Wildflowers and views of Bartlett Lake.
We went for a drive Saturday to check out the lake near us. Last summer, we’d picnic and go for a swim in the afternoons. This week, we were curious to see if the water levels would be higher thanks to our wet winter. Thankfully, the lake looked very full.
The drive was stunning with massive amounts of wildflowers. Hillsides in the distance had bright yellow and orange color from blooms of flowers.
You can see the bright orange spots of color which are flowers.
This is a picnic spot at Rattlesnake Cove. It was packed over Easter weekend.
The lake is 15 miles from our house and the beauty of a full lake with wildflowers made my Saturday. It reminded me of Saturday or Sunday drives when I was a child. My parents would say, “We’re going for a drive.” They’d pack us in the station wagon and off we’d go to wander around the countryside. I have to admit, it wasn’t my favorite thing to do. I’d rather be at home playing.
This is a view of the lake from last summer. Quite a difference in the water level. I found a news story about Bartlett Dam. There was so much snow and rain this year that they have released enough water to fill Bartlett Lake three times.
Do you remember taking rambling drives with your parents as a child?
Where would you go?
This such an amazing site. Thanks Anita
It’s a beautiful spot.
Looks like a great spot for a picnic.
It is a nice place to get outside and enjoy!
Yes looks very inviting
It is and during the week it isn’t crowded.
The perfect time to visit.
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No EA, no rambling drives as we had our own lake property 15 minutes away. I’m sure my parents thought that was all we needed! Other sights were reserved for official “vacation” travel. The area you highlight is beautiful!
Lake property sounds perfect!
Those wildflowers!!
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My parents infrequently took Sunday afternoon drives. As an adult, my wife & I often take such rides. Don’t you just love wildflowers (aka weeds).
I think my parents took drives when they were looking for property in the country to build a house. I love the wildflowers!
That was the only time my parents went for a drive. When I went o college they would drive to New England to enjoy the color. They called it “peeping.”
Wow. I love the thought of looking at the New England color. Something I always wanted to see.
Thank you for the stunning photos, Elizabeth — and for bringing a sweet Sunday memory forward! On lazy Sunday afternoons my dad often said, ‘let’s go for a drive – to blow the stink off’. I always wondered who stunk…but figured out it was dad’s way of getting out of the house, seeing the world…our little slice of it anyhow and there was an invariable stop for ice cream on the way home. Love your memory of getting packed into the station wagon. You made me smile! 🥰🥰🥰
That’s a great memory you have too! I wish ice cream was included on our drives!
We did not take rambling drives. My parents were always very busy as we owned a business and we were not that kind of family for drives. My mom and I would take walks of sometimes 5 miles or so in the country. I think that is why when I get ready to do something here I always plan on doing 2-3 things as I forget how much closer we are to civilization than where I grew up. The husband and I go for drives. We know Florida very well!
What kind of business did your parents have? My dad had a dental practice and my mom worked there, but weekends were free. That’s nice you and your husband explore your area.
My family owned a small ice cream business-like Diary Queen. We were the only one in town! Open summers and fall. My dad kept his day job and my brothers and I helped weekdays. Yes, now we need to drive outside of Florida to explore more. There are still more places we have to visit though like Apalachicola, Fla and the Dry Tortugas National Park.
That sounds like a fun family business! When you visit those places, please blog about them.
I most certainly will!!!
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Oh wow those flowers are so pretty. And to be able to see that much color on the hillside? Wow.
Thank you! The photo doesn’t do the hillside justice. In person it’s startling. It looks like paint.
I don’t think we rambled much. We did go on camping trips sometimes. And sometimes a vacation trip to places like New York City, Philadelphia, or Gettysburg.
Those trips sound fun and educational.
What lovely pictures and vivid description. So glad the wet winter has filled the lake(s).
We didn’t do Sunday drives as a kid – since my dad was a pastor, it was a work day. But more than that, my parents were too destination driven and in a hurry to wander. Given your beautiful description, I think Sunday wandering sounds like a great idea!
It would be difficult to take Sunday drives as a pastor! Yes, it’s so great to see the lake so full.
Beautiful shots. Oh yes, I remember rambling drives with my parents. I wonder now if they had a destination in mind or not. It seemed we always ended up somewhere off the beaten path!
I wondered the same thing. Were my parents headed to a destination or not?
I remember long rambling drives on Sundays when I was a child. We’d drive through the farmlands around us, seeing crops and apple trees and pigs and cows. As a kid it was fun to shout out what you saw– first of course. Seeing a horse was a big deal!
We were surrounded by farms. Yes, I loved seeing horses too!
I love seeing our lakes finally full and the spring flowers coming to life everywhere. It’s absolutely stunning outside! What a beautiful spot to drive to and enjoy. Love the pics. Hugs, C
Thank you! It’s a beautiful drive and the lake is so close. It makes a great refuge when it’s hot!
We were not a rambling drive kind of family