Ocala National Forest

Sometimes getaways are mapped out and planned.  Sometimes not so much.  That was the case with The Way Eye See It's adventure to the Ocala National Forest, which began with the usual "where should we go?" conversation the night before.  We named a few local spots, but didn't feel inspired by them.  Then Anna suggested Ocala National Forest, and we both knew that's where we had to go.  We'd both been feeling the need to escape, and not just to any old local place. Sometimes the urge to get away means traveling further than you own back yard.

Established in 1908, the Ocala National Forest is, at approximately 383,000 acres, Florida's second largest forest, after Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee.  Because it's so huge, we knew we'd see only a scrap of what it has to offer.  With that in mind, we decided to drive along the Florida Black Bear Scenic Highway, a National Scenic Highway, passing through the heart of the forest.  We did attempt to get a map at the rangers' station, but it was closed, so we let Mother Nature guide us. 

There are four natural springs in the forest, and we followed signs to Juniper Springs, which is a campground and recreation area.  There's also a pretty cool mill with functioning waterwheel, which was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.  

CCC-built Mill

It's a beautiful area, lush and green and filled with butterflies: Zebra Longwings, Easter Giant Swallowtails, and Giant Swallowtails.  

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

We walked the 3/4 mile nature trail past the mill and into the forest, and looked out over the spring, with its  bubbles and boils (like Yellowstone).  We heard lots of birds in the pines and oaks, and really hoped to see a Florida Scrub Jay, but everyone remained out of sight. The only visible wildlife was a decent-sized gator snoozing half-submerged in the water.  In that part of the spring, there are patches so white, they're icy-looking.

         

icy-looking patches

From Juniper, we headed east, and came across The Yearling Trail, which was exciting. We're both Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings fans, so we couldn't resist walking at least a little bit of the trail.  It's where "The Yearling" was filmed, and, I read later, there are historic structures along the way.  This trail also intersects with the Florida Trail, a state-wide trail system Anna and I often talk about walking.  We passed a pile of scat as we walked, and I asked Anna if she knew what it was.  The Ocala National Forest has the highest concentration of Florida Black Bears in the state, and we knew it wasn't bear scat.  But, when Anna replied, "Well, hell, I don't know!" it confirmed we need to be more prepared for real hiking!



Yearling Trail

Back on the highway, we drove until we came across Silver Glen recreation area, where a dozen turkeys were cruising around.  We then turned onto the dirt trail to Shanty Pond, and what a gorgeous drive. Blooming golden rod lined the path, and gulf fritillaries fed on the flowers.  We kept ears and eyes tuned to scrub jays, but still no luck, and no black bears, either.  Since we weren't sure how long this trail was, and hadn't reached Shanty Pond after a few miles, we decided to turn around and head back the to the highway.  It was gettting late anyway, and time to go home.

Gulf Fritillary

Driving and walking through the forest was even more restorative than either of us had expected, and what a great day it turned out to be. Our spontaneity definitely paid off.  Even traveling mapless paid off.  Sometimes not all who wander are lost.

I-75 Sunset

"Look deep into nature and you will find the answer to everything."   Albert Einstein

                               



Bok Tower

Who knows what would have become of the lovely rolling hill overlooking Lake Wales, FL, if it weren't for Edward Bok.  Like so many other natural spots in our state, it probably would've become a hilltop of condos.  As luck would have it, though, Dutch immigrant and Philadelphia resident, Edward Bok, spent the winter of 1921 in Florida, and fell in love with the landscape - specifically, with that rolling hill overlooking Lake Wales.  Bok had a vision for saving that land, a peaceful sanctuary for both humans and birds, and Bok Tower Gardens was born. 

I love geniuses who come up with simple ideas.  Even more, I love geniuses who follow through, especially when they're nature-minded, like Edward Bok.  I grew up hearing hearing about the tower and gardens, and they'd been on my "must see" list for years.  So I was excited The Way Eye See It was spending the 4th of July with plants, flowers, and birds.  And, of course, the famous Singing Tower.



Singing Tower



Bok's Singing Tower was the first carillon built in Florida, and contains, I read recently, the Andrew Brees Carillon Library, the largest library of its kind in the world.  Who knew?  Tower construction began in 1927, and was dedicated in 1929 as a gift from Edward Bok.  It's an impressive structure: 205 feet of Georgia marble and Florida coquina, colored pink, fitting for Florida.  The carillion consists of 60 bells, ranging in size from 16 pounds to a whopping 12 tons.  Art Deco in style, it's decorated with lots of birds and plants, and, on one side, there's a cool snake sundial, each hour represented by a zodiac sign.  Coincidentally, we saw a snake slither out from the bushes on the sundial side of the tower.  It went zooming after a skink, which managed to get away.

From the reflecting pool, you get an amazing view of the Tower, even though we didn't see swans floating around, like on postcards in the gift shop.  However, we did see huge, freaky lily pads, which I thought at first were trays, or a display of some kind.  After staring at them closely, I noticed veins, and one lily in the center of the pool was in bloom, but it still took me awhile to believe they were real.  They have a name (which should include the word "freaky"): Victorian Water Lily.  They can grow up to 5 feet in diameter!



Victorian Water Lily

As impressive as the Singing Tower is, is wouldn't have nearly the impact were it not surrounded by the Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr, designed gardens.  There are almost 50 acres of gardens, with a gorgeous variety of plants and flowers, ranging from prehistoric-looking silver queens to major wow-factor firecracker roses bursting with color.  I'm fairly flower-ignorant, but it doesn't take an expert to appreciate the beauty.  Besides, at the entrance to the gardens, Bok staff set up a table with cuttings of what's currently in bloom.



Firecracker Rose

Because it was July 4, there was a patiotic concert on the carillon, and what could be better than listening to "This Land is Your Land" while strolling through gardens?



Hollyhocks

Pinewood Estate, on the National Register of Historic Places, is also on Bok Tower Gardens property, and we got a glimpse of it from the parking lot.  Because we arrived late, and got absorbed in the gardens and tower, we didn't have time to tour it, but I'd definitely like to check it out next time.  Still, the Singing Tower and gardens will always be the main draw for me.  I guess I don't need to ask for whom the bell tolls....

Edward Bok died in 1930, and is buried at the base of the Singing Tower.  By the end of his life, he was a Pulitzer Prize winner and world peace advocate, but he never really left his beloved gardens on the lovely rolling hill overlooking Lake Wales, Florida.




Bok's vision for a better world