On the way, we stopped at a well known u-pick farm in Alva, FL. Notice the nice blue sky behind Mason.
Check out the huge zucchini I picked, I found the mother-load. They don't sell them like this in the supermarkets, folks!
As soon as we entered Highlands Hammock it began to drizzle. I had to keep my camera covered to snap this photo of Mason next to the 1,000 year old oak tree that measures 36 feet around.
And then the temperatures began to drop. We were biking and hiking in 64 degree rainy weather which wouldn't have been that big of a deal if we had planned for it. Instead we were wearing shorts, t-shirts and light jackets. Thankfully, I was able to find leftover Disney rain ponchos in the back of the minivan.
Even in the rain this park is breathtakingly beautiful.
We had read online that the park included the CCC Museum. Have you ever heard of the CCC, we had no clue? The CCC was the Civilian Conservation Corps formed by President Roosevelt's New Deal. It provided jobs for young men (18-25) during the Great DepressionIt provided these young men with shelter, clothing and food along with a wage of $30 a month ($25 of which had to be sent home to their unemployed families). During the time of the CCC these young men planted nearly 3 billion trees to help reforest American and constructed more than 800 parks including Highlands Hammock.
I was surprised by how much were enjoyed this museum. It was so interesting to listening to the personal stories of CCC men who are now in their 80's and 90's. Our trip to Highlands Hammock State Park will go down in history as our wettest and coldest excursion to date.
