Trivia: Both Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) were filmed here.
Year: 2018
Hike #24: Shingle Creek Regional Park
Hike #24, 52 Hike Challenge: Shingle Creek Regional Park, Kissimmee. Although Shingle Creek Regional Creek Park lies just off bustling U.S. 192, it seems worlds away once you take to the hiking trails! Fortunately the weather cleared up and I was able to knock out both the Babb Landing and Steffee Landing sections of the park. In addition, I caught a glimpse of a white-tailed deer on the Babb Landing side and a rare white squirrel on the Steffee Landing side (see if you can spot it in one of the photos above!). According to the Florida State University Coastal Marine Laboratory website, “The white squirrel is actually a genetic anomaly due to a mutated gene from the common Eastern Gray Squirrel. It is called leucism, which is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals caused by a recessive allele. Unlike albinism, it is a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. White squirrels lack red eyes and also tend to have a gray patch on their heads and what is referred to as a ‘dorsal stripe’ down their backs.” Shingle Creek Regional Park is home to The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek. Wildlife Sightings: White-Tailed Deer, White Squirrel. Distance: 3.1 miles.
Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill
I’ve always wanted to go to Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill and finally got the opportunity Saturday after we dropped by nearby Lake Griffin State Park. Billed as “a family friendly restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere & island cuisine,” this lakefront eatery, which was established in 1926, lived up to all our expectations! According to Gator Joe’s official website, the legendary eatery “got its name from a famous alligator who lived in Lake Weir from approximately 1930-1952. In 1934, while trying to find the Ma Barker Gang, the FBI intercepted a letter mentioning an ‘Old Joe’ near the Barker hideout. Lake Weir was pinpointed as it was found to have a big gator known as ‘Old Joe.’ On January 16, 1935, the FBI found the Barker gang in a historic home 1/8 mile from Gator Joe’s and in a 4-hour gun battle, Ma and one of her sons were killed. ‘Joe’ on the other hand lived until 1952.” Diners can even view Gator Joe’s encased foot near the entrance to the restaurant, which is located at 12431 S.E. 135 Avenue in Ocklawaha. Believe me, it’s worth the trip!
Lake Griffin State Park
Encompassing 620 acres just north of Leesburg, Lake Griffin State Park is home to the second-largest oak tree in Florida! A short trail leads off a small parking lot to the right just after the ranger station to this massive live oak tree. The sign in front of the live oak tree reads, “This live oak tree is the second largest oak tree in the state of Florida and is estimated to be between 300-500 years old. It serves as a home for many species of mammals and birds and may even have been a landmark for the Timuca Indians who frequented the area before settlement and later the Seminole Indians. The first settlers discovered the tree in 1811, since then it has attracted tourists from the entire nation.” In addition, the park features two hiking trails, campground, canoe/kayak rentals and guided pontoon boat tours. Lake Griffin State Park is located at 3089 U.S. 441-27 in Fruitland Park.
Wandering
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
31 Days of Halloween Movie Challenge
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
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
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
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
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!
Wandering Florida 