Let's Go To The Park

When many of us think of a park, we think of swings, monkey bars, and a playground.  Others imagine a field where you can play football, soccer, or lounge around and while having a picnic.  

Let me introduce you to a different type of park:   Paynes Prairie is located Alachua County.  There are several entrances to the park, but once you enter, be prepared to find a whole new world out there.  After entering the main gate and parking, we followed the path into the woods to head towards the lookout tower.  Not knowing what to expect, here is the first of the wildlife I encounter.

I didn't quite expect to ever see one of these wild beasts in out time.  But here at the prairie, it is a refuge for these animals. 

And just a few feet away from this wild buffalo, a brave turkey lurks in the grass hunting for food.

As the brochure states wild horses can also be found here.  I have not been lucky enough to see any of the horses, but as I had said, the prairie has several entrances.  After traipsing through the woods that never seemed to end..........

we finally found a clearing..........and a long walk out there.............we finally reached the end of the trail out to about the middle of the prairie.  Once up on the lookout tower out there, to my surprise, I saw these................

So, I count myself very lucky at this first visit and quite amazed that a place like this still exists neighboring the city of Gainesville.