18
of mixed-colored caladium bulbs, eager to add their
whimsical touch to our backyard. One of the farmers
mentioned to us that Lake Placid holds an annual
caladium festival in late July, featuring entertainment,
food, art, and booths selling bulbs and plants. Jason
and I agreed we’d have to come back for it.
Get festival clothes online at VisitSebring.com/Events.
THE GRANDNESS OF NATURE
Our second day was spent exploring Archbold Biological
Station, just south of Lake Placid. We’d read about it
when we’d done our trip planning, and learned that
Archbold is a world-renowned ecological center that
manages more than 20,000 acres of land within the
headwaters of the Florida everglades.
“ Archbold has become a world leader in
biological conservation .”
We had scheduled a two-hour nature tour led by one
of the station’s educators, which began in the
Learning Center. The building had a well-manicured
We were told it is a LEED Platinum building,
creatively constructed to maximize sustainability.
Our guide explained to our tour group how Archbold
had become a world leader in biological conservation
by conducting research on plants, animals and
even chemicals.
“Archbold’s efforts have improved the status of many
endangered plants and animals,” she told our group.
After an indoor tour, our guide led us on a nature trail.
We discovered that this area is one of the most
threatened habitats on earth.
“Look there,” our guide pointed as a beautiful blue bird
zipped by.