Author: reweidman50

Hike #40: Lake Apopka Loop Trail

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Hike #40: 52 Hike Challenge: Lake Apopka Loop Trail. If you’re into birding (and alligators!), you MUST take a hike along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail (or at least plan an outing to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive). More than 150 species of birds reportedly flock to Lake Apopka during the winter months. Encompassing 30,800 acres (making it the fourth largest lake in Florida), Lake Apopka was targeted for cleanup under the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act of 1987. I reached the Lake Apopka Loop Trail from the Magnolia Park Trailhead, although it also can be accessed from the Clay Island Trailhead, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead, North Shore Trailhead and Wildlife Drive entrance (2850 Lust Road). I saw plenty of birds, but no alligators this time out (perhaps due to it being a rather overcast day). Distance: 2.5 miles.

Hike #39: Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

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Hike #39: 52 Hike Challenge: Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, Titusville. A well-maintained and diverse trail system winds its way through the immensely popular Enchanted Forest Sanctuary. That is why we got there right before the Sanctuary opened at 9 AM. However, there was already a group of Boy Scouts gathering in the parking lot, so we signed in quickly and headed on our way so we could have the trails to ourselves for a little while. The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary encompasses five basic habitat types: pine flatwood, prairie, oak, scrub, and mesic and hydric hammock. Our favorite trail was the Magnolia Loop, which features some majestic live oaks. The tail end of the Coquina Trail is also very cool. Also, don’t miss the chance to see the gopher tortoises at the entrance to the Sanctuary. All in all, a great hike! Distance: 3.1 miles.

Light My Fire

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“I knew Jim Morrison, in film school; he came to my house once–this was before he’d had a record out–with some acetates, demos, asking if I could help. I tried; I didn’t get anywhere. But the idea of using the Doors [in Apocalypse Now] came from ‘Light My Fire.’ That was from Milius: Kurtz’ people would play ‘Light My Fire’ through their loud­speakers, to jazz themselves up. In the end, there’s a battle, and North Vietnamese regulars come charging in to ‘Light My Fire.’ I went to the Philippines with that ending!” – Francis Ford Coppola, Rolling Stone interview, November 1, 1979

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

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It was a cold and cloudy Saturday afternoon when we descended upon the Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World Resort. I didn’t know anything about this relatively new Disney World festival (it debuted in 2017), but it is billed as “the Ultimate Celebration of Art, Entertainment and Food!” We had a fairly decent time, although most of the art I could see was Disney related and the food and drink seemed way overpriced. We thoroughly enjoyed strolling around the World Showcase, but the whole thing seemed like kind of a diluted version of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which we look forward to each fall …

 

Hike #38: Pine Lily Preserve, Orlando

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Hike #38: 52 Hike Challenge: Pine Lily Preserve, Orlando. The weather was perfect although a little chilly (48 degrees!) as I headed out to 409-acre Pine Lily Preserve near the community of Bithlo. If you are driving from western Orange County like me, simply take the 408 to 50 East and turn right onto County Road 13. I actually missed it and ended up turning around at the Orlando Speed World Dragway. As usual, I had the entire preserve to myself and the wildlife that call it home (I spotted a total of seven deer during the hike, a record for me!). The trail itself was mostly dry except for one area that was slightly flooded. I recommend taking the entire red trail (although the small loop at the end of the trail is kind of rough) and the short blue loop as well. Hal Scott Preserve lies just to the south. Distance: 3.5 miles.

 

 

Orange County Regional History Center

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“The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse in the heart of downtown Orlando, offers four floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Central Florida’s rich heritage. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum also offers visiting exhibitions and a wide range of programs for families, children, and adults.”

The Essence of Existence

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razorsedge

“Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy.” – W. Somerset Maugham, The Razor’s Edge (1944)