Archive for the ‘oak park’ Category
July 23rd, 2010 | 
Author: Also called as the “sunshine state”- Florida is a fabulous vacation destination and is flocked by thousands of visitors every year. Florida is known for its’ exotic beaches, warm climate, amazing locales and stunning sceneries! However, this is not enough-Florida has much more to it! It is a heaven for all the camping enthusiasts and nature lovers because it has some of the fabulous campgrounds and RV parks!
There are numerous campgrounds and RV parks in Florida- that will provide you a unique camping, horseback riding, swimming, hiking and riding experience! Some of the most popular campgrounds in Florida are:
1. Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns state park has something for the entire family- adventures, fun, amusement and much more! There are numerous activities for you to enjoy- take a tour in the amazing underground caverns or a thrilling canoe trip up the Chipola River! Those interested in fishing, camping, swimming, golfing, canoeing and hiking will find this campground absolutely amazing and unique! Pets and barnyard animals except horses are not allowed!
2. Bahia Honda State Park
This state park is located around 12 miles South of Marathon on US1. This park contains numerous fabulous and exotic white sand beaches- such as Calusa, Loggerhead and Sandspur! If you like birding and boating then Bahia Honda State Park is an ideal choice for you! The park has three duplex cabins- furnished with facilities and can accommodate a maximum of 6 people per cabin. Each cabin contains a picnic table and grill, along with comfy beds and sofas!
3. Sunset King Lake RV Resort
The sunset king lake RV resort is good for those who like fishing, sightseeing and relaxing in the sun! The park has large campsites that can accommodate various sizes of RVs- from personal campers to “Big Rigs”. The facilities include electric service, cable TV and Wi-Fi services as well! The Sunset King Lake RV Park is situated at a rural setting; so, it is a perfect place for those who want to spend sometime away form the hustle and bustle of city life!
4. Cayo Costa State Park
Cayo Costa RV Park has some of the most stunning and attractive sceneries- acres of pine forests, mangrove swamps, oak hammocks and exotic birdlife- that can mesmerize and amaze any visitor! You may enjoy activities like camping, fishing, scuba diving, wildlife viewing and swimming. There are numerous cabins in Cayo Costa State park- furnished with classy and elegant facilities! I assure you that you will never forget your stay in the Cayo Costa state park.
These are some of the popular and frequently visited state parks situated in Florida. A visit to any of these RV Parks and campgrounds will be one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences of your lifetime. Have a happy camping experience!
Posted in Just a few minutes north of downtown Orlando awaits Winter Park, a charming picturesque suburb steeped in history. After my excursion on the Scenic Boat Tour, my local expert Wanda Salerno took me on a little walk through town past beautiful historic neighbourhoods.
With is origins as a citrus growing region, Winter Park became a major destination for wealthy northerners during the early 1900s, who came into town by train to reach their elegant winter retreats, seeking shelter from the cold winters of the north. Elegant mansions and and stately old oak trees draped with Spanish moss bear witness to this historic era.
Wanda then took me through some of Winter Park’s hidden courtyards, which are
filled with specialty retail stores and galleries. Winter Park features a large variety of galleries and I had a chance to sample three of them, all of which carried vastly different artwork:
- Scott Laurent Collections
- Native Visions Gallery
- Timothy’s
Our walk took us out on to Winter Park’s main street, Park Avenue, which houses 10 blocks of specialty retailers, galleries and ecclectic restaurants. Park Avenue is flanked on its west side by Central Park which offers a welcome sanctuary of relaxation with its graceful fountain, walking paths and shaded benches.
We then went on to explore Casa Feliz (”Happy House” in Spanish), the signature residential work of renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II.
In 1932 Robert Bruce Barbour, a chemical engineer from Massachusetts, commissioned Rogers to design a home on Lake Osceola, which turned out to be the Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse that we see today. This home was not only cherished by Barbour, but by the community as well. Throughout its history, it has hosted garden club tours, symphony orchestra concerts, poetry social meetings and a dinner for author Sinclair Lewis.
In 2001, in order to prevent the house from demolition, Casa Feliz was moved across Interlachen Avenue to its present location on Park Avenue. This move was one of the most dramatic events in Winter Park’s history. Casa Feliz was transported on 20 pneumatically levelled dollies, and an elaborate pulley system moved the house about 75 feet per hour. After the house was in position at its new location, skilled craftsmen worked on restoring it to its original 1933 condition. A special landscape design was commissioned to reflect the style of the era.
Today, Casa Feliz is available to rent for weddings, parties, business meetings and events. Its unique features provide the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable event.
As a centre of local culture, Winter Park also features three well-known museums:
- the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American art, which holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including Tiffany’s 1893 Chapel. The museum also features paintings, furniture and other works primarily from the late 19th and 20th centuries.
- the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden: 3 acres of gardens, featuring sculptures and painters by Albin Polasek. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which focuses on western world art of the 20th century and includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and other art from America and Europe. This museum is located at Rollins College, one of the top rated liberal arts colleges in the country.
The Winter Park Historical Museum examines various historic time periods, interchanging exhibits and rotating displays highlight some of the changes that have occurred in central Florida.
While I explored the town my husband actually played a round of golf at the 9-hole Winter Park Country Club, which is nestled beautifully inside Winter Park’s historic neighbourhood. The WPCC is the second oldest golf club in the Central Florida area and makes its way through the downtown Winter Park area and provides a challenge to even the most experienced golfer. He enjoyed his outing, and a cost of $12, it was an extremely affordable outing on a well-maintained golf course.
We capped off our excursion with an enjoyable dinner at a restaurant called 310 Park Avenue, right on Winter Park’s main strip. While a good portion of the Orlando area is very new, Winter Park is a welcome oasis of history and ambience that is perfect for a day of exploring.
For more information on Winter Park contact the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, www.winterpark.org.
This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_winter_park.htm
If you are looking for great hiking trails in North Texas, consider Beavers Bend Resort Park in southeastern Oklahoma. It is just 3 hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth area (the Metroplex) by car. Beavers Bend Resort Park includes Beavers Bend State Park which offers free admission. The resort offers serious nature lovers the chance to hike along ridge tops, over creek bottoms, through tall stands of timber, and into areas so remote one can almost experience what early-day explorers must have felt upon seeing the area for the first time, at its pristine best.
McCurtain County features some of the most beautiful territory in the country. The Ouachita Mountains rise and fall dramatically along the lower reaches of the Oklahoma-Arkansas line, which is densely covered with one of the oldest short-leaf pine forests in the world, as well as heavy populations of hickory and oak. Unlike most American mountain ranges, the mountains run east and west, not north and south. Cursing through those rugged ranges are several lakes and rivers, the Little, Mountain Fork, Upper Kiamichi, Poteau and Broken Bow.
The area was named by LIFE magazine as one of the “100 Places To Visit in Your Lifetime” and Dallas Observers voted McCurtain County the “Best Getaway from Dallas.”
You can pick up trail maps at the park’s nature center. There are seven trails you have to choose from, one for every skill level – from serious stroller to avid trekker.
Trail #1: Take-it-easy route. The South Park trail. 1 mile. For those who want to stay on level ground. Watch eagles fly overhead and wildlife scatter as you stroll by.
Trail #2: The Easy-Does-It Hike. The Junction with South Park. 1 mile. Also a good choice for those who want a less intensive hike and want to get “back to nature” but just a little while.
Trail #3: Beyond Beginner. Beaver Creek Crossing. 1. 5 miles. A bit more challenging. Several steep climbs.
Trail #4: Beyond beginner but not intermediate. Deer Cross – Cedar Bluff. About 2 miles. Some climbs, but not extremely steep.
Trail #5: Walk on the wild side. Cedar Bluff – Beaver Lodge Trail. 6 miles. Lots of steep grades. Designed for the more serious hiker.
Trail #6: Born to hike. Skyline. 6 miles. Steep terrain. Experienced hikers only. If you don’t have time to take the longest route (see below), the Skyline is the next best option. More challenging to some than the Cedar Bluff, nevertheless, you’ll need to be able to withstand elevation hiking. But the views you’ll see will be well worth the climb.
Trail #7: The extreme challenge. The David Boren Hiking Trail, named after the U.S. senator and former governor of Oklahoma. The David Boren Trail offers 16 miles of hiking Trails with 4 miles of multi-purpose ( mountain bike) trails that wander along ridge tops and over creek bottoms. The 12 mile Boren hiking trail runs from south to north. Starts at the low-water dam at the south end of Beavers Bend and then connects with the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail, full of steep grades. The trail is well defined and is a narrow, one-person trail – which means no bicyclists to watch out for.
Where do you stay if you travel to the Beavers Bend Resort Park? Glad you asked! The park is home to the forty-room Lakeview Lodge, and there are forty-seven different Beavers Bend cabins. Is camping more your style? The park also offers RV and tent camping. In McCurtain County, your weekend hiking getaway can include almost any kind of lodging – from a rustic cottage to elegantly-appointed log cabins nestled in the towering pines to a unique bed & breakfasts, modern motels and luxury resorts.
So, if you are looking for great hiking trails in North Texas – either for yourself or to accompany your family or that special someone – the Beavers Bend Resort Park is a great option. With many trails to choose for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers, this is a great option that is only 3 hours away from the Metroplex by car.