Do you like the beach? Florida has more than a dozen coastal designations. There are nature beaches full of wildlife along the Forgotten Coast. White sand and blue water are the rule along both the Atlantic (except for Cocoa) and the Gulf. On the Gulf from Fort Myers to Sarasota and on the Atlantic from Miami to Fernandina Beach – not to mention the Panhandle.
Hightower Beach just north of Melbourne is a wonderful place to enjoy the Atlantic coast.
There are also funky little towns inland that are a lot of fun and that are brimming with points of interest. (Hint: Look for the brown signs with the “Historic Downtown” designation.)
Deland is a delightful place with plenty of shops, restaurants and entertainment opportunities.
By using TripAdvisor to research the area, we can find all kinds of different parks and beaches. And it also lists malls, stadiums, museums, attractions and various points of interest of which we were nwot previously aware.
The International Car Collection is a museum full of historic, vintage, custom and specialty cars that will evoke memories for everyone.
We use TripAdvisor to find out first what is in the area and second, how these things rank with other travelers.
How to Save
But how to experience them without breaking the bank? By researching the area you want to visit. That makes for smart travel. One thing we have found is that staying offsite can be a real money saver.
A big beachfront hotel can be a week’s salary or more. However, there are hotels not-so-very-far-away where the prices drop like a rock. The lower traffic means the rooms may not have had as much use. In short, better accommodations at lower rates.
There are lots of great hotels with all the amenities that come at a fraction of the cost – if you just look about.
Plus, when you stay a bit away from your target, the drive in gives you the ability to scope out restaurants and points of interest you have found. That enables you to maximize the fun on your vacation.
There are other things you can do, joining a rewards club can help you shave dollars off a stay by using bonus points. Also, look at off season travel and check to make certain if there are parking fees for your lodging faclilty.
The key is doing your research ahead of time. It pays to read the reviews. Mrs. Funmeister always likes to look at the low ranking reviews to see what kinds of problems people have had. In some instances, it has been a cranky desk clerk or slow service that has caused a facility to be marked down.
But that did not reflect a problem with the accommodations themselves.
However, sometimes there are very real concerns about the cleanliness of the room, the lodging or the neighborhood. Those things ultimately have steered us away from a place. We have a whole section on Hints & Tips for a great vacation. One quick one is that we buy a gallon of purified water for our morning coffee in the room. It makes all the difference in the the taste of the coffee or tea.
Finally, Florida is Fun
So the bottom line is this. If you are headed for the theme parks we cannot help a lot. However, if you want to try the beaches or some of the fun and funky towns in the Sunshine State – look around our site. Take advantage of TripAdvisor to see what is in the area you want to explore.
Cocoa Beach is a favorite Florida Fun Travel destination. We have stayed at the La Quinta and The Beach Place Guesthouses. And have dined at some great restaurants- like Simply Delicious and Squidlips..
But until our last visit, we never had gone out on the famous Cocoa Beach Pier. Locals had recommended it both for the great view and the “vibe.”
From our experience, we can attest that Cocoa Beach is teeming with the “vibe.”
The entrance to the famous Cocoa Beach Pier.
The famous pier first made its way out into the Atlantic back in 1962. Built by businessman Richard Stottler it was an impressive structure. It comprised more than 2.5 miles of boardwalk planks and 270 pilings, each 40 feet in length.
Over the years it evolved, undergoing a two million dollar renovation in 1983. It spawned a number of attractions – including the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop. That originally was on the pier, then moved to a lot nearby.
Now, the Cocoa Beach Pier is the 800-foot long centerpiece of the six miles of the Atlantic Ocean that is Cocoa Beach. It overlooks a sea of pop-ups, beach umbrellas, volleyball courts and serves as the launching area for hundreds of surfboards.
Enjoying the day at the edge of the Cocoa Beach Pier.
The Cocoa Beach Pier is a destination location that hosts a million visitors annually. It has a fantastic view and plays home to four restaurants, five tropical bars, gift shops and boutiques as well.
Would you like some clothing, beach towels, souvenirs and the like? Try The Pier Shop or The Tropical Threads Boutique.
Stock up before you hit Cocoa Beach.
Dining
The pier boasts a slate of bars and restaurants. There’s the Rickki Tiki Tavern, Pelican’s Bar & Grill, The Boardwalk Bar and Keith’s Oyster Bar. It’s a great expierence to sit on the rail at Pelican’s and enjoy the sun, the salt air, the view and a pina colada.
An actual Pina Colada on the Cocoa Beach Pier.
Fishing
For anglers, there’s plenty of opportunity to fish. Fishing opens at 6:00 each morning. There is rental equipment available or bring your own. Depending on the season, you might hook Red Fish, Whiting, Pompano, Tarpon, Snapper, Wahoo, Sheepshead, Flounder, Jack, Blue Fish, Sea Trout, Black Drum, Croaker or Grouper.
Not to mention the big ones that got away.
Everything you need is available at the Cocoa Beach Pier
It’s Not All Roses
There are some downsides as well. Fishermen say their area is small. Additionally, it shuts down at 5:00pm. Moreover, you only can walk so far out onto the pier – then it’s an additional two dollar charge. To be fair, they say they will give you a credit if you eat at the Tiki Bar at the end of the pier.
Also, it can be a bit pricey there – and it’s not just the shops and restaurants.
One of the biggest downsides is the parking, It costs $20 to put your car in the lot. Also, beware of the “Information Booth,” which is a place that is extremely interested in talking to you about a timeshare.
We have visited other piers on the Gulf Coast in Venice and Fort Myers Beach. There is no charge to walk out and enjoy the day. They also have restaurants, shops and other facilities. They are a magnet for for tourists who wish to watch the sunset and those who want to fish.
Alternatives
At Cocoa Beach, there are alternatives such as Alan Shepard Park. Lori Wilson Park and Sidney Fischer Park. In short, Cocoa Beach is a great place to have fun, try some fishing or surfing and simply enjoy the sun and sand.
In any case, you can bet we’ll be back – we love Cocoa Beach.
August is Motor Sports Awareness Month and the Sebring International Raceway already is celebrating. The Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring has been voted the best motorsports event in North America.
That designation comes from fans voting in the USA Today’s ’10best’ poll. It is a month-long election that pits 20 top racing events against each other.
It’s the Fans
Members of the so-called ‘Sebring Nation’ rose to the challenge. They voted the 12 Hours over other such internationally-known events as the Indianapolis 500. Attendees line up at the front gate at the start of March, waiting for weeks for the gates to open.
The race runs the third week of March each year.
“The incredible passion that Sebring fans continually display for this nation’s most historic sports car race both inspires and overwhelms us in great and a myriad of ways,” stated Sebring President & General Manager Wayne Estes .
Sebring is both the most popular motorsports event and the oldest sports car endurance race in North America.
Last year, the 12 Hours shattered all previous attendance records. There were three major races that weekend. The World Endurance Championship and the Michelin Sports Car Challenge also ran endurance races. Both will return this year for what is dubbed “Super Sebring.
Banners adorn the pit structure showing the winning car makes over the nearly 70 years of the running of the 12 Hours of Sebring.
The History
The race began on the runways of the Sebring Airport in 1953. Since that time, professional drivers, movie stars, barons of industry and others have challenged the now 3.74 mile circuit. It has always been a fan favorite. Even when the race was cancelled in 1974 due to the gas crisis, 5,000 people showed up just to be there.
The fan base has grown with it. Now there are literally thousands of fans who boast several decades of attendance. Many set up colorful campgrounds for the four day event. There are groups in special dress who roam the grounds that encircle the 17-turn road course. Some dress as cows (really) and others as monks.
The group at Turn 10 is known internationally. Their Lee Self designed logo appears on many of the cars in the WeatherTesch Sportscar Championship series.
Sebring has been in the USA Today’s 10best competition jn the past. They moved from sixth place, to fourth to the number one slot in the past three ballots. This year they bested 19 other well-known races including the Indianapolis 500.
More than just the 12 Hours, Sebring hosts racing events all year long. There are other road racing series, drivers schools and even seasonal drag racing along their famous front straightaway. More about that can be found at the Sebring Intenational Raceway website.
A Relaxed View
One of the best ways to watch any of the road racing events, is to stop by Seven – The Sebring Raceway Hotel. It overlooks Turn Seven – or The Hairpin as it is known. Fans can get both something to eat or drink, and watch the cars from the back deck.
Fans can see the cars from the patio at Seven – The Sebring Raceway Hotel.
We have attended the 12 Hours and other races at Sebring. They always are fun and there’s plenty to see and do. Whether you are a race fan or not, the 12 Hours of Sebring is a great experience. And the 2020 race should be better than ever.
It comes as no surprise they top the leader board in this year’s USA 10best poll.
There is nothing that surpasses the importance of research in planning a getaway. We use TripAdvisor to review the restaurants, lodging and points of interest in area we plan to visit. It helps us determine where we’ll go and what we’ll do.
Recently, we attended an extended family function where somebody else suggested the lodging. They had stayed at the property a couple years prior and had enjoyed their visit. However, the years apparently had not been kind. Had they done some planning and research on this, they would have known.
Picutre of a motel – not the one in question.
Had they looked at TripAdvisor reviews, they would have seen the most recent reviews entitled “Awful,” “Gross – Didn’t Even Stay the Night,” “Shortage of Towels,” “Not the Best,” “Bad Check-in Experience” and “Overpriced.” To be fair, there were two good reviews sprinkled in the most recent accounts of stays at this particular property.
We generally look at the most recent reviews – figuring they had the kind of experience we could expect.
This is why research is so important. Within a couple years, the property could have undergone a wonderful new renovation, or it could have slipped quite a bit.
It may not be the property – but the neighborhood.
The Neighborhood
Some of this can be determined by research – but some comes as a bit of a surprise as the car wheels into the parking lot.
We have stayed in properties that were under renovation. In fact, we saw this in reviews and asked for a renovated room. But a motel cannot be responsible for what springs up around it. At one place, we noticed a chain restaurant next door which a mutual friend described as “the beginning of the end.”
The room at that place was an oasis in the midst of a declining neighborhood. We were glad to get out.
Preparation
This is why we carry our travel basket, with things like our diffuser, night lights, security door wedge, ect. We also carry our travel picnic basket for the same reason. At our last stay – the paper coffee cups were not in the protective plastic – we used our own.
Although you cannot be ready for everything, preparation and research are the key. And remember – take your fun with you.
On our way home from a trip up north, we were looking to find somewhere to explore and a wonderful restaurant at which to dine. We saw the sign for the DeLand Historic District. Subsequently, Mrs. Funmeister found the Santorini Restaurant home of Greek cuisine.
This was the start of a great adventure
Between TripAdvisor’s rave reviews of Santorini’s and the prospect of finding a new travel destination, this was a no-brainer. We wheeled the car off the interstate. Guided by our somewhat reliable GPS, we found our way into town and to a public parking lot.
Great Greek in a Great Little Town
Upon reaching Santorini’s we found a very quaint restaurant with excellent service. I ordered the Spanakopita – a spinach pie that hands down was one of the best in Florida. It was served piping hot and I could tell it had been hand made.
Santorini’s Spanakopita is one of the best in the state.
Among other things, my wife got the oven roasted lemon potatoes. These were not overcooked and had a wonderful, light lemon taste. Suffice to say, we enjoyed everything we had (including the soups) and felt energized to go out and explore the town.
DeLand’s Downtown Historic District is jam packed with things to see, do, and experience for every member of the family. The town’s namesake – Henry Addison DeLand – apparently had envisioned the city becoming a major player in tourism and citrus.
It certainly is a tourist friendly city. This historic district is in the heart of a bustling college town and teems with small businesses, eateries, art galleries, and music venues. DeLand has retained much of its beautiful architecture that gives visitors and residents a sense of the city’s history.
The Merchants
Walking down North Woodland Boulevard, we found a mix of storefronts. Next to Santorini’s we ran up on the “Somewhere in Time” consignment shop. It’s a great mix of historic, vintage, period and nostalgia pieces. And it’s just one of a number of such shops that dot the Historic District.
In fact there are plenty of shops that offer antique, repurposed and reproduction vintage pieces. These include; The Art & Antique Gallery, Florida Victorian Salvage & Antiques, Deja Vu, Orchid Rain and Pretty Little Things. Just to name a few
The outside displays at the stores of DeLand are entertainment all in themselves.
If you are a music lover as I am, there’s also Groovy Records, the home of vintage vinyl and a selection of guitars. And just up the street is Downtown Music.
Places to Dine
Of course, we have told you of Santorini’s Restaurant. But DeLand has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and other kinds of eateries. The Urban Brick is a great Italian kitchen, or there’s Wrap it Up – for bowls, salads and their signature and specialty wraps.
There’s BakeChop Artisan Kitchen that serve creative plates from locally sourced ingredients, plus house-baked treats and coffee drinks. It’s a walk-in only (sort of like when you drop in to your best friend’s house to eat).
In addition, there’s a great selection of other options – such as the Pho’ Co Noodle House – home of Vietnamese cuisine, Oudom – a thai sushi restaurant and Hunter’s Restaurant – a family-owned and operated diner featuring old-fashioned food. If all you want is a sandwich, try Dick & Jane’s or Mr. Bill’s Donuts and Sandwiches.
In addition to regular restaurants – there are plenty of places that combine food and adult beverages. It appears the city of DeLand has worked hard to encourage all their eateries to accentuate outdoor dining as well.
A few folks were enjoying the afternoon at De La Vega.
For two fisted diners there’s Neighbors – they offer food that “can be held in one hand while holding a drink in the other.” Or perhaps Byte – the casual and fresh “modern bistro.” The Half Wall Beer House, a sports bar, grill and craft beer house might be your thing.
In any event, there’s something of interest for just about everyone. And yes, there are some actual normal stores there as well. Need shoes? Try Becker’s Best Shoes. You can pick up books at The Muse. There’s Dorothy’s Florist if you need flowers and Grrs & Purrs for all of your pet needs.
Some Interesting Notes
We were impressed by a number of things. One was a highly decorated upright piano set outside The Table Restaurant. Although its tuning and keyboard action left a lot to be desired, citizens could sit down and try their hand – or hands – at tickling the ivories for a while.
Having a bit of afternoon keyboard fun in DeLand.
It appears that officials are looking for suggestions from the general public. They have posted a blackboard soliciting ideas from people as to their vision for the city. It remains unclear who monitors this, takes notes or clears the blackboard. But at least the interest is there.
What are your Ideas for DeLand?
And we discovered this all in a fairly short amount of time. Suffice to say, whether you like to try new food, are an amateur picker of antiques and oddities, or are looking to be entertained, this is a very interesting little burg. We plan to return – possibly for one of their many events.
Planned events include; a Growers & Maker’s Market, Classic Car Cruise-ins, a craft show, an indie market for independent artisans, a jazz fest, a wildflower & garden festival and holiday parades – among other things.
Information on all these and more can be found on at Main Street DeLand – and stay tuned for our return trip. Special event or not – we recommend a trip to the DeLand Historic District!
So quite a while back, we got a sample of Tossits. These are large plastic baggies designed to keep your car clean and neat while you travel. An apt description for people our age might be “these are litter bags on steroids.”
Although Tossits are referred to by the manufacturer as “car garbage bags,” they really are heavier and much nicer than that description might indicate.
We’d meant to mount them in the car and field test them earlier, but life got in the way. Boy, was that a mistake.
These handy Tossits come in a pack of 10, just a bit over a foot long.
Tossits are made to go over the back of the seat. The system is mounted with a sturdy cord that loops around the headrest. It also has a heavy rectangular plastic plate that helps to hold the bags steady and in place.
For those who are not mechanically inclined, the back of the package even comes with simple instructions – highlighted with pictograms so even I could figure it out.
Note the Tossits pictures with arrows and easy to follow instructions.
We opted to put them on the back of the driver’s seat, so Mrs. Funmeister (who is in charge of all things not driving) would have an easy reach to throw things away. In fact, we thought it would be filled up in a single outing.
Tossits duly mounted on the back of the driver’s seat
Putting Them to Work
So we took a trip to Englewood, and there still was room, so we left them in place. Then, we took trips to Kissemmee and Fort Myers Beach. Still plenty of room. Since then, we visited Orlando then headed over to Cocoa for a couple days.
The bag still was not entirely full.
We have been astonished at the amount pf material the Tossits hold and how well they stay anchored on the back of the seats. If you note the bags on the floor in the photos above – those are gone, the back seat now is neat and clean. The most important thing is – Mrs, Funmeister is happy.
In the past, after a trip the floor in the back of the car has had litter. It was a mishmash of paper cups, drink bottles, various flyers, bags and other debris. It was not dirty – but it certainly got messy. No longer. Our biggest regret has been that we didn’t try Tossits sooner.
Moreover, this is just the first of a series of bags. When finished, the first one will have lasted around six weeks and four major trips (one with extended family). That does not count the incidental driving and shorter trips inbetween our vacation outings.
Finally Full
Mrs Funmeister finally decided that our bag was full, and we set about tearing it off the pack.
Personally, I thought it could hold more. But Mrs. Funmeister declared it full
The bag came off easily. I had worried it might have rather melted to the pack, cooped up in the car as it was, parked beneath our baking Florida sun. However, it peeled off without incident quickly and easily.
It came off the pack both quickly and cleanly.
Because it came off so cleanly. it then was easy to fold over and seal without issue. At this point allow me to say, I still think the bag could have withstood another trip (or two). One reason the bag lasted so long – I think – is that we have mostly trash and not any garbage.
You have to be a bit careful, once it is folded over – that baby is shut!
Incidentally, the seal is very stout. You neither have to worry about the bag coming open when you get ready to toss it nor having the bag tear in any way. I will tell you even if it is crammed with heavy objects – that bag is glued fast.
And into the can it goes.
Tossits Pass the Test
Perhaps the best part of the Tossits system is that they really are a preventative measure. As Ben Franklin noted, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It keeps things off the floor and the car clean and neat.
Tossits are worth much more than a single pound of cure.
We now have a new expression. When I hand my wife something, I will ask “Keep it or Tossit?” She generally responds “Tossit.” And into the bag it goes.
We recommend these things highly, Our plan is to keep several rolls on hand. These would also make great gifts to friends who travel – especially anybody with children. They are easy enough to remove an seal, even some of the older youngsters could do it with ease.
If you want to try them for yourself, Tossits are available on Amazon or at the Tossits World Headquarters in Clarkston, Michigan.
When in search of a sweet place to shop and dine in Florida, Historic Cocoa Village is as good as any we have visited. To date, our stops have included historic downtown areas in the Sunshine State such as Melbourne, Bartow and Englewood. Each is wonderful in its own special way.
Located along the Space Coast in Southeast Florida, Historic Cocoa Village is laid out on a cluster of streets including Oleander Street, Stone Street and Brevard Avenue. It is perfect for strolling. But remember to bring your comfortable shoes as there’s a lot of ground to cover.
There’s plenty of streetside parking along the tree-lined streets of Historic Cocoa Village
In fact, there are nearly 100 different shops, specialty stores and restaurants from which to choose. Each is more interesting than the last.
Shopping
Shopping options range from delightful fashion locations like Season Tickets Boutique the Beach Bunny Boutique. For accessories try Jon’s Fine Jewelry or The Cocoa Village Artisans. That’s a location where more than a dozen local artists have a wide range of work on display and for sale.
For your four-legged friends and family members, there’s Tails at the Barkery. This is a bakery with designer treats and designer wear for dogs and cats alike. All the cookies are freshly made in the store and a portion of the sales go to local animal rescues.
Tails at the Barkery in Historic Cocoa Village has Smoky Bones, Cheesy Twists and Peppernutters among the different pet cookies available.
A list of merchants is available at most of the storefronts. It indicates about three quarters of them are listed as “dog friendly.”
In short, it’s not difficult to find a little bit of anything along the streets of Historic Cocoa Village. There also are quaint litte set-aparts to explore – such as the Belaire Courtyard Myrt Tharpe Square and the Threadneedle Street Mall. There are a half dozen storefronts in each just waiting to be discovered.
Dining
When you need a break from shopping, there are plenty of wonderful little restaurants of all strata. Those who prefer fine dining might try The Cafe Margeaux or the Tulip Restaurant & Lounge. For more casual dining – Ryans Pizza & Pub or Norman’s Raw Bar & Grille are good options.
Although Ossorio’s is billed as a french bakery, cafe and pizza parlour – on a hot day, we decided on one of their more than a dozen flavors of ice cream in a cup with two spoons.
Ossorio’s pizza is baked in a real wood oven.
Perhaps one of the most interesting places we found was the Antilles Trading Company. Their numerous signs announced them as “The Pirate Store and Museum.” Once there, we were greeted by “The Sea Gypsy.” As she put it, they cater to freebooters and gentlepeople alike. Inside they offer unique collectibles, well-appointed historical clothing, curios & oddities and a grand collection of meticulously curated treasures.
There is both a wide variety of merchandise for sale and an impressive collection of pirate and period pieces in the museum.
More refined entertainment can be found at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. On any given evening, visitors might see a broadway-style performance, live music, a film or a show by the Summer Musical Theatre Project.
If all that wasn’t enough, there’s a full schedule of special events. There are car shows, arts & crafts shows, holiday observances – even a chili cookoff. Historic Cocoa Village has all the details.
In the end, a trip to Historic Cocoa Village is a must when visiting the Space Coast.
Mosquito County Tours is a business that is going places. We blogged in the past about Mandy Longo’s creation when we first discovered it. Since that time we have tried to make a weekend where we could get together and try a tour for ourselves.
Earlier this month, the Moon was in the Seventh House and Jupiter aligned with Mars and we finally were able to put it together. It was a beautiful thing.
In all, there are six different tours available. We actually got a double, as we took the “Combo Tour” which was the Historic Downtown Walking Tour and the Lake Eola Walking tour. What was scheduled as four hours, morphed into five and whetted our appetite for more.
How it Started
Longo began the service, doing historic tours as a monthly feature for the Orlando Main Street organization. It was so well received she branched out and started doing tours of her own. From there it has become a business that has shown literally thousands of people from all over the world that The City Beautiful is a whole lot more than just theme parks.
Mandy Longo showing part of the Lake Eola Walking Tour.
In addition to the tours we took, there’s the “Little Vietnam Food & Art” tour, the “Craft Cocktail” tour, the “Barley Row Craft Beer” tour and the “Historic Winter Park” tour. There also are provisions for private and custom tours for those who wish.
Our Tour
Not being tour-takers ourselves, we were not sure what to expect. That said, it was better than we could possibly have anticipated. Beginning at The History Center, Mandy began with a brief history of Florida in general and Orlando specifically, to set the stage for what was to come.
We walked to sites such as The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, the former Rutland’s building,. The Rose building, the Angebuilt Hotel, the Beacham Theatre, the Tinker Building and the Hand Furniture Store and Funeral Parlor (yes).
The breathtaking Angebuilt Hotel.
The downtown Orlando tour is packed with many different kinds of architecture and historical facts. Mandy brings with her a small notebook of vintage photographs of the different buildings, showing their varied facades over the years and explaining how they “developed.”
Even more interesting than the architecture are the historic anecdotes she shares. mysteries of some of the buildings and stories she has learned that only tour attendees get to hear. We could tell you about the Beacham Theater, however, we have been sworn to secrecy.
Church Street Station
One of the highlights of the walk for us was our visit to Church Street Station. Once a bustling emporium surrounded by a complex of bars, restaurants and clubs. the area – like much of Orlando – has evolved. It is now an area of offices by day and with a nightlife so vibrant they block off some of the streets.
The huge and ornate Cheyenne Saloon still stands, but it was closed for a private shoot the day we were there. Mandy also showed us the “Bumby Block,” and told the story of “The Two Henrys – Flagler and Plant.” Their railroad rivalry proved to be a huge boon for Orlando.
There are also some big plans for the downtown Orlando Train Station.
We then moved into the downtown area again to see even more interesting buildings and learn yet more history. Mandy helps draw members of the tour in, by asking riddles and interesting questions. She is not shy about giving clues and many times the answers are as controversial as they are obvious.
Here’s one:
When is a building not a building?
It wasn’t long before we were back at The History Center and we were done. It ends at the actual center of Orlando, where you can stand smack dab in the geographic middle of The City Beautiful.
The long and the short of it, is that if you enjoy history, mysteries, architecture and fun. This is a walking tour that is enjoyable and goes extremely quickly for the two hours that’s budgeted.
Mandy is very good at making sure everyone is entertained and is well looked after. When there are places for water or lavatories, she stops and asks if anyone needs refreshments or facilities.
The Lake Eola Tour
Of course, we took the combo package, so we also got the Lake Eola Walking Tour. After taking turns standing at the epicenter of Orlando, we headed to the water. The first thing you see is the beautiful Lake Eola Fountain, right in the middle of the lake (sort of).
When we were there, almost all the Swan Boats had been rented and were paddling merrily around the water. We then had a chance to see The Muse of Discovery. As legend has it, if you sit in her hand and are very quiet – she will talk to you.
We demurred.
The Muse of Discovery at Lake Eola Park.
By this time we were getting hungry. Not a problem. We were just steps away from the Relax Grill, where we stopped for lunch and yet more conversation. We learned that the bandshell there actually is entitled the “Walt Disney Amphitheater,” although most simply call it “the bandshell.”
We learned about the swans that populate the lake and how the property was originally owned by Jacob Summerlin – aka, “The Cattle King of Orlando.” We also learned the interesting tale of how it got its name.
Lake Eola Park is populated with all manner of different birds as well as varied pieces of art. Mandy took time to show each piece, tell how it was created and put into place, and yes – pose some interesting riddles.
A Tasty Detour
Before heading back, we ventured into the edge of Thornton Park for a visit to the Pop Parlour. This is the home of all-natural, handcrafted popsicles. It was the perfect choice on a hot July day. They are handmade on site, with pure water fruit and other ingredients.
Our helpful Pop savard assisting us make a selection.
There actually are three categories of pops; fruity, creamy and boozy. The selections under each of these categories are manifest. In the end, I had the Mango Peach, while Mrs. Funmeister had the Green Tea.
They are, indeed, superior refreshment.
We wound up the tour strolling the back half of the nearly mile-long loop around the lake, looking at birds, fountains and finally ending up at a large piece of black marble from the mountains of Hua-Lien. It was sent as a gift to Orlando from their sister city of Tainan.
It would is difficult to put into words how much we enjoyed this visit. Mandy has given us a whole new perspective on tours. Her research and presentation was inspiring. If you are headed for Orlando, we suggest that you contact the Mosquito County Tours web page or Facebook Page and take one of their trips around The City Beautiful.
And stay tuned, there’s another big announcement – but we have been sworn to secrecy.
As many of you know, Mrs Funmeister is a vegetabletarian. Naturally, this then figures in when we pick restaurants. On our trip to Venice, we discovered The Cafe Evergreen. Based on rave reviews on TripAdvisor we decided to try it.
The restaurant actually is located in Nokomis, inside a former post office. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the floor plan works well.
Unassuming from the front, inside Cafe Evergreen is tasty.
Both times we were there, the place was packed. That being said the wait for a table was not that long. They also had a number of options including a lunch counter and outdoor seating.
Cafe Evergreen’s dining area has a lot of tables but is not cramped.
The Food
The real attraction is the food. They use only the best ingredients to keep their food “clean.” By that, they mean house-made and no preservatives. Moreover, they look for no GMO foods, buy organic ingredients when possible and prefer to use local sources.
Our experiences show that to be true. The first time, I had the Buffalo Burger with superfood slaw, while Mrs Funmeister went with the Raw Avacado Sliders with sweet potato fries.
A great combination – it tastes great and is simultaneously healthy
Yes, the Buffalo Burger is real bison. It also is infused with Feta cheese, roasted red peppers and fresh herbs. Her sliders were served in taco-shaped dehydrated onion bread slices. The smashed avocado was infused with pico de gallo and micro greens.
We were amazed and delighted at the menu, which included breakfast, lunch, dinner and even wine, beer and cider selections.
The Second Go ‘Round
Many times when you go to such a place, the portions are small and expensive. Not here, they are more than generous. In fact, we came back on a subsequent trip and were even more impressed.
Our Second Time Around at Cafe Evergreen.
The second time, I was captured by the Evergreen Club. This sandwich was voted “The Best Vegetarian Sandwich in the USA” by Restaurant Hospitality. How could you not try it? It is a compendium of grilled cheesy quinoa cakes, organic micro beans, pickled beets, carrots, tomato and pesto ranch.
For a non-vegetabletarian, I will tell you this thing was delicious.
The Cafe Evergreen boasts four different varieties of Reuben sandwiches. She had the Roasted Beet Reuben. That’s made withl the usual suspects – sauerkraut and thousand-island dressing – but with pickled beet instead of corned beef.
Again, surprisingly good.
The next time, we’ll try to have a breakfast, sit outside and try the ambience of the great outdoors.
The Evergreen Outdoor Seating is just at the front door.
Whether you are a vegan, a vegetarian or just a normal diner, this place offers a great culinary experience. The portions are good, the service is fast and the price is reasonable. We gave them four stars on our TripAdvisor review.
Incidentally, it is just a hop, skip and a jump from Nokomis Beach – one of our better Gulfside experiences.
In the past we have discussed staying off-site as a means of saving money. We also have found it can save time and effort as well. We were on a mission to pick up relatives at Orlando International Airport and decided that instead of fighting holiday traffic on I-4, we decided to find a nearby hotel.
After poking around a bit, we found the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando Airport North. Yes, it is a mouthful. That being said, it is literally minutes from Orlando International Airport. It’s also in the middle of a sea of restaurants and best of all, it met our pricepoint.
The La Quinta Inn & Suites from Frontage Road just near the Orlando Airport.
This La Quinta is Well Prepared
This place has just about everything one might need. There’s a pool, a meeting facility, laundry, exercise room and even a small business center. Inside the room was the same, there’s the obligatory flat-screen TV, fridge, microwave and safe. We got a king-sized bed and it was almost as comfortable as ours at the house.
A great room with a comfortable bed.
Some have complained that there’s no restaurant or bar at the place – which is true. However, it is in the midst of a vast variety of different restaurants, bars and other dining facilities. This makes it easy to find something you like at a price you can afford.
We did just that. We had dinner, fueled ourselves (and the funmobile on some pretty inexpensive gas), then hit the room for the night.
The Proof of the Pudding
So we had a great night with a comfortable bed. Although the airport is quite near, the noise of the aircraft was not much more than the rumble of distant thunder. It also appeared the flight patterns may have changed between midnight and 6am – as we didn’t hear anything.
The payoff came the next morning. Instead of rising before the sun and fighting I-4 gridlock for hours, we slept in then headed downstairs for breakfast.
Our La Quinta Morning
The breakfast bar at the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando Airport North has three stations including a breakfast bar, a bread bar with toast, muffins and two different kinds of waffles as well as a coffee & tea station.
Breads, juice and two different DIY waffle makers.
Despite a pretty good crowd, we sat down at the breakfast bar and charged ourselves and our phones. Yes. there were plug-ins right in front of us. We had a relaxing breakfast
When the call came, we made a quick checkout. Then we were on our way.
Putting the address of the airport in our GPS we were literally minutes from the Arrivals gate. So, instead of sitting in the moving parking lot that is I-4 and worrying whether or not we would leave people cooling their heels waiting for us – we traveled over at our leisure and were EARLY.
It was another great lesson on how to plan. We found a wonderful way to spend the evening and set the tone for the family to come and enjoy all the fun that is Florida.
We recommend this highly. If you have an airport, train, bus or other pickup that is inconvenient, spend the night and bring them in at your leisure. And when in Orlando. the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando Airport North is a good option.
