Florida 2010

Florida Trip 2010

My good friends Sam and Evelyn invited me down to the sunny state of Florida to spend some quality time. They rolled out the red carpet making me feel like one of the family. The ocean front setting at Daytona Beach, high above on the 12th floor of their well appointed condominium, is grand. Bike week was in full swing and over 250,000 bikers from all over the country made their presence known. Weather was not too bad considering that I arrived with snow and ice on my shoulders. It was cool by Florida standards but not unpleasant. Thus the marathon begins.

Thursday, March 4th 2010

My South West flight was uneventful. Sam met me at the Orlando airport and we made way to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. This is a prime location to view the Florida Manatee in the wild. The warm spring water is a refuge for them during cold snaps as Florida has had. The river inlet remains at a constant 72°F all year. The large mammals slumber around in slow motion to reserve energy. Tranquil turquoise water allows visitors to see into the water from boardwalks along the river banks. We could look into the waters and see countless tropical fish of different size swim among the Manatee. A calf kept close to its mother as they basket in the warm sunlight. The high contrast of light and dark made it difficult to photograph. Sam suggested a polarizer and by gum it helped out.

As we made our way to Daytona I was enamored by the tropical birds along the roadside. Egrets of different types used the ditch water to forage morsels of food.

The famed Daytona International Speedway lived up to its reputation. What a grand setting it was. Its mammoth size alone stunned me. Super bike racing was the weekend headliner and those small bikes flash along the track at 180 mph. To see the place properly we traversed the tunnel leading inside. Like a giant coliseum the roar of lions was replaced by the roar of combustion. This was but a taste of what would be witnessed the next day.

Our trek took us down Beach Street in Daytona where the Biker Rally was bivouacked. I never knew so many bikes existed in the world. Every street, every corner, every parking lot was filled to capacity with motorcycles of every shape and size. Parking was being sold at a premium. This is the true backbone of America, I thought. The freedom of feeling the wind blow while howling down the highways of America cannot be explained. That is what freedom is all about. Biker chicks proudly exhibited their shapely features while us guys drooled. We will save this action for later; let’s move on to the famous beach before I get too excited.

Ev greeted us with enthusiasm. I settled down in a nice room and then we all went to Inlet Harbor restaurant for dinner. All the food was terrific. I enjoyed some well prepared sea scallops with exceptionally fine hushpuppies. The mistake of not ordering the famous key-lime pie was almost made. The pie is out of this world and comes highly recommended. It had the tang of lime but the sensation of cheesecake all at the same time.

Off to the side is the bar area where bikers had fun with beer based contests; winners got free beer as a reward. The tangerine sunset sparkling across the harbor waters was a welcome conclusion for the day.

Friday, March 5th 2010

Sunrise at the Main Street Pier during the cool morning refreshed my spirit. The ocean waves crashing onto the fine sandy beach gives one a renewed feeling. Our celestial fireball cast its spell over everything as it broke above the horizon.

We proceeded to a small hidden diner called Pats River Front Café. The locals love it and the breakfast was good. It’s located on South Peninsula Drive in Port Orange. Classic car photos are used as wall coverings and the charm of the place is well worth a visit.

Continuing, we went on to the Tomika Landfill. It might sound like an odd tourist attraction but many tropical birds and American Bald Eagles frequent the landfill. This presents good opportunity to capture some nice images of them. Our opportunities this day were not great but it was interesting to see the place.

After our morning photography safari we went to the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market. It is located on Bellevue Ave at Daytona Beach. Our home market has nothing on this market. Endless rows of booths selling all kinds of stuff stretch in all directions. The mangos, orange, and strawberry have a better flavor in Florida. They were put to good use later when Ev made fruit salad from them and we all enjoyed a balcony lunch back at the lily pad.

We returned to the speedway to photograph the super bike race. General admission is relatively costly but includes fanzone and garage access. This is America. “American born, race fan by the grace of god.” With all the race fans and bikers in town the beer distributors and other vendors must rake in the coin.

After the race our destination was Main Street Daytona and boy was it loaded with Bike Week Bikers. Motorcycles parade up and down the famous street in all their glory. Everything seems to have a dark skull on it, helmets, jackets, shirts, tats, and face scarves. Foxy girls dressed in almost nothing danced around putting a grin on my face and the camera shutter going in fast motion. The famous Boot Hill Salon had folks coming and going all day and night. Roar and fumes mingled side by side giving an ambiance of foreboding. But it’s all good fun that’s cool to experience, at least once during life. I have more sand at the bottom of my hour glass than is at the top so the more fun the better.

Later we enjoyed another exceptional dinner, this time at a place called Aunt Catfish’s down by the Halifax River. It is a very popular place and was understandably crowded. Those that know call in reservations and they honor them. Others wait up to an hour or more. The attraction is an outstanding salad bar with cheese grits and quality blue cheese dressing. The crab cake dinner was scrumptious including hushpuppies and other sides. I was full as a tick upon departure; highly recommended but call in advance.

Saturday, March 6th 2010

Saturday morning was a before dawn get up so that we could make it to Merritt Island for sunrise. Merritt Island is a wildlife refuge near the Kennedy Space Center, visible at a distance. We made sunrise at 6:45am and with beautiful marshland as a foreground and palm tress along the horizon, it was impressive. It was a cool 40°F but the suns warmth bathed the wetlands bringing a celebration of tropical bird activity with it. Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets began to busy themselves all about. Gators emerged from hiding to sun themselves in the open. The magic of life was everywhere.

Black Point Wildlife Drive is a must during a visit and we followed its one way loop, stopping to photograph the birds as we went. The early morning light glittered on the Egrets white feathers making them glow. Hundreds of Egrets made their presence known but thousands of wild ducks dominated the waterways. Countless black ducks blanketed the wetlands as far as the eye could see. The hand of the creator was manifest upon every gaze in every direction. A Bald Eagle was perched high above on a palm tree but flew away before a photo could be taken; its noble wings soaring across the blue sky.

Upon our return to Daytona we all enjoyed a nice dinner at Joy Luck-1 super buffet on Dunlawton Avenue in Port Orange. The selections are many and a big bang for the buck.

Sunday March 7th 2010

It was a decidedly easy get up today. Mike’s Galley on South Atlantic Avenue is a great place to breakfast because the coffee is rich and they bake delicious fresh pastries. I asked for Greek coffee and got a big stir from the guests.

After fueling up on breakfast, morning exercise was walking the beach for an hour.
Ev joined us today and we took a road trip along route a1a to Saint Augustine. Route a1a follows the coast and several interesting attractions are found along the way; Tamoka State Park counted among them. This park has an elder oak tree called the Fair Child oak. Spanish moss drapes over its tangled branches creating a pictorial image. It is a stately oak of considerable proportions and its branches snake in all directions. Another intriguing stop is Washington Oaks State Garden. The garden was not at its full potential but potential it had in abundance. The peculiar cold stunted its blooms. Along the road near Flagler Beach are many salons and places to eat, its fishing pier is impressive.

Once we arrived in Saint Augustine our lunch was relished at Columbia the gem of Spanish Restaurants in the heart of the historic district. This was one of the most pleasurable occasions of my trip. The service, ambiance, and cuisine are second to none. A pitcher of brandy and Champaign sangria was prepared tableside with jealous onlookers ordering the same soon after the show. The lobster filled crepes I ordered were smothered in a savory cheese and wine gravy while the 1905 salad left me wanting seconds. Spanish singers entertained our table with southern European flare.

Saint Augustine has too many attractions and is too big to discover in a single short afternoon. Founded by the Spanish in 1565 it is the oldest port city in the US. Railroad tycoon Henry Flagler brought the wealthy to the area. The grand Spanish Colonial Flagler College and museums are but a few of the sites to see while visiting.

Sam and I went across the way to visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. This is a star fort constructed of coquina, a compressed shell stone found in the area. Five different flags have flown over the fortress since 1695. A canon demonstration was performed topside. We returned to town and stopped at Sabannah’s confectionary. The chocolate caramel turtles they make are renowned. Before we started home, one last but no less important stop was at the Café del Hidalgo to pick up a fresh, chief made, gelato. This gelato’s quality is top shelf.


On our return trip we stopped to see some nesting owls with both mother and father being careful to keep watch at yet another State Park. Once back we had a late day snack at Stavros Greek Pizza. We had a fun waitress and the pizza was good.

Monday March 8th 2010

My last day gave me a feeling of melancholy not wanting to end the good times so soon. After finishing off the mouthwatering mango for breakfast Sam took me back to Orlando for departure, but not before stopping at Gator Land. Gator Land has a huge tropical bird rookery in its midst. The weather started to get warmer and the steamy sun pressed against my Pennsylvanian face.

Hundreds of wild birds have a community within the facility grounds. They construct nesting and several nurtured newly hatched chicks in clear view, much closer than would be possible out in the sticks. I have no way to number the gators in the place but I venture to say about 300 or more. The birds also number in the hundreds. It was an enjoyable send off activity.

I can only say that my paltry wherewithal could never repay Sam and Ev’s kindness. It was a memorable fun time well spent that will not be forgotten.