Some Summertime Pics, Number 1

This summer has had its ups and downs. We normally spend a few weekends of the year at the beach, on one Florida coast or the other. This year, mostly due to gas prices, we have stayed "home" more and have discovered some real gems, nearby.

The following photos are of Lake Louisa State Park, in Lake County. Only a few minutes away, I'd driven past the entrance dozens of times without ever giving it much thought. A few weekends ago, my husband and I ventured in... for only a few dollars, we had access to far more than we saw. He was not in the mood for hiking that day or we would have taken the nature trails and spent more time there. But here are a few of the sights we were able to see.

This is the shore of Lake Louisa. There are picnic areas too. This is near the swimming area, but I'm more of an ocean or pool kind of swimmer.



Just near the entrance to the swimming hole, there was this magical place. I just LOVE Spanish Moss and the mystique it lends to the view...


Also near the swimming area was this massive oak tree. I'm not sure what happened to the photos of the trunk, but I'll share them with you another time.


More trees here. Did I ever mention I love trees?




We moved on, still looking for a place to ride bikes. We discovered Lake Hammond nearby.


It didn't really look much like a place to swim, but I loved the lily pads!





Standing on the observation pier, looking right and then left...




There was a family at the end of the pier. Mom excitedly told us there was a gator in the water, so we went closer to investigate. Sure enough... you can barely see him in this first one.

I was excited. I've been here in Florida for two and a half years, but this was the first gator I've seen in the wild. I stayed around till the other family left, and then made my way farther down the pier.



Then he seemed to be bored and turned away...



But he was back! He had circled around, and then came back right from underneath me...



One last shot at the park before we went looking for someplace more suitable for biking...



I could have stayed all day, and maybe when my husband is in a better mood or the temperature is a bit cooler, we will try again. I do need to get some extra storage for my camera, though!