Month: October 2018

31 Days of Halloween Movie Challenge

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For the first time ever, I embarked on the 31 Days of Halloween Movie Challenge. My only criteria was that I picked horror movies that I had never seen before and that they at least had some horror elements within them (although several could be easily labeled thrillers or horror/thrillers). However, I did end up watching a lot of movies I had missed over the past 10 years or so that I had heard good things about. It was a fun odyssey and I found a few really good films (along with a couple of real turkeys like Pay the Ghost!), which I have highlighted in bold throughout the final list below:

1. Show Yourself (2016)
2. The Hallow (2015)
3. Wake Wood (2009)
4. Pay the Ghost (2015)
5. The Babadook (2014)
6. It Follows (2014)
7. The Invitation (2015) 
8. Let Me In (2010) 
9. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) 
10. From the Dark (2014)
11. The House of the Devil (2009)
12. Honeymoon (2014) 
13. The Uninvited (2009)
14. The Pact (2012)
15. A Dark Song (2016)
16. Killing Ground (2016)
17. Better Watch Out (2016)
18. It Comes at Night (2017)
19. The Exorcist III (1990) 
20. Creep (2014)
21. The Suffering (2016)
22. 1922 (2017) 
23. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
24. The Endless (2017)
25. Spring (2014) 
26. Craters of the Moon (2013)
27. Take Shelter (2011) 
28. Apostle (2018) 
29. The Dark (2005)
30. The Skeleton Key (2005) 
31. Frailty (2001) 

Hike #23: Hal Scott Preserve

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Hike #23, 52 Hike Challenge: Hal Scott Preserve, Orlando. The Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park encompasses more than 9,500 acres and features three loop trails: White Trail (4.3 miles), Red Trail (6.1 miles) and Yellow Trail (6.3 miles). I took the White Trail and enjoyed one of my first truly fall hikes of the season. Note that you will share the trail with cyclists, hikers with dogs and sometimes cyclists with dogs. I will definitely be back to hike the other two trails down the line. Distance: 4.3 miles.

Hike #22: Lake Lotus Park

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Hike #22, 52 Hike Challenge: Lake Lotus Park, Altamonte Springs. Lake Lotus Park lies just off bustling Maitland Boulevard, so my expectations were rather low for an escape into nature. However, I was totally impressed with the 150-acre nature preserve as I strolled along the lengthy boardwalk, which I had pretty much to myself on a quiet Friday afternoon. Although I didn’t see any alligators on this visit, I did view what I believe to be a Florida redbelly turtle (see above). I will definitely be back! Note that there is tram service available from an off-site parking area across the street during weekends since parking inside Lake Lotus Park is very limited. Distance: 1.3 miles.

Hike #21: Split Oak Forest, Orlando

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Hike #21, 52 Hike Challenge: Split Oak Forest Wildlife & Environmental Area, Orlando. I had a peaceful hike through Split Oak Forest, a splendid oasis located just outside the sprawling Lake Nona area. Unfortunately, the relentless folks at the Florida DOT want to run an expressway right through this amazing 2,000-acre Florida scrub forest managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A group called Friends of Split Oak Forest has been formed with the goal of “protecting Split Oak Forest for the future.” Hopefully, Split Oak Forest will remain free from sprawling Central Florida development for future generations to enjoy! Distance: 5.2 miles.

 

Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ

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After a nice visit to nearby Paynes Creek Historic State Park in Bowling Green, we stopped for a bite to eat at Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ, a colorful roadside joint with great food and very reasonable prices! I personally recommend the huge pulled pork sandwich and fries (pictured above). Smokin’ Joe’s is located at 4050 U.S. 17 in Bowling Green. Don’t miss it!

Hike #20: Paynes Creek Historic State Park

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Hike #20, 52 Hike Challenge: Paynes Creek Historic State Park. On Sunday, we got the opportunity to search for fossilized shark’s teeth at a secluded creek near Bowling Green in lightly populated Hardee County. Very cool experience! Since we were in the area, we decided to check out Paynes Creek Historic State Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located at the site of Fort Chokonikla (built in 1849). We took a short hike to the confluence of Paynes Creek and the Peace River (very scenic!). Unfortunately, the Suspension Bridge pictured above is closed to hikers. A Visitor Center depicts “the lives of Florida’s Seminoles and pioneers during the mid-1800s.” Paynes Creek Historic State Park is located at 888 Lake Branch Road. Distance: 1.2 miles.

Hike #19: Lyonia Preserve

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Hike #19, 52 Hike Challenge: Lyonia Preserve, Deltona. I made the mistake of heading right once I got to the Lyonia Preserve (360 acres of restored Florida scrub habitat that provides home to the Florida scrub jay) and hiking the perimeter of the preserve (I thought I was on the Blue Trail, but it seemed like just some old sandy service road!). Fortunately when I got to the east end of the preserve I was able to work my way into the interior, where the trails were much more scenic and manageable. Finally, when I started walking through the unmarked trails near the preserve entrance I spotted my first scrub jay. Before you know it I was surrounded by about a dozen scrub jays! They are very friendly and will approach within a few feet of you. In addition, quite a few gopher tortoises call the Lyonia Preserve home, but I did not see any during this particular outing. The Lyonia Preserve lies adjacent to the Deltona Regional Libray and Lyonia Environmental Center at 2150 Eustace Avenue. Distance: 4 miles.

 

 

 

Hike #18: Tibet-Butler Preserve

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Hike #18, 52 Hike Challenge: Tibet-Butler Preserve, Orlando. Nestled amid some serious urban sprawl, the Tibet-Butler Preserve offers a respite from the stresses of modern society. I hiked several trails, including Fallen Log Crossing, Osprey Overlook, Tarflower Loop and Pine Circle Loop (the Palmetto Passage is closed indefinitely due to flooding). In addition, I strolled through the Vera Carter Environmental Center. Very well done! The Tibet-Butler Preserve is located at 8777 County Road 535. Distance: 2 miles.