Photos Courtesy Bok Tower Gardens
DAYCATION: BOK TOWER GARDENS
‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ By Dean Blinkhorn
Step back in time and take in Florida’s highest view from the shadow of a rare carillon tower in nearby Lake Wales. Nature- and music-lovers are always welcome, 365 days a year.
28
Y
ou’ll see the majestic art deco spire miles before you need to make the turn onto the aptly named Tower Boulevard, and if you roll down your car windows and listen carefully, you might even hear a few chimes from the 60 bells perched at the top. A short, meandering drive on the grounds is all that separates you from the modern world. WHY GO? I’m a sucker for historic landmarks and Bok Tower is literally the biggest in the Sunshine State, towering—pun intended— over nearby Lake Wales from its 50-acre grounds and 205-foot
OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined
perch. The sanctuary is lovingly preserved and you can spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the trails that meander through the lush canopy to the main attraction. The bell music that plays at regular intervals is the only interruption, albeit a pleasant one, to your verdant escape from modern-day Florida. A LITTLE HISTORY: Well, actually there’s a lot of history at Bok
