On Wednesday, Walter and I decided to explore a bit of central Florida while Chris, Jes and Adrien were enjoying Disney. After dropping the kids off at the Magic Kingdom, we set out for Polk County. Our first stop was a lovely hidden gem, Bok Tower Gardens, located in Lake Wales. The gardens are set in 50 acres and include ferns, live oaks, palms, banana trees, pines, azaleas, camellias, magnolias, just to name a few of the varieties. There is also a wild bird sanctuary, that is used by several migratory birds.
The gardens were set up by Edward Bok, and dedicated in the 1920s by then President Calvin Coolidge. Mr. Bok was a very interesting man, who had among his acquaintances P. T. Barnum, Charles Darwin, Frederick Douglass, Rudyard Kipling and FDR. He bought the land for the gardens, sitting on top of a mountain (actually only 290 feet above sea level but still the second highest point in Florida). We found the gardens to be like walking into a 'Gone With the Wind' setting.
In the middle of the gardens, Mr. Bok has a 205-foot tower constructed, made of Georgia marble and Florida coquina, and housing a beautiful carillon of 60 bells. The carillon is played every 15 minutes. What a beautiful sound! The tower also a beautiful art deco grill work. It really is something to see.
After the park, we headed to Lang Sun Countrey Groves. This citrus fruit producer also has a cafe called Taste of Florida, and is known for its grapefruit pie. The cafe makes great salaes and sandwiches, and the grapefruit pie was worth the trip. Not too sweet, and completely refreshing. The refreshing. Lang has been owned by three generations of the same family - from grangmother, to mother to daughter. The server we had gave me the recipe for grapefruit pie, and I will defintely be making it once we get back home.
Close up of some of the flowers in the garden. The colours were beautiful. The guide told us the best time is late February/early March when the azaleas are in bloom. But there is plenty to see in October.
My favourite man. It was a cool day - only about 67F - but sunny.
The tower. It's surrounded by a moat and can be accessed by going through decorative wrought iron gates to bridges over the water.
Me - in front of the tower.
An orange laden tree. The park is surrounded by orange groves. The trees, like this one, are so heavy with fruit, that the oranges in some places are touching the ground.
Adrien and his two friends. He really got excited when he saw Lightning McQueen.
Walter and me - aka the Grey Nomads.
Adrien and his compass fron the Tortuga Tavern.
Adrien and the evil space villain Zurk.
Chris at the race track. Adrien is in the car with him, but Adrien's head is barely visible above the steering wheel.
Close up of some of the flowers in the garden. The colours were beautiful. The guide told us the best time is late February/early March when the azaleas are in bloom. But there is plenty to see in October.
My favourite man. It was a cool day - only about 67F - but sunny.
The tower. It's surrounded by a moat and can be accessed by going through decorative wrought iron gates to bridges over the water.
Me - in front of the tower.
An orange laden tree. The park is surrounded by orange groves. The trees, like this one, are so heavy with fruit, that the oranges in some places are touching the ground.
