Road Trip to One BIG Lake - Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee, FL (92 degrees, blue skies, brief rain showers)

We decided to check out a BIG lake in Florida over the 4th of July weekend.  Lake Okeechobee encompasses five counties in Florida and is the second largest lake in the continental U.S (Lake Michigan is #1).  A bike trail runs around the 110 miles perimeter , however, it only offers  occasional views of the lake.  

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Recently it has been in the news due to the controversial opening of the flood locks.  The picture above shows the lake water rushing out of the lock and emptying it's nutrient fresh water into the marine ecosystems.  This sudden rush of fresh water overwhelms the delicate estuary systems.   It is thought this practice may have contributed to the recent red tide in the Ft. Myers/Sanibel area which killed hundreds of manatees and fish this winter.  The dike system constructed by the Corp of Engineers in the 1920's succeeded in preventing flooding in the area.  It's a very complicated man versus nature issue with no easy solutions.  

The drive around the lake was interesting.  There were acres and acres of tropical farms raising palm trees and ornamental plants.  For the first time we saw extensive sugar cane fields.  The small towns interspersed around the lake seemed down on their luck.  It was an enjoyable road trip and a chance to see some of the beautiful farm country in central Florida.

Earlier in the weekend we attended the Sanibel 4th of July Parade.  It was fun filled, festive, and lots of treats were thrown out to the bystanders.  Just about every business had a float or car in the parade.  It was a little slice of Americana.

This was the first time we have seen boats in a parade.  In Indiana it would have been John Deere tractors.

Jimmy loves parades!

J.N. Ding Darling Float (our friends Tony and Sara)

We hope you had a great holiday weekend too.  Thanks for stopping by and say thanks to the  service men and women in your lives.