We started heading toward Orlando to pick up Marissa, and stopped for a few nights at the Cypress Campground & RV Park in Winter Haven. The main reason for stopping here was to visit with one of Randy’s friends that he graduated from the Sheriff’s Office academy with, so we were glad that it worked out to get together for lunch one day. We met at Lucille’s American Cafe, which was excellent! They had some pretty unique combinations of food. For example, I got the Macadamia Crusted French Toast which had an orange glaze on it — so good! We’d definitely eat here again to try out more on their menu if we were ever in the area again.
We drove around one evening and stopped at the Winter Haven Winter Wonderland. Besides the food truck, crafts, movie and Christmas decor, they also had “snow”! It was made out of bubbles/foam, so it wasn’t cold and didn’t stick to the ground at all, but it was still neat. We also walked down a few blocks of Central Avenue and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere and evening weather.
The next day, we went to the Bok Tower Gardens and learned about its “singing tower”. It was all very impressive! Bok Tower holds one of the largest carillons in the world, with 60 bells weighing about 62 tons total (5 octaves with bells from 16 lbs – 12 tons). It’s played using a keyboard (clavier) similar to a piano, by hitting keys with fists and feet. The keyboard connects wires and levers to the bell clappers that strikes inside of the bell, causing it to ring. We heard Geert D’hollander play, a Belgian-American composer and carillonneur. After the concert, he talked with the audience and said he has been playing for about 35 years and has played at about 400 of the 600 carillons found around the world. The sound of the carillon isn’t my favorite to listen to, but I can still appreciate the talent it takes to play it.
The gardens around the tower were also very impressive. We roamed around the outer path and admired the variety of plants and trees. Edward Bok brought together masters in their fields to design the tower and gardens and to do the work, then opened it up to the public to visit as thanks for all the opportunities and success America had given to him. And we were fortunate enough to get to enjoy his gift!
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