The
Two RV Gypsies went to Lake Wales, Florida and explored Bok Tower Gardens,
a National Historic Landmark.
- May 13, 2013 |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
The entry area leading to the visitor center
and gift shop at Bok Tower Gardens with fantastic Bromelaids. |
|
|
Below: The two RV Gypsies got bit by the alligator
outside of the gift shop. How foolish of them trying to pet it. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
Below: The marble Exedra shown
below was a gift to Edward Bok from friends. |
|
|
Below is a close-up photo of the inscription
in the above Exedra. |
|
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 distance. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
Below is the view as the two
RV Gypsies stood on the other side of the above pond, with their backs
towards the Singing Tower. |
|
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
Below: A panorama view of the Bok Tower
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Lee Duquette (shown in the photo above)
took the photo shown below of Karen Duquette as she walked towards the
Live Oak Grove area. |
|
Below is a view of the Singing Tower
as seen from the Life Oak Grove area. |
|
|
Below: A close-up of the sundial attached
to the Singing Tower and the inscription below the sundial |
|
|
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. |
|
|
As Karen Duquette walked around
the Singing Tower, she photographed the reflection of the tower in the
water surrounding the tower. |
|
|
Fish swimming all around the Singing
Tower |
|
Wild Turkeys |
|
|