1st Stop: Green Springs Park, Deltona
2nd Stop: 1871 DeBary Hall, DeBary
3rd Stop: Gemini Springs Park, DeBary
4th Stop: Swamp House River Front Grill, DeBary
Year: 2021
Round Lake Park
Although Round Lake Park in Oviedo features a variety of recreational amenities such as basketball courts, lighted tennis courts and a covered playground, we dropped by specifically to stroll along the rather hidden but very scenic boardwalk. We wandered by some turtles sunning and enjoyed the lake views. A nice hidden treasure!
Erna Nixon Park
A hidden treasure nestled within a bustling area of Melbourne, 54-acre Erna Nixon Park features a very scenic stroll along a 3,000-foot elevated boardwalk through a Florida hammock and nature preserve. It is named for Erna Nixon, a local naturalist, who championed the preservation of the natural area, which in the early 1970s was zoned for warehouses. We enjoyed wandering through Erna Nixon Park and admiring some of the huge live oaks we came upon along the boardwalk. After the hike, we headed over to nearby Hemingway’s Tavern for a delicious lunch. A great day indeed!
Exploring Tucker Ranch
I headed out to Tucker Ranch in Winter Garden early last Saturday and had the place to myself. If you take the small wooden bridge to the right of the parking lot and head down the dirt road, you can visit the old barn, hike around the ruins of the old country club and stroll over to the scenic lake. Highly recommended!
Half Wall Beer House
We were wandering around downtown DeLand yesterday and we stumbled upon the Half Wall Beer House, where we sat outside and enjoyed a great lunch, along with several ice-cold beers (I recommend the Ahi Tuna Melt paired with the Feeding Frenzy ale). It’s billed as a Craft Beer House and Sports Bar & Grill. The beer list here is truly impressive (they claim to have the largest selection of beer in Volusia County)! They also have locations in Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach. Check it out!
Toll Road Brewing Company
If you’re seeking an ice-cold brew in western Orange County, I recommend that you head over to Toll Road Brewing Company, which is located in the heart of downtown Ocoee. We had the pleasure of hanging out there on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Friday night featured live music and a food truck with some great Cuban cuisine. Saturday afternoon we stayed around for the delicious barbecue. As for the beer itself, I sampled the Irish Red Shamrocks and Shenanigans – totally amazing! Bottom line: This place totally rocks, check it out!
Lighthouse Point Park Revisited
After a great lunch at DJ’s Deck in Port Orange (I highly recommend the rare Tuna Sandwich basket with fries!), we headed to Ponce Inlet to wander around. We parked at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and strolled to the jetty at Lighthouse Point Park. We got there just in time to catch the end of a surfing competition, so the place was bustling with activity! We headed back via the boardwalk in a quest to view some gopher tortoises, but no such luck this time. All in all, a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, wouldn’t you say?
What I’m Reading …
“From the deepest swamps to the most civilized sidewalks, [50 Great Walks in Florida] … features the best short outdoor jaunts in the Sunshine State. These manageable walks will appeal to tourists in search of the real Florida as well as to residents who want to become better acquainted with their state but still be done in time for lunch. Though shoes may be required, backpacks are not.”
Mead Botanical Garden
Nestled just off bustling Mills Avenue and surrounded by neighborhoods in Winter Park, 47-acre Mead Botanical Garden offers a peaceful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life during these increasingly trying times. I strolled along the boardwalk through Lake Lillian Marsh and then followed a scenic hiking trail behind Little Amphitheater that took me to Alice’s Pond, where I saw several turtles basking in the sun. Mead Botanical Garden is open daily between 8 AM and dusk. Best of all, it’s free!
Cassadaga
Known as the “Psychic Capital of the World,” Cassadaga is a small community located just north of Deltona and home to a large number of psychics and mediums. Believe it or not, the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp was established way back in 1894. If you are passing through Cassadaga, be sure to stop by the Camp Bookstore and browse through the extensive selection of books on metaphysics, spiritualism and spirituality, as well as arts & crafts and more. The Camp Bookstore is also home to the Spiritualist Camp Welcome Center.
Wandering Florida 