• The Trail is only open during daylight hours, and alcoholic drinks are prohibited.
• Pedestrians and handicapped have the right of way, wheelchairs should use the pedestrian lanes and electric handicap wheelchairs are always permitted
• Bicyclists are required to obey all traffic controls and signals
• Cyclists are not permitted to wear headphones at any time and under age 16, they must wear a helmet
• Electric bicycles and motorised vehicles (except wheelchairs, maintenance, law enforcement and emergency vehicles) are not allowed on the Pinellas Trail, nor are horses
• Bicyclists and skaters should obey the posted speed limits. No racing or race training
• Skaters should use the bicycle lanes, and both skaters and cyclists should give an audible warning when passing
• Pets must be kept on a max. 6 foot leash and under control

We have vacationed as a family in Central Florida for the last eight years spending a total of over 25 weeks in the sunshine state.  When planning our next trips the first question asked by my children is “can we get a pontoon boat on Crystal River?”.  We have also invited friends to spend time with us on vacation and always include this day out as part of the trip.  Needless to say they usually mark this down as the highlight of their vacation. So with this kind of recommendation I feel sure you will appreciate some tips as to how to maximise the enjoyment of your day on Crystal River.

The journey up to Homosassa from Orlando, (I Drive) or the Davenport / 192 area via Highway 27 and Clermont, takes about one and a half hours.  It is a pleasant enough trip combining two lane state roads and the Turnpike with plenty of things to see on the way.

Aim to arrive in Homosassa at around 11.30am and call in at the Publix on the SR19 it is very close to W.Yulee Drive the main road leading down to the riverbank.  They have a well stocked hot food counter which is ideal to stock up the picnic items which you can enjoy when you get to the boat. 

A half day rental of a pontoon for 10 people will cost around $120 including fuel.  You can chose any of the boat rental houses around monkey island and you will pay the same and be very well looked after in all of them.  You will get a boating briefing before setting out, and you are given maps to help you navigate.  You don’t need any previous experience and even first timers will be happy at the controls within a matter of minutes. Once away from the boathouse you are free to enjoy cruising and absorbing all the wonderful wildlife that the tropical river has to offer.  Birds and manatees are plentiful and you will cruise past shoals of fish.  There is a lovely lagoon where you can drop anchor and enjoy a swim or head in the other direction out towards the ocean.

The boat will need to be returned around 5 pm and once back on dry land you can relax and enjoy the drive back to Orlando.  Passing the frequent billboards advertising all the attractions that Orlando has to offer, whilst reflecting on you day in wilderness, is a great way to recharge your batteries and whet your appetite to restart your vacation in the entertainment capital of the world.

The landscape has definitely changed since my annual walk last August in 2008. The two huge lakes are a cluster of five to six smaller lakes which make walking around them a lot easier. You can see all the lakes by taking the sand foot paths which surround them and dissect their locations, this was not possible last year.

The woods were great to walk through, and the wild life was very rewarding. I saw lots of species of birds including a wood pecker with a red head. I saw my first Armadillo, a young one I think, it scurried away when it saw me, it must have been more frightened of me than I was of it.

On the first lake we came to we saw a pair of nesting cranes. Their nest was on the ground on an island in a small lake. We walked within thirty yards of the nest and could see quite clearly two young chicks. There were two types of herons, white ibis and lots of waders.

I had a camera with me, but the thing that I missed most was a pair of binoculars, my next trip will include these as well as a bird field guide. I must say I see something different on each walk, it is so relaxing and rewarding to be up close to Central Florida bird and wild life within a few minutes walk from the villa.

This was the perfect escape from the theme parks and a perfect way to watch the Florida sun go down. This is just one of the many benefits when you book at

www.mickeyswoodlandretreat.co.uk

Please come and try it for yourselves, Florida is not just full of theme parks!

Don’t worry; it’s still only 298 feet above sea level. This is Florida after all!

 Perhaps the locals have a sense of irony, however, as the ridge it is built on is called “Iron Mountain”.

The sanctuary was created in the 1920s by Edward Bok, a Dutchman who wanted to transform the area into a sanctuary that would “touch the soul with its beauty and quiet”. He created beautiful landscaped gardens as well as a walking trail which allows visitors to explore the upland habitat of Lake Wales Ridge. His crowning glory, however, was the building of a 205ft marble carillon tower which is now a National Historic landmark.

We took a walk around the wildlife trail and were very impressed both by the plant life and by the wildlife. A birdwatcher’s “hide”, or to give its official name, the “Window by the Pond”, kept us enthralled for a while as we watched birds reptiles and racoons at the pond.

The wonderful marble tower itself is the focal point of the sanctuary, and its artistic detail is impressive. Don’t forget your camera, as the shot of the tower reflected in the water is not to be missed.

The carillon itself houses 60 bells, all made in Loughborough, England, and there are daily concerts, with brief selections being played every half hour throughout the day. Unfortunately it is not possible to enter the “Singing Tower” as it is not open to the public, but you can visit the museum in the visitor centre where there are exhibits relating to the bells and the playing of the carillon, as well as information on the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

This is probably not a place to take the kids, but those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando will very much appreciate the peace and solitude of the beautiful gardens.

If you want to turn a half-day into a full day, why not visit the nearby town of Lake Wales as well?

Bok Tower gardens are open from 8am till 6pm, and entrance is $10.

To get there proceed south from Orlando on U.S. Highway 27 for approximately 23 miles. Two traffic lights past Eagle Ridge Mall turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. Then turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles then turn left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). After about a mile, on your left, you’ll see the entrance sign to BokTowerGardens.

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS) is a not-for-profit organization. Its active volunteers are permitted by the Florida authorities to work with endangered and threatened sea turtles, and a Florida State Permit allows them to guide groups of visitors to observe nesting loggerhead sea turtles. 

During the Loggerhead sea turtle nesting season peak in June and July, the STPS provides public “Turtle Watches” several nights a week.

During June 2008, the Turtle Watches ran on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. During July (except for July 4th) they were scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 

We made reservations for the trip well in advance of going out to Florida, and would recommend you do the same, as the Turtle Walks are very popular.

We were given instructions to meet in a small public hall one rainy evening, just north of Melbourne Beach. There were about twenty of us, and we were nearly outnumbered by the volunteers.

After a cup of tea and a biscuit, we sat down to a slide show, and a talk on the various species of turtles found on the Florida coast. While this was happening, most of the volunteers were out scouting for Loggerheads heading up the beach to lay their eggs. We were then led out by the volunteers, and made our way quietly along the beach until we came upon the chosen turtle. The volunteers used an infrared lamp to allow us to watch the eggs being laid, and this went on for some time, the turtle quite unperturbed and not at all aware of our presence. Eventually all the eggs were laid in the sand, and the turtle expertly filled in the hole with sand and made her way back down the beach and into the Atlantic once more.

It was a fabulous experience, and we made our way back to Orlando, tired but happy. It’s certainly not something you see every day.

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society is at P.O.Box 510988-0988, Melbourne Beach, Florida FL 32951-0988.  Call 321-676-1701 to make a reservation.

The preserve is open to the public 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and the entrance fee is $3 ( paid into an “honesty box” when we visited in the summer), and there is a lot of information available about the 12,000 acre sanctuary, as well as a trail guide leaflet.

The preserve was established in 1992, to restore the land to its original wetland state. It was previously managed for cattle and many of the original species had been lost through cattle grazing, ditching, and logging. The drained wetlands have now been repaired, and the area is now host to more than 300 wildlife species including bald eagles, Florida scrub-jays, sand hill cranes, Sherman’s fox squirrels, eastern indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. More than 50 different butterfly species have also been spotted here.

The wilderness trail is 2.45 miles long, but you can do a small loop (1.02 miles) or a large loop (2.15 miles). In the middle of summer, the small loop was all we could manage in the heat, but there is a lot to see in the way of wild plant and birdlife.

It is recommended that you carry drinking water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and certainly avoid all contact with poisonous plants and wild animals!

There is a picnic area which overlooks Lake Russell, a shallow undeveloped lake with a wonderful view of Cypress trees and wetlands. Apparently, if you were to take a Kayak north from the lake, up through Reedy Creek, you would end up in Disney World!

We were rather impressed that the Disney Corporation should co-operate with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Nature Conservancy and several other public bodies to fund this project - especially as it was not advertised anywhere. We discovered subsequently that the setting up of the conservancy was to offset the wetlands lost as a result of the building of Walt Disney World just up the road, and was part of the conditions set out to allow WDW to be built. Presumably the Aviation authority was part of the co-operation for the same reason. Whatever the reasons, be they altruistic or business-based, it is good to know that the Florida authorities do ensure that natural wetlands, destroyed for building projects, are restored elsewhere.

We did this in July this year, and combined it with a trip to the KennedySpaceCenter.

We chose the Bioluminescent Kayak Tour, which runs in the evenings from June to October. During these warm summer months, when it gets dark, the waters of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon are lit up with a naturally occurring bioluminescence. Any movement in the water produces an eerie light, and as you paddle you will leave a stream of illuminated bubbles in your wake.

We arrived in the evening an hour dark, at the Haulover Canal Launch on MerritIsland, near Titusville. After some instruction, having been kitted out with life jackets and nightlights - and having signed the inevitable waiver - we set off, two to a kayak. There were around half a dozen kayaks to the group, with three guides.

We immediately spotted manatees, who came to investigate us and swim around for a while. As we paddled up the Indian River we saw dolphins, more manatees, and racoons on the bank of the river. There was, of course, also the usual plethora of birdlife.

As darkness arrived, the bioluminescence burst into life. In Mosquito Lagoon, we paddled through a school of mullet which leapt out the water all round us, in a bright bluey-green glow. Quite amazing!

There was a slightly unnerving incident when one of the kayaks –not ours I’m happy to say) was hit by a large animal underwater. The couple in the boat were certain that it was a very large alligator. Happily we all got back to land safely.

The trip lasts two and a half hours and cost us $32 each. - well worth it for a bit of real-life excitement and wildlife watching.

Words of warning: you may just have spotted that the trip took place partly in Mosquito Lagoon. It doesn’t get that name for nothing, and it is important that you dress appropriately and take plenty of repellent. You will also get wet, so make sure you have a change of clothing with you.

“A Day Away” provide other kayaking tours, as do various other companies. Why not give it a go? You won’t regret it..

The guide on board is very knowledgeable and loves to discuss  the different birds and animals that you may see and will always stop so that visitors have ample opportunities to view them.  

We have been several times and each visit has shown us new and exciting wildlife.  There  are many alligators to spot, some much larger than others, and from a safe distance there are many opportunities to take the memorable photo of “the one that got away”.  The trip will last about 20 – 30 minutes, make sure you have plenty of sun cream on before you climb aboard, remove your hat and anything else that is not firmly attached to you, if you don’t you will most certainly loose it.

There is a small shop where you can buy a few souvenirs, reference books, drinks and food.  All the staff are really friendly and will answer most of the questions that you  may have regarding your trip out onto the lake.

There are opportunities to hire a smaller craft for a private party, but they have to be booked in advance,  this I am sure would give you greater freedom to seek out the quieter corners of this very large lake. 

All in all a really good way to spend a quieter day away from the theme parks, and to see a more natural Florida.

Actually, lots of things stir - exotic birds, turtles, snakes and alligators - most of them alerted by the noise of the oncoming Airboat.

Now if you are looking for a quiet refined mode of transport, this may not be for you. It’s a bit like sitting in a tin tray with an enormous fan at the back, and ear defenders are supplied. However, if you are looking for a wild ride over swamp, lake, and a bit of dry land, you’ll have the time of your life. Disney - eat your heart out, this is a thrill ride, and it‘s REAL!

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides are to be found at South Port - which really is in the middle of nowhere, away from all the hustle and bustle of Kissimmee. From the 192, take the road to Poinciana, south of Kissimmee, then the South Port Rd to South Port - it’s the end of the road so you can’t miss it. You will pass Horse World on the way down Poinciana Boulevard, so if you want to combine your airboat trip with a trail ride Western-style you can do that too.

The normal airboat ride last half an hour, and no reservations are needed. Just fork out the $25 required (unless you have come prepared with a voucher available from all good coupon magazines which gives each adult $1 off the price). You can, if you prefer, take a 45 minute private tour (up to 6 persons at $45 each) or plump for a one hour Night Tour between March and October, gliding through the swamp searching for gators, but you will need to make a reservation for that.

While you wait for your Airboat ride to go, you can handle an alligator, and have a snap - sorry, perhaps that should be a “photograph” - taken doing so. Don’t worry, the gator in question will be one of the baby ones - two years old, and as many feet long.

On our tour, we did see alligators, one adult (seven or eight feet long) and lots of little ones, but the ride is equally rewarding for the large number of birds that manage to get in the way of the boat (or is it the other way around?). We saw ibis, egret, crane, and heron, as well as larger birds such as a snail kite and an osprey.

There are several Airboat Ride companies operating in the area. Why not give one of them a try? You’ll love it!