We love to find hidden gems – and The Florida Air Museum certainly is one of those. Tucked in on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Airport, it is a small complex with a wide array of aircraft.

When you first arrive, you’ll note the area is dotted by many different kinds of aircraft. Jets, propeller-driven craft and even helicopters are parked about the place.

We are big fans of airplanes. In fact, we have blogged about our trip on a Ford Tri-motor aircraft. Additionally, we chronicled Aviation Week in August. In that article we listed three other museums. The Florida Aviation Museum had escaped us up until this trip.

The Museum

Once inside, we were greeted by a young man named Luke. He took time to give us a map and show us where some of the aircraft were located both inside and out. Apparently, it is a rotating collection, so on each visit you will have the opportunity to see some new exhibits along with some of the permanent displays.

We noted various aircraft parked around the grounds. The inside was packed with an array of planes as well. There were bi-planes and monoplanes. There were exhibits of aircraft and displays of aeronautical memorabilia. For both the aviation enthusiast and the casual observer, we can guarantee hours of things to see and do.

Yes, there are many things to do. There are numerous skill-testing machines. “Can You Land a Plane Without Seeing the Ground”, “How do Airplanes Change Altitude” and “Ever Wonder How an Airplane Turns” are just some of the exhibits where we could apply our skills and knowledge.

Inside the museum several fuselage displays begged for our inspection. We looked into a cockpit of a vintage Eastern Airlines passenger plane in which (very small) people can fit. There’s the cockpit of a MiG-21 jet and a fuselage section of a plane that shows B-17 and B-29 interiors. That one we actually could walk through.

Additionally, wall displays, showcases and even some encased areas drew our attention. There’s one saluting the air corps of Viet Nam, a wall of Air Show Pioneers and Innovators, one dedicated to aircraft pioneer Howard Hughes and an exhibit of different kinds of propulsion from propellers to jet engines.

The Florida Aviation Hall of Fame

One of the most impressive displays we saw is the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame. Inside, we found the names of individuals who have made significant contributions and achievements to civil and/or military aviation and aerospace.

We also learned that Florida actually has its own “Lindburg.” His name is Pete Sones. He worked out of Haines City as an ambassador for Stinson Airplanes. Later he started a number of flying clubs. The most notable was the Florida Flying Alligators Club. Apparently, to join you had to fly at least 100 miles over Florida swampland.

For The Kids

If you have children, there is a corner where they can play. We saw they had placed an instrument panel where youngsters can “fly” a plane to their hearts’ content. On the other side is a large mirror and a box of flying garb the kids can try on and see themselves as future aviators.

There’s also a table and benches where young people can sit and color. We saw a rack with sheets of paper bearing the outlines of planes. Along with them, there are giant boxes of crayons. The outside of the corner is lined with comfortable couches for parents.

There were no youngsters when we were there, but we sat for a while anyway before picking up our tour.

The Exterior

As we said, there are plenty of aircraft set around the building itself. Some of them are fixed in place. Others apparently had been towed or were in the process of being put into their temporary location.

Again, we were intrigued by both the size and the scope of the displays. While we were there we saw a Grumman F-14-D Tomcat and an XFV-1 also known as “The Salmon. That plane was built for vertical take-offs and landings.

We also saw the “Tampa Bay Pacemaker.” It’s a Boeing 727. Luke told us that this is used by the next-door Aerospace Center for Excellence. The plane is used as a learning lab. He told us that it’s the only fully functioning Boeing 727 classroom in the United States.

Parked beside it was the experimental jet plane built by William Gunn. I actually saw it fly one year at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in held each year in Lakeland.

A Great Visit

We’re here to tell you, a visit to The Florida Air Museum is well worth the trip. Designated as Florida’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center,” we found it to be both intriguing and entertaining. We learned so much and actually, could have spent a lot more time there.

The displays are well laid out. They led us easily from place to place providing vast amounts of information disguised as entertainment. We learned the history of aviation. There were displays and information about some of the people who made it happen.

We were treated to air shows and daredevil pilots. Aircraft ranged from lighter-than-air craft to jets. There was an opportunity for some hands on play and to view one-of-a-kind artifacts.

In short, there’s plenty of opportunity to spend some real fun time here.

And finally, a salute to one of our friends. An air show ace, a presenter of wing-walkers an upside down flyer and a truly great guy.

We have visited many man-made places since we “stopped waiting for when.” However, one venue we never really experienced is God’s creation – Florida’s great outdoors.

Recently we solved that with a visit to the Highlands Hammock State Park. Located just west of Sebring, Highlands Hammock is the first state park created by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Appropriately, they have a CCC museum there which we found to be simply fascinating. We found lots of opportunities for hiking and biking. The park also offers a tram tour if you want to ride, but we decided to hoof it.

The Boardwalk

Our choice was to walk the Cypress Swamp Trail. Unlike many of the other options – which are trails – this is a walkway. It starts out as a full sized boardwalk with high railings on each side.

It simply was an amazing walk. We were suspended above the ground, looking over pristine wetlands. The railings were dotted with plaques posted in remembrance of park supporters and volunteers. We noticed each of the railings also had been marked with a number to help identify our spot on the walkway.

Although we didn’t spot a lot of wildlife, there was an amazing amount of flowers and plants among the Cypress trees. However, about halfway through, things began to change.

Our full-sized boardwalk went down to half-sized, with only a low railing along the one side. It was a bit disconcerting for us to walk along this narrow pathway with nothing really to hold onto.

Our comfort level was down. Moreover, we were glad that we did not see any of the snakes or alligators that apparently call this part of the park home. That being said, we were blessed to see some birds. They were out foraging for a late lunch and did not seem to mind us snapping a few pictures of their activities.

The Loop Road

We got back on solid ground without incident and headed for the Loop Road. This is the thoroughfare that carries you back through the Hammock. Its canopy road is one of the most pleasant drives we have had in quite some long time.

Because the Loop Road runs one way, we were able to cruise at idle speed through the lush greenery. Hikers and bicyclists waved at us as we cruised lazily by. It also gave us a chance to really look at and enjoy the scenery of the park.

In fact, if you like the drive you can go around as many times as you wish. If you like to walk, we spotted a total of nine different trails that head out along the way. There were small spots for us to pull in – most had cars or bicycles already parked there.

The ranger cautioned us that there are no bicycles or pets permitted along any of the walking trails. We did pass at least one couple walking their dog(s) on the Loop Road. By our count, there were three on leashes.

The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

In addition to the trails, we had a chance to visit the Civilian Conservation Corps museum. This is a tribute to the boys of the CCC that built Highlands Hammock, as well as a number of other parks across the Sunshine State.

The day we were there, docents were stationed throughout the building. They told us the structure itself was built in 1939 and dedicated in 1994 as a museum. It is chock-full of artifacts and interactive displays where we learned about the CCC activities.

There were multi-media presentations about how the young men came from all over the country to participate in the CCC project to help build the park system.

Other Facilities

The main area where we found the CCC museum also features an open picnic spot with a playground, public restroom facilities, a number of pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue pits as well as a store known as The Hammock Inn.

We went in hoping for a restaurant, instead we found basically a dry goods store with a small snack bar (we could not even get a drink with ice.) The front room was populated with T-shirts, hats, sunglasses, books and even walking sticks. The second room was a cross between foodstuffs and camping supplies. It appeared to us that half the building was dedicated to park visitors with the other half set to supply needs of campers at the park.

Camping? Oh yes. They have one area that has full service including water and electric hookups. Another is deemed their “primitive campground.” From what we saw driving by, there wasn’t a whole lot more than a place to pitch the tent.

If you want to hold a meeting or an event, the park has an open air amphitheater on the Loop Road or a Recreation Hall (with A/C) in the campground. You can even rent bikes there and pedal your way through the park.

In Conclusion

All in all, we found Highlands Hammock State Park to be a pretty fun experience. We were delighted with most of our walk along the boardwalk. It made us consider coming back and trying one or more of the other trails. We might even come back for on of their special events – or just rent a couple of bicycles and ride around for a while.

If you have children or grandchildren, it certainly would be a good place inasmuch as they have a wonderful playground. It’s centrally located among picnic tables for the adults to keep their eye on things.

Best of all, we found the six dollar per car price tag to be more than reasonable. For more information you can call the ranger station at 863-386-6094. Or you can find them through the Florida State Parks website