Black Bear Wilderness Area, Sanford, FL, June 3, 2026

 We left the bicycles in the van, put on our backpacks and got out our hiking poles.  We hiked the 7 mile loop at the Black Bear Wilderness Area.  The trail was very muddy in places thanks to an over night rain storm but the slipping and sliding was worth it.  The trail goes through dense forest with many varities of trees.  About the first third of the loop paralleled the St Johns river.  We really felt like we were in the woods as we stepped over many tree roots, heard many birds and lots of splashing from either alligators or otters.  We did not see either but other hikers we met gave us first hand accounts of the wildlife including wild pigs.  Our day concluded with a late afternoon meal in Mt Dora.

Lake Monroe Sanford FL June 2 2026

 Today was my first cycling outing since my surgery.  It was only 28 miles around Lake Monroe in and around Sanford Florida.  We started in downtown following mostly bike trails around the lake.  We stopped to see Green Springs and Gemini Springs.  We stopped at Hollerbachs German restaurant for a late lunch then found a Holiday Inn Express for the evening.  Laura bought me an early Father's Day gift.  It is an Oakley Vanguard pair of Sunglasses.  They allow me to take pictures verbally without having to touch my phone.  The quality of the pictures are not as good as my phone pictures but are alot safer to take.  I used to take pictures with one hand while cycling.  With my compromised vision that is now impossible.  In addition to pictures I can make phone calls or play music while cycling.  Can't wait until artifical retinas are available.