Checking out Orange Blossom/Country Club Hills

On Sunday we made plans to meet up with another of our Villages friends, Kathy and Greenie.  We met Greenie back in 2008 when he was the USAPA Regional Ambassdor for the Atlantic South.  When we visited The Villages back in 2009 we had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife. Since then we have made a point of spending time with them whenever we're in the area. 

The two of them had suggested the Orange Blossom Country Club for breakfast/brunch one Sunday while we were in The Villages last year,  and for one reason or another we never made it there. So it made sense that the first time we got together this year that we meet at the Country Club.  It was nice catching up with what they've been up, and we learned that they had just returned from a family visit to Michigan, Kathy continues her volunteer work, and Greenie's health allows him to get on the pickleball courts just a couple of times a month. 

After breakfast we decided to check out the rest of the Village of Orange Blossom.  In addition to the golf, the Country Club and the beautiful swimming pool, it is also the home of the Paradise Recreation Center, where, like all the otheres include tennis/pickleball courts and lots of indoor activities.  

One of the very oldest sections of The Villages, it is located at the far east of the city just east of Hwy 441/27 and not far from the Spanish Springs Town Center.

Orange Blossom and one more Villages just a bit further south are Modular Home communities, and many of them, like pictured above are located along the shores of this small lake.  Also along this small lake is Paradise Park with.....
large shade trees and a picnic area. 

A variety of Florida water foul and birds as well as these shore birds that appear to be a couple of american coot......... Was looking for some sandhill cranes but didn't see any today.

There was an abundance of shore birds including these beautifulWhite Ibis.
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And of course the water attracts a multitude of ducks.

Adjacent to the water area is Paradise Dog Park.........where Villages meet up and let the little ones wander and run and play.

And if you have the urge to sharpen your hunting or target skills a hugh Archery Range is located just down the road from the dog park.

So many times as we have travelled by car through the Villages we have passed under this bridge that crosses highway 441/27.  We've been through many a golfcart tunnel, but we have yet to use this "golfcart bridge".

And from right here in Pardise Park you can hop on the golf cart path and make your way to shopping and entertainment on the other side of the road.

And today there was a good bit of traffic. 

And the rest of the day was just being lazy........................