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.