For those of you just joining the series, back in 2008 my friend Diana and I celebrated our retirements by taking a 65 day road trip. The plan was to take secondary roads only from Michigan to Florida and back. It didn't take long to realize there were three personalities in the car! There was Diana, myself, and Gertie GPS!
As we left the hotel in Dundee it was 48 degrees. We were wearing sweatshirts because it wasn't quite warm enough for lighter wear. However, the sky was a clear and beautiful blue!Off we went to the historic Bok Sanctuary.
We paid at the entry gate and drove a little more than a mile through orange trees laden with fruit. Gertie GPS minded her manners!
A sign along the way warned "Gopher Tortoise crossing" We pulled up to Spanish style buildings. Inside we registered and were given basic information and a schedule of Carillon concerts. (Bell concerts from the tower.) We viewed a 20 minute informative video about the founder, Edward Bok.
Bok Sanctuary is on Iron Mountain, the highest point on the Florida peninsula. The apex of the Lake Wales ridge is the site of Bok Tower. The tower houses the carillon of 60 bronze bells, ranging from 16 pounds to nearly 12 tons!
As we started up the path we were amazed at the beauty of the place! We took a path to a little building- "The Window by the Pool"-- where visitors sit on benches and watch ducks, squirrels and birds in their natural habitat. It was a hushed atmosphere in which we could hear birds calling to each other!
Sitting quietly on one of the many benches I heard the wind in the trees-almost like a gentle hum-with a background of bird songs! Clearings are in abundance along the walkways, with flowers and flowering bushes placed to give pleasure to the eyes! Diana called this place "Serene". How right she was!
The Carillon played every half hour. While we sat it played "How Great Thou Art". It was very moving and expressed our feelings perfectly!
One could almost step back in time and see Edward Bok standing on the top of his mountain, viewing the valley below. He must have closed his eyes, as I did, and listened to the chorus of birds, the scurrying of little animals, and the breeze singing through the trees. His goal for peace, preserving beauty, and serenity was met.
He developed a place close to Heaven on Earth, a true sanctuary for man as well as plant and animal. The hushed beauty invites you to to quiet your mind and spirit and settle into the tranquility of nature at its best.
Though there was a crispness in the air the sunshine had a comforting effect, like a warm shawl around your shoulders.
When it was time to go I reluctantly left that place, A plaque along the way out read :
"I walked only a few paces before the mixed fragrances and bright colors of native plants and songs of thousands of birds enticed me into this paradise."
As we left Boc Sanctuary I fell into a quiet thoughtfulness, reliving in my mind and heart the beauty I had experienced. Boc's grandmother told him just before he left the Netherlands at the ag of 6 to come to America- "Make you the World a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it!"
I'd say he certainly did just that!
Until Next Time, Dear Readers!
Life Is Indeed An Adventure, And Being Privileged To Experience Such Beauty Makes The Adventure Blessed Indeed!
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