http://www.gloria305travels.com/google68e958dd14763a9e.html .

 

 

This blog is dedicated to those students graduating this past weekend at the University of Florida (UF).  Those students that don’t make the news, because there is nothing bad or ugly to say about them.

 

Dec. 19, 2009 graduation ceremony.

 

From left to right My son Mike, granddaughter Kal, Grandson Chris,  & daughter in law Cathy.

 

We went to Gainesville this weekend, invited by my son and daughter in law to the graduation of my dear grandson Chris, an exemplary young man, likewise those who graduated with him, a few serving  in the Arm Forces of United States, others are  prominent athletes, such as T. Tebow, quarterback of the Gators (football team of the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville).

 

Tim Tebow quarterback of the Gators.

 

Chris my grandson.

 

University of Florida (UF).

 

Gainesville was chosen in 1905 as the University of Florida, and in 1906 started with 102 students, today it has 50,000, and is the largest in education, in medical, cultural, and in athletic events.

UF and Shands  Hospital provide many jobs for Gainesville residents.  I would say that Gainesville is a college town, it has all the conveniences of larger cities and the students who don’t not want to live in the University dormitories, they can rent houses near by and ride their bikes everywhere in town, using the exclusive bike lanes.

It also has parks and lakes where they meet and have picnics,  it also has museums such as “HARN MUSEUM OF ART, and its magnificent Natural History Museum, all of them Free.

 

Typical house rented by students.

 

Natural History Museum.

 

Inside the Natural History Museum.

 

Gainesville is in the center of Florida, two hours north of Orlando.  So if you are vacationing in Orlando and has the time, you may want to visit the city,  the university, its historic center, its Victorian-style homes and have lunch in any of its many restaurants.  I recommend Leonards (Italian), and maybe you will have time to visit some  of its 37 active parks in the afternoon, or stay another day in one of the many good hotels, such as  Hilton and Best Western.

We went to Devil’s Millhopper, 4732 Millhopper Rd Phone (352) 955-2008. It is a geological park of 63 acres, the most interesting of the Florida parks, because its huge sinkhole.  It is 117 feet deep and 500 feet wide, gets its name from its funnel shape, and there is a legend that those who fell there were going to hell.   Fossils of prehistoric animals have been found there, as well as huge shark jaws, which can be seen in the natural history museum. This park has been visited by archaeologists and tourists since 1880.  You can get down to the bottom of the hole using the stairs of more than 200 steps, but there is no elevator to get you up, so be prepare for a long and strenuous way going up.

 

Devil’s Millhopper.  Open Wednesday to Sunday 9 to 5.  $4 parking

 

Enjoying the stairs going down.

 

Grandchildren enjoying dinner after a busy day.

 

Have a great time on vacation and I hope that  some day you’ll have the satisfaction of going to your grandchildren graduation.

Photos by Cathy, Gloria, and Vily.