Monster School Bus

Here is the school bus we rode on around the 8000 acre ranch. They drove us all around the ranch with lots of oak trees. They also drove us INTO a pond filled with captive alligators. One was 12 feet long. Since they are in captivity and not in the wild we got to feed them which is illegal in the wild. The gators ate chicken and marshmallows. Next time I will show a few gators.

Orlando?

We are in Orlando for 4 days on spring break. We have been to most of the places people like to visit in Orlando, so this time we did something a little different. We took an airboat ride about 20 miles south of Orlando way out in the country on a huge lake that is part of the headwaters for the Everglades. It was so beautiful and peaceful out there. Of couse the airboat itself was rather loud, but it was a lot of fun speeding across the lake and plants in the lake. Next time I will show you the school bus we rode on too!

Photo Friday: Sentimental

I love this picture of my grandmother from the early 1900's. She died young so I never met her, but I think this picture is so cute.

Another horse race

Here is what they call a flat race at the Steeplechase. It is flat because there are no jumps. The horses get real close to the railing and close to the spectators trying to get some great shots if they are lucky!



Here they come around the bend.


They are getting closer!


Wow! Look at that horse go!


Gone!

Photo Friday: Heat

This is a picture of how they used to boil the juice from sugar cane to make cane syrup. For many years I have seen the large pots used for this, but had never seen anyone actually using one. I guess there are not many people left who know how. It was a great to finally see how the pioneers in Florida used to make syrup.

Pegasus?

No, the horse isn't really flying! It just looks like it in this picture. We went to the Little Everglades Steeplechase in Dade City and saw the horses race and jump over the jumps. Dade City is north of Tampa, not anywhere near the Everglades, that is just the name of the horse ranch. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I will share a few more pictures this week. I promise!

Photo Friday: Addiction

No, I am not addicted to squirrels! LOL I love nature and love hiking in beautiful places with nature and wildlife. I guess you can call it a mild addiction.

Photo Friday: Alone

I love to see wading birds at the beach. This sand piper was alone for a short while at a beach north of Daytona Beach on the east coast. This beach has very orange looking sand that contains a lot of broken shells that are finely broken up.

It has been a long time since my last "daily" post. Things have been so busy lately, but hopefully will be slowing down a little now. I miss taking and sharing my photos.