Paving over Paradise

This area is close to Orlando and not so long ago, there were no homes here. There were only large orchards with thriving orange trees.

Every day more and more land is turned over for development. Some of us call the process "Paving over Paradise."

Off the beaten track in Cedar Key

Actually, this house is close to town...but off on a side road that leads to the marshes. I can't go by without taking a photo because it is very interesting. There are signs, however, that strangers are not welcome.

Waiting for his master

We're pretty sure this friendly chap was waiting for his master who was eating at Annie's Cafe. I had to stop and say hello because he looked so lonely. It appears, from the look on his face, that he wanted us to stick around and talk to him.

German Shepherd and country music

When visiting the Spanish Springs hometown, we found the square packed with people enjoying some rousing country music. We also found this German Shepherd and determined country music bored him to tears. So, he went to sleep. Or maybe it was the two beers that put him to sleep?

House in Clermont, Florida

Clermont is in central Florida, not far from Orlando. It is a small town, located on a beautiful lake. There is a major bicycle trail that follows the lake and also goes to Winter Garden and on to Orlando. Shortly after Christmas, we spent a day in Clermont, and rode northeast toward Winter Garden. The problem with the bike trail is that it has numerous, very steep hills. Yours truly thought they should have cut the hills down.

This little house is facing the lake at Clermont's lakefront park. You can see some Christmas decorations are still present. Lois Anne thought it most attractive and took this photo, while I tried to figure out how not to fall off my bike.

Curious giraffe

I think there was some discussion about a camel's disposition on Susie of Arabia's blog a few days ago. I don't know from camels, but this giraffe was most curious as to what the heck we were doing and he moseyed over to give us the "evil" eye!

Photo was taken a few years back at the Miami Zoo.

Excursion boat on Lake Sumter

We've posted another version of this excursion boat previously, but we like the angle and the lighting in this shot. It is our understanding that you can take a tour of Lake Sumter on this boat but we have not done so. It is a rather small lake!

Face in palm tree

We have no clue as to who cut this face in this palm tree, but it has been a fixture on Cedar Key for at least 20 years!

Private plane landing on Cedar Key runway

Cedar Key doesn't have an airport...it has one runway which is used by private planes. Some who own planes have homes along the runway. This photo was taken several years ago.

Haulover Pass Marina in Miami at night

Another photo of Haulover Pass marina at night. Different view and different colors.

Town Square entrance at Sumter Landing

Reflection

A pond and a bridge reflected at Sumter Landing.

No Trespassing

These gentlemen must not have seen the sign.

The Cedar Key Cemetery

St. James Baptist Church - Morristown

We've driven by this old Baptist church a number of times in the last 20 plus years and every time I thought I should take a photo of it. I finally did. A new building has been constructed behind this one fairly recently. It also find it interesting that it's called St. James, as Baptists generally don't recognize "saints."

Chocolate, fudge and stuff like that

Unless you are on a diet, this is a fun place to indulge your taste for chocolate, fudge and related items...

Photo by Lois Anne.

Birds on a hot tin roof

The bay and dock (and old pier)

This photo, too, was taken several years ago. In the background you can see the dock area, and the old, wooden pier, which blew away in a hurricane.

The Catholic Community of St. Timothy - Spanish Springs

Two days ago, in the early evening, we wandered around Spanish Springs in The Villages. The sun was setting as we came to the Roman Catholic Community of St. Timothy. Lois Anne took the second shot to catch the setting sun reflected in the row of windows of the parish hall (left).

We were not able to get inside, but perhaps we can do that another time.

Day ends at Haulover Pass

A few years ago, at the end of the day, Lois Anne and I walked around the marina at Haulover Pass in Miami. That's when this photo presented itself.