My next stop was Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, Florida.
I was amazed by the change in landscape. For the past several weeks, I had been near the shore. Everything there was flat-flat-flat. The plants in the parks were a combination of saw palmetto, mature pine and palm trees.
As I got further away from the coast, the land started changing. It was actually starting to get hilly. And there were orange groves – LOTS of orange groves.
I had been wondering where all the orange groves were. That orange grove was right across the entrance from the State Park. I entered, checked in and then started driving to my campsite.
Lake Louisa State park had a bunch of lakes, not just Lake Louisa. I passed several of them on the way to my camp site. After I got backed in – on one pass, mind you – and hooked up, I went to check out the main lake.
I was amazed to find swamp up here in the highlands. Not only was it on top of a hill, it was right next to the lake. And, there is water under the light green plant material.
This lake had a swimming beach. Hmm…I wonder what that sign says?
NOTICE
Dark Water
No Lifeguard on Duty
Swim at your own risk.
Hmm…
Yep, the water is dark, all right. I read that it is dark because of the tannins leeching out of the plant material in the swamp, which drains into the lake. Kind of like the water in Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, that I saw last summer. There was a sign that said that the water isn’t harmful to plants, animals or human, but I did wonder if it would give me an instant “tan”.
The thought of having one of these guys cast a hook into me while I was swimming made the brown water even less appealing.
So, I settled for looking around. One thing I saw was a monument to an aviator who had crashing into the lake during a training exercise during World War II. I was intrigued that the flier’s last name was Gilmore – a big name in Kalamazoo, which is where I lived for the roughly 30 years before hitting the road. I Googled the name, but it turns out that he was from Pennsylvania.
I found out in reading more about the park that the land had previously belonged to a family by the name of Bronson, which is another big name in Kalamazoo. What are the odds?
The park was quite large and had cabins as well as campsites. These cabins, however, are like no other cabins that I have ever seen in a state park.
This is what the Park says about the cabins:
“Lake Louisa State Park’s 20 cabins overlook beautiful Dixie Lake. The cabins accommodate up to six people and have two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen (with appliances) and dining/living room. Dishes, pots and pans, silverware, linens, towels, picnic tables and rockers on the porch are also provided. All you need to bring is your food and personal items.”
Rockers on the porch!
And a view of Dixie Lake.
All this for $120 a night.
Oh, and do you know what makes this even more special? It’s only a short drive from Orlando! And you know what’s in Orlando, don’t you?
Now, I wan’t planning to go take in the wonders of all things Disney. For one thing, this was still during the Christmas/New Year break. And if there is one thing I like less than spending money, it is spending money to be in crowds. But, I couldn’t resist driving over to check it out and see what I could see.
I had always had a thing for domes. I would have like to have seen the dome at Epcot.
The art deco motif kind of reminded me of Crystal Beach Amusement Park in Crystal Beach, Ontario, back in the good old days.
I finally got to the last gate – the gate to the Magic Kingdom!
Now, I wasn’t planning to pay the $20 to park, as I wasn’t going to the park. When I pulled up to the booth, though, I almost wanted to! The attendant greeted me in his best Mickey Mouse impersonation! I was so tickled! I explained that I was just out for a drive, and he directed me to where I could turn around.
The attendant gave me an idea, though. I thought that maybe I might want to consider getting a job there some winter.
While I was driving around, I saw the Casting Office and I thought I’d stop in and inquire. Well, it is quite the place!
You grab ahold of the nose of one of the whimsical doorknobs and walk right in to a small rotunda with statues on pedestals.
And then go up a long ramp to a reception desk.
I was greeted warmly and I explained what I was after. She told me that their roles are listed on the internet and that when I am ready to join them, I can look up the information online. She told me to check at waltdisneyworld.jobs and to follow them on Facebook.
Facebook! I love Facebook!
I thanked her and then headed back to Bart. (the Big Ass Red Truck) On my way out of the building, I noticed more special Disney touches.
Faux plaster peeling off the faux stonework.
And murals!
I have to say that the one with Mickey and the trailer was my favorite one.
And, after a few days at Lake Louisa State Park, I was ready to roll again. Next stop: St. Augustine, Florida!