Two Lane Florida Adventure to Okeechobee - Day One

We left this morning traveling along Pasco County 54 to US 98 to FL 60 to 441. We traveled through several towns, from Zephyrhills, to Lakeland, Eaton Park, Bartow, Lake Wales, Hesperides, Yeehaw Junction, Fort Drum, into Okeechobee. Gator Creek Preserve is located in the northwest corner of the Green Swamp. It is a place where nature lovers can enjoy wide open spaces of peaceful, natural habitat. The reserve features miles of well-established trails, including one paved trail. The park boasts shaded pine, oak and cypress forests. Sometimes you can even see turtles, deer, turkey, fox and of course squirrels. I noticed In Lakeland that an old Sonic became a Gelati Joe's. The mascot is a gator and he is sitting on a park bench ready for a photo opportunity. Lakeland High School has an interesting mascot. It is the Dreadnaught. Dreadnaught was a World War I-era British battleship HMS Dreadnought. The name was brought to the school by a Scottish schoolmaster. The Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center on FL 60, looks like a piece of true Spanish architecture. The center brings together visual and performing arts. The Lake Wales Arts Council maintains the Center. They arrange classes, concerts, and exhibitions that change throughout the year. Lake Weohyakpka, also known as Lake Walk in the Water, is on FL 60. It is over 7,500 acres big and 12 feet deep in spots. It is known for largemouth bass fishing and produces both large numbers and trophy-sized fish. While traversing FL 60, we came across several Panther Crossing signs. I have seen deer, turtle and bear crossing signs, but never Panther. There is a group, Defenders of Wildlife, that are working to reduce the number of panthers killed on roads. Went by River Ranch, we took a bus trip there earlier this year. If you have never been to River Ranch on a Saturday night, you should go to check out the hay ride, the saloon and the rodeo. Yes, we were still on FL 60, we passed of thing most would not even know it was there, the Avon Park Air Force Range. It is a 352 square mile bombing and gunnery range. Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) consists of an 8,000 foot main runway, an operational control tower, an aircraft rescue and firefighting facility, and limited ramp and hangar facilities. There are no published instrument approach procedures and the airfield is limited to Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations only. It's the primary training range for Homestead Air Reserve Base, Patrick, MacDill, and Moody Air Force Bases. I believe the airfield is currently closed. Who does not love Yeehaw Junction. The junction's name "Yeehaw" comes from the Seminole tribe in origin and means "wolf", referring to wolves that inhabited the area. It is also known as the cross roads of Florida. The town was originally named "Jackass Junction" or "Jackass Crossing". This name was given to the four-corner site, when local ranchers rode on burros to visit the Desert Inn (then the local brothel). The Desert Inn is closed, but remains on the National Registry of Historic Places. On 441 we came across Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. The park protects one of the largest remaining stretches of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals. While driving the five-mile-long road into the preserve, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of grasslands similar to the Great Plains of the Midwest. Kissimmee Prairie’s remoteness makes it one of Florida’s premier locations for stargazing. Any military person has to mention when they travel through Fort Drum, even if it is over twelve hundred miles away from the one most of you know! Arrived in Okeechobee safely. We will share the sights of Okeechobee tomorrow.