Wekiwa Springs State Park

Today we left resort and theme park Florida and spent some time in one of the central Florida state parks.  Temps were in the high 80s so this shaded park was welcome.  Wekiwa Springs stays at a constant temperature of 72 degrees and a century ago the water was thought to be therapeutic.  Today people were enjoying swimming, snorkeling and boating in it.

Palm fronds

Boardwalk through the scenic forest

Pool day

Before putting Jenni and Will on a plane back to Virginia, we spent some time at the pool this morning.......

Will's good buddy Keelyn

Will and his mommy

Will and the cousins who were in Florida with him.

Kylie, Keelyn and Ella

Lego land

Lego land is a brand new theme park adjacent to Cypress Gardens near Winter Haven.  Will is an avid Lego-assembler so he was having a great time today.  Another beautiful day in bright Florida sunshine........ho hum.

Washington, DC in Legos.

Me and the old man.......

On the pond

Our window overlooks a large pond surrounded by a golf course.  When here (not very often) we watch golfers lose their balls in the water.  Also watching is an egret and a great blue heron.  Jim caught them with his camera (Ella with her phone.)

Madame Egret is camera-shy and runs away.

The heron stays around to give us some good photos......

"How do you like my profile?"

Sunday in Florida

First of all, the weather is GORGEOUS here....San Diego-type weather in the low 80s and clear with no humidity.  I spent some time out with my camera, then welcomed Jenni's friends the Wolcotts who live in Florida to join us for the afternoon and dinner.  We all gathered around the pool......7 adults and 6 children and had a great time.

Not sure what this is, but it is plentiful and grows on bushes.

Kudzu...saw a lot of this near Savannah last year.  It looks nice in pots around plants.

Jeremy (Jenni's adult friend) taught the kids that these little lizards they like to catch attach to ears (by biting).....such a fun and painful past time....Ella volunteered.  Think we promised her money.

Pyramid

Ella, Will, Bailey, Adam, Kylie and Keelyn

Welcome to Florida

Love this welcome center best of any we have been to...friendly people and free OJ and grapefruit juice for us travelers.

OK, camera....what did you focus on?  The sign?  Certainly not Jim......

In South Carolina

On our way to Orlando for a week, we are staying tonight in Florence, SC where these beautiful azaleas bloom outside our hotel.