Another day trip involved driving around Lake Okeechobee, eventually ending up at the Cypress Knee Museum, near Palmdale. Cypress trees are normally found in very wet environments, and their root systems have conical protrusions which stick up vertically. While scientisits are not certain of the purpose of the knees, it's commonly thought they help provide stability to the tree in muddy soil.
The Cypress Knee Museum showcased many Knee sculptures created by museum proprietor Tom Gaskins. Unfortunately, the museum closed in 2006, but I do have a few photos to help me remember my visit there. There are also a few web sites featuring the museum, one of which I have included in my
Landmarks I've Visited section. I also bought a finished cypress knee from Tom, which to this day is featured prominently in my living room.
Open land on the road to Cypress Knee Museum.
A pond near the road. I love photos of rural landscapes, so I've included several in this post.
More of the pond in the previous photo.
Another open area, with a cypress 'stand' in the background.
A pine forest in the background.
More pines and a ranch gate.
On the grounds of the Cypress Tree Museum. The grounds included a large forested area. You can see cypress knees protruding from the earth.
A plank walkway leads visitors safely through the forest.
Meadow-like opening in the forest.
Another one of my trademark 'tree and sky' shots. Actually, there's a red bromeliad on one of the trees, but I don't think it will show up well here. The camera I used during this time period was none too advanced.
I also like to take photos of convergent objects, like the sides of a road merging together on the horizon. This was taken heading west on State Road 74 (if memory serves) on my way home from Cypress Knee Museum.
A Hobiecat approaches the beach in late afternoon.
The Hobie has landed.
Now back at the northwest section of the beach, looking toward the southeast.
Birds love the beach too.
A Brown Pelican dives into the Gulf to catch dinner.
Another shot of the quartz sand. Looks amazingly like snow.
A high-rise condo right on the beach.
The sun sets.
The setting sun.
Another sunset shot.
The sun pokes through the clouds in one last gasp before falling below the horizon.
Open land on the road to Cypress Knee Museum.
A pond near the road. I love photos of rural landscapes, so I've included several in this post.
More of the pond in the previous photo.
Another open area, with a cypress 'stand' in the background.
A pine forest in the background.
More pines and a ranch gate.
On the grounds of the Cypress Tree Museum. The grounds included a large forested area. You can see cypress knees protruding from the earth.
A plank walkway leads visitors safely through the forest.
Meadow-like opening in the forest.
Another one of my trademark 'tree and sky' shots. Actually, there's a red bromeliad on one of the trees, but I don't think it will show up well here. The camera I used during this time period was none too advanced.
I also like to take photos of convergent objects, like the sides of a road merging together on the horizon. This was taken heading west on State Road 74 (if memory serves) on my way home from Cypress Knee Museum.
Saint Mary's Church, or just the Adair Church.
A building across the street from the church.
The church, featuring square and octagonal towers on the front corners.
The square tower.
Another building across the street from the church.
Cemetery next to the church.
Lunar Module
Rocket Garden
Saturn V Engine
Rocket Garden
Saturn V Rocket
Sabal palms. You'll find that I like taking weird pictures of trees like this. 
Grass area. I wouldn't walk there, though - lots of water.
More swampy area.
And more swamp area.
Here's that armadillo I mentioned.
Lake Myakka, with a Live Oak in the foreground.
Another view of Lake Myakka
Late afternoon at Lake Myakka.
View of the lighthouse seen through sea oats. 
The lighthouse taken from the opposite direction as the photo above.
A wave crashes against a small jetty just to the west of the lighthouse.
Another small wave hits the jetty.
More sand and sky as seen from near the lighthouse. This photo was taked facing north-north west, if memory serves.
Sailboarders 
Looking toward downtown
Looking north toward Ken Thompson Park
Facing west with Sarasota Bay in the background
Courtyard 
Courtyard