No, I did not make a spelling error in the title, as that is how Stephen Foster wrote the lyrics when he composed the song.
Our first stop after leaving Myakka was Stephen Foster State Park, located near Lake City in the northern part of Florida.
It is a beautiful sate park located on the shores of the Suwannee River.
Our site was enormous -about 90 feet long
and weather cooperated to enable us to enjoy breakfast in the great outdoors.
Within the park grounds, there are many hiking and biking trails , a craft square with lessons provided by volunteers and of course...
entertainment.
Located along the banks of the river Suwannee River,
I could not resist and sang
Not to be outdone by my singing talents??????, Bernie joined in and a duet was performed.
Tractors gathered for an exhibition that was taking place over the next few days in the park.
Bernie was in his glory checking out all the various old tractors displayed.
Me not so much!
Did you ever wonder what Santa does during the off season.?
Well I found out.
He and Mrs. Claus ride their tractor around the park waiting for
the tractor exhibition, however the reindeer were nowhere to be found.
Also within the park there is the Stephen Foster Museum,
which houses an extensive display of various works of Stephen Foster, dioramas depicting his various compositions and instruments used by this famous composer.
Stephen never actually saw or had been to the river.
He had composed a song whose original words did not fit his composition to his liking , so he changed the words to Swannee Ribber!
Also located within the park was
which houses bells that chime every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The carillon is housed in an impressive towering campanile.
The half million dollar carillon was completed in 1957.
The 97 bell carillon-one of the largest musical instruments ever produced in the western hemisphere was installed during the summer 0f 1958.
The bells can provide a full repertoire of Foster's compositions played with full harmony.
The largest low C bell weighs 426 pounds each and are 12 1/2 feet long and the smallest high G bells weigh 69 pounds each and are 3 1/2 feet long.
Regular programs of some of the 200 compositions are played at 10, 12, 2 and 4 o'clock daily using the bells.
Beautiful park!!
Next destination Pensacola Florida.
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