Exploring "the real Florida" is a statement made on the state park brochures. This week we have been doing just that at Lake Kissimmee State Park. This place is somewhat remote but has paved roads and even internet through our hotspot. We have done some two and three hour hikes which gave us opportunities to do more bird watching.
The 30 foot observation deck was good for wildlife viewing.
The Crested Caracara (hawk) was a new sighting for us.
It has also been fun coaxing the Northern Cardinal to come close to us at the picnic table to sample some peanuts.
On the Gobbler Ridge Trail we saw numerous Wild Turkeys but these we saw in the campground.
At almost any time we could see the "ugly" Turkey Vultures either soaring or perched in a tree.
We have frequently seen the Florida Sandhill Crane, but this time also seeing one of them doing it's mating dance.
These Racoons were in the campgrounds dumpster and we were wondering how they would get out.
Wednesday we took a ride outside the park to check out another camping option since we could not get a reservation for the weekend. On returning to the truck after a discussion at the campground office Jim opened the truck door and was surprised by a 2 foot long yellow rat snake slithering out between the door and fender area. Before this happened the truck did some sputtering and Jim now thinks it might have been because the snake was under the hood. Annette said this was more nature than she wanted to see. The tree frogs which frequent the space between the truck door and frame was enough cold-blooded creatures for her.
A historic feature of this park is it's 1876 era Cow Camp explaining the difference between the cow hunter and the western cowboy. Instead the cow hunter used trained dogs and a whip known as a drag to drive the cattle. It was the loud crack of the drag that caused the cow hunters to become known as "crackers". The cow camps consisted of a holding pen for the cows and a primitive shelter for the men built along the cattle drive routes. Unfortunately we missed the weekend live re-enactment.
This relaxing and restful week has given us the opportunity to
create these meals in the RV kitchen.
Salad with berries, grilled lemon chicken and feta cheese (thanks Kim it was great).
Zuppa Toscana Soup.
Grapefruit pie.
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