The Chocolate War (1988)
Enough Said (2013)
Find Me (2018)
The Game Warden (2016)
The Historian (2014)
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Paterson (2016)
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Whitewash (2013)
Year: 2020
Eagle Nest Park
Ideally located in the MetroWest area of Orlando and adjacent to Eagle Nest Elementary, small but charming Eagle Nest Park offers the perfect locale for an afternoon stroll. Best of all, we spotted plenty of wildlife, including wading birds and turtles sunning (unfortunately, no eagle sightings this time out!). In addition, Eagle Nest Park serves as a trailhead for the Shingle Creek Trail.
Top 10 Hikes in 2020
Black Bear Wilderness Area, Sanford
Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, Titusville
Lake May Reserve, Eustis
Little Big Econ State Forest, Geneva
Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland
Riverbend Park, Jupiter
Split Oak Forest, Orlando
Spring Hammock Preserve, Longwood
Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City
Colt Creek State Park
Encompassing more than 5,000 acres, Colt Creek State Park within the Green Swamp just north of Lakeland features “large strands of vulnerable longleaf flatwoods, lakes and winding creeks, thick cypress domes and open vistas.” It is home to an abundance of wildlife such as white-tailed deer, American alligators, otters, gopher tortoises, Sherman’s fox squirrels, bobcats, bald eagles and wading birds. Florida black bears have been spotted here as well. Highlights of Colt Creek State Park include 15 miles of multiuse trails and the short but scenic 0.25-mile Mac Lake Nature Trail, as well as pavilions, picnic tables, a 75-foot dock, canoe and kayak rentals, and campsites for tent/RV, primitive and group camping. A relatively new addition to the Florida State Park System, Colt Creek State Park first opened in 2007.
Lake Lily Park
We were enjoying an amazing margherita pizza outside at Antonio’s Market & Cafe in Maitland on Saturday afternoon when we first noticed a scenic lake full of birds across the street, so we decided to venture over for a stroll after lunch. That’s how we discovered 10-acre Lake Lily Park, which is billed as “one of the true gems of the Maitland park system.” Highlights of Lake Lily Park include a 0.5-mile walking trail with boardwalk, playground, restrooms and park benches, along with the Waterhouse Museum, a stunningly preserved 19th-century home. Don’t miss it!
The Deck Bar
The above photos of dubious quality were taken at the legendary Deck Bar at the Carolinian Hotel in Nags Head, North Carolina, during the early 1990s where we spent a lot of time enjoying live music and ice-cold beers. Sadly, the Carolinian Hotel was demolished about 20 years ago.
One Small Place
“I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to.”
― Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Why spend your time waiting in long lines at some overpriced theme park hoping for some “processed fun” when you can avoid the crowds, step outside and experience “authentic Florida” surrounded by amazing wildlife? Now is the perfect time to distance yourself from the crowd, stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors! So, what are you waiting for? Hit the trail!
Tucker Ranch Revisited
Looking to social distance during the holidays and enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors? Look no farther than Tucker Ranch Recreation and Nature Complex in Winter Garden. Ideally located off Avalon Road, Tucker Ranch is a true hidden treasure in Central Florida. Grab a picnic lunch and take a hike while enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings. Leashed dogs are allowed. So, what are you waiting for? Get up from the couch, turn off the TV and get some fresh air at Tucker Ranch!
West Orange Country Club Archway
The West Orange Country Club Archway (ca. 1915) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can be viewed at the entrance to Tucker Ranch Recreation and Nature Complex (a great place to picnic and hike, by the way!) in Winter Garden. Check it out!
What I’m Reading …
“Whether you’re a hot-spot-seeking tourist or a native getting a little more familiar with your beachside backyard, Highway A1A: Florida at the Edge will put you in touch with what makes the state’s eastern coast special. From the tiny town of Callahan to world-famous Key West, visionary travel writer and tourism expert Herbert Hiller covers thirteen Atlantic counties, providing maps, historical and present-day photographs, and recommendations for places to visit, lodge, eat, and shop that are truly local in character.”
Wandering Florida 