0Hdp019CzlJfzlpbNfXvCGzVdUU Daphne the Doberman: December 2009

Highlands Hammock State Park



Another park infested with alligators!  I can't go anywhere without being told I can't go near the water. Actually, this park had lots of nice hiking trails.  My people walked me all over the place.  But when I found water, you guessed it - alligators again.  The park ranger at the gate was really nice.  She and I made friends.  We love each other!


Highlands Hammock State Park
5931 Hammock Road
Sebring, Florida 33872
Phone: 863-386-6094
Fax: 863-386-6095

Wekiwa Springs Part 2






Here I am free at last.  My people found a place where horses are allowed to hang out.  Sometimes my people call me a "Doberman" and sometimes they call me a "horse."  Since they put me in here I can assume that dobermans and horses are the same thing.  It was nice getting off the leash but it would have been more fun if my friends Roxie and Pinky were there to play with.  I got bored so I decided to go read a sign.  For once it didn't say "No Pets."

Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle Apopka, FL 32712
(407) 884 2008

Wekiwa Springs Part 1









Here we are at Wekiwa State Park.  My Mom and my photographer call it a "five star park for sure".  Well, I may beg to differ (you can read the sign can't you)?  But as you can see, I slipped into the river when no one was paying close attention.  I will give them some points for having a dog spigot however.

Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle Apopka, FL 32712
(407) 884 2008

Hontoon Island State Park



Here  am looking ever so slightly out of focus.  We are across the water from Hontoon State Park.  We almost made it to the park but you have to take a ferry.  My photographer wanted to go but Mom was afraid that I'd get scared if they tried to put me on a boat.  She knows that tile floors and hotel elevators freak me out.  So she assumes I am afraid of boats. Now we have to go back because we didn't get the stamp.  Fine with me.


Hontoon Island State Park
2309 River Ridge Road Deland, FL 32720
386-736-5309

Merry Christmas!!!






No parks today because we are busy opening presents.  I got two rhinestone collars from my aunts.  And toys from my other aunt.  And cookies from my other aunt.  My Mom dressed me up in this foo foo fairy costume and gave my picture to the Sun Sentinel newspaper.  She told them I am the Sugar Plum fairy.  They published it on-line and I am so embarrassed.  I like getting dressed up but I have to draw the line somewhere.  Why don't my cats have to dress up?

Blue Springs






Here I am with my Mom at Blue Springs.  We are trying to look for manatees but my photographer keeps distracting us.  "Daphne, look at me.  Daphne!"  Once again I could not go in the water.  This time it was because of manatees.  I don't even know what a manatee is but my mom said they are gentle and like to rub on you.  I'm gentle too so I don't understand why I can't go play with them.

Blue Spring State Park
2100 West French Avenue Orange City, FL 32763
386-775-3663

De Leon Springs



Here I am trying to read the sign and learn about how this dry fountain once had water.  Rumor has it that this is the "Fountain of Youth" that Ponce De Leon discovered.  My Mom said "No one names their kid Ponce anymore."

De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd./PO Box 1338 DeLeon Springs, FL 32130
386-985-4212

Seminole State Forest











A little side trip.  Another big lake that I was not allowed to go lay in.  Alligators, alligators, alligators.  I'm tired of hearing about alligators.  They are ruining my life.  At least this place had an anti-alligator platform I could stand on so I could look at the water.

Seminole State Forest

Rock Springs Run



Hmmm, I heard my Mom say they gut game here.  Wild Turkey, wild boar, poor animals like that.  I sure hope they don't gut dogs.  I'm not too sure what I think about this place.  The trees were pretty.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve
c/o Wekiwa Springs State Park, 1800 Wekiwa Circle Apopka, FL 32712
(407) 884 2008

My Photographer is a Traitor


My photographer took off without me and went to Fakahatchee Strand Preserve and Collier-Seminole State Park.  She left me home because she said there might be alligators.  (There were alligators.  She showed me the pictures).  I might get a new photographer.  My Mom took this picture of me and you know who.  You think I should ask my Mom to be my new photographer?

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
P.O. Box 548 Copeland, FL 34137
239-695-4593

Bill Baggs Cape Florida



Another people park!!!  I have to tell you, it was a very beautiful place but its not fun for dogs!  Again I was not allowed near the beach or in the water.  All I could do was look and wish!  It was hot.  No water spigots!!!  My photographer had to get me water from the restroom while I waited in the car.  My photographer had a hard time taking good photos today as she had the real camera instead of the little "toy."  I kept tugging so she couldn't get a good picture of me with the lighthouse.  On the way home she found a dog beach.  We stopped there and I was finally able to cool down!!!!

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 S. Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne, FL 33149
305-361-5811

But I'm Not a Pet. I'm The Baby!!!!!



We went back to John U. Lloyd.  If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not a dog!!!!  I am THE BABY!!!  I want to go for a swim and can't because of this silly sign!!!!

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
6503 N. Ocean Drive Dania, FL 33004
954-923-2833

Oleta River


A State park in Miami! Right in the city! My photographer took my profile picture here and bought me my State park Passport!!!! I got my first stamp!!!!

Oleta River State Park
3400 N.E. 163rd Street North Miami, FL 33160
305-919-1844

Hugh Taylor Birch State park


Who would believe this is in the middle of the city? We walked all thru the woods. My people forgot to bring water so a nice lady gave me some in a red bowl. I was enjoying it until this tiny dog came and started barking at me.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
3109 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
954-564-4521

John U. Lloyd State Park




My photographer asked for a Florida State Parks annual pass for Christmas and got it early. I got to go to John U. Lloyd Beach the very first day it came because my photographer thinks I need to lose weight. Look how far she wants me to walk! Where's the beach????

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
6503 N. Ocean Drive Dania, FL 33004
954-923-2833

Lake Griffin


We went to visit my grandparents in Bushnell, Fl. We stayed in the La Quinta in Leesburg because they let dogs stay there. My people took me to Lake Griffin State Park for "morning coffee." I couldn't go in the water because the man who called me a "dawg" said they have alligators. I did take a dip in this nice puddle however.

Lake Griffin State Park
3089 US Highway 441-27 Fruitland Park, FL 34731
352-360-6760

Ichhetucknee Springs



I had such a good time at Ponce de Leon Springs that my people decided to take me to one more before we headed all the way home. They found one called Ichetucknee in Fort White, Fl. This place was real fun for humans but dogs aren't allowed in the water. I tied but Mom held me back.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
12087 S.W. US Hwy 27 Fort White, FL 32038
386-497-4690

Ponce De Leon Springs



My first State Park was Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. My people brought me there on our way back from Dallas in August 2007. I could not believe how clear the water is! My people let me run and play in it. I hope we get to go back someday!!!!  You can see more photos (without me) on my photographer's website.  Just click right here.


2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road Ponce de Leon, FL 32455
850-836-4281