The "Other" Florida

     When most of us think of Florida we picture the sand and the beach and the golf courses; and images of Disney World dance through our heads. But when you drive from the east coast to the west coast, you travel through central Florida, and that shows a whole different side of the state.

     For example, we forget that Florida -- and much of the South -- was once a major producer of timber and paper. Not so much anymore, but there are a few remnants . . .

     And before the tourists and the retirees, there was a "real" economy that actually made things . . .

     In some places you can still find two-story houses . . .

     Here is downtown Palatka, FL, a small town in the center of the state . . .

     Overlooking the St. John's river, one of the few waterways in America that flows to the north . . .

     You don't see many alligators in Florida anymore, but I found one (or is it a dinosaur?) . . .

     I thought this place was abandoned but discovered, much to my chagrin, that someone lives here . . .

     Some people in Florida worship the sun, others . . .

     Many of the orange groves have been cut down to build developments to house all the people moving in from the north; but they still do sell oranges in Florida . . .

     And I told you I found an alligator. Would I lie?