Just a few weeks ago, Daughter joined me on a three-day business excursion mid-state. Of course, along the way, we took in some of the sites and took in some of old Florida.

Orlando, land of Disney, was our first destination, after an easy 3½ hour drive. We found our destination. I did my business. Then we decided how to spend the afternoon and evening. This was Daughter’s choice; she is enamored with the attractions. I’ve been there, done that and at this point, it’s enough. So, we rambled around Disney Springs, filled with shops selling loads of themed items, outside the parks. We had an exceptional dinner at Jose Andres’ restaurant, Jaleo. It’s a favorite of mine in Washington, D.C.

The next morning, we were not sure how to spend our time until departing for our next appointment. After breakfast, on our way to one of the ubiquitous outlet malls (another Orlando attraction poised to take your money), I noticed a small sign on the highway for the Mary Queen Museum. “Museum” almost automatically calls my name and this roadside sign sparked my curiosity. We quickly and safely turned off and followed the mysterious sign.

The Mary, Queen of the Universe is a Basilica and National Shrine opened in 1986 as part of the church’s “tourist ministry.” This campus was created to meet the “spiritual needs of the vast numbers of visiting Catholics. We were entranced by this huge edifice and the surrounding grounds.

Some of the astounding features that captured me included:

The bronze sculpture of St. Michael by Loura Parks Dobbs in the courtyard leading visitors to the Basilica Church.

Visitors enter through three immense bronze doors sculpted by Giancarlo Biaggi and Jill Burkee representing the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Living Church.

The center of the Narthex (entrance) is overshadowed by the impressive, towering 30’ mahogany arches symbolic of the presence of Christ over the holy water font.

I was struck by a number of the stained glass windows throughout the building.

Our Lady of Guadalupe created by the Domus Dei Studios, Rome.

Saints of the North American Church.

A few windows heald Old Testament imagery, such as the stories found in Exodus.

Among the statues were St. Joseph and the Child Jesus by Bruno Lucchesi.

The bronze sculpture of Mary and her child, the work of Jerzy Kenaf, in an outdoor chapel.

This unique venue is indeed a place to visit while in Orlando, whether as a pilgrim or simply a visitor, seeking respite from the fun and commercialism of the theme park attractions. This egret found it a place of peace

The next morning, after my second appointment, we made the time to visit Bok Towers in Lake Wales, an area of the state filled with more and more lakes, some of which are spring fed, a testament to the underlying limestone of the state.

This amazing site was established in 1929 by Edward W. Bok, an immigrant from the Netherlands. After a career in publishing in New York, Bok and his wife retired to this area in central Florida where, like many others they built their winter residenc, El Retiro. However, unlike those others, he put his efforts and fortune into creating a sanctuary which continues to be enjoyed by many.

Bok hired noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. to transform his land. Over the next five years, Olmsted established a landscape of 70 acres of native and exotic plants creating a tropical feel in the native oak hammock.

In addition, the Singing Tower or carillon with 60 bells imported from England completes the remarkably beautiful preserve.  

Images of birds, especially herons, are found in different locations of the gardens. Eight heron sculptures ring the parapet of the tower.

The exterior of the tower is decorated with ceramic panels created by J.H. Dulles Allen. The openings in the tiles allow the sound of the carillon to resonate from the bell chamber.

Deep in the garden is this lovely stone Peace Lantern, a gift of Usaburo Tsujita, who worked for Bok in the 1920s.

Bok’s motto “Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it” lives in this wonderful natural treasure.

Of course, we took in quite a bit of old Florida, including the Kress building in downtown Orlando.

This landmark to Florida’s citrus industry also in Orlando

and another in mural form in Lake Wales, “Slice of Happiness” by muralist Gillian Fazio is a combination of photographic references from nature, primarily botanical.  

And tropical palm trees captured on our motel railing.

Where will our adventures take us next?