Month: February 2021

Lighthouse Point Park Revisited

reweidman50 Florida Beaches, Florida Lighthouses, Florida Parks, Uncategorized , , , , ,

   

After a great lunch at DJ’s Deck in Port Orange (I highly recommend the rare Tuna Sandwich basket with fries!), we headed to Ponce Inlet to wander around. We parked at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and strolled to the jetty at Lighthouse Point Park. We got there just in time to catch the end of a surfing competition, so the place was bustling with activity! We headed back via the boardwalk in a quest to view some gopher tortoises, but no such luck this time. All in all, a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, wouldn’t you say?

What I’m Reading …

reweidman50 Book Recommendations, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida History, Uncategorized, What I'm Reading , , , ,

“From the deepest swamps to the most civilized sidewalks, [50 Great Walks in Florida] … features the best short outdoor jaunts in the Sunshine State. These manageable walks will appeal to tourists in search of the real Florida as well as to residents who want to become better acquainted with their state but still be done in time for lunch. Though shoes may be required, backpacks are not.”

Mead Botanical Garden

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Nestled just off bustling Mills Avenue and surrounded by neighborhoods in Winter Park, 47-acre Mead Botanical Garden offers a peaceful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life during these increasingly trying times. I strolled along the boardwalk through Lake Lillian Marsh and then followed a scenic hiking trail behind Little Amphitheater that took me to Alice’s Pond, where I saw several turtles basking in the sun. Mead Botanical Garden is open daily between 8 AM and dusk. Best of all, it’s free!

Cassadaga

reweidman50 Florida History, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Known as the “Psychic Capital of the World,” Cassadaga is a small community located just north of Deltona and home to a large number of psychics and mediums. Believe it or not, the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp was established way back in 1894. If you are passing through Cassadaga, be sure to stop by the Camp Bookstore and browse through the extensive selection of books on metaphysics, spiritualism and spirituality, as well as arts & crafts and more. The Camp Bookstore is also home to the Spiritualist Camp Welcome Center.

Return to Six Mile Slough

reweidman50 Florida Alligators, Florida Preserves, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

One of the coolest nature preserves in Southwest Florida, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is located in Fort Myers and features a scenic 1.2-mile-long boardwalk through a 3,500-acre wetland preserve. Highlights include Gator Lake, Wood Duck Pond, Pop Ash Pond and Otter Pond. Look for a variety of wildlife, including alligators, wood storks and pileated woodpeckers. Don’t miss it!

What I’m Reading …

reweidman50 Book Recommendations, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized, What I'm Reading , , ,

“Perfect to have in the home for budding animal enthusiasts, ideal for armchair adventurers and great for Florida transplants who are experiencing a whole new range of wildlife, [Florida Animals for Everyday Naturalists] will help readers appreciate the abundance of life right outside their doors.”

Sawgrass Lake Park

reweidman50 Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Lakes, Florida Parks, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , ,

According to the Pinellas County website, 400-acre Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg features “one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida.” We strolled along the mile-long boardwalk at Sawgrass Lake Park on a sunny Sunday morning and viewed an alligator, some turtles and even a yellow-crowned night heron. Sawgrass Lake Park also offers an observation tower, picnic shelter, restroom. Admission is free.

Lovers Key State Park

reweidman50 Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida State Parks, Florida Wildlife, Gopher Tortoise, Uncategorized, Wandering Florida , , , , , , , , ,

Last Saturday we enjoyed the opportunity to explore scenic Lovers Key State Park (full name: Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park), which lies just south of Fort Myers Beach. The 1,616-acre Lovers Key State Park encompasses the barrier islands of Lovers Key, Inner Key, Black Island and Long Key. Highlights of Lovers Key State Park include 2.5 miles of white sandy beaches with some of the best shelling Southwest Florida, as well as hiking and biking trails, kayaking and canoeing opportunities, a boat ramp, saltwater fishing, wildlife viewing (we saw two gopher tortoises) and a beachside concession stand. A free tram service runs from the first parking area to the south beach. We’ll definitely be back soon!