Kayaking at Mount Dora Canal - Tavares, FL

Life has been crazily busy lately and I realized that I haven't done anything outside in a few months.  I kept reading about the Mount Dora canal and how absolutely beautiful it was.  I talked to a few of the ladies and we set out one Sunday morning.  Most of the places that you can put your kayak in around that area are private or you have to own your own for the public launches.  I called around and found that there was a place we could go and rent them from.  Buzzard Beach Bar and Grille was located in Tavares and rents their kayaks for $10/hr per person - 2 hour minimum.  Upon arriving at the place we parked and were given a brief description on the lakes and the areas. 

We started out on Lake Eustis and had to paddle to the right to make it to the canal that connects Lake Dora to Lake Eustis.  Upon first arriving in the canal we had to be careful with the electric boats, but about a mile in we were able to take a right into a less traveled more peaceful canal.  A blue heron was our guide for the day.  He flew ahead of us pretty much the entire trip, always staying a few yards ahead of us.  The canopy of trees was unbelievable and was so intense in some areas the temperature fell a good 10 to 15 degrees.  Unfortunately, we did not see any gators as mating season just ended and most are with their babies and not normally visable.

After the kayak we stopped into Buzzard Beach bar and grille for a beer and lunch.  The food was delicious the prices extremely reasonable.  I would recommend this to anyone that loves hanging out doors. 

Click here to find Buzzard beach bar and grille

CSI Experience - Orlando, FL

One day I was driving down International Drive and I drove past a sign CSI experience, so I turned the car into the parking lot to see what it was all about.  I found out it was an interactive game created by students at Rice University that allows you to be a Las Vegas CSI detective.  There are 3 cases to solve and you work through the whole process.  I asked around and one of my girlfriends was really interested in going, so we went.  They allow no photography inside - not even the lobby area.  Upon entering you sign in and get a CSI detective vest and clipboard with your crime scene form.  You are then ushered into a room where Gil Grissom discusses the importance of CSI and how they work with law enforcement to solve crimes.  We then proceeded to our crime scene where you are told to draw all the important information onto the crime scene grid.  Anything can be important!!!!  Once done with the scene you go to your colored evidence table for comparison - did you see everything?   Once you have verified that you know what evidence there is you move throughout the different areas to verify the evidence.  For instance you check the tire tread, fingerprints, substances, etc.  You walk through several of these areas and then meet the coroner for the information from the 3d autopsy.  Once you have collected and examined the evidence you will need to go through and answer questions to determine who is the killer. Will you pick the right person?  Did you find all the clues? Come out and try it today!!!!

Get your tickets online:

CSI: The Experience Online Ticket Shop
7220 International Drive, 32819 Orlando, FL
407 226 7220

Adult: $ 19.99
Children (5-12): $ 12.99
They do have FL resident specials as well and if you want to do more than one case, it is only $5.00 with 24 hours.

Child Policy: CSI: The Experience is recommended for ages 12+. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Kindly note no photography, filming nor food and drinks are permitted at CSI: The Experience.

Check out their website today - they even have an online case as well!!!!

Florida Caverns State Park - Marianna, FL

When I was a little girl, one of my fondest memories of a family vacation was when we went to Mammouth Caves in Kentucky.  I was in awe of the huge rooms filled with dripping liquid.  It was amazing to see that over time that dripping would form these beautiful sculptures that filled the entire space.  I was hooked and have loved caves ever since.  When I found out that Florida had caverns you could tour I couldnt wait.  After patiently waiting, I finally was able to get sometime off to get away.  We decided to do a mini vacation up in the panhandle area and knocked out both the Florida Caverns, but went to the Falling Waters state park as well (you can read all about that in another post).  It was very funny when we passed the Central Time Zone and gained an hour on our many hour drive up there. 

The week before we had headed up the Chipola River had flooded and much of the caverns and the trails were underwater.  The day we arrived was one of the first drier days and they decided to go ahead with the tours. I would definitely suggest if you go during rainy season to call ahead and make sure they are having the tours. (850)482-1228

We paid the basic state fee parking fee $5.00 per vehicle and an extra monies for the tour.  We were told we could walk around and then meet at the main entrance area around 9:30 for the tour.  The trails were really neat and several turned into smaller caverns.  Quite a bit of the land was still flooding from the river - but it made the view even more breathtaking.

Once you have parked you will see a very large stone building.  This has many displays discussing the flora and fauna of the state park.  It was a great place to check out before the tour began.

Some words of warning - you need to be in somewhat good shape for the climbing throughout the caves, the terrain is slippery and the tour lasts around 45 minutes.  Young children have a hard time as they are not allowed to touch anything and once you are in inside there is not wandering on your own.

Guided cave tours are offered Thursday through Monday except Thanksgiving and Christmas (no cave tours on Tuesday and Wednesday). The tour lasts 35-40 minutes and is considered to be moderately strenuous

If you or your family would like to check it out - I would say go for it - you will all be spelunkers in no time - http://www.floridastateparks.org/floridacaverns/default.cfm    

Inside the cave we had to go in the back entrance due to the flooding.  We started at the end, worked our way towards the beginning and then turned and headed back out the way we came. 

 

Falling Waters State Park - Chipley, FL

Around the end of January, Duane and I took a mini vacation.  I have been wanting to go to the Florida State Caverns for a while now and we thought this would be a perfect time.  Since the caverns and the highest water fall in Florida are several hours away from our house, we decided to hit both of them.  The Saturday we arrived in Chipley was a brisk and very windy day.  I was not expecting the waterfall to be as beautiful as it was. 

They even have a little butterfly and hummingbird garden area.

Along along the walk way there were many sink holes to check out - It would be extremely scary walking through these woods befoe the walkways were built - some of the sinkholes were a good 30 - 50ft down.

You walk along a boardwalk for a while and then you can begin to hear the sounds of the falling waters.  Upon further investigation you can see that the waterfall falls directly into a sinkhole that is about 100ft from the top.

Further investigation of the park revealed the water supply for the fall.  With the man made Lake and Dam the waterfall will be able to continue to fall for many years to come.

want to check it out for yourself - no problems - http://www.floridastateparks.org/fallingwaters/