Tag: Alligators
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Payne’s Prairie State Preserve
The draw for a 2-hour drive to Payne’s Prairie was that you could see bison and wild horses roaming free. Good luck! I understand that having wild animals right where you want them at any given moment probably involves a zoo situation, but maybe park websites should post a “chances are” percentage rate when talking
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Myakka River Canopy Walk
Myakka State Park is one of Florida’s oldest parks. It’s named after the Myakka River that flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, hammocks, pinelands and prairies. It has a 7-mile scenic drive that’s worth your time and there are lots of little side roads that lead to hiking trails or picnic areas. I went
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Croc Encounters Reptile Park
This small venue is interesting but could use some TLC. The animals are the highlight, but the setting is a bit casual and unappealing. When I made my reservation, the young man who booked it told me not to arrive early because there was nothing to do. Out front was a small dirt parking lot.
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Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park
Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park was originally inhabited by the Tocobaga Indians (500-1500). In 1982, the entire area was established for nature study. It encompasses mangrove forests, salt and freshwater marshes, coastal hammocks and pine flatwoods. Hillsboroughcounty.org says the park was minimally developed due to its “fragile and sensitive environment.” They weren’t kidding. There is
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Lettuce Lake Park
Funny how a name can influence your perceptions. I decided I wasn’t going to like Lettuce Lake long before I got there. I mean, who names a park after a vegetable? I was wrong. It’s a beautiful, quiet place – a feast for the eyes and a respite from noise and bustle. If you’re a
Lisa Browder 