand, giving out leaflets, and then everyone moved into the main hall of the Dome, to be greeted by the new LEGOLAND Florida logo.

Immediately the children, who are of course , the most knowledgeable about LEGO rushed across the hall to the Playland area, where tables were set up with the LEGO boards and bins of the building bricks.

I watched as one little girl spotted Thomas the Tank Engine and went across to hug  the model engine. 

A couple of boys looked in awe at the LEGO built  Darth Vader display standing towards the rear of the hall. And the copy in LEGO bricks of Rodin’s The Thinker drew some admiring glances and touches too.

One of the most interesting facets of the event, to me, anyway, was the fascination shown by the adults.  Around the outskirts  of the hall were TV screens showing what visitors to LEGOLAND could expect to see (obviously taken from othe LEGOLAND parks elsewhere in the world), and adults and children were standing spellbound, watching these demonstrations.

Many of the local visitors were able to see what changes or modifications will be made to the existing Cypress Gardens buildings, and Legoland staff were there to answer questions.  Such questions included when is the park due to open, what attractions will there be at the new park, how big will it be, what impact will it have on surrounding residential areas and roads.   Ons such question concerned the Lego store in Downtown Disney, and the answer was that while both give a great experience for children, the LEGO store is a Brand retail outlet, while LEGOLAND Florida will be a full- day theme park, with over 50 rides, shows  and attractions. There was huge applause when it was announced that the  Botanical Gardens would be retained.  Many of the older residents of the area have fond memories of the Gardens and were delighted to hear that they will remain a part of the Park.

John Jacobsen, managing director for Legoland Parks, was in fine form, wandering around the hall, talking to curious and concerned visitors  and then gave his introductory speech from the platform, answering questions from the floor afterwards.    I met with him and his Sales and Marketing Director, Kim Isemann, but it was really too busy to do anything but have a quick chat.  I also spoke  with Tom Patton, executive director of the Central Florida Development Council and Rodney Carson, Director of Economic development about the crowds  that they were seeing.  Tom was pleased that Legoland is getting the community involved so early.   He said, “It gives you an idea of what to expect when they get here officially” .  Certainly for close to three thousand people who turned up on a sweltering July afternoon to see what the future holds for Winter Haven and the area, this LEGOLAND Florida Open House provided some fine answers.   The new LEGOLAND Florida park is due to open in the fall of 2011.

After a damp squib of a July 4th weekend ( yes, it rained for a good deal of the weekend) we felt in need of some fresh air and relaxation.   In other words, to get out and see some more of our county’s beautiful areas.

This time we headed south through Winter Haven to the Circle B Bar Reserve on Lake Hancock.  It is relatively easy to get to, being about 30 minutes drive from Winter Haven, and the Reserve  can also be reached by using the Polk Parkway.

Once through the main entrance, you drive down a long avenue of grand old and gnarled oak trees. draped in Spanish Moss and resurrection ferns.

Driving down the avenue  we met a family of wild pigs and piglets trotting from one side of  the road into the undergrowth on the other side.   That was quite an introduction to the wildlife that we hoped to see today.

Continuing on to the parking area at the main Educational center, which provides information and educational eco-tours to many of the schools in the area,  we left the car,  and took one of the informative leaflets at the start of the trails.  The leaflets show a map of the various trails you can take, and the type of habitat that you will walking through.  Incidentally, sturdy and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this trip, as well as a camera and insect repellent.

We noticed several families picnicking at the tables and shelters provided, and obviously enjoying the peace and quiet.  No pets are allowed in the reserve; they can be disruptive to the wildlife, and the alligators in the lake make it unsafe for dogs.

Setting off down the trail marked Shady Oak, we walked peacefully along the path;  soon we reached damper areas where it was a good thing that we wore sturdy footwear.  Remember we had had a wet weekend, so water was standing in puddles along the low areas of the trail.   Most of the trails are about half to three-quarters of a mile in distance, and level; therefore they are suitable for both walkers and cyclists.

The first half  of the trail is through open prairie and standing oaks, and quietly walking along the grassy path, we saw a family of wild turkeys. We stood watching them as they stalked through  the tall grasses, with their family of three chicks scurrying busily around the parents, who were murmuring softly to the chicks to keep them close.  After about 5 minutes they had wandered away from us and into the undergrowth, and we continued along the trail.    The open grassland transitioned into a more heavily wooded area, with large oaks draped in Spanish moss alongside the path.  Birds were trilling in the treetops, although we couldn’t see or identify them.  There are bald eagles, ospreys and woodpeckers to be observed.   The trails are well marked, and where they split off in other directions, there are information boards showing what you might expect to see on any particular path.   We continued on from the Shady Oak Trail into the Alligator Trail which took us along the margins of Lake Hancock.   Often when walking in areas like these , one speculates on how the Native Americans and Early settlers coped with the terrain and the problems.   The Alligator Trail is about seven-tenths of a mile long, and the lake is visible all the way

The lake is home to large numbers of wading birds, from the great Blue Heron to the small glossy Ibis, and the path is close enough to the margins of reeds and water plants to see many of these birds.

The lake is also home to numerous alligators;  we met one of the ecological scientists along our path, who told us that at the last count, there were over 4,000 alligators found.  In fact, we noticed they were pretty easy to spot, either just offshore or laying up in the reed beds.    For the record, the distance between the eyes usually indicates the length of the alligator; for instance if the distance between the eyes is about 6 inches ( do not try to measure this!!) the length of the ‘gator will be about 6 feet.  We did see one that we estimated to be about 15 feet in length, although unfortunately it was too far out to photograph.

Walking this path felt slightly like being  in early primeval conditions; there were strange noises off to the sides, rustlings in the undergrowth, the “crawks” of the herons as they flew away from our disturbance, deep throated gruntings – now what was making that noise?

Again, it is necessary to be aware of your surroundings – across the path from the lake is a swampy area, with shrubs, tree roots and moss obscuring the banks – something was moving in the undergrowth; fawny brown in colour, smallish, about the size of a muntjac deer, or a small dog.  We waited , holding our breath, to see what was rooting down amongst the roots and grasses.  Finally the creature emerged into into a little clearer view – wait!  it wasn’t just one, there were  two or three of them, and they were baby wild piglets.   Eventually momma hog came into view and they moved deeper into the swampy undergrowth and we lost sight of them.  Their grunting continued as we walked further along our path.

Deep amongst the moss draped trees and flowering grasses were butterflies flitting from bush to bush.   Can anyone identify this one;  I think it’s one of the Skipper varieties, but I can’t be positive.  We saw lots of the Swallowtail types, and many other varieties fluttering in the warm moist air.

We also sighted lots of ospreys and bald eagles perched in the tops of  dead trees with the results of their fishing expeditions.  Obviously the reserve is home to many varieties of birds, and the information boards at the start of each trial will give you identification information

The Circle B Bar reserve was originally a cattle ranch, and was acquired in 2000 by Polk County and the South West Water Management District, primarily to protect the valuable water and wildlife resources.   The Reserve is on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, and covers 1,267 acres .  Lake Hancock is often referred to as the headwaters of the Peace River which flows 105 miles from Polk County to Charlotte Harbour and the Gulf of Mexico.    Due to its herbaceous and forested landscape, the Reserve supports a wide variety of mammal and bird species.

Tips to make your trip more enjoyable;  if you have binoculars, bring them;  also carry some drinking water; it can get quite warm hiking these trails, even though they are not difficult or overly long.     Take your time; do not rush this experience.  There is a lot to observe on the trails.  Finally do be careful when walking near  water, especially with small children.

One visit that everyone should make at least once is to Lake Kissimmee State Park. Situated just off State Road 60, about 15 miles East of Lake Wales, this is  nearly 6,000 acres  of oak hammock, floodplain, forest, prairie and flatwoods.   There are also three lakes in the state park;  Lake Kissimmee, Lake Rosalie and Lake Tiger.

Lake Kissimmee State Park was once used by Native Americans because of the abundance of fish and game in the area, making it an ideal place to live for thousands of years.

The park is named for Lake Kissimmee, the third largest lake in the state. The 5,930 acres of Lake Kissimmee State Park are teeming with plant and animal life. The park offers outstanding fishing, bird watching, picnicking, camping, boating and hiking on 13 miles of beautiful trails. For nature lovers and photographers few parks offer the variety of plant and animal life that Lake Kissimmee State Park has to offer.

European man arrived in Florida in the 1500’s but his presence was not felt here until the 1800’s. During the third Seminole War Fort Gardiner was built nearby as a temporary fortification. Later the area was widely used for timber and turpentine. The town of Rosalie was built and later abandoned after the turpentine industry pulled out of the area.

During the Civil War the area was used for raising cattle that were shipped to the Confederate Army or traded with Cuba for supplies. After the war, cattle were the main industry and this continues to the present day.

In 1969, the state of Florida purchased 5,030 acres of land from the William Zipprer estate for use as a state park. Lake Kissimmee State Park was opened to the public in 1977. An additional 900 acres were purchased in 1997 and added to the park’s western boundary.

More than 50  protected or endangered species of wildlife can be found here.

Many activities are available in the Park, including fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing.      You can camp here in the special campgrounds, or horseback ride, or hike the thirteen miles of trails.  You may see whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and hawks.

From floodplain forest to prairie hammock there is a variety of seldom seen plants. The ’spark botanical bounty includes delicate mosses, butterfly orchids, sawgrass, cutthroat grass, fetterbush and gallberry. Expansive, colorful fields of lotus and pickerelweed stretch towards the sun.

Scrubby flatwoods are host to the Florida scrub jay, scrub oak and longleaf pine. In fact Lake Kissimmee State Park hosts over two hundred species of birds making it one of the best birding areas in central Florida.

Other animals you may catch sight of are grey foxes, wild turkeys and deer.  You might even get really lucky and catch sight of a bobcat, although they are very reclusive..

Sandhill cranes are quite common here in Central Florida, although they are a protected species, and they are well known for their distinctive call.  The birds  can sometimes be quite aggressive if you enter their territory, especially if they are nesting or have young chicks around.  You will often see family groups of  up to two adults and three or four chicks.    They will definitely warn you off if you get too close!

Wild turkeys are very common in our parks and scrublands.  They forage for bugs and worms in our grassland, and frequently can be seen with many hens and one grand turkey cock lording it over his ladies.    The hens are a bit smaller than the male, who has a long wattle hanging down from his neck.  Do not look for a bird that looks like our Thanksgiving turkeys;  these are wild birds and are more streamlined, longer legged and less plump than their cultivated cousins.

If you are in the park in the early hours of the morning or later in the afternoon, you may catch a glimpse of the white tailed deer.  These are very shy animals and well camouflaged in the woodland habitat.  Very often, unless they move, you will not notice them.  Again, you may see younger deer as well as the adults.

FISHING

Located on the shores of Lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie and Tiger, the park offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the state. A variety of fish that can be caught include the largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel and bluegill. A boat ramp in the park offers direct access to Lake Kissimmee. For those without boats fishing opportunities from the canal banks, marina and dam offer the same variety of fish.

Freshwater fishing in Florida requires a license for those who are 15 years or older. You do not have to have a license to fish with a cane pole as long as you are fishing in the county of your residence.

Horse riders can use the 6 miles of riding trails, while fishermen have a treat ; with lots of fishing docks to cast a line from, they will thoroughly enjoy themselves.

There is a large picnic area located in an oak hammock near the bottom of the park. Large, sprawling live oak trees provide shade for those interested in picnicking at the park. There are numerous picnic tables and four pavilions available. At the edge of the picnic area is a 40 foot tall observation tower where you will be able to view the upper part of Lake Kissimmee.

There is also the Cow Camp to visit, which is a piece of living history that depicts an 1876 cattle camp, including Florida Scrub cattle.  These cattle are descendants of the cattle that were brought to Florida by the Spanish in the 1500′s, and which  bred without interference from local settlers.  They have developed natural resistance to the diseases and pests of Florida, and can survive on minimal vegetation.  Local cattlemen were commonly referred to as  Cracker cowboys.   The name came from the Crack of their long whips as they rounded up and moved the cattle through the brush and undergrowth.   The Cow Camp is open on weekends and holidays from October through May

My first trip to Dallas for a conference.   An early arriving flight gave  myself and some colleagues time  to explore one of Dallas’s most  famous historical landmarks.   We visited the place where President John F Kennedy was shot to death in November 1963.

It was a strange feeling walking down the street , flanked by the “grassy knoll” mentioned in all the newscasts, and even more weird, seeing the two crosses marking the spots in the roadway where the bullets struck.    From where we were standing, we could see the Sixth Street Book Depository where the gunman was situated.  For a small fee, you can enter the Museum and go up to the Sixth Floor where TV , camera and radio footage of JFK’s trip to Dallas is shown. It is a museum  of memories  and you can even see the window where Lee Harvey Oswald stood and waited .

John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been President of the United States for just 1000 days, and some of his decisions had upset some of the various parties.  There had been some incendiary remarks made about the forthcoming trip, and there were some outspoken factions opposing the President.  However, the trip went ahead.

His wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy accompanied him for this trip on one of the rare occasions that they toured together.   Dressed in pink, she was at his side as the motorcade turned down into Dealey Plaza at 12.30.   Governor Connally and his wife were seated in the front of the open topped vehicle.   Secret service agents were alongside the car as it drove slowly down the street.  Suddenly three shots rang out , and in a matter of seconds President Kennedy was slumped in his seat, having been shot in the head.  Jacqueline was trying to scramble out over the back of the car, and Agents were trying to deal with the situation.  The Governor had also been badly injured , and the car accelerated away to the Parkland Memorial Hospital where President Kennedy was declared dead from a gunshot wounds  to the head and neck at 1.00 p.m.    Witnesses reported seeing a man in the Book depository and Lee Harvey Oswald was tracked down and linked to the rifle that was found behind the cartons stacked in front of the window on the sixth floor.  Other witnesses reported seeing a puff of smoke from the trees across from the grassy knoll.

The rest, as they say, is history; there will always be speculation about the true nature and reason for the assassination.

On a personal note, I can vividly remember hearing the news on the radio, and then watching the TV footage as it was run again and again over the next days and weeks.  To many young people of the time, JFK was a charismatic young leader who would change the world.   And the world stopped,  and everyone watched in horror on that fateful day as a young President was killed in Dallas, Texas.