Bok Tower with June

It was time for one last trip to Winter Haven to say goodbye to June Sherman before I headed north.
Since Lake Wales and Bok Botanical Gardens and Bell Tower were nearby we decided to spend the day seeing the gardens.


Bok Tower is a Carillon or bell tower that stands 205' high atop the highest hill in central Florida--298' above sea level.

The gardens and the tower were completed in 1929, a creation of Edward Bok who was editor of the Ladies Home Journal for some 30 years.

The gardens cover 250 acres and feature a bird sanctuary, endangered plant garden....

and lots of lovely sculpture.

Hours could be spent exploring the many paths and hidden glens.

I really liked this tree.....

A wandering pathway led to this little structure....

My little traveling buddy,  June.

Inside the structure we found this large window that presented a quiet view of the pond....

I could have sat here all day.

The tower was built to house an array of bells that play beautiful concerts at scheduled times during the day.  Surrounded by rolling lawns and a serenity pool it is a perfect place for a picnic and many people were doing just that.

  

The tower is of Georgian marble with a filigree of Florida birds carved from the stone.

We weren't able to climb the tower but the view was pretty good from the lawn.

 

 I must say, I have certainly enjoyed the gardens in Florida--both natural and those built by rich old guys.