Bok Tower Gardens.

"I come here to find myself.  It is so easy to get lost in the world."

John Burroughs

The Santos' spent an adventurous Labor Day weekend.  Last Tuesday after dinner as we spent the last few hours hanging out before bed my husband had a genius idea.  He turned to me and said, "Babe, why don't we go to Busch Gardens this weekend?".  Say roller coasters and I'm in.  So, the very next day the hotel was booked and we were ready to go (yes, we wanted to leave the very next day).  Major bummer that we had to endure three whole days before hitting the road.

Saturday morning we headed out towards Tampa.  Before arriving at our final destination we made a quick detour in Lake Wales, Florida.  Hidden in Lakes Wales is Bok Tower Gardens.  Never heard of it?  Till last week neither had I.  However, if you ever find yourself near Lake Wales you MUST go.  Bok Tower Gardens is a botanical garden and bird sanctuary.  The tower is built upon Iron Mountain, one of the highest points of peninsular Florida.  Bok Tower Gardens is also considered a National Historic Landmark.  It is also in the running to become one of the Eighth Wonders of the World.

In one word the garden is magnificent.  It is a true hidden gem in the state of Florida.  Walking hand-in-hand with my husband while enjoying peace and serenity is absolutely the icing on an already amazing day.  And the Pinewood Estate on the property?  Beautiful. We also met a kind older woman named Ruth.  Ruth is an 86 year old volunteer who calls Bok Tower Gardens heaven.  She was truly an inspiring woman who made me realize that getting older does not have to be something worth dreading.  Ruth, thank you.

Before this weekend I would never have suspected that our Sunshine State was home to a place filled with such beauty.  Nature truly has a way of bringing you back home to reality.  Knowing that one man wanted a beautiful place to exist for the benefit of others left me in awe.  Again, humanity has surprised me.  I hope that I too one day can make someone feel a little more optimistic.

Enjoy the photos of our journey through Bok Tower Gardens.  And if they don't impress you, well, take a drive there and check it out for yourself.  Your heart, your mind, your soul will thank me.

xoxo