The Worst Travel Advice Ever Given

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March 28, 2020

Recently we saw a question in the Travel Insider Bucket List Facebook Group page asking what was the worst travel advice you’d ever been given. Member Lu Zhan replied – “Work hard and when you retire, then you can travel.”

We could not agree more – that might be the worst advice ever.

Early on, my wife and I agreed we would not “wait until when” to travel. We would not wait until “when we had time,” or “when we had money,” “when the kids have grown,” or any other “when” you might imagine.

We have found highway therapy to be some of the best around.

Traveling is Easy

I cannot tell you how many memories we have made by spur of the moment trips. With our smart phones, my wife has researched and made reservations while we were on the road.

TripAdvisor has provided us with reviews of restaurants and lodgings to use as a guide. It has been astonishing the places we have gone and the things we have seen and experienced.

Additionally, we have found a lot of places within easy driving distance. “One Tank Trips,” as they have been called, are some of the most rewarding. From where we are we can drive to, Solomon’s Castle, Lakeland’s Lake Mirror Park and the Sebring International Raceway and back. In fact we can go and still have time for lunch.

Solomon’s Castle is fun and funky – remember lunch at the Boat in the Moat.

It Need Not Be Expensive

As we come back off this Covid-19 epidemic, some people may be concerned about the costs. The good news is, there are still many free and low cost things to do across the Sunshine State. There are many parks that are free and open to the public.

We found Patterson Park when we were out looking for a picnic spot. The Monument of the States in Kissimmee is free as us the Ideal Classic Car Collection.

A zoom lens in helpful to see all the elements of this massive pylon

It goes without saying that many of the beaches both on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts can be enjoyed at no additional charge.

Low cost experiences include a wide array of minor league baseball teams, most Florida state parks, Lakeland’s Silver Moon Drive-In Theater and the Avon Park Mowerplex where lawn mower racers hold sway. Admission is less than $10,

Making Memories

The best part is that in making memories, we have been able to store literally hundreds of photos and videos on our smart phones. tablets and computers. For those with kids – these are tremendously valuable and easier than souvenirs.

You cannot “grow out” of these memories, they do not gather dust nor do they dull. The only thing that is passing is time.

So let us be the first to urge you do not take the worst travel advice ever given. Do not wait for “when.” Head out to your chosen destination and remember to take your fun with you and take lots and lots of pictures.

Sanitizing the Hotel Room in the New Age of Covid-19

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Florida Funmeister

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March 26, 2020

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The age of Covid-19 has called for a whole new emphasis of sanitizing the hotel room when we travel. This is a protocol we have done almost since the beginning.

A while back, I wrote an article about a small diffuser we carry with us. It is a crackerjack little item that helps both sanitize and deodorize the room. The model we use, the URPOWER 2nd Version has been nearly bulletproof for our past three years of travel.

My wife uses “Now” brand essential oils. She prefers this brand because it is of very good quality, it’s easy to find and less expensive.

Our Formulas

We try to check in as early as possible so we can set up out diffuser and disinfect the room. There are several combinations of oils we employ and each blend has its own special benefits.

When it comes to sanitizing the hotel room, the formula is simple. To the water in the diffuser she adds equal drops of these essential oil: Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Peppermint.

The Tea Tree oil is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory; the Eucalyptus oil is antiseptic and antimicrobial. It can battle such things as TB and Staph. It has proven effective against many viruses and fungi like candida as well.

Peppermint also is antiseptic and antibacterial. It can inhibit viruses like herpes. Additionally it can repel spiders, ants, mosquitoes and cockroaches.

Using Our Diffuser

Once she makes the mixture, we load it up and turn it on. Generally, we set the diffuser on “intermittent” to extend it’s diffusing time. By placing it on the nightstand, it actually sprays over the pillows and bedding for maximum effect.

The diffusing mist leaves no residue that might stain or cause any problems.

As with many diffusers it features a lighting system. The one drawback is that it can be quite bright at night. My very inventive wife made a black sleeve out of an old cosmetic bag with a drawstring. It effectively blocks the light so we can sleep, while allowing the diffuser to do its job.

We also now put the same essential oil mixed with water in a spray bottle and use it to wipe down the bathroom hard services that provides the same benefits as noted above.

Our little diffuser without the protective sleeve

Florida Closed TFN … We Now Are Awaiting TFN

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Florida Funmeister

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March 22, 2020

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For all intents and purposes, it appears that Florida has been closed TFN – meaning ‘Til Further Notice. The beaches are shut down, restaurants no longer are serving inside and most of the attractions have locked up. We now are awaiting the fabled TFN to arrive.

In the past, we have indicated that we have “stopped waiting for when” for us to travel. However, this embargo has been thrust upon us. We have been told this could be “a couple of weeks.” Perhaps it may be longer – we don’t know.

Where We Have Been

So while we have been waiting, we decided to look back at our trips around the Sunshine State. It has been amazing to us the number of places we have been able to go and enjoy. We have gone to Tarpon Springs, Melbourne, Deland, Sarasota, Cocoa Beach, Bartow and Englewood to name a few.

While on Anna Maria Island we enjoyed the Pine Avenue shopping experience.

Our visits have included some great attractions, such as Weeki Wachee, The Florida Aviation Museum and Solomon’s Castle. These trips in turn inspired us to think of additional places we have not yet visited but look quite interesting.

The Weeki Wachee mermaid show was a wonderful glimpse into old Florida tourist attractions.

Where We Want to Go

In fact, we have made up a list of post-TFN locations that look interesting. We have been wanting to visit the Emerald Coast, The Forgotten Coast and the Nature Coast. Moreover, there’s the Coral Castle, Skunk Ape Headquarters in Ochopee and perhaps a stop by Whimseyland in Safety Harbor.

Actually, we also have been wanting to take one of the Discover Sarasota Tours. When TFN finally arrives, we are going to jump at the chance. The problem will be which of the tours to take. The nice thing is that the history of the area will not have changed. This means the great pre-TFN tours still will be available.

What’s not to love about Sarasota? And a guided tour makes it all the better.

Our Preparations

In the end, this forced TFN time period has given us an opportunity to look at and review some of our stockpile. We have gone through our first aid kit and refreshed it. In the same manner, we looked at our traveling tool box to make certain it still is in order.

Our Travel Basket also has been inventoried to make sure it is ready for departure at a moment’s notice. Because we are ready to head out somewhere and have some serious fun.

In this time of forced TFN, we ask you to join us. Check out our social media pages, like and follow us. We will do our best to let you know the best and coolest places in the Sunshine State once we reach the fabled land of TFN.

Florida Tourism – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

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Florida Funmeister

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March 19, 2020

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While the Coronavirus has just about everything shut down, we decided to take a look at Florida Tourism. It appears to us that a lot of it is planes, trains and automobiles. Over the course of our travels, we have visited a number of places that fit this bill. We thought you’d like to look back on them with us.

Planes

We like airplanes and have both flown and visited a number of aircraft-related attractions. Our first real adventure was when we rode in a Ford Tri-Motor plane. That was during the US Sport Aviation Expo held at the Sebring Regional Airport.

Sadly the event is gone, but our memories still are vivid. As people used to dress up to fly in the past, we decided to dress in period garb to ride in the aircraft. It was a great choice and added to the fun.

We also had an opportunity to stop by the Florida Air Museum on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Airport. Personally. we don’t think there’s a better place to look at the history of aviation in the Sunshine State.

The Florida Air Museum is chocked full of displays, interactive exhibits and plenty of planes.

There were aircraft both inside and outside the museum. Inside were displays showing various aspects of Florida’s flying history as well as interactive exhibits that give visitors a chance to see the dynamics of how aircraft work.

This was fun and informative for kids as well as adults.

In a previous article we did about National Aviation Week, we noted a couple of other museums that are begging for a visit from us.

Trains

When it comes to trains, our favorite has to be the iconic Bob’s Train in Sarasota. It is a restaurant, a museum and a true experience when you actually get to meet and talk with Bob himself. He not only restored the railway cars and decorated them with circus memorabilia – he also is the chef for a really tasty meal.

Also in Sarasota is Station 400. This is a chain of restaurants in the Suncoast area that also carries the railway theme. Our favorite part at the one we visited on Tamiami Trail, was the model train that made it’s way around the perimeter of the dining room on an elevated track.

Bob’s Train in Sarasota is a great all-round experience.

One place we had wanted to visit before The Great Shutdown is the Florida Railroad Museum. Located in Parrish, Florida, it originally was founded as The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum. In fact, we also have discovered more than a half dozen other railroad museums gathered around the state.

They all are on our list as we travel Florida.

Automobiles

Of course, we travel the state in the Funmobile. However, there are plenty of other vehicles that have drawn our attention. One of the coolest places we found was Ideal Classic Cars. We discovered this place quite by accident on a trip to Venice.

The building is packed with vintage, classic and custom cars, trucks and vans. The admission price was simply our email address. We browsed for hours. The best part is that it’s also a sales company – so their inventory constantly is changing.

So many beautiful cars to see, there’s always something new and the price is right!

In addition to static automobile displays are cars racing on the track. We have been to several speedways but our go-to always is the Sebring International Raceway. Sports car racing is our favorite because no matter what the event – we can always get up close and personal with the cars.

It’s no wonder the Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts was voted the Number One Motorsports Event in the World by readers of USA Today.

Like many events, SuperSebring 2020 was put on hold and rescheduled. It will now be held in November as the finale of the International Motorsports Association’s racing season.

Although it’s the biggest – it’s not the only such event there. One race is the Alan Jay Pistons & Props. It combines the best of vintage and historic race cars with vintage and historic aircraft. The nice thing is that you can get just as up close and personal with the cars and planes there.

A Sebring-style prototype parked next to a vintage P-51 warbird.

The Schedule

We know that this situation with the Coronavirus did not come to stay, it came to pass. Our look back over these past months has even further rekindled our desire to travel and see more across the Sunshine State. Stay tuned for our ongoing adventures.

Lakeland’s Lake Mirror Park – A Tranquil Adventure

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Florida Funmeister

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March 15, 2020

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We had the opportunity recently to run up to Lake Mirror Park in Lakeland. Those who follow us know we like to explore – and this became an unexpected adventure. We found Lake Mirror Park was a whole lot more than we had anticipated.

Our main objective had been lunch, but when we got there, we discovered a complex that has some wonderful botanical gardens as well as a great little play park for kids.

We had discovered The Garden Bistro through TripAdvisor. The reviews were good so we decided to give it a shot. Although we arrived just before closing, we were not disappointed.

Located between Hollis Garden and the Barnett Play Park off Lake Mirror, this little cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating. Being that it was a beautiful day, we chose the outdoor area. It provided a great view of the lake and the promenade. The atmospheric conditions most definitely added to our dining experience.

When we first arrived, the railing tables were taken. When they left, we had a much nicer view.

The menu was a compendium of soups, salads and sandwiches. I was having a bit of a time trying to discern what a Turkey Bacon Buleah or a Ham & Cheese Gibson actually might be. Our server then explained that those were the names of nearby lakes. The Portabello Parker and the Magnolia Mirror then made much more sense.

In fact, my wife made the Portabello Parker with its generous Portabello Mushroom cap, eggplant, roasted red peppers, avocado and provolone her order. I, on the other hand, could not pass up the Turkey Bacon Buleah. Both were great and we give this place high marks.

Our lunch. She got the tomato basil soup while I went for the default cole slaw.

Hollis Gardens

After lunch, we decided to take a stroll. Just next door was the Hollis Gardens. It’s 1.2 acres of formal gardens set in a neo-classical architectural environment. It’s complete with patterned flower beds, public art, and ornamental fountains.

Dubbed one of Lakeland’s best attractions, they say that there are more than 10,000 flowers there. We cannot testify to that but we can say that the place was impeccably landscaped.

The steps up from the promenade lead to this wonderful fountain.

Lush green walking areas are set off by hedges and lined with all manner of plants dot the park. Additionally, there are sitting areas around to give people a chance to stop and enjoy the beauty. There also was classical music playing quietly around the grounds.

We observed several standing sculptures, including the nearly ten foot tall Verde Columns by artist Glenn Zweygardt. We found this to be an impressive piece, nicely set off by the plantings around it.

The Verde Columns is a wonderful addition to the park.

For the Kids

Equidistant on the other side of the Garden Bistro is the Barnett Family Fun Park. As formal as the Hollis Gardens are – the Barnett Park is informal. We found this to be a great people-watching area. One of our favorite spots was the splash park.

We found the “on switch” at the top of the stairway. Once we pressed it, there was big fun. It triggered a series of water jets that come out from the pavement below. It appeared to us that the sprays came out at random intervals – although we didn’t tarry long enough to discern a pattern.

Needless to say, the kids seemed to enjoy it as much as we enjoyed watching them.

The water jets come right out of the ground – much to the delight of the kids.

Moreover, there are giant swings, a labyrinth and a sand play area for the youngsters. We also found what was described as “a multi-purpose play field” (aka – open ground.) In our day, this would have begged for tag, red rover or full-contact duck, duck goose.

The Giant Swings of the Barnett Family Play Park.

The Promenade

All of this is located off the Frances Langford Promenade. Named after Lakeland’s favorite daughter, it is a walk that rings beautiful Lake Mirror. We, did not have time to walk it. However, we promise to take that stroll on our next visit to beautiful Lake Mirror Park.

There’s a lot more for us to discover here.

SuperSebring 2020 has been Postponed until November

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Florida Funmeister

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March 13, 2020

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One of our favorite Florida events is the 12 Hours of Sebring. Imagine our dismay when we learned that SuperSebring 2020 has been postponed and rescheduled in November. Chalk it up to fears over the Coronavirus.

For us. this was a huge disappointment. We love this gathering each year. Not only is Sebring a great race, the off-track activities are enough to entertain non-race fans throughout the four day weekend.

Thousands of fans turn out to see some of the greatest race cars in the world.

The Fans

It’s really the crazy fans that make this event what it is. The third weekend in March, the Sebring International Raceway becomes a huge city. There are wonderful vendors along the two midways. There are shows with live bands in the afternoons and the evenings and great displays by automotive manufacturers as well as a host of other products and services.

However, our favorites are the roving bands of race enthusiasts who have taken on different personae. There are the Sebring Cows (who dress up in cow suits), there are the Drunk Monks and even Team Impala. They are a mythical race team that wander about signing autographs and talking about their “effort.”

Team Impala’s “drivers” including “The Slug,” “N.E. Monkey” and Sum Woman

The Cars

Another thing we enjoy, is walking through the paddock and seeing the teams work on the cars. Seriously, we can walk right up to the garages and see the vehicles that will be doing way north of 100-miles-per-hour on the track.

Better yet, is that many of the drivers hang around. We have had the opportunity to chat with some of them. They also are quick to come out and let you take photos with them. It’s a great experience and these are some of the nicest folks in the world.

The Campsites

Earlier, we mentioned the fans. Well, the campsites they set up are just as colorful as they are. The area known as “Green Park” is where most of them are located. They are identified with cool names like “The Pit Crew,” “The Sarasota Racing & Drinking Enthusiasts” and “Dodge City.”

One of the groups, F-Troop, was to have celebrated their 50th anniversary at the track this month. Another, known as Turn10, actually is located at turn ten and has been one of the iconic locations just as long. Former Sebring Fan of the Year Dave Wesphal, paints the curbing in front of his WFO encampment each race.

The WFO encampment is a Sebring tradition

Seven

In recent years, we have taken to watching the event at Seven, The Sebring Raceway Hotel. It is located on the Hairpin Turn – which is one of our favorite parts of the track

The hotel serves wonderful food, all our creature comforts are there and it provides a wonderful view. Watching the race is fun either from grandstands or from chairs that are set out on the grass behind the hotel.

A view from one of the rooms overlooking the Sebring raceway.

The Postponement

Sadly, none of that will happen this month. The International Motor Sports Association and the Sebring International Raceway have announced that the event will be put off until November. However, officials in Highlands County have announced at this time, they have no cases of the Coronavirus.

Moreover, the World Endurance Championship 1,000 mile support race will not return until next year – making it somewhat less than a SuperSebring 2020.

To be honest, we really are going to miss this annual rite of Spring. That being said, we plan to be there in November, and make history as part of the crowd that came back for a Sebring race that was not held in March.

If you have not attended this race, we would take this opportunity to recommend it to you . It is one of our favorites. Our suggestion to you is that you go to the Sebring International Raceway site for updates on the rescheduled race and the best way to see it.

We agree with the fans of USA Today who voted Sebring as the Number One Motor Sports Event in the World.

Why We Travel Florida

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Florida Funmeister

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March 9, 2020

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We have done several blogs here but we never have discussed exactly why we travel Florida. Of course, we like to find unexplored places in the Sunshine State, see different things and to have new experiences.

However, it is more than that. We just like to be with each other and traveling gives us a unique opportunity to be together in a variety of different locales and situations.

We like to get in the car and just be together. Photo by Dorothy Hicks

Early on, we did a column about “Taking Your Fun With You.” It’s true – we do bring our fun along. But it is so much more than that. When Mrs. Funmeister and I get into the car, we are locking the world out and heading off together. As she put it, “we’re in a capsule.”

First we are in our car together. It truly is amazing that most of the time, we don’t even turn on the radio. We are too busy talking with each other.

Sometimes we discuss the upcoming destination. We kick around the schedule of where we are going and what we want to investigate once we arrive. Other times it is about what restaurant we would like to enjoy. On other occasions it might be about something totally off the subject of our destination or vacation planning.

We never seem to run out of thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

Waiting for lunch on the Space Coast at Waldo’s Restaurant & Lounge at Vero Beach.

The long and the short of it, is that we enjoy each other. And traveling gives us the opportunity to lock out the workaday world, or what is happening at the house and just be kids again.

Over the course of our travels we have had some really great experiences. Some have been less than great and others have turned out to be a total bust.

But in the end, we have been together, we have found the humor in it and spent valuable time together. And for us, that’s what it’s all about.

One of our most funtastic experiences was dressing up to ride the Ford Tri-Motor

Time is too very precious to waste. On more than one occasion, my wife has seen something I have not – or found something of interest on the internet during one of her searches. Other times, I may get an opportunity or an offer we cannot afford to refuse. So off we go on another adventure.

There’s nothing like waiting for the sunset at Siesta Key.

A great benefit in traveling Florida is that there’s always something new to see. Whether it’s a place we previously have traveled or a brand new location, there’s always something new and different that awaits us. We are truly blessed.

And that’s one more reason we always pray while we travel.

There’s no other way to say it. We like to be together and travel gives us that opportunity. And the best part, is that we get to share it with you through this blog. As we have noted in the past – we are always open to suggestions. So stay tuned – more travel reports are on the way.

Newk’s – A Great Place for a Gnosh in Sarasota

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Florida Funmeister

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March 5, 2020

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We have several go-to places when we want to dine in Sarasota. One place we always know we can get a great lunch is at Newk’s Eatery. Nestled in University Park – it’s one of only three in the Sunshine State. The others are in Clearwater and Palm Beach Gardens respectively.

What attracted us was Newk’s clean and open atmosphere. Interestingly enough, we found it quite by accident. Actually, we were at The Square at UTC shopping center for another store, saw the sign and were intrigued by the name.

We saw their sign and decided to give it a look. It was a good choice.

The Selections

The menus are posted on large boards at the entrance. We were impressed at the number and variety of selections. The choices included hand-crafted pizzas, grilled and tossed salads or grilled and toasted sandwiches.

These combinations all seemed interesting and proved to be a difficult choice. Moreover, we noted a large sign on the wall indicating that these are proprietary recipes. That is, these are flavors they developed themselves in their own kitchens.

This is one of the signs that convinced us that Newk’s was a good option.

Yet another sign we saw proclaimed “Wholesome is the new Healthy,” and indeed, it helped to cement the fact that these folks pay attention to the food they serve.

Transparency

Moreover, it is easy to watch the food being made. The kitchen is lined in with glass, so we could look right in and see the cooks hustling about. The pick-up window also was there. We watched as dozens of people came in, picked up their orders and headed back to their cars.

Near where we chose to sit was a condiment table. It may have been the best-stocked such facility we’d ever seen. There were jars with pickles, onions, grated Parmesan cheese, capers, jalapenos – even some roasted garlic.

One of our favorites were the sleeves of “breadsticks.” They really more resembled crackers but they were good eating and kept us busy while we awaited our order.

One view of the three-sided condiment table at Newk’s.

Our choice for lunch was The Farmer’s Market Sandwich. It’s a combination of portabella mushroom, squash, zucchini, spinach, smoked Gouda and a whole lot more. Yes, I know there’s no meat – but it was tasty as well as filling.

And Newk’s is the kind of place that makes us want to revisit to try a number of their other offerings. I was looking with big eyes at The Royal sandwich. That one piles ham, turkey, Genoa salami, roast beef and Swiss cheese on a bun.

There’s also a dozen different kinds of pizza, some of which you can get with cauliflower crust. The Mediterranean and Margherita both caught my eye.

One of our Farmer’s Market sandwiches. Slaw is only one of the sides you can choose.

Convenience

As we said, the quality of the food is highlighted by the dining experience. There are booths, tables and high-tops where you can sit. (We always like the high-tops). The place is ringed with large picture windows so we had a panoramic view of the great Florida day around us.

A thoughtful convenience we found, was the location of the sink. We did not have to go into the restroom to wash our hands. Additionally, it was recessed far enough back that we didn’t block either of the doors.

The sink was convenient and easy – plus we didn’t have to touch the bathroom doors.

The Newk’s Experience

We caught the manager on the way out. He told us that Newk’s has about 100 locations in 13 states. Their mission statement says they got into the restaurant business “because we love food.” We’re here to tell you that it shows.

This quickly has become one of our go-to places in Sarasota when we want a place we can rely on. Additionally, we are looking forward to trying the other two locations when we are in Palm Beach Gardens and in Clearwater. But let me tell you, the Sarasota location has set the bar high for quality of food and dining experience.

The inside of Newks Sarasota is bright, airy and easy to negotiate.

Those who follow us know we love Sarasota – and this certainly has become one of our favorite restaurants here.

Lawn Mower Racing Mania Comes to Florida

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Florida Funmeister

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March 3, 2020

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While many people enjoy their riding lawn mowers for trimming grass, in Avon Park they use them for lawn mower racing. Racing you say? That’s right! We’ve discovered that Avon Park actually is “The Cradle of Lawn Mower Racing” in the United States and they have a track to prove it.

Anyone who follows us knows we like racing.

So we visited the Avon Park Mowerplex and saw it up close and personal. It’s located on the grounds of the Avon Park Airport just off Highway 64 west of the “City of Charm.” Wes Pyburn, president of NASGRASS, told us it was the first for-purpose lawn mower racing facility built in the United States.

By the way, NASGRASS is the North American Society of Grass Racers and Sod Slingers. It is the sanctioning body for the races.

The schedule we were given shows events on the second Saturday of each month from September through May. But the action kicks up in earnest in March when they hold their annual “Snowbird Nationals.”

This year’s event is March 13-14.

A group of lawn mower racers getting ready for the green flag.

Mower Racing

The competitors take the blades off their mowers, then soup them up for racing. Some can reach speeds of up to 50-60 miles per hour on the clay track. I personally saw a readout on a fan’s radar gun and was amazed.

Actually, the Nationals really should be called the Internationals. Wes told us that over the past couple years, they have had drivers fly in from England to compete with other mower racers from all over the United States.

We were pretty impressed.

A couple of competitors get their mower ready before the big race.

The Facility

One of the neatest parts of the Mowerplex is the facility itself. We saw all the elements of a typical stock car short track. In addition to the stands, we noted an announcer’s booth, lights and flag stand. They even had a Winner’s Circle. My favorite part, of course, was the food vendor. He served us up some tasty burgers and barbecue.

This is where winners park to have their pictures taken after a feature race.

Strolling around the grounds, we saw that they had assembled a small play area for the kids. Wes told us that having activities for the youngsters was a regular feature of the race. In fact, there’s even a youth division for some of the older kids to run their own class of mowers.

There are stands for the fans and an elevated announcer’s booth at the mowerplex.

The Ambience

But the best part for us, was the family oriented atmosphere. Walking around there were young people everywhere. They don’t serve beer and we heard no real foul language. This is a place we can highly recommend both for the entertainment value and the overall experience.

Even as we wandered through the pit area, we saw the encampments were populated by families. At times, there were as many as three generations enjoying the sport of lawn mower racing.

Racing is a family affair for this crew.

In the end, we know it seems wacky and maybe it is. But for our buck, lawn mower racing is a whole lot of fun and at a fairly low pricepoint. And if you want to see the best of the best, we suggest the Snowbird Nationals in March.

However, if you cannot make that, it’s the second Saturday of each month from September to May. You can see more at their website nasgrassinc.com

Coronavirus Got You Worried? A Florida Land Cruise May Be In Order!

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Florida Funmeister

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February 29, 2020

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Lately we have seen the headlines screaming about the Coronavirus. There’s already been a cruise ship quarantined and folks don’t want to go out in crowds where they might catch something.

Have we got good news for you!

As we understand it, there have been no cases of the Coronavirus here in the Sunshine State. Moreover, we have a list of places to go and enjoy in Florida. And – you can do it all without being crammed in with people at theme parks or other tight situations.

In an effort to avoid the Coronavirus – or any other virus – we cruise in our own car. Then, we can stop at fun restaurants and points of interest on our own schedule. And so can you.

No Ship Needed to Enjoy the Water

One thing we found is that you don’t need to get on a cruise ship to get out on the water. My wife and I had a great time in central Florida up on the St. John’s River. Our stay at the Huntoon Landing & Resort was relaxing quiet and we had the water pretty much all to ourselves.

Watching the birds fly along the surface of the St. John’s River was soothing and peaceful. Plus. we could enjoy it at our convenience.

A bit further to the north there’s Weekie Wachee. It was one of Florida’s original theme parks and a tour of the accompanying springs also is a wonderful way to enjoy the water on our own schedule.

The Beaches

However, you might prefer a beach. Even better! Florida has wonderful beaches on the Atlantic and the Gulf. In fact, there are 12 Coasts of Florida. Literally, there are hundreds of miles of sandy beach from the Emerald Coast and Forgotten Coast – all the way around the Keys and up to The First Coast.

Truly, if you like the Atlantic, we can recommend the Space Coast. Our trips there have been spectacular. From Melbourne, to Cocoa Beach there are wonderful beaches and towns where you can relax, enjoy great dining and entertainment and not be pressed by crowds.

Hightower Beach is one of many along the Space Coast which feature white sand and blue waters. In winter, the surf’s a lot higher and ready for riding.

On the other hand – or on the west side – is the Gulf. More white sand beaches and bluegreen water is the order of the day. We can tell you that there are shells. Possibly more shells than you have seen in your entire life. Number one is Sanibel. We have been told the world’s best shelling is there – and we believe it.

In addition, we had a great trip up Manasota Key and the beaches there. Moreover, there’s Siesta Key. It’s been ranked once again as the best beach experience in the world.

Manasota Beach is white sand, blue water and excess relaxation in the Florida sun.

Other Destinations

At the same time, we found a land cruise might not involve the water. Here in Florida there are a lot of backroads trips through the middle of the state that can carry you to wondrous places.

We have enjoyed the Florida Air Museum, there’s a great state park system. The Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsey is fun, there are a ton of different farmer’s markets, as well as the famous Lakeridge Winery and a whole lot more.

You may call it a Road Trip – we call it a Land Cruise – but the fun still is there.

We have found taking a land cruise in Florida is very healthful and beneficial. It lowers our blood pressure and increases our fun levels. Why be stressed and have to wear a mask? (after all, it will mess up your tan.)

Best of all – to date there have been no Coronavirus cases in Florida. And to be honest, we don’t expect any. So if you are looking for a safe and wonderful vacation, Florida’s the place. Please also take time to stop by one of our Welcome Centers on the way in – they are well worth your time.

In the interest of transparency, let us warn you: CAUTION – YOU MAY BE INFECTED WITH SAND IN YOUR SHOES.

Traveling is Easy

It Need Not Be Expensive

Making Memories

Our Formulas

Using Our Diffuser

Other Solutions

Where We Have Been

Where We Want to Go

Our Preparations

Planes

Trains

Automobiles

The Schedule

Hollis Gardens

For the Kids

The Promenade

The Fans

The Cars

The Campsites

Seven

The Postponement

The Selections

Transparency

Convenience

The Newk’s Experience

Mower Racing

The Facility

The Ambience

No Ship Needed to Enjoy the Water

The Beaches

Other Destinations

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