Off we went to Lake Wales on Wednesday. Lake Wales is the home of the famous Bok Tower and the not so famous Spook Hill. Because this is the furthest south I've been since we moved here, I wasn't sure how far we'd have to drive. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was only 18 miles from my house.

Our first goal was to find Spook Hill. It took a bit of looking. Good signage all the way to the general area and then nothing. We drove around for a bit and finally found it by accident. Umm, no. Spook Hill does not cause your car to roll up hill. The whole experience left both of us going



Then we went to Bok Tower which was less than a mile away. $10 got us in and we wandered in to the visitor's center.



There was an exhibition of bird sculpture and photos which were magnificent. I wanted the sculpture in this picture but the price of $13,000 was a bit steep.



They had some beautiful and dramatic plants to look at.





and a great attention to detail.


I had the scooter with me but have learned that it won't go everywhere. Between the reserve on Tuesday and Bok yesterday, I now know that I won't be using it on unpaved paths. The tires are too small and the gravel or dirt sap the batteries really fast. I used it for a while but my daughter had to push it out of a couple of areas so I finally put the scooter back in the car and walked. That night I was cursing Bok Tower.

We headed up to the hill the tower is on. It's called Iron Mountain and is the 8th tallest natural point in Florida at 295 feet. The views were awesome.

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The tower is only open to the public 4 times a year and then only to people who buy a membership . Even so, just looking up at it is very impressive.



No matter where you are in the park, the tower is always in view and it does take your breath away.











Around the tower is a moat that is filled with Koi and has two resident ill mannered swans. They are lovely to look at but nasty.





The entrance to the tower is the Golden Door. It's actually bronze though, not gold.

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On the side of the tower was a large sundial.



We continued walking. I was hoping to see more wildlife than we did spot. There was a snake swimming across a pond which was interesting.

Not a very good picture but this was the bird highlight of the day... a flock of Cedar Waxwings. We had some in our neighborhood a couple of weeks ago but they were pretty far away. These birds were up the top of a tree so it was hard to get a good shot.



And we walked and walked and walked and....





Hidden Mickey




Finally the trail we were on led us back to the parking lot and we decided to head home. It was fun but tiring. I might go again someday but not for a while. If you've never seen Bok Tower, I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Spook Hill? You're on your own.

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I know this may sound odd---I miss seeing Spanish MOss hanging from trees! Thanks for the pics.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I just love that tower!

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Viirgo once again beautiful photos and I agree I love that tower so powerful so beautiful keep those photos coming tia for sharing peace. Catherine

I have said it before and I will say it again,,

Thank you,,, your pics are just awsome :-)

Loved the pics. Thank you for sharing!

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Beautiful pics! We've been there a few times~ I'm in Lakeland.

We've tried Spook Hill and it's never worked for us either!

I felt like an fool. I could just picture the locals saying, Oh look Martha, another out of town idiot. LOL!

Have you ever been to the Circle B Bar Ranch? It's down by the transfer station/animal shelter. That's Winter Haven but it's just about on the line of WH and Lakeland. What a great place!!!

Circle B Bar Reserve | Northwestern Polk County, south of Lakeland

You really have to go there if you've never been. I can't recommend it highly enough!

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I can see Bok Tower from my house every day I can sit in the family room look out the windows and there it is, get in the car and I see it, I live in Lake Wales although imo I am in Waverly.... I've tried Spook Hill Several times and nothing earth shattering there but DS thinks its cool... My favorite place to hang now is Alligator Alley in Lakeland for the line-dancing and truck pulls this weekend...yep turning into a country girl who'd a thunk it.... we have so much here that I will never see it all I am thankful that The Gardens in the defunct Cypress Gardens Amusement Park is protected by state law so the Gardens have to stay when Legoland takes over..

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No, I have not been there~ thanks for the recommendation though, I love doing outdoors~ey things with my kids. I'm going to check it out this summer!

Again....simply beautiful. I love that tower!

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~~just open your eyes and see that life if beautiful~~

If you've never seen this, it's a real treat. Someone took the Soarin' Over California music and put it to Florida scenes. At around 2:22 of the video is an ariel view of Bok Tower.

I've never understood why Disney didn't jump all over this clip and use it for the Soarin' ride at EPCOT. It's really fantastic!

YouTube - Soarin' Over Florida

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