January 2022 - Largo Florida

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

31 January 2022 Monday - Fort Myers Florida (55 miles)
Crossed the causeway to Sanibel/Captiva Islands, toll is $6 but will probably have added rental car fees because you can no longer pay cash since last October. Visitor center not open until 9 so walked the Pond Apple Park Trail then visit to Lighthouse and shell beach where heaps of folks were bent over collecting shells. All parking on the island is $5 per hour. Visited condo complex where my friend from Juneau owns a condo then to Ding Darling Refuge but very crowded so opted not to drive four mile wildlife drive. Continued on to Captiva where I visited with folks at Art Gallery next to library which was closed and also the small Chapel and cemetery. Stopped at Shell Museum but gave it a miss for $24 entry fee. There are no traffic lights on the island, instead they have "traffic cops" at the two major intersections directing traffic.

30 January 2022 Sunday - Largo to Fort Myers Florida (148 miles)
Very cold morning for early drive south. Just as I departed, the tire pressure light illuminated but decided it was due to cold weather since tires looked just fine.

23 January 2022 Sunday - Largo Florida
Mum's birthday so fetched cake then walkabout at local Bonner Park then fetched mum and drove to Seabreeze restaurant to join her stepson and his wife for a meal. A very cold and overcast day.

22 January 2022 Saturday - Largo Florida
Enjoyed a much needed massage! Then afternoon genealogy meeting with my Alaska folks.

21 January 2022 Friday - Largo Florida
Hooked on PBS series Broadchurch

20 January 2022 Thursday - Largo Florida
Morning walkabout at Largo Nature Preserve where I saw heaps of birds and an alligator! After to visit mum with her hairstylist for perm.

19 January 2022 Wednesday - Largo Florida
Dropped donations at local church then walkabout at Walsingham Park.

18 January 2022 Tuesday - Largo Florida
The local libraries provide a limited number of free museum passes and I got one for the Henry B Plant Museum that I used to day. It is housed in what was once the Tampa Bay Hotel built in 1891 and includes much of the furnishings that existed 'in the day'. Henry spared no money to build and furnish his hotel, even topped with very fancy minarets. This is now part of the University of Tampa campus, right on the river.

17 January 2022 Monday - Largo Florida
Visited the local Honda dealers hoping to find a Passport SUV but none to be had!

16 January 2022 Sunday - Largo Florida
A bad storm predicted so decided to start my taxes, but prediction was false and it was just an overcast day.

15 January 2022 Saturday - Largo Florida
Joined local Volks walking group for walk at Fort DeSoto

14 January 2022 Friday - Largo Florida
Morning acupuncture appointment.

13 January 2022 Thursday - Largo Florida
Windy morning walk then time in sun at the pool.

12 January 2022 Wednesday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at Taylor park then a much needed haircut.

11 January 2022 Tuesday - Largo Florida
Time in sun at pool

10 January 2022 Monday - Largo Florida
Morning walk at the Botanical Gardens

9 January 2022 Sunday - Mount Dora to Largo Florida (143 miles)
Early morning departure for visit to Lake Louisa State Park on return to Largo. Also passed the Florida Citrus Tower in Clermont, 226 feet tall, built in 1956. It was once among the most famous landmarks of Orlando Florida area.

8 January 2022 Saturday - Mount Dora Florida (101 miles)
Early morning departure to beat the Saturday crowds at Blue Spring State Park to view the manatees, yesterday's count over 300! Arrived for 8am opening but by 9am the parking lot was full, but the park is big enough to keep distance although I wore my mask the entire time. I then drove north via Deland (many historical buildings and home of Stetson University) and visited DeLeon Springs State Park but opted for a walk on the trail instead of a swim. Visited Hontoon Island State Park on my return. It is interesting to learn the history of these parks which were THE holiday destination for tourists, before Disney.

7 January 2022 Friday - Mount Dora Florida (72 miles)
Beautiful drive on Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, a one-way 11 mile drive with speed limit of 10 mph on dirt road, and with all the stops, took about two hours. Over 300 species of birds have been seen on the property in addition to other wildlife. Explored cemetery at Yalaha, stopped for pastries at German Bakery, then walkabout at Trimble Park. Lunch outside in the sun at the Olive Branch in Mount Dora then walked to the famous Van Gogh House. Had great chat with the folks at the Historical Museum and then ended up helping her with her genealogy!

6 January 2022 Thursday - Mt Dora to Ormond Beach Florida RT (138 miles)
Visit with my aunt, wife of my father's brother. Lunch at Funky Pelican right on the beach at Flagler.

5 January 2022 Wednesday - Mount Dora Florida (49 miles)
Drive along Lakeshore Drive of Lake Dora from Mount Dora to Tavares (America's Seaplane City) then walkabout at Wooton Park then continued drive around Lake Harris and Lake Griffin to Lakeshore Drive of Lake Eustis for walkabout at town of Eustis (famous for its George Fest which originated in 1876). The towns of Mount Dora and Tavares and Eustis are known as the Golden Triangle with heaps of history. 

4 January 2022 Tuesday - Mount Dora Florida (46 miles)
Hiking at Wekiwa Springs State Park then return for lunch at Mount Dora and walk the Palm Island trail along Lake Dora.

3 January 2022 Monday - Mount Dora Florida
Walk around the historic town of Mount Dora, founded in 1880 and known for its small town southern charm. It is called the Festival City, but thankfully none happening this week. The entire town was painted pink for the filming of Honky Tonk Freeway in 1980 with a star studded cast.

2 January 2022 Sunday - Largo to Mount Dora Florida (125 miles)
Drive to Mount Dora then walkabout of the very big Renninger Flea/Antique Market, one of the largest in Florida, situated on 117 acres of gently rolling land with many oak trees draped with Spanish moss.

1 January 2022 Saturday- Largo Florida
Happy New Year!!!