"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you."

Florida was known for its cattle industry before any other state, including Texas. When the first Spanish conquistadors arrived in Florida in the early 1500s, they brought a small herd of Andalusian cows and horses that today are more commonly known as Florida cracker cows and cracker ponies. When the Spanish left Florida, they left behind most horses and cows, leaving them to run wild. Over the past 500 years, they have adapted to Florida's harsh environment, making them a Florida-specific breed. When the United States acquired Florida in 1821, there was an abundance of wild cracker cows, and thus the Florida cattle industry was born.

To visit the 1876 cow camp at Lake Kissimmee State Park is to travel in time. Everything about the camp is authentic, including the persona of the whip-wielding cowman. Inside a log fence lounge a dozen head of cattle, descendants of Andalusians originally brought by the Spanish five centuries ago. Nearby rests a smallish cow pony, a quick and nimble beast the Crackers call a "marshtackie." Water from an old-fashioned pump follows grooved log "pipes" into a wooden trough for the cattle.

The cowman's name is Grazer, a name he says he adopted because he likes to eat. He says he works for Jake Summerlin, a cattle baron and "King of the Crackers" during the 1800s. Pay's a dollar a day, and that's good wages, Grazer says, enough for a fine time in Tater Hill Bluff, a rough-and-ready cow town that eventually was renamed Arcadia. Grazer is quick to note Florida does not have cowboys. They are called cow hunters or cowmen.

Time-travel back to the late 19th century with Grazer the cowman, and learn about the true history of the Florida crackers. A special early-season preview of the cow camp is planned for Monday, September 5, this Labor Day (10 AM-4 PM)!

Down the road from Lake Kissimmee State Park, Camp Mack offers the #1 rated airboat tour on TripAdvisor and they will make sure you have a great time out on the lake.

Their nature tour explores the Lake Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Visit areas of the lake only accessible to airboats where you can view alligators, birds, and all the flora of the remote areas of the lake where there are no signs of man's building frenzy, only miles and miles of native wetlands. Let Alligator Cove show you the Florida of yesteryear and remember not to forget to bring your camera!

Their alligator tour will show you areas of the lake that allow you to see both big and small gators. You often will find nests with baby alligators or the big guys, who love to lie out to bask in the sunshine on cool days both of which make for a memorable photo. They are harder to spot, but even more magical to see swimming in their natural setting.

Their birding tours are best in the early morning. Birds are found in abundance, including Great Blue Herons, tricolored and Little Blue Herons, the Great White Egrets, smaller Cattle and Snowy Egrets, Ibis, Wood Storks, Caracars, and Bald Eagles, just to name a few. The Snail Kite on the endangered species list is also something that can be found on the ride hovering over plant life in search of lunch.

The Charlotte Terry group has been given boxes to send to support our troops by the Military Moms Prayer Group. Come by our office to pick up a box to fill and mail to our military heroes!

Please follow the list below, as they are approved by the U.S. Military.