March 20 - 25, 2015. Lake Kissimmee and Oscar Shearer

Although the drive from Kissimmee Prairie State Park to Lake Kissimmee State Park was uneventful, it was very fragrant. The smell of orange blossoms permeated the air as we drove past many miles of orange groves. I now know why the route was called a "Scenic Byway".

We spent time at Lake Kissimmee last year and so were familiar with the various hiking and biking trails and all that the park has to offer. We biked one of the trails but ended up doing a lot of pushing through sand.Within the Park is a "Cow Camp", an exact replica of an 1800's camp, complete with cows and an old rustler, where cowboys used to round up cattle. As we used the wifi at the camp store we enjoyed a well deserved ice cream and watched an alligator swim close to shore. 

                                 

                        

        

 

Since I had won tickets to a ball game in Sarasota we wanted to stay closer to the area and were fortunate enough to get two nights at Oscar Shearer State Park. While there we got to visit with our good friend Janet over dinner and even played golf with her and Bobby at Bird Bay. 

The ball game was one of the best Spring Training games I have had the pleasure to see. There were some awesome plays on the field, a couple of home runs and the Jays beat the Orioles by a score of 5 - 2. The weather was perfect and we had great seats. 

                      

        

After the game we headed north to Dunedin, the Spring Training home of the Toronto Blue Jays.  After a white knuckle drive up due to very heavy traffic, we settled in at a park in Tarpon Springs and will stay here for a week and take in a few ball games, play a little golf and bike the Pinelllas Trail.

March 17 - 20, 2015. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

If a peaceful park is what you are looking for, then Kissimmee Prairie is for you. Located 32 miles northwest of Okeechobee, this remote setting offers guests a distinctive snapshot of the largest remaining expanse of Florida dry prairie, an ecosystem found only in south central Florida.

       

There are over 100 miles of trails here, but due to the amount of rain this winter, many of them are impassible. We did try a couple but were hesitant to continue when the going got rough. Also, in the back of my mind was something the ranger told us about being carful where you step because someone got bitten by a snake a few days ago. 

                                  

                           

The Park provides a habitat for zillions of birds, some of which are on the endangered species list. Sightings of alligators, wild turkeys and tortoises are frequent. Stargazing is a favourite activity here as light from human activity is not visible. The clear night sky is spectacular.

March 8 - 17, 2015. Jonathan Dickinson State Park

If I had to choose a favourite among the state parks that we have visited so far this winter, it would have to be Jonathan Dickinson. The facilities are immaculate, all sites are level and there are lots of things to do and see, both in the park and nearby.

Just a few miles south is the city of Jupiter, which is the spring training home of both the Marlins and the Cardinals. We watched the Marlins beat the Washington Capitals by one run on a very hot Tuesday afternoon. We met some very nice people there who recommended a great place for fish and so we ate a delicious grouper dinner at The Food Shack, after the game.

We have biked a lot here. A ride down to the Kimbell Environmental Centre, where there is WIFI 24/7 is an eight mile return trip. We also biked a couple of the trails, both a combination of old pavement and off road conditions. A couple of times we were forced to push our bikes uphill through sand. Needless to say, that ride was quite a workout.

Canoe rentals are available at the concession and so we took advantage of a  guided paddle on the Loxahatchee River where we learned about the various creatures and plants that live near and in the river. Of particular interest was something we didn't capture digitally: a snake coming out of a woodpecker hole high up in a tree. I had no idea that snakes would climb that high, but the guide said that if there were eggs in that hole, that particular kind of snake would have no problem getting to them.

We saw more snakes, as well as gators, crocs, turtles, tortoises and other beasts at the Hobe Sound Nature Conservancy. We even got brave enough to touch a boa constrictor when its handler had it out to show some kids. The Conservancy trail system allowed us to walk to the beach where I promptly put my feet in the water. It was another brutally hot day.

              

A highlight of our time here was meeting up with two women we traveled with in Thailand. Lunch at the Key Lime Restaurant with Nancy and Mimi was such fun. It was wonderful to catch up with these two "wild women".

       

On our last day at Jonathan Dickinson we went horseback riding. After receiving steering and braking instructions we headed out for a one hour ride through the sandy scrub pine trail. Most of the time our horses walked, but a few times we got into a trot. Thankfully, my mare "Galaxy" was very obedient. 

          

Our next park will be Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park which is north of Lake Okeechobee and is out in the wilderness, so no WiFi for four days.

February 28 - March 7 2015. Hillsborough River State Park.

Upon our arrival on Friday evening we joined a guided tour of the park where we heard about the various trails and other points of interest. There are about 15 miles of trails in this park with one of them leading to one of the two places in Florida where one can see class two rapids. 

       

During the week we hiked all of the trails except two which we hiked partially as they were impassible due to the heavy rain on Saturday. We biked every day and particularly enjoyed rides at dusk when all the night creatures started to come out. We saw deer, tortoises, one snake, lots of birds and bats. 

        

On Wednesday we joined a group for a guided tour of Fort Foster, a fort built in the 1800's during the Second Seminole War. The Ranger who guided the tour provided lots of information and answered all questions about the fort and its artifacts.

On a very hot Thursday we drove to Plant City to experience The Florida Strawberry Festival. I have never seen so many food trucks selling deep fried everything; everything from deep fried Oreo cookies to chocolate covered bacon. I did try the deep fried mushrooms and of course we both had strawberry shortcake. We watched pig races, enjoyed listening to some music at a couple of the entertainment tents and looked at various exhibits and product booths.

     

Friday proved to be much cooler and cloudy. We had planned to go golfing but changed our plans and went to a movie after spending time at the public library to use the wifi. 

Today we will visit with some friends in Zephyrhills. Since it hasn't rained for a week we are hoping to bike an 8 mile trail tomorrow. If not, we will do it next year. Off to the Atlantic side on Monday.