Wekiwa Springs State Park: Circles in a Forest

We were able to put on 75 miles on our bikes while staying at Wekiwa Springs State Park. The West Orange Trail beckoned us on for another ride, this time to celebrate with the Irish on St Patty's Day.

But the highlight of our ten days here was being able to step out of the shiny Wildebeest and walk the many miles of wooded trails in the park. I entitle this entry "Circles in a Forest", as I reflect both on the beauty of our hikes, and how the book that I read this week reflects what we experience as we explore the beauty that our state parks work to preserve.

My story starts two years ago when I was starting to downsize in anticipation for RVentures to begin. I had some Hummels that I "gifted" to family and friends. It was fun to be able to give the figurine to the person whose personality and gifts were most reflected in the figurine. "Ride into Christmas" went to my ski buddy, Kaleesha. In turn, she gave me one of her most favorite books, "Circles in a Forest" by Dalene Matthee. 

She fell in love with the South African book when she visited there during high school. The book is set in the Knysna forest in the 1880s and tells of how the destruction of the forest by foresters and gold miners affected both the wildlife and the people of the forest. The Knysna elephant "bigfoot" was especially hard hit. There were an estimated 400 elephants living in the forest in 1880. With the destruction of the forest and the killing of elephants for their tusks, the number of elephants fell to about 12 in 1970. The story focuses on one man's effort to try to save his beloved bigfoot from the people who wanted to take all the timber, gold, tusks .... and ultimately, all the beauty out of the natural forest.

It was special to be able to read about a forest on the other side of the world, and realize that the area around us is faced with some of the same issues. We all need to do our part to protect this precious gift!

Mr Gopher Tortoise is depending on us ...

As well as Mr. Very Large Bug ...

As well as Mr. Alligator who is not going to show himself to Doug today!

We are so fortunate to live in a country that is continually working to preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us in our state and national parks. 

During our last three days in Wekiwa Springs State Park, we also learned of another way that the forests are being preserved ... which seemed, at first glance, not so good. We experienced an ecological burn.

As we set off on a walk one morning, one of our favorite "circles in a forest" was closed off. With many miles of trails around us, we chose another path. From the distance, we could see smoke rising, and as we approached the road to our campsite ...

... we could see and feel the massive heat of the burn. When we talked to the park ranger we learned that fires can be a "healthy" forest event helping to restore the Florida forest to its more natural state. 

A day later, I had a hard time believing that this is a good occurrence, but began to understand after seeing the wild turkeys eating the newly exposed forest nutrients. 

Looking just across the road, I studied the area that the ranger pointed out. It had undergone the ecological burn a year ago. A year later, pine and palm trees remain majestic ...

And Mr. Gopher Tortoise is thoroughly enjoying his new burrow!

Circles in a forest help us to discover the beauty that God has given us to protect!

Until next time ... follow a circle through a forest ... and enjoy all the adventures in your life!

Springing Ahead: Biking on the West Orange Trail

Turning the clocks ahead this weekend is like the bad news/good news scenario ...

Bad news: it takes at least a week for the body to adjust ... 

Good news:  there is more daylight in the evening for biking, hiking, and other fun "hamster" activities!

And the REALLY GOOD NEWS ... Doug found a paved bike trail very close to our current home at Wekiwa Springs State Park. We took advantage of the extra hour of daylight to explore it on Monday.

The West Orange Trail is a 20 mile trail that winds through beautiful sections of both urban and rural Florida. We started in Apopka and found that the first five miles were slow as the path crossed many city streets. But the ever-changing urban scenery kept our interest as we peddled. Great excitement on my part when we saw a sign advertising a winery just off the trail! Alas, it is closed on Mondays ... we will have to save it for another RVenturous day.

When we approached the Apopka/Vineland trailhead, the route veered away from the busy roads, through wooded areas, and past new housing developments, golf course and even a Buddhist Temple! 

As we approached Winter Garden, we could tell that this city is appropriately named. The spectacular bursts of color were everywhere!

And then came the REAL reason that Doug suggested we try out this trail ...

At the end of every great bike trail is a cool drink ... and the Crooked Can Brewing Company did not disappoint!

Since it was "Rounded Pi Day" (3.14.16), my math geek and I shared a round pizza pie with an imperial IPA and blueberry wheat. Michaels Ali Coal Fired Pizza was in the same building, and we enjoyed a scrumptious prosciutto, artichoke and gorgonzola pizza. Sadly, I have no picture as it was devoured too quickly.

After exploring historical downtown Winter Garden, we turned around and made our way back. It's sad to admit, but after biking 34 miles, I used the extra hour of daylight to just relax.

But not Doug ... he came home to find another "fix it" project. The squirrels running around the park must have also been thirsty on this warm day, as he found that they had chewed a couple of holes in our water hose. Everyone is looking for a cool drink on hot days like this!

Until next time ... savor that extra hour of sun ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!

Spring Cleaning At Wekiwa Springs

We arrived at Wekiwa Springs State Park this week. Wekiwa, the Creek Indian word for "flowing water" has a large spring that forms the river that flows throughout the park. This provides beautiful natural habitat as well as enjoyable swimming, canoeing and hiking areas ... a perfect place to enjoy the activity and relaxation that we both love and need.

Many years ago, Doug declared me to be the "hamster", due to my joy of always being on the move. Through the years, he has learned that hiking, biking and canoeing are all good ways for the hamster to "run her wheel" and keep both of us happy.

Of course, our busy fun-filled days at the beaches this past week was totally wonderful for a hamster on the move like me. But by the end of the week, Doug needed some serious rest. He needed a plan to tire the hamster out ... and his plan was BRILLIANT!

While on a hike through the woods, we noticed many tiny yellow and white wildflowers starting to bloom. Even though we are in "perpetual summer" here in Florida, it reminded us of the early signs of spring that our northern friends are just starting to see as the snow finally melts. The discussion flowed from spring flowers to that other favorite spring activity ... spring cleaning!

And there he devised the plan ... he could tackle a big cleaning project AND keep the hamster busy by ...

Washing and waxing the Wildebeest!!!

Soon after we got back from our six mile hike, Doug got out the power washer. Time was of the essence ... he had to put this hamster to work and tire her out so much that she would be begging him to relax and take a nap!

And so the three day task began ...

Wax on ...

Wax off ...

And by the end we both enjoying the glow of our time together and the "ultimate freedom" of a beautiful spring day!

And this skeemer will get his wish ... relaxing and reading a good book is sounding very appealing this weekend!

Until next time ... take time to relax with the ones you love ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!

The Tampa Area: Lions and Tigers and Alligators, Oh, My!

We are finishing up our week at Little Manatee River State Park. While the park is somewhat in the "middle of nowhere", our Minnesota visitors made sure that we got in the "middle of the action". Dave has been our "vacation planner" for the week and has filled our time in the Tampa area with a variety of "wild" RVentures involving:

Lions and Tigers and Alligators, Oh My!

 First the Lions ...

The lion sighting came in the form of a Detroit Lions T-shirt worn by Dave as he and Doug searched for sea shells on the many beautiful beaches in the area. Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, Dave is drawn not only to anything that has to do with Michigan sports but also anything to do with beaches. In all we had the chance to enjoy six different beaches ... each with its own unique beauty.

Siesta Key beach has been rated as the #1 beach in the USA, and we did love its fine white sand ... although I am getting tired of continuing to find that fine white sand in our clothes and RV!

Clearwater beach, rated #2, has a bustle of activity along the shore as well as on Pier 60.

We enjoyed the availability of refreshing beach treats, 

.... and great people watching moments!

Across the bay from Clearwater beach, we found the more sedate Sand Key Park beach.

Easy parking, fewer people, great sea shells and beautiful sunsets made it a nice stop after busy Clearwater.

Lido Beach gave us our best walking surface for our four mile stroll along the shore ... and a life-saving snack shop halfway back! The easy parking and nice beach and park surrounded by beautiful homes and an interesting town square made it my favorite!

We found Caspersen Beach at the end of the Legacy and Venetian Bike trails. We only had time for a short walk but were intrigued with all the people searching not for seashells, but for shark teeth! The path leading to the beach had some of the black teeth encased in it.

Longboat Key beach was an "out of the way" stop that gave us another two miles of beautiful beach walking as well as a chance to converge on a massive bird gathering along the shore.

Then the Tigers!

Our Tiger was spotted when we took a day trip to Lakeland, Florida. Being Michigan natives, Doug and Dave were drawn to see the Detroit Tigers spring training game at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

The chance to enjoy a day in the sun watching baseball in early March would have any Northerner excited, and their enthusiasm is easily rubbed off on us!

And the Alligators, Oh My!

After the game, we checked out Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland to find our third wild animal ... the Florida alligator lurking close to our walking path.

The two mile hike on the shores of Lake Hancock gave us a chance to "reach out and almost touch" a number of wild gators.

as well as ...

The cardinal seems to be enjoying a warm Florida winter better than a cool Minnesota winter!

The Circle B Bar Reserve earned a #1 rating for us. The walk brought us real close to Florida's wildlife and it was FREE

... which is always good when you are visiting Florida and all you find are Sand Dollars!











Just when we thought we had seen our share of wildlife, Dave added one more animal to the mix ...

The (Michigan) Wolverine

The University of Michigan football team is spending their spring break practicing at IMG Sports Academy in Bradenton, Florida, so we joined thousands of other die hard Michigan fans for an open practice experience.

Just walking around the campus of this sport-oriented grade and high school was an experience in itself ... only to be outdone by the experience of trying to get in and out of the complex with the gazillion other Michigan fans!

Dave does love his Lions, Tigers, and Wolverines, and we enjoyed all of our "wild life" moments with our friends, Dave, Maureen and Nick!

Until next time ... seek out some wild life around you ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!