Tag Archives: Florida

Travel

Making The Best Of It

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Frog fountain. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida

So what do you do when you’re in Florida for a cruise and the cruise is cancelled?  Well, for Kathy & me, we find something else to do!  We had already been planning to visit our friends Bill & Cathy, who spend the winter in a community near Lake Wales.  Our original plans called for us to visit them after our cruise, so we called them and said, “guess what?”  They were somewhat relieved that we would not be coming to visit them after having spent a week on a Covid-infested cruise ship, even though we had planned to take a test after getting off the ship.

Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida

We were able to shift our motel reservation to a week earlier than our original plan, then take a few days there to decide what to do with our newfound time (and money).  Since the cruise line cancelled the cruise, they are going to refund all of our money PLUS give us the equivalent amount in credit toward a future cruise.  A deal for us – we get a few days in Florida and still get a free cruise in the future!  Some strings are attached, of course, but nothing we can’t deal with.

Photo spot. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida

We decided to play tourist in Lake Wales while we were there.  We visited the Bok Tower Gardens, a relatively famous landmark that we had heard about but never visited.  We stopped by the Florida’s Natural Visitor Center and learned about the history of Florida Orange Juice.  Who knew?

Door detail. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida
The Singing Tower. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida

So what to do?  We looked at the weather forecast and decided that it was just going to be too cool to head to a beach resort somewhere.  Yes, the temperatures were forecasted to be in the upper 60s to low 70s, which is warm if you are coming from Minnesota or Canada, but for us thin-blooded North Cackalackians it just wasn’t warm enough!  We settled on a few days in St. Petersburg, another town we had heard about but never visited.

The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum). St. Petersburg, Florida

Over the course of three days in St. Petersburg, we visited the Salvador Dali’ museum, the Chihuly Glass Collection at the Morean Arts Center, and generally wandered around town exploring.

Glass works by Dale Chihuly at The Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, Florida
Glass blowing demonstration at the Morean Glass Studio, part of the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida

On our way home we stopped by Ocala and visited the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, and were even treated to a “Big Daddy” sighting!

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida

We’re home now and watching an assortment of winter weather passing through the area.  Yes, it might be warmer if we had stayed in Florida, but it is nice to be home in our house any time.  We’re well stocked and shouldn’t have to leave the house for a few days.  So it can snow/sleet/freezing rain all it wants – the sun will probably be back out tomorrow then it can be almost spring! 🙂

Skyline from the Teak Restaurant on the pier in St. Petersburg, Florida
Travel

An Unexpected Turn

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The Helical Staircase in The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida

Kathy & I were halfway to Tampa, FL last Friday, and in fact had just crossed the Florida state line, when we got a message that our cruise, which was scheduled to depart the following day, had been cancelled.  Well, dang it!

All was not lost, of course. We rearranged some plans, made some new plans, and salvaged a few days of sunshine.  We returned home this afternoon just in time to hunker down for a winter storm.  But we figure better here in our own house than somewhere else!

I’ve got stories to tell, but it’s late and cocktail hour is underway.  More to come as I develop my film!

Travel

Shadows, Lines and Angles

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Lamp Post – St. Augustine, Florida

I finally finished up processing photos from our recent Florida trip.  I didn’t have an interesting story to go with them but they are pretty interesting on their own.

Lake Placid, Florida
Historic Downtown Parking Facility – St. Augustine, Florida
Historic Downtown Parking Facility – St. Augustine, Florida
Tiles – St. Augustine, Florida
Castillo de San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine, Florida
Castillo de San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine, Florida
Castillo de San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine, Florida
Castillo de San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine, Florida
Castillo de San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine, Florida
Roadside Finds, Travel

A Quick Stop At Lake Okeechobee

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Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida

We’ve passed by Lake Okeechobee on a number of occasions as we’ve transited central Florida, but have never taken the time to stop until this last time.  The reason we hadn’t seen the lake before is that it is almost completely surrounded by a 30 foot earthen dike, preventing views of the lake from the roadway, but keeping the water where it belongs.

Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida

The only way to actually see the lake is at one of the access points to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.  Even in the few towns around the lake there is no actual ‘lakefront.’  There is a large roadside park at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam on the east side of the lake about 30 miles south of the town of Okeechobee.  We stopped there on our way to Okeechobee, where we spent the night before heading out to St. Augustine.

Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Park at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on Lake Okeechobee, Florida

We only spent about an hour at this stop, but it looks like a place with a lot of photographic opportunities depending on weather conditions.  If you don’t mind man-made objects like dams and pilings in your photos they might really add some interest to a nice morning or evening sky.  We had a few clouds around for our time there, but it was a little early in the evening for really nice light.  It had already been a long enough day, so we went on to our day’s destination.  We’ll see about returning for longer on a future trip!

Travel

Critters Galore

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Anhinga drying his wings beside the lake in Nalcrest, Florida

While we didn’t specifically look for wildlife during our time in Florida, we did come across some examples of the local fauna.  Here are a few of my non-wildlife-photographer results.  I don’t think I ever saw an armadillo in the wild before.  If I did I don’t remember it.  I have seen plenty of the others, however.

Great Horned Owl at Lake Wailes Park, Lake Wales Florida
Dolphins swim in the waters behind the Apollo Visitor Center at Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
Alligators enjoying the sunshine at Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center on US-41/Tamiami Trail near Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, Florida
Sandhill Crane wading the shoreline at Nalcrest, Florida
Limpkin wading the shoreline at Nalcrest, Florida
Osprey in search of lunch in Nalcrest, Florida
Osprey nest on a platform in Nalcrest, Florida
Alligator enjoying a relaxing afternoon by the lake in Nalcrest, Florida
Snowy egret wading the shoreline at Nalcrest, Florida
Limpkin wading the shoreline at Nalcrest, Florida
Wild turkeys wandering through the community of Nalcrest, Florida
Wild turkeys wandering through the community of Nalcrest, Florida
Armadillo at Nalcrest, Florida
Cathy’s green gator
Roadside Finds, Travel

The Murals of Lake Placid, Florida

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Even the trash cans join in the themes in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals

I did a postcard from Lake Placid a few weeks ago but wanted to share a few more of the photos.  I know 25 seems like more than a few, but there are a lot of murals!

Mural celebrating the path to Eagle Scout. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals

Small towns these days have to work hard to attract tourism, and these murals are a testament to the pride of the community and the hard work required to see the project to completion on such a grand scale.  It was an enjoyable day, we had a good lunch and enjoyed a few hours walking around this pleasant town.  Thanks to our friends Bill & Cathy for sharing it with us! 🙂

Series of murals celebrating the history of Florida at Rotary Park. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Series of murals celebrating the history of Florida at Rotary Park. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the harvest of pine resin for gum terpentine and sold by Consolidated Naval Stores of Lake Placid. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the harvest of pine resin for gum terpentine and sold by Consolidated Naval Stores of Lake Placid. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting Lake Placid’s championship-winning basketball team in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the medical profession. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals

I have a number of “non-mural” photos too, and will save them to illustrate some future post.

Mural depicting Lake Placid’s championship-winning basketball team in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the natural beauty of rural Florida. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the natural beauty of rural Florida. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural at the Post Office in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting early telephone communication. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Celebrating the history of the orange industry. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the fishing in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the printing industry. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting the natural beauty of rural Florida. Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Mural depicting a bank robbery that took place in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Even the trash cans join in the themes in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Even the trash cans join in the themes in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Even the trash cans join in the themes in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Even the trash cans join in the themes in Lake Placid Florida, known as the Town of Murals
Roadside Finds, Travel

Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida

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Stearman biplane at the Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida

One of the spots we visited on our recent visit to Florida was the Florida Air Museum, located at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland.  Airplane buffs will recognize ‘LAL’ as the home of the annual Sun-N-Fun Aerospace Expo.

Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
“Woody Pusher” homebuilt airplane at the Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
“Woody Pusher” homebuilt airplane at the Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida

I was a little disappointed in the museum given the status of Sun-N-Fun in the aviation world, but to be fair they are in the process of a major facilities upgrade which should provide a lot more exhibit space and room for more aircraft.  Plus, we have visited some awesome aviation museums over the last few years, in particular the Evergreen Aviation Museum in Oregon.  How can you compare seeing photographs of Howard Hughes to actually standing inside the Spruce Goose? 😉

Pitts Special displayed in a typical configuration. Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Ford Flivver homebuilt airplane at the Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida’
Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida

It was a nice day and a good place to spend a little time.  And there are definitely a few one-of-a-kind aircraft housed here, including the Lockheed XVF-1 which was designed to be a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle long before Space-X figured out how to re-land rockets.  I can only imagine trying to set that thing down on its tail!

Lockheed XVF-1 at Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Lockheed XVF-1 at Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Piedmont Airlines Boeing 727 on display at Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
F-14 Tomcat on display at Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland-Linder International Airport in Lakeland Florida
Photography

Getting That First Shot

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Closed (possibly permanently) storefronts along US-129 near O’Brien, Florida

Whenever we’re traveling, especially by car, I often look for photographic opportunities on the way.  Sometimes I’ve pre-identified a place like a train station, other times I’m looking for something serendipitous along the side of the road.  If my camera is buried in the bag somewhere in the back of the car I have a hard time stopping.  But if the camera is out and ready, I’m a lot more likely to find a place to pull off or turn around in order to get that first shot.  I find that once I have stopped and taken a few photographs, it is easy to stop the next time something comes up.

Closed (possibly permanently) storefronts along US-129 near O’Brien, Florida
Closed (possibly permanently) storefronts along US-129 near O’Brien, Florida

For me, putting the camera bag on the back seat or on the floor behind my seat is a start.  That makes it easy to get to when I need it.  But the best approach has been to actually get the camera out and hang it over the headrest of the back seat.  I’ve driven hundreds and perhaps thousands of miles that way, and it works.  We had a 2-door car for a while and that made my method a bit more challenging, but we’ve gone back to 4 doors now and probably won’t change back.

Closed (possibly permanently) storefronts along US-129 near O’Brien, Florida
Closed (possibly permanently) storefronts along US-129 near O’Brien, Florida

If we’re staying in a town and walking around, I’ll carry my camera with me, lens cap off, ready to shoot.  I’m kind of a one lens guy anyway, so I have the camera around my neck or on my shoulder and a spare battery in my pocket.  I learned quickly with the EVF cameras to always have a spare!  I often chuckle at the people walking around with their brand new CaNikonUjiOny camera bag on their shoulder, securely zippered shut with the camera inside, probably with the lens off the camera.  Hardly a way to get a photograph! 😉

Closed (possibly permanently) storefronts along US-129 near O’Brien, Florida