Wildlife: Wildlife sightings vary depending on the time of year, the weather, and even the time of day. Birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, and a variety of native plants including wild orchids may be seen from the boardwalk. Due to natural predators such as mosquito fish and dragonflies, mosquitos are not a great nuisance in the swamp.

Directions: It is at the end of Sanctuary Road West, north of Immokalee Road (County Road 846), approximately 15 miles east from Exit 111 on I-75. Visible, brown informational signs along Immokalee Road assist in finding the Sanctuary. Do NOT take Exit 123 (Corkscrew Road) which does not connect!

Bok Sanctuary

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales,
FL 33853. Tel: 863.676.1408.

A place of tranquillity in beautiful surroundings. Bok Sanctuary is a mix of gardens (full of azaleas and camelias in the early Spring), peaceful woodland walks, surprising views (the highest point in Florida), mirror-like lakes, beautiful birds, a coral pink tower from which a carrillon of bells plays music hourly and a live recital at 1pm and 3pm each day - with the shade of centuries-old live oak trees to enjoy the music under. We have been back many times and it is always ‘new’. They have frequent ‘special events’, outdoor concerts, exhibitions and displays. Call ahead to check what’s on or go to: http://www.boksanctuary.org/

Directions from I-4, East or West: Take Exit 55 and proceed south on U.S. Highway 27 for approximately 23 miles. Proceed two traffic lights past Eagle Ridge Mall. Turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. At the caution light, turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). Proceed on Burns Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you’ll see a main entrance sign to Historic Bok Sanctuary. Turn left for the entrance gate.

The more that the theme parks put their prices up the more that people are looking for cheaper alternatives to enjoy their stays in Florida - and to keep the kids happy.

During our Guest’s successive wintering in the sunshine we have built up a valuable ‘store’ of trips to make to places where the admission price was often only a dollar - or maybe just a few dollars more. The greatest source of these is the wonderful resource of Florida state parks and recreation areas and historic sites.

Here are just a few that we have visited and enjoyed ourselves.

Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Ave.
Orange City, FL 32763

Named Florida’s best manatee observation point. Blue Spring produces 105 million gallons of crystal clear water a day. Fishing, canoe and kayak rentals, picnic areas, scuba diving, swimming, camping, nature trails and the historic Thursby House. A designated manatee refuge, Blue Spring is visited by numerous West Indian manatees during the winter months. (Best avoid weekends and holidays - very crowded then)
Directions: I-4 W. to Exit 114 in Deland. West to U.S. 17, south to French Ave. in Orange City. West on French Ave. to Park Entrance.

Rock Springs Run Reserve State Park
Off State Road 46 (at entrance to County Road 433; County Road 433 not marked) Sorrento, FL32776

Rock Springs Run State Reserve is approximately 14,000 acres of a variety of plant communities typically found throughout Central Florida’s landscape. The reserve is located approximately 30 miles north of Orlando and easily located off of I-4 at the exit for S.R. 46; then follow S.R. 46 west for almost 10 miles. The property was purchased in March 1983 for habitat preservation, for watershed protection and to provide recreational opportunities in the Central Florida area. Directions: Off S.R. 46, 3 mi. W of Wekiwa River Bridge.

De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
De Leon Springs, FL 32130

Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. By the 1880s, the springs had become a winter resort promising “a fountain of youth.” There is excellent swimming in the spring, which remains at 72 degrees year round. Canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals are available for exploring the springhead and spring run. Visitors can enjoy an outdoor picnic or dine at the “Old Spanish Sugar Mill” Restaurant where guests can make their own pancakes at the table. (Great fun for the whole family!) Directions: From I/4 N. of Orlando take SR.17/92, then S.R. 17 to De-Leon Springs, turn onto Ponce de Leon Blvd. The park is located at the corner of Ponce de Leon Blvd. and Burt Parks Rd.

Since we bought our villa at Davenport 10 years ago there has been all sorts of development on the US 27, even so, there are still vast open spaces to visit.

Driving along the 27 towards Clermont one day we spotted a sign for Lake Louisa State Park. We stopped to pick up a leaflet and decided to come back another day. There are log cabins in the park so you can actually stay there, there is also an RV park - we were amazed at the size of some of those vehicles but what a fabulous place to stop.

We were just out for the day though to go walking. Obviously being on holiday we didn’t have our walking boots, we were just in trainers but the trails were well defined, flat and easy to walk in trainers. You just need a back pack of some description to carry drinks.

We were there for about 8.30am which was a good move because some parts of the trail were out in the  open and it was very hot as the morning went on. There are a number of routes to choose from depending on how far you want to to go.

We parked at the head of Lake Louisa and walked for a couple of hours from there. The trail takes you through woodland, close to streams and smaller lakes and the scenery is lovely. It was also very quiet and peaceful, we didn’t see another soul all the time we were out.

The trails are clearly signed and easy to follow. When we got back to the car park we went out to the edge of the lake and found that there was a beach and picnic area which would have been really nice, we’ll know for next time. There are also toilets and water fountains there. There are primitive campsites in the park, you can also go horseriding, cycling, fishing and canoeing or just hiking as we did.

Kelly Park is near Apopka adjacent to Wikiwa Springs State Park which is also very popular. Turn off the I4 at exit 60 for the 429 to Apopka take exit 33 for US-441 turn left at s. Park Ave and continue on Rock springs Road. Turn right at E. kelly Park Road and follow the signs.

Just before turning right into the approach road to the park, there is a grocery store on the left and a bar on the right. The bar also hires large balck rings for floaitng on the water for a few dollars. Entry to the park is also very cheap.

It was early January when we visited but the weather was very warm. We found ourselves almost alone in the park but I’m told that it is very popular in the summer. There is plenty of car parking amongst the trees and we made for the children’s play area at first where the boys had a wonderful time. There are plenty of picnic tables amongst the trees and there is also a kiosk where they sell snacks and drinks but not in the “off” season when we were there. The shop was in the centre of the park near the water where there are also changing rooms, showers and toilets, all beatifully clean.

We entered the water where there is a sort of pool near the changing rooms. This proved to be a mistake as parts of that area are deeper and my young grandson’ns arms weren’t long enough to reach over the side of the large ring to paddle. The best thing is to enter the water further upstream when the very slow current will take you along through the area where the pool is and further downstream. The stream itself is very shallow. After the initial mishap, I walked with my graqndson in his ring and the water was mainly around waistlevel and never got above my armpits and I am only 5 foot tall. It is a bit disconcerting at first to find oneself wading through the weeds but once I realized what they were I was fine.

We ended the day in the children’s part of the pool where there is a paddling area and also a sandpit. The water was beatifully clear and the children were able to see all the little fish swimming around. It was a lovely day that cost very little but just as much of an adventure for my grandsons and going on the rides in the theme parks.

During a conversation with locals we were asked if we had ever visited one of the areas national parks. We hadn’t so we looked for information on the internet and decided to visit Blue spring national park.

The park is located about 35 miles from Orlando and the main attraction (for us) was the fresh water spring.  

The water rises from the spring at a temperature of around 20c and during the cooler months can become a temporary winter home for manatee.

The spring deposits its water into the St Johns so during the summer the manatee can still be found within the park area. The animals always nearby ready to swim back to the spring area when the cooler months return.

Within the park area is an under cover BBQ area, a supplies shop, cafe and a diving equipment hire shop (face mask flippers etc) which can be used to snorkel / swim in the area of the spring.

The spring itself is open for public use but if the temperature cools swimmers must be prepared to vacate the water for the retuning manatee.

Boat trips are available either by John boat (which last about 2 hours), The crew double up as park guides and provide information on points of interest and they are very informative, or for the more energetic and adventurous canoes or Kayaks are available to explore the St Johns river.

The park is home to numerous types of wild life and visitors can expect to come across anything from snakes to alligators.

The area is a complete contrast to the vision most visitors have to an entertainment park in Florida.

If you are looking for a day of peace and quiet and want to get back to nature a visit to Blue springs or one of the many other national parks might just do the trick.

Brian Pearson