Mar 7, 2013 - Bok Tower Gardens

We went to Bok Tower Gardens to the south west of Kissimmee. The tower is a national monument and is set in beautiful gardens and parkland. It was set up by yet another immigrant made good. The tower is called the singing tower because the 1920's built carillion is the centre piece and concerts are given every day. We sat and listened to a concert while admiring the tower. The approach to the gardens is through an orange grove. The gardens contain a multitude of plants and animals. There is a small lake with a viewing area for wild life, a...

Jan 28, 2013 - The Candy Store

Another interesting day. A few weeks ago, Dave asked Mike if he would like to take a trip to The Candy Store some day soon, and Mike said that sounded like a great idea. A great idea? This was after Christmas and all of the extra desserts, non-stop eating, chocolates brought to Coventry from Long Island by Wendy (given to her by various students) which she made us keep! More candy, just what we need. Such a gullible one, I am! Both Dave and Mike were delighted that I fell for their joke. "The Candy Store" is actually a fisherman's tackle...

Jun 11, 2012 - Home Again

So I thought I’d add one more entry to this journal. We spent our last night in the RV in Anchorage at Ship Creek RV Park. Time to clean out the pantry and fridge and start packing things up to head onto the cruise ship Island Princess. We had met this lovely family from Washington earlier in the week and ran into them again at Ship Creek and they were glad to take some of the pantry items from us so we didn’t have to toss them! We headed out Wednesday morning to fill the gas tank and turn in the RV. The Great Alaskan folks are really well...

May 3, 2012 - maps everywhere

Maps everywhere and still deciding on routes and stops along the way. Definitely have to start thinking about what to pack! We're really excited to see parts of the country we've not seen! We're one week away from departure and another box gets checked off the 'to-do' list every day. Just click on each photo to enlarge!

Nov 4, 2011 - Heart Weekend - Kathie

The team weekend retreat 11/4/11 - 11/6/11. H.E.A.R.T - Missionary Training Institute (link) When we left for Heart my expectation was that the experience would not be much different from what we had last year. Boy was I wrong. Instead of the 'luxury' trailer that we bunked in last year that had electricity and running hot/cold water, flushing toilet, and shower, we were assigned to bunks in cabins with students. When I found this out I was disappointed and not looking forward to the weekend as much because it was forecasted to be a cold...

Nov 4, 2011 - H.E.A.R.T. Retreat

The team weekend retreat 11/4/11 - 11/6/11. Link for Pictures H.E.A.R.T - Missionary Training Institute (link) When we left for Heart my expectation was that the experience would not be much different from what we had last year. Boy was I wrong. Instead of the 'luxury' trailer that we bunked in last year that had electricity and running hot/cold water, flushing toilet, and shower, we were assigned to bunks in cabins with students. When I found this out I was disappointed and not looking forward to the weekend as much because it was...

Apr 28, 2011 - Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida

We took a day trip to visit Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, about 45 miles northeast of Wauchula. This National Historic Landmark features the landscape artistry of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., whose firm’s handiwork we have seen in several other settings, such as Central Park in New York City and Shelburne Farms in Vermont (see our entry of August 24, 2007). The land atop Iron Mountain (one of peninsular Florida’s highest points at 298 feet) was purchased by Edward W. Bok in the early 1920s for the express purpose of providing a peaceful...

Nov 30, 2010 - Bok Tower Gardens

I had business to attend to in Lake Wales and it is 75 miles from here, so I went today. It took two hours to get there, but while my mat was being repaired, I spent the afternoon visiting a National Historic Landmark on one of the highest points in Florida, the Bok Tower and Gardens on Iron Mountain. Edward Bok came over from the Netherlands as a poor boy, but became editor of the Ladies' Home Journal and made that become the best selling magazine of the early 1900s. When he retired, he built on his interest of plants and made natural...

Oct 29, 2010 - Heart Retreat Weekend

HEART (Hunger Education and Resources Training) Institute Retreat Photos Some of the team had been to HEART before, but those that hadn't didn't know what to expect. The purpose was to experience mission life in difficult circumstances but unfortunately (or luckily) the cabins were full so 14 women shared a 3 bedroom trailer - with running hot water, electricity, and toilets. Praise the Lord! It was a wonderful weekend full of team activities, song, and VBS program planning. AGENDA: Friday, October 29th 5:30 pm - Meet at Calvary, Pack the...

Feb 1, 2010 - Bluegrass and Geocaching

We left Cape Coral, Florida for a four day Bluegrass Festival at a cross road in the cattle country. The place is called Yee Haw Junction, they have a hotel and dinner. So we got to see some of our close friends at the bluegrass festival at night and roam the area during the day light hours. Good music , Good friends and Good food, what else is there in life. During the day we went out to do some GEOCACHING and see the country side of Florida.We got to Heartbreak Hotel in the town of Kenansville,in the late 1800's this was cattle town and...

Jan 30, 2010 - Lake Wales

We traveled south to Lake Wales. Tonight we are at camp Mack’s River Resort. Carriage friends Sue and Bob own a lot here. The lots are big lots with cement lots. It was 78 degrees here this afternoon. We went out for dinner with Bob and Sue and had a wonderful time. I had a full rack of baby back ribs. What a pig, oh well, I’ll have to go walking tomorrow.

Jan 29, 2010 - South Of Yee Haw Junction

We went south of Hee Haw Junction to a small place in the road called Holopaw. Next to a place to eat was our cache. After all that running around , it was time to eat. Good old Gator tail, black eyed peas, collard greens and a big glass of ice tea. As you can see we get to see things and get to talk to people and get to do things that we would do if not for GEOCACHING. After eating, we went over to Harmony, a town with a very nice play ground for the kids in "US". At Harmony was a metal sculpture that was made from a metal barn that was on...