This is the start of Tourism Week in Florida. It is also the first time in two months the restaurants have been open for sit down dining. We decided to celebrate both occasions with a trip to Winter Haven to enjoy Bistro Pizza.
When it comes to Italian, Bistro Pizza really sets the standard in my opinion. I have had their pizza and Stromboli. But for my money, you cannot beat their Calzones. In the past I have had the veggie calzone, which is wonderful. This time I had the spinach paired with their ricotta and mozzarella cheese. It was hot, large and delicious.
The veggie calzone was one of the best I have ever eaten
My wife defaulted to her salad and garlic knots. It is by far the freshest salad anywhere. These are not out of a bag. The waitresses help chop and make them fresh each morning. The garlic knots also are large and handmade each day.
Under the current rules, restaurants are allowed to operate at only 25-percent of capacity. We were the only people in the place for quite some time. It was an odd experience, as most of their tables had been pushed out of the way to make for the “physical distancing” which has become part of life for the time being.
We were fortunate enough to get our regular window booth. Here we get to both enjoy the great cuisine as well as to watch the “parade of life” go by on Winter Haven’s Central Avenue.
The interior is just as engaging, they have left the wall in the natural brick. On one side is a collection of pizza paddles like they use in their brick oven. On the other is a collection of vintage framed Italian posters.
Paddles like the ones they use in their wood-fired ovens.
A Great Celebration
For us, dining at Pizza Bistro was a great way to celebrate the return to sit down dining. We also thought it was a wonderful kickoff to Travel and Tourism Week in Florida. It was a trip out of town – and to one of our favorite restaurants. It was a real two-for-one.
We actually got a head start with our Vero Beach getaway. And we may well end off the week with another jaunt to yet another Florida locale.
So we chose a Vero Beach getaway for our first real trip after the great Covid-19 scare of 2020. Actually, it was not a real getaway as the restaurants had not opened for sit down dining and some of the places we wanted to go were not yet opened.
But never fear, we’ll be back.
Our first blessing was that we found a neat little retro motel where we got a huge bang for our buck. The Sea Spray Inn is just a two minute walk from South Beach Park (three minutes if you amble). It’s an old Florida style lodging.
It features 17 tropical air conditioned one room suites and studios.
A look down to our corner room from the upstairs deck.
It really is a slice of old Florida. We took advantage of the upstairs deck. Additionally, there were a pair of tables on the green downstairs covered with tiki umbrellas and a small pool. Leslie at the front desk could not have been more accommodating.
We had a suite, with a small living area. There was a sofa and a couple of chairs. The Sea Spray also featured a small kitchenette and a table with a great view of the courtyard below.
Because we had to bring all our meals back to the room – that became one of the most endearing features.
Our suite at the Sea Spray Inn.
The Beach
As I said, we were a quick walk from South Beach Park. It’s a small facility with picnic pavilions, bathrooms and a huge beach with lifeguard protection during certain hours. We hit the beach immediately and walked quite a good way. The water was a bit cool there was not a lot of wildlife or boat traffic – but nothing soothes our soul like Vitamin Sea.
South Beach proved to be a great walking beach.
There were not a lot of shells but my wife did make some interesting finds. We just had a lot of fun walking the beach and observing couples, families and fishermen getting out to enjoy the day.
Moreover, we found that South Beach Park turns out some great sunrises.
Sunday Sunrise at South Beach Park.
We had the opportunity to enjoy a pair of very nice sunrises. Actually, it seemed that there were more people out to watch the sunrise there than we have seen in the past.
Dining
As I said, because of statewide restrictions, dining in was not an option when we visited. Therefore, we had to bring all our meals back to the room. So this time, we stuck with the tried and true for the most part. We got carryout at Waldos, Toojays and would have tried First Watch – however, they shuttered their location during the situation.
Our dinner from TooJay’s was great – even though it was takeaway.
The fact that First Watch was closed led us to one of our great Vero Beach discoveries – Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station. At first, my wife wondered if this was a gas station with a restaurant. It is not. It is a great little restaurant with a service station theme.
The food was great, the service from our waitress “Punch Buggy” was impeccable and it begs for us to return when we can go inside and enjoy the ambience of the place. It obviously is quite popular. The locals had set up card tables out in the parking lot and were tailgating out of their vehicles.
Punch Buggy delivering breakfast. Apparently, waitresses there must have automobile names – and a Punch Buggy actually is slang for a Volkswagen.
In the End
Our Vero Beach getaway actually turned out to be one of our most interesting vacations. We were in a fairly new place but found some trusted restaurant locations for some great meals. We discovered a new beach along a fairly familiar stretch of the Atlantic coast.
But best of all we found a great lodging that was well within our price range. It was a retro motel and it had some issues of a facility built for another time. But the owners have done a great job fixing it up, keeping it clean and providing a nice lodging experience in a great location.
It was a quiet stay, with many of the guests taking advantage of the pool, the tiki tables and the elevated deck. And it would be hard to complain about the view of the courtyard.
Our view of the courtyard at the Sea Spray Inn.
It is safe to say that a Vero Beach getaway is soothing for the soul at a price we can afford – especially with the value we found at The Sea Spray Inn. Plus there are several places we intend to visit upon our return – so stay tuned.
After weeks of social distancing due to the Covid-19 infestation, we think travel is in order to help preserve our mental health.
Psychological experts say the whole notion of social distancing sounds dire – and we agree. We’re being told to stay away from other people and sequester ourselves. The orders are to remain in our homes and if we do go out to wear a face mask, gloves and hold back from other people. All of this just goes against our nature.
Even when you’re totally healthy, not having social interactions can hurt both your physical and mental well being. We have read that loneliness can lead to diabetes, autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, if you’re already prone to depression, anxiety, and loneliness, you can be hit even harder under current circumstances.
The Solution
But here at Florida Fun Travel we have the answer – travel. Having a change of scenery, even if it is just a couple of hours down the road, can work wonders. We can tell you that travel provides a number of benefits to our mental health.
Our research shows that travel is a great stress reliever. Getting away leads to lower cortisol levels, making us feel more calm and content. in fact, it has been our experience that getting out and about makes us excited. Plus, finding new places and overcoming the challenges of a new place gives us confidence and gives us an overall sense of well being.
Once we get in the car and head out, it’s a new adventure. Our creativity is rolling. We begin to plan almost immediately and start our research on TripAdvisor and other sites as we get ready to have some fun.
So there you have it. We can tell you that travel can help revive you, relieve stress, develop greater coping mechanisms, enhance pleasure and can even spur weight loss.
That’s right! In our travels we have walked a lot. We have taken long strolls on many different beaches. We have ambled through large farmer’s markets such as the one in Sarasota, and toured vast shopping areas like Pine Avenue at Anna Maria Island and the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.
These are great walks with plenty to see and do along the way and that’s something we still can do.
It’s a wonderful stroll down the Sponge Docks to see the boats up close and personal.
There’s something about going somewhere new that changes your whole mindset on things.
Current Conditions
Of course, current conditions have put a cramp in our style. But that only means we have to be more creative. We recently wrote about how this quarantine has sparked a new relationship with our automobiles.
We have experienced drive-in movies, drive-in restaurants and even drive-in church services. Additionally, we have taken some long drives on the back roads of Florida and along some of the adjoining keys that are wonderful getaways. We certainly can recommend Manasota Key as a scenic and calming drive (plus the beaches there recently reopened).
it is amazing how taking a different route can open a new adventure.
A drive up Manasota Key is as relaxing as it is beautiful.
As we write this, the conditions are ever changing as the powers that be #ReOpenFlorida. There is light at the end of the tunnel after weeks of lockdown, quarantine and unnerving conditions.
We have had to adapt. One of the first things was learning how to order over the internet,pick up our meal in a bag then eat comfortably in our car. W
Although the funky shops we enjoy so much are closed. We still have been reduced to window shopping for the time being. But all that being said – we have been able to travel and have a fun time.
It’s Time to Feel Better
For us, mental health and travel go hand-in-hand. The more travel, the greater our mental health. As always, for the greatest therapeutic value we remind you to take your fun with you. It’s a great cure for isolation and social distancing.
Those who follow us, know we have been doing a lot of in-state tourism in Florida for the past several years. To be honest, we’re not big theme park types. Although we have visited Weeki Wachiee Springs and plan to make a run up to Silver Springs.
That being said, we have found Florida to offer just about every kind of tourist experience we could want.
The mermaids of Weeki Wachee are old Florida fun.
The Gulf Coast
For the expansive beaches, white sand and tranquil turquoise waters you cannot beat Florida’s Gulf of Mexico. We have had the great opportunity to enjoy it from the Suncoast down to the Lee County Coast.
Moreover, it’s difficult to say enough nice things about the wonderful beaches and shelling at Sanibel and Captiva. There’s the funky and fun Pine Island, home of Matlacha and Bokeelia. And Fort Myers Beach is one of our all time best places.
Take off your shoes and walk the beach.
But now, our plan is to go up the Adventure Coast to the Nature Coast, Forgotten Coast and Emerald Coast. There are places like Homosassa, Cedar Key, Apalachicola, Panama City Beach, Destin and Pensacola we have yet to visit.
The Atlantic Coast
When it comes to the ocean, from the First Coast down to the Gold Coast – Florida’s Atlantic seashores have it all. Of course, we really enjoy the the beaches and the fun of the Space Coast. Our trips to Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Eau Gallie and Historic Cocoa Village really have been something special.
Watching the sun rise at Melbourne is a unique experience.
Lately we have learned the enjoyment of the Treasure Coast. We have taken jaunts to Sebastian. Vero Beach, Stuart and Hobe Sound. Our next move is further down into the Gold Coast to visit Lake Worth, Delray Beach and Boca Raton.
The Interior
Florida’s beaches have a great allure (and they do). However, we found the interior of the state can be a wonderful change of pace. Downtown DeLand has a delightful charm. Plus, it’s minutes away from the St. John’s River that can transport you worlds away.
We have hiked the trails of Highlands Hammock State Park, the oldest of the Florida state park system. You can walk, ride bikes or cruise through in your car. There’s also primitive camping or a site with full hook-ups for glamping.
You can take a boardwalk or a trail at Highlands Hammock.
The Hammock is only minutes away from the high speed thrills of the Sebring International Raceway. It seems they have cars on that historic circuit almost every weekend. Many times it’s free to watch.
There’s also Seven, the Sebring Raceway Hotel. That’s perched on the famous “Hairpin Turn” of the historic Sebring circuit and has a wonderful restaurant where you may dine and watch the action.
The Wonders of Florida
And do you know what the best part is? We’re only getting started. My wife and I have a long list of places we have not yet visited. Some are fun and funky, some are exciting. There also are historical sites we have not had an opportunity to investigate.
The Pirate Ship at John’s Pass is high on our list of experiences when they set sail again.
As things reopen in Florida we suggest that you look into in-state tourism as a way to both have fun and restart the economy. There are plenty of one tank and day trips in your area. However, we suggest an overnighter with a hotel stay. There’s nothing like visiting some nearby night spots. Then, sleeping in then finding a wonderful breakfast place to enjoy. It’s a great start to any day.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – and where do you get it? In Sarasota that would be the ChillMobile of course.
We had planned to go to Sarasota to take one of the Discover Sarasota Tours. Our hope was to take one of their many different tours and blog about it. We were on the cusp of going on our adventure when things came to a grinding halt thanks to the Covid-19 virus.
It was even a bigger blow to Tammy Hauser, who had to park her air conditioned trolley and put her brace of tour guides on hold until the statewide lockdown was released. However, Hauser has taken lemons and turned them into lemonade.
The Birth of the ChillMobile
During the height of her tour business, she’d purchased the vintage 1979 Good Humor truck for the convenience of her guests. However, the turn of events caused Hauser instead to start her sixth business – a mobile ice cream truck.
Described as “a catering van,” the ChillMobile is stocked with a full compliment of cold novelty treats from local sources such as, popsicles, gourmet ice cream cones and cups. Best of all, it’s ready for bookings just in time for summer.
The ChillMobile at rest in front of Discover Sarasota Tours.
The menu includes Good Humor novelty pops like Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Push Pops and Fudge Bars. There’s specialty treats like the Batman, Hello Kitty and Birthday Cake bars as well.
Ready to get serious? You might try Magnum Almond or Oreo Bars. Plus there are old favorites like Bomb Pops, Reese’s Dessert Cups and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Ready to go upscale? There are gourmet ice cream cups from Lickity Splits in Lakewood Ranch. Those flavors include Mint Chip, Salted Caramel Truffle, Strawberry Swirl, Double Chocolate Brownie and French Vanilla.
And don’t leave out Fido. The ChillMobile stocks Puppy Cups from the Sarasota-based Popcraft. They are organic treats made specially for dogs.
The ChillMobile has real Lickety Splits gourmet ice cream.
In fact, when we contacted Tammy, she told us that business is booming. But how can you go wrong with original 1970s ice cream truck playing the original Good Humor music driven right to your door? It is perfect for local private parties, school functions, corporate events, holiday parties, employee recognition parties or just about anything else you can think dream or do.
Booking the ChillMobile
If you want Tammy to roll her truck your way, you can book her through the ChillMobile web site. You also can book the ChillMobile and follow her exploits on the ChillMobile Facebook page.
Although her main area is Sarasota, Tammy has been known to book stops as far west as Lakewood Ranch and as far south as Venice. It is a sweet time to book a fun experience with the ChillMobile.
So last week I was minding my own business and cruising my Facebook page when I came upon an online trivia show hosted by Visit Bradenton Gulf Islands. Well, I decided to play along and ended up winning an echo dot.
Visit Bradenton Gulf Islands is the official travel planning resource for Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key. Their territory includes coastal companions Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch as well. We have visited the area many times and blogged about it. On Anna Maria Island there’s the Pine Avenue shopping experience, our dream condo experience as well as a number of eateries we’ve written about.
So I paused when I saw Jeremy hosting the Bradenton Area Trivia Time. He was having a bit of trouble with his equipment, which was pretty entertaining in and of itself. As I watched, he started the quiz.
These were multiple choice questions for the most part and I knew a lot of the answers. I was not always the first but I did get most of them right. It really was just a bit of fun and I didn’t think too much of it.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I got a message saying I was the lucky winner! To be honest, I did not know exactly what an echo dot was and decided to be surprised when it arrived.
What is an echo dot?
A few short days later the UPS man rang our doorbell and handed us the small brown box. Opening it up, we found not only an echo dot, but a personalized unit with “Bradenton-Anna Maria Island-Longboat Key” emblazoned around the top ring. Their trademark sun emblem in the middle.
Our monogrammed echo dot.
This little hockey puck shaped device actually is a smaller version of the original Amazon Echo smart speaker. It has a few buttons on the top which control volume, mute the speaker and wake the device to listen for a question or command.
Actually, you don’t need to touch the Echo Dot to use it. it is designed to primarily respond to voice commands. In short – it’s a really nice prize. Not being real tech-savvy people, we are in the process of downloading the app and learning how to use it.
When we do, our first question will be “Alexa, tell us about Visit Bradenton Gulf Islands.”
Visit Bradenton Gulf Islands
If you want to play Bradenton Area Trivia Time, it airs Tuesdays at 6pm (Eastern) on their Facebook page. The host, simply known as Jeremy, asks some multiple choice questions. He also has a “Where Are We” segment for players to identify different area landmarks.
Here’s the details
Probably the best part is to watch the ongoing commentary during the contest. There are great remarks to go along with those guessing answers to the questions. I myself added a few snarky remarks as part of the ongoing witty repartee which accompanied the game show.
Additionally, scrolling their Facebook page gives you virtual yoga and virtual kayaking experiences. There also are beach photos, pictures of sunsets and articles about local eats.
Visit Bradenton Gulf Islands also has a more comprehensive web page. They list places to stay, things to do and places to eat. There are listings of all the beaches, art and culture, sightseeing and shopping. There are 360 degree virtual tours and suggested itineraries too.
You can even put in for a Travel Journal if you like.
We have visited Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and have cruised Longboat Key. It’s a wonderful part of the Cultural Coast and a fun place to both visit and stay. And if you want the true ins and outs Visit Bradenton Gulf Islands can give you detailed information on this Florida playground.
Eating healthy while traveling has been a challenge for us. Those who follow us know that we are seniors and that we believe in eating more natural fare.
Many years ago Hippocrates said, ” Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” That said, finding such restaurants while traveling can be a challenge.
Oh sure, when we are away, many times we “go off the wagon” and indulge ourselves with a sugary or fat-laden treat. There are so many little places we find with a “specialty of the house” we cannot turn down.
Some Favorites
But for the most part, we try to find places that pay more attention to their food, use locally-sourced and grown ingredients and have healthier preparation techniques. One such place we discovered is the Cafe Evergreen in Nokomis. These are folks who have tasty and innovative menu choices.
Their combinations are as good as any and better than most. Cafe Evergreen features tasty and innovative menu choices. For instance, we found items on their menu such as raw dehydrated onion bread filled with smashed avocado, pico de gallo and microgreens.
The Cafe Evergreen’s award-winning Vegetarian Sandwich (on wheatberry bread) may be one of the best I have ever had – and I eat a lot of sandwiches.
Either of these could be right out of a health nuts’ “cook” book, and that’s just a couple items off the menu. In fact, their turkey, ham, chicken, and fish combinations are as good as any and better than most.
Over the course of our travels we also have found some other places such as the Backwater in Melbourne that serves a three egg omelette with tomato, spinach, mushrooms and onions. And it comes with toast and choice of sides as well. Their Breakfast Club of eggs, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on wheat toast has a choice of sides that includes fruit as well.
The Perfect Cup in Matlacha has a wonderful cup of coffee. The menu has a veggie omelette which simply is wonderful and pancakes topped with fruit.
Moreover, we’ve found other places such as Ginny & Jane E’s at Anna Maria Island as well as Bake Chop in Deland. Both these are great choices for both the quality of food and the innovative dishes they place on their menu.
Chain Restaurants
Many people think chain restaurants are a no-no to eating healthy while traveling, But there also are a couple of chains we like. Both Newk’s and First Watch we have felt that the tasty selections we enjoyed were better prepared with quality ingredients than some of the commercial establishments that we have visited.
Newk’s Farmers Market sandwich is hard to beat
The Farmer’s market sandwich at Newk’s in Sarasota is one of Mrs. Funmister’s top choices. She also is quite impressed with their condiment bar that had roasted garlic, pickles etc. We also noted that First Watch serves free range eggs, avocado toast and has fruit preserves with no sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Spotting a Place
But how do we find those kinds of restaurants? First we go online and check suggestions and reviews on services such as TripAdvisor. Other times we spot a place with an inviting name or a cool facade and do some of our own investigation.
It does require a bit of work and discernment. For instance, my wife likes to read the negative reviews and find out the problems. Sometimes the food is good, but the reviewer had a cranky waitress or had to wait to be served. In fact, we had one reviewer who rated a place poorly because it was closed when they visited.
Many times the restaurants have a web presence. Whether it is on the internet or simply a Facebook page, restaurant menus generally are easy to find and we can peruse the offerings and prices. They usually also have pictures of the interior of the place so we can see the overall layout and cleanliness of the place.
She is excellent at looking at a photo and determining “how easy that place must be to keep clean” – or not.
The Cost
Another thing we have discovered is that prices are not always a factor in eating out healthy while on vacation. For instance, the aforementioned Cafe Evergreen was moderately priced and gave a good bang for the buck when it comes to good food at good prices.
We have found that upscale restaurants do not always meet the criteria. In the same way, some “vegetarian restaurants” don’t give you much for what they charge. The worst have been restaurants which show one thing on the web – but are totally different once we go inside.
Suggestions
Being prepared always is a good strategy. Many times we carry our own condiments. For instance, we use use MCT oil powder as creamer for our tea and coffee. Because this will not be readily available we carry a small ziplock bag of it.
Additionally, we take Celtic sea salt and organic black pepper in a small camping shaker. Mrs. Funmeister has all this in her purse and it helps us enjoy our healthy meals even more. There are individual small plastic bags and even small camping-style containers that are inexpensive as well as handy and easy to use.
In short, eating healthy while traveling is more than just possible with a bit of research,and preparation,it can be a fun treasure hunt. And it can leave you room for that little indulgence you can only find on vacation.
Recently my wife and I had a discussion over which we liked better the Florida sunrise or sunset. First, we decided that “better” might not be the proper word. For us, it might rather be “which do you prefer?”
As it turns out, each has its own charm.
The Sunrise
There’s something about getting up early in the morning and heading out to the beach to watch the sun come up. Things are dark and the pre-dawn hours seem to have their own special feel. It’s quiet, but still there is the anticipation of the new day.
As we drive, we see cars parked around breakfast restaurants. On the road there are fishermen with boats and some early morning traffic headed to work. When we get to the beach it’s usually still fairly dark and we have to carry our flashlight to head down to the shore.
Naturally, we go to the Atlantic to watch the sun come up. It’s mystical to stand there arm in arm in the first pre-dawn glow. First it’s purple, then it lightens the sky to where we can see the beams radiating from just below the horizon where that big orange ball ultimately will burst forth from behind the clouds.
We took a trip to the Space Coast to see the sun come up at Melbourne.
One of the nice things about watching the sunrise is that generally there are not a lot of people there. Naturally. there are a few beachcombers, walkers and joggers. But for the most part, we have the place to ourselves. It’s almost as if The Lord has given us our own private early morning show.
As the sun comes up, we also are treated to many different kinds of wildlife out for an early morning cruise in search of breakfast. Along with the seagulls and sandpipers are the pelicans. It is amazing to watch them cruising in straight-line formations just above the water in search of fish.
The Pelicans skimming just above the water in a line.
After the dawn has sufficiently broken, many times we will go in search of a local breakfast restaurant. To tell you the truth, we have found some good ones to cap off a great sunrise.
The Sunset
Then there’s the sunset. A trip to the Gulf coast is in order for one of these. We have had the opportunity to see sunsets from Tarpon Springs all the way south to Englewood. These generally are well-attended affairs. There are families winding up a day at the beach, couples getting ready for a date night and all manner of folks who gather for the evening’s event.
Watching the sun go down over the Gulf puts a cap on a beautiful day.
It’s an amazing feeling. Sometimes there is music playing, sometimes we just stand and watch in quiet reflection. But without fail, there always is some applause as the big red orb finally dips bellow the horizon, leaving only the orange afterglow of sunset.
The Best of Both Worlds
One of our goals is to spend the night on the Atlantic and watch the sun come up. Then make our way across the Florida peninsula and watch it go down over the Gulf. That being said, we have found a couple of places in Florida where both the sunrise and sunset are readily visible.
The first is at one of our favorite haunts – Tarpon Springs. We actually stay at the Vista in Palm Harbor. Our room of choice has a balcony that faces east. There, we can watch the sun come up over Lake Tarpon. We generally sit on the balcony with coffee and some Greek sweet bread as dawn breaks in the east.
Our room with a view over the canal leading to Lake Tarpon,
At the end of the day, we also can head out to Sunset Point to watch the sun go down. There’s a pleasant little park there with pavilions and recreation equipment. It is not your typical Gulf beach, but it certainly is sufficient to enjoy the sunset.
The second place we found is Fort Myers Beach. Yes, at certain times of the year, the sun is positioned where we could see both the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening.
Probably the best part for us, is we could do it at the Edison Beach House. Those who follow us know that is our absolute favorite lodging in Fort Myers Beach. Actually, we discovered it quite by accident, when we had an opportunity to stay in a room on the hotel’s east side.
A view of the sunrise over the famous Fort Myers Beach pier.
We spent a marvelous day at the beach, then watched the sun go down from almost the exact same spot.
Which is Better?
You can appreciate our quandary. Making a choice between a Florida sunrise or sunset actually is not an either/or situation. Each event has its own beauty and purpose. We actually enjoy both equally well.
However, we have set some goals to see the sunset in the panhandle – either along the Emerald Coast or Forgotten Coast. We also are planning to try a sunrise in the Florida Keys. Rest assured, we will be blogging those trips and more. Because it’s always time to have fun in Florida.
The outbreak of Covid-19 brings great travel preparation opportunities for those of us who like to travel. We agree with officials of the American Automobile Association. They project that many Floridians’ cars could be parked in the driveway for at least another month.
It’s all due to the statewide “stay-at-home” order which is part of Governor Ron DeSantis executive order.
According to figures issued by the Florida Petroleum and Marketers Association, Floridians are already driving less. Due to so-called “social distancing,” bars have been closed, inside dining has been shut down and events have been cancelled in wholesale lots.
In fact, compared to this time last year, gasoline demand is down as much as 50 percent in large metro areas.
Officials of the AAA are suggesting Floridians remember to check on their vehicles. We think that this is a great idea.
“Leaving the car unused for an extended period of time could leave it vulnerable to problems with your battery, brakes, and tires,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. He suggests that there are a number of things people can do to make sure their vehicles are ready to roll when it’s time to hit the road again.
Things to Do
Battery Boost. Start your vehicle every couple of days to keep the battery at a full state and prevent deterioration. Let the engine run for a few minutes to recharge, then turn it off. If you have one, consider using a Battery Tender or other maintenance-type battery charger. The Battery Tender would remain connected to the stored vehicle.
Tire Pressure. Add 10 psi of pressure (more than usual) to each tire to prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. This occurs when the area of the tire touching the ground becomes rigid due to sitting in one position for an extended period. You can also move the vehicle periodically.
Windshield Wiper Placement. Prop up the wiper arms so the blades are off the windshield and won’t get stuck to the glass.
No Parking Brake. Don’t use the parking brake when storing the vehicle. The brake could become frozen, and the brake pads could rust to the rotors, or brake shoes could distort the drums. With an automatic transmission, simply place the vehicle in park. If the car has a manual transmission, put it in first or reverse gear and use wheel chocks to help hold the vehicle in place.
Sun Shade. If your car is always outdoors and exposed to the sun, use a sun shade. This will help prevent the sun’s UV rays from deteriorating your dashboard and steering wheel.
We have started this process already. Our first move was to take the Funmobile to our favorite (local) mechanic. He did an oil change, brake job and gave it the once-over to make sure everything is in running order.
Our mechanic took a detailed look at the car.
Moreover, we went through our traveling tool box and first aid kit to make certain they were well-stocked and up to date. As bad as it is, the outbreak of Covid-19 brings great travel preparation opportunities.
Opportunities
Even more than preparing and updating our vehicle, we have had a chance to learn how to adapt our travel to the so-called “social distancing” restrictions by finding drive-in restaurants, drive-in theaters, drive-through attractions and even drive-in churches for corporate worship.
Additionally, we have had a great opportunity to plan for where we will go and what we will do when this is over. This also has caused us to both look back at the places we have been and the places we would like to go. Revisiting some places is a very attractive option but I can tell you the idea of exploring new places also is a great pull.
So you can see, the onset of Covid-19 brings great travel preparation opportunities. Additionally, we look forward to the kinds of deals we expect when hotels, restaurants, beaches, attractions and the rest of Florida re-opens. And the best part is, we look forward bringing our travels to you.
It appears to us that the onset of the Covid-19 in Florida has rekindled the Sunshine State’s love affair with the automobile. Everywhere you look you see drive-in restaurants and take out. Drive-in theaters are enjoying a renaissance. Heck we even see drive-in churches popping up.
The governor has closed all the restaurants and bars to inside use. So being Americans, we have retreated to our automobiles. Being in the car allows you to have the politically correct social distancing while being surrounded with all the comforts of home.
Now, sitting in our car, we can dine, be entertained and even attend a worship service.
Driving-In
Recently, we decided to go motoring for dinner. The nearest spot was a Sonic Drive-In Restaurant. We have tried this chain and the food certainly is acceptable. When we arrived, I pulled into the stall and pushed the red button. We ordered and in no time, a friendly carhop brought our meal out and hooked the tray on the window.
There were several motorists up for the Sonic cuisine when we were there.
After dinner, we found Lakeland’s Silver Moon Drive-in Theater. It’s a two-screen operation, which plays mostly retro films. They rely more on the drive-in experience. They have a nice concession stand and a play area for the children. We noted than most of their films seem to be pretty acceptable across the board when it comes to entertainment.
The Silver Moon Drive in has two screens.
In fact, there actually are seven drive-in operations in Florida scattered between Ocala and Fort Lauderdale.
On Sunday evening we attended a drive-in church. This was set up by country music singer Tommy Brandt in a local parking lot. Branded “Cowboy Outreach America,” Brandt usually holds his services at rodeos and other such events.
However, with Covid-19 in Florida, such events have come to a grinding halt. So he now has taken his ministry to the general public. There were about 50-60 cars the night we were there to hear his service featuring country gospel music and a stirring message.
Cowboy Outreach America has a trailer that folds out into a full sized stage.
Several other churches have started drive-in services for those who are hungry for corporate worship. And there’s at least one permanent drive-in church in Florida. That one is the Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church. It has been in existence for several years.
Of course there are numerous drive-thru beverage operations scattered about the state and even a few drive-thru attractions. Those mostly feature flora and fauna – such as Lion Country Safari and The Wild Drive-Thru Safari Park in Orlando or parks like the Big Cypress Preserve and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Florida and the Automobile
We all know that it was motoring and the automobile that helped to make Florida the tourist destination it now is. Historian Ken Breslauer has written a marvelous book outlining Florida Roadside Attractions Before Disney, that shows the golden age of motoring in the Sunshine State.
Back in the mid-20th Century, many people took “Citrus Avenue” through the Sunshine State to see much of what Florida has to offer. This “Guided Tour” film gives us a taste of what they saw.
Full Circle
The recent onset of Covid-19 in Florida really has created a return of sorts to motor tourism in the Sunshine State. You can have all your creature comforts while having dinner, watching a movie, picking up some snacks, enjoying the great outdoors and even worshiping The Lord.
