Two
RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
went to Lake Wales, Florida and explored Bok Tower Gardens,
a National Historic Landmark.
- May 13, 2013 |
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 Bok
Tower Gardens, through its historic landscape gardens, unique Singing
Tower Carillon and magnificent 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion, offers
unparalleled opportunities for artistic, cultural, personal and spiritual
enrichment.
When Bok Tower Gardens founder Edward W. Bok immigrated
to America from Den Helder, Netherlands at age six, he did not understand
the language, customs or culture. Through determination and hard work,
he became a highly successful publisher, Pulitzer Prize-winning author,
respected humanitarian and an advocate of world peace and the environment.
During visits from their Pennsylvania residence to their
winter retreat near Lake Wales, Florida, Mr. Bok became enchanted with
the beauty and vistas from nearby Iron Mountain. At 298 feet above sea
level, one of peninsular Florida's highest points, Iron Mountain offered
views of dramatic sunsets. Awed by the tranquility of the area, he wanted
to create a place that would “touch the soul with its beauty
and quiet,” and chose it as the perfect setting for a bird
sanctuary. He purchased land to transform into a sweeping landscape
of lush gardens featuring a majestic Singing Tower housing a 60-bell
carillon. Originally called Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing
Tower, he presented this extraordinary gift to the American people
February 1, 1929 as an enduring token of his appreciation for the opportunities
he had been given. |
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Below: The entry area leading to the visitor
center and gift shop at Bok Tower Gardens with fantastic Bromelaids.
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Below: The two RV Gypsies got bit by the alligator
outside of the gift shop. How foolish of them trying to pet it. |
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Below: The two
RV Gypsies walked throughout the grounds of the Bok Tower Gardens on
The Pine Ridge Nature Trail, a 3/4 mile paved walk through
the native longleaf pine-turkey oak habitat. Their first stop was the
"Window by the Pond" - a building where wildlife
could be seen through the windows, yet the wildlife could not see inside
the building. The pond was beautiful, and they saw lots of squirrels
and birds. |
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Below: The marble Exedra shown
below was a gift to Edward Bok from friends. |
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Below is a close-up photo of the inscription
in the above Exedra. |
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The sunset view shown below inspired Mr. Bok's dream of the Gardens
during his visits to Iron Mountain. At the elevation of
298 feet, this is one of the highest points in Peninsular Florida.
From this lookout area next to the Exedra, Karen Duquette photographed
a gopher tortoise in the far distance. |
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Below: Just behind
the Exedra is an area known as The Reflection Pool,
where the two RV Gypsies got their first look at the Bok Tower, plus
a fantastic view of a mirror reflection of the Bok Tower, also known
as the Singing Tower. |
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Below: The view as the two
RV Gypsies stood on the other side of the above pond, with their backs
towards the Singing Tower. |
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As Karen Duquette was taking the photo shown above, Lee Duquette yelled
out, "There's a squirrel climbing on me." Karen quickly
turned around and snapped a few quick photos.
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 Lee
Duquette was carrying a bag with his purchase from the gift shop and
the squirrel must have thought there was food in the bag.
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Below:The Bok Tower, also
known as the Singing Tower, is made of pink marble and coquina. The
205-foot tall Singing Tower houses the 60-bell carillon. Sustainer level
members and above are eligible to tour the Founder's Room on the grand
first floor. Regular visitors are not allowed inside the tower. |
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Below: A panorama view of the Bok Tower
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Below: The area below is known as the Live
Oak Grove. These stately oaks were planted when the Gardens first
began. Distant vistas overlook rolling hills of citrus trees. |
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Lee Duquette (shown in the photo above)
took the photo shown below of Karen Duquette as she walked towards the
Live Oak Grove area. |
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Below is a view of the Singing Tower
as seen from the Life Oak Grove area. |
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Below: A close-up of the
sundial attached to the Singing Tower and the inscription below the
sundial |
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Below: Lee Duquette took photos of the
Singing Tower using a panorama camera and aiming upwards. The result
is a warped or curvature image of the tower. |
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Below: As Karen Duquette walked
around the Singing Tower, she photographed the reflection of the tower
in the water surrounding the tower. |
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Below: Fish swimming all around the Singing
Tower |
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Below: Wild Turkeys |
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