Lakeland Daycation

Here's something to ponder, if an enjoyable adventure lasts only about 9 hours, can it classify as a vacation? Before you think too hard, let me just go ahead and answer that. YES!

This week we drove about 2 hours south to visit our blogger friend, Terri, who writes at Your Friend From Florida (click on the title to see her blog). This was my 3rd trip over the years to see her environment; Gary had not been there before. Believe me, it's a very pleasant place to visit more than once.

Terri studying the menu

We drove to Terri's home, were introduced to her 2 cats (who gave us reasonable acceptance considering we were strangers to them and tend to be more "dog people" than "cat people." 👍🏻) We talked about the drive and then, per our agreement on prior text messages regarding the trip, Terri took us to lunch at Metro Diner. 

Be sure to note the "diner" decor in the above snapshot: black-and-white tile floor, chrome and leather stools at the counter, 50's style light fixtures... "Where the locals eat".

Both Terri and I ordered the San Francisco style of Eggs Benedict (which included avocado with ample Hollandaise sauce 😋). Gary got a chicken dinner, two-thirds of which came home with us in a box for our supper!

Gary, me, and Terri

I wonder. When restaurant managers are interviewing potential wait staff, is it mentioned how often they may get asked to snap pictures of the customers?!! 🤔

one of Lakeland's many famous swans

With a very satisfying lunch behind us, Terri filled my request to see the swans at Lake Morton. As history states, Queen Elizabeth sent swans to Lakeland years ago where they have multiplied over the years and delighted many visitors. 

a black swan

There are black swans, too, that are very bit as beautiful as the snowy white ones. Terri cautioned that the black swans are more aggressive or territorial than the white, particularly with regard to humans and other birds.

Internet photo

A nest of 4 eggs was easily seen from our standpoint. We did not get close; I took the (below) picture using the zoom on my phone camera. Typically the mother swan does not leave the nest except to feed and to bathe; Mr. Swan is usually nearby and humans should not approach.

swan nest with eggs

There was a caged-in area where mama swans can be with their young in a protected environment. Due to the cage, it was hard to get as clear of a photo as I would have liked. Look to the left of the large white female to see the babies just a foot or two away from her. You can't tell in this picture, but their feathers were fluffy. Note that from their waterfront location, they have easy access for swimming lessons.

Terri gave us each a plastic cup filled with bird food that looked like dog food (kibble). I thought I had taken a picture of my cup but it was kinda tricky holding that and trying to take pictures, so I guess that didn't happen. Had I put the cup on the ground, it would have been quickly emptied!

Gary with the ducks

There were many kinds of birds on the shore of Lake Morton. The ducks were the first to spy Gary with food.

Terri

The Ibis and ducks saw free food in Terri's hands, which led to more birds flying in to feed.

I have to say, tossing the food out to these birds was a lot of fun. Unlike the tendencies of human children, not a one of these birds refused the fare with negative comments. Wherever we tossed the kibble, there was an immediate rush to gobble it up. They were at our feet, not attacking or otherwise bothering us at all. I could feel their gratitude!

Ibis at my feet

The Ibis, in particular, held my attention. Their curved beaks are dark-colored, which I assumed was due to pecking into the dirt for food. While that may be true in part, my research tells me their beaks typically change in color depending on their age and during breeding season.

I have to say, feeding the birds was the highlight of my day.

Anhinga

We saw at least one Anhinga (bird). Their feathers are not waterproof, so they will stand with their wings spread out, making them to look like they are drying out their armpits!! They do that to dry their feathers. This enables them to maintain buoyancy and to prepare for flight. 

Some 40 years ago when I was living in the Washington DC area, the newspaper published this silly little ditty about ducks. I quoted it to this duck as it approached me: (suspend your sensibilities and just read it aloud as you see it)

M R ducks.

M R not.

O S A R!

C M wangs?

L I B!

M R ducks!

Leaving Terri and Gary behind, I had walked some distance along the shore with hopes to get closer to more of the swans, but apparently they were in another area. As I approached my human companions, I saw that the birds were hopeful for more kibble, but by then it was all gone. 

Terri snapped this picture of us and then it was time to see the AGB Museum (formerly the Polk Museum of Art), which was nearby. Terri worked there for many years and has employee friends who greet her every time she brings visitors.

Internet photo

The short drive to the museum was beautiful, with large trees, green lawns, flowers, lakes, birds, the campus of South Florida University, architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, and many, many of 1920s craftsman-style bungalow houses. Terri said many of them have been renovated, which seems good since their designs are 100 years old! My goodness, I would love to wander through these houses and claim one for us; but that is a highly, highly unlikely idea. This style just looks like "home" to me. 

The Brown Bungalow, 2013-2017,
for which my blog was named

Some of my long-time readers may remember that years ago this blog was named, "The Brown Bungalow" for the house I had in Castle Rock, Colorado. Now returning to the present day...

me with an art piece
made with a lot of pink

Once inside the museum (where admission is free!!), "the facilities" were found. We wandered on the first floor to see creative art from several ages and civilizations. The afternoon was getting away from us and we had some 90 miles to travel before supper, so we did not make it to the upper floors.

However, the gift shop could not be left out, and even more so because Terri still has a discount that she shared with me. My purchases were narrowed down to these 2 refrigerator magnets:

a bit of beaded art work

And this, which just made me chuckle:

I feel sure this is a true statement for many of my readers..... Carbs do have a comforting ability when life hits hard.

We expressed our thanks to Terri for showing us such a good time (she's a wonderful hostess and tour guide), hugged her goodbye, and then headed north up to our part of the state. One stop was made along the way for soft serve vanilla ice cream cones at a Burger King.

When we pulled into the garage, we had one of those "when life hits hard" moments -- the semi-annual arrival of Love Bugs is here. Blessedly, this curse lasts only about a month (TWICE a year), but when they meet their demise on the windshields and paint of vehicles, the dead bodies of these bugs are a bummer to remove. Their chemistry eats into the car paint, so it behooves us to remove them as soon as possible. 

Gary cleans the love bugs off the car;
note the front bumper.

A combination of liquid insect remover and scrubbing with fabric softener sheets gets the job done, along with a determined amount of elbow grease.

Aside from the love bugs, it was a most enjoyable daycation with a focus on friendship, shared experiences, and beauty in several forms. We went, we saw, we enjoyed, and then we got to sleep in our own bed at night!

Regarding our enjoyment of nature, these words from the Old Testament book of Job phrase it well:

But ask the animals,

and they will teach you,

or the birds in the sky,

and they will tell you;

or speak to the earth,

and it will teach you,

or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know that 

the hand of the Lord has done this?

Job 12:7-9 NIV

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara