Plant Park along the river.
Hammock Time
Plant Park along the river.
Happy Halloween!
Spook Hill
A mysterious phenomenon located in Lake Wales Florida known as Spook Hill. It has been grabbing the attention of curiosity seekers with its thrills for many years. A unique roadside attraction along the 38.7-mile route of SR 17, visitors watch with amazement as their parked car will defy gravity and coast backward up a hill.
There is a great legend behind the mystery of Spook Hill that includes a prominent Native American chief and a massive Florida alligator. The story dates back many years ago when a Seminole Indian village on Lake Wales had the misfortune of being terrorized by the large gator. The leader of the tribe, Chief Culcowellax, was one of the fiercest warriors of his time and decided to take on the gator to protect his village. Chief Culcowellax and the gator had an incredible showdown, with the Chief triumphantly emerging as the winner of the battle. This epic battle apparently created Lake Ticowa, and when the Chief died years later they buried his remains on the north side.
When the Native-Americans eventually lost their land to settlers, the pioneer mail riders noticed their horses laboring downhill, which led to them nicknaming the spot “Spook Hill”. The road was later paved over, but still, cars would find themselves coasting uphill without any explanation. There are two reasons that have been proposed for this, either the gator is seeking revenge for its loss at the legendary battle or the Chief is still trying to protect his land.
Scientifically, researchers attribute this natural phenomenon to a magnetic hill created from limestone hills that were islands 2-3 million years ago when sea levels were much higher. However, if you’re ready to test out Spook Hill and see this phenomenon for yourself, take Highway 27 to 17A just before Lake Wales, then drive East and follow the signs
Fall Colors In Florida
We do have some colors of fall in Florida.
Lutz Florida Train Station
One of the big sawmills in the northwest Hillsborough County area was the one owned by Charles Lutz south of Odessa. After the Tampa Northern Railroad was built, in 1909 Charles Lutz built a tram track to carry his lumber 10 miles to the east, connecting his sawmill to the Tampa Northern Railroad at brother William’s self proclaimed Lutz Station. The track connected to the Tampa Northern Railroad at what is now Lutz Lake Fern Road and US 41 in a horizontal “Y” shape junction. This narrow track line, part of the Tampa and Gulf Coast Railroad ran east-west and extended westward to Tarpon Springs. It was nicknamed the “Peavine Railroad” because it was so crooked.
Mad Hatter Photographer
Just me with my 8 X 10 view camera.
Colors
American Victory
SS American Victory is a Victory ship which saw brief service in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the waning months of World WarII, Korean War from 1951-1954, and Vietnam War from 1967-1969. Built in June 1945, she carried ammunition and other cargo from U.S. West Coast ports to Southeast Asia, then ferried cargo, equipment and troops back to the U.S. after the war ended. She survived two typhoons, and one hurricane. She sailed across the world twice. She is currently berthed in Tampa Florida as a Mariners Memorial and floating museum .You can visit their web site here American Victory.
The Acme Wagon Company
Steamtown National Historic Site
Several years ago had the opportunity to visit Steamtown located in Scranton Pennsylvania. It is a railroad Museum and heritage railroad at the site of the former Scranton yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna and western Railroad (DL&W). The museum is built around a working turntable and a roundhouse that are largely replications of the original DL&W facilities; the roundhouse, for example, was reconstructed from remnants of a 1932 structure. The site also features several working steam engines and exhibits.
