Redwood Creek: Top 25 Picnic Destinations

		LAKE KISSIMMEE STATE PARK: Orlando Retreat
		THE SETTING Most folks come to Orlando to see Mickey and Minnie. But those who need a break from the theme-park crowds don't have to travel far - Lake Kissimmee State Park, in Lake Wales, Florida, is just a short drive away from the ferris wheels and frenzy. The land that is now this serene state park was once used by Native Americans who were attracted by the abundance of fish and game in the area. Named for the third largest lake in the state, Lake Kissimmee State Park comprises 5,930 acres of diverse plant and animal life. The park's botanical bounty includes delicate mosses, butterfly orchids, sawgrass and fetterbush. The area's scrubby flatwoods are host to the Florida scrub jay, scrub oak and longleaf pine. The perfect place for lunch is the large, shady picnic area located in an oak hammock near the bottom of the park. Or, if more formal alfresco dining is your style, use one of the wooden picnic tables and sheltered pavilions available throughout the park.
		WHAT TO SEE AND DO Lake Kissimmee State Park is a great place for bird watching, wildlife viewing, camping and boating. Some 13 miles of beautiful trails are perfect for horseback riding, hiking, jogging and walking. Located on the shores of Lakes Kissimmee, Rosalie and Tiger, the park offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the state - if you're lucky you might catch a largemouth bass, catfish or bluegill. One of the park's most interesting features is an 1876 cow camp, built in the days when the area was the heart of Florida's frontier cattle country. At the end of the dirt path leading to the camp, you'll find a living history demonstration, a herd of scrub cattle, and a cow hunter who is more than willing to talk about his life and times. If cows and camping is all too much for you, there's always the excitement of Disney World just a few miles away.
		HOT TIPS A boat ramp in the park offers direct access to Lake Kissimmee, for those who prefer making an aquatic entrance. Anglers need a license for freshwater fishing, but no permit is required to fish with a cane pole, as long as you're a U.S. resident. Campers should be aware that the park's 60 campsites have electric and water hookups, but no sewage hookups.
		PHOTO OPS At the edge of the picnic area is a 40-foot-tall observation tower where you can view the upper part of Lake Kissimmee and take some beautiful shots. Nature photographers will delight in the park's plethora of plants and wildlife, including more than 200 species of birds. Among the pine flatwoods you just might run into a bobcat, white-tailed deer, sandhill crane, wild turkey - or even an elusive bald eagle. Of course, you'll also want to capture the park's colorful lotus fields with wide-angle lens.
		LOCAL SPECIALTIES Florida is famous for its produce, so pack your picnic basket with a sampling of the freshest oranges and other tropical fruits - you'll need the complex carbos for hiking or rowing. Key lime pie makes the perfect Florida treat, before or after a meal.