Prairie Life Day with the Giles Frontier

We recently attended Prairie Life Day put on by the folks at The Giles Frontier. 

We took part in butter and book making, calf-roping, faux gold panning (gold-painted rocks) and tin-can lantern making.

We learned a bit about pioneer life in general and in Florida. We were served a tasty venison stew for lunch as well as some homemade sweets and the kids participated in a good old-fashioned three-legged race and a tug-o-war.

The kids were skeptical when we left the house that morning, but when we got in the car to leave they both said, "That was fun." I am still recovering from the shock of them actually eating deer meat!

Orlando Wetlands Park

Orlando Wetlands Park, February 2018

February and March is a great time of year to get outside in Central Florida before the long, hot, heavy months arrive. We recently took advantage of a sunny yet cool Friday morning to visit the Orlando Wetlands Park with a couple of homeschool friends. We couldn't have asked for a more pleasant day. The parking area was full this particular day given the superb weather and the free shuttle service that is provided on Friday and Saturdays. Given the long lines and smallish shuttles (which turned out to be oversized golf-carts) we decided to stick to our feet. We hiked about a mile to the Oyler Overlook and then back. We saw an abundance of native wetland birds, plants and, of course, several alligators along the way. The highlight was watching a larger specimen cross the trail ahead of us but at a sufficiently safe distance. 

Alligator warning signage, Orlando Wetlands Park

Alligator crossing the trail at Orlando Wetlands Park, Photo by Cynthia Ramirez

Limpkin posing on tree stump, Orlando Wetlands Park

Blue Flag Iris, Orlando Wetlands Park

Alligator sunning on the bank, Orlando Wetlands Park