Leesburg Bikefest

Everybody knows about Bikeweek and Biketoberfest in Daytona, but I have lived here for 15 plus years and never heard of Leesburg Bikefest.  My loss. 

Leesburg Bikefest is not a big and spread out as Bikeweek, but it does attract some 250,000 people and has some good entertainment.  In 2016 some of the highlights were Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, Hypersona, and Bret Michaels, but there were over 50 bands playing over the weekend. 

There is also a lot of bike related contests with some very cool bikes to look at and some more not-family friendly 'hot body' type contests involving human bodies rather than bike bodies. 

There are a lot of vendor stands set up all around the town square and the town shops, including a lot of antique stores, are open during the event.

The nice thing about this bike show is that everything is compact and walkable.  You can go from band to band, venue to venue within about a three block area. 

Since the event takes place at the end of April it is likely the weather will be dry and not intolerably hot.  It is definitely worth walking around and enjoying the festival if you have an interest in motorcycles or classic/southern rock music.

Website:  http://www.leesburgbikefest.com/

Rossetter House Museum (Eau Gallie Arts District)

Rossetter House is an historic house in the downtown Eau Gallie District.  It has the distinct architecture of the early 1900s and is fully furnished with period appropriate furnishings. 

Tours of the house are available on specific days, but hours are limited, so be sure to plan ahead. 

The family cemetery sits next to the house in a shady park.  There was a time when ghost tours were offered as part of their tours, but I do not see that listed on their website now.  It was an interesting tour.

There are other specialty tours and events that sound equally interesting.  Approximately once a month there is a seasonal event or a Murder Mystery Tour. 

This venue can be rented out for weddings and other events.  I was in the area recently when a wedding was set up in the gardens.  It was truly beautiful. 

This is an inexpensive visit in our own backyard.  It takes about an hour and it is surely worth doing. 

Tips:  Not open every day, check hours carefully.

While you are in the area, be sure to walk around the art district.  There are some beautiful art galleries, gift shops, and specialty food shops (cupcakes!).  The architecture is also interesting as is the wall art.  Don't miss the enormous red shark at the east end of the district by Shark Toof. and my personal favorite at the West End by Dave Thomas. 

Also in the area is Squid Lips Overwater dining and the public library with its fishing dock looking at Eau Gallie Causeway and a nice shady play ground.

I do not recommend Rossetter House for children.

Website:  http://rossetterhousemuseum.org/

Eau Gallie Causeway from the Library Pier

Green Springs Park and Gemini Springs (Enterprise, FL)

Green Spring

What a cool place this is!  The park is small with various short hiking paths.  The paths are various degrees of difficulty, but anyone should be able to get to the spring viewing area. 

Green Spring Hiking

This blog is going to be mostly pictures, because what can I saw except green, green, and more green!

What makes this spring special is its milky green color.  Apparently this color is caused by green Sulphur and there aren't other publically accessible springs like it around any longer.  It is very beautiful and peaceful. 







Coral Snake

Do beware of snakes while you are there (or anywhere in Florida).  We saw this beautiful, but dangerous Coral Snake underneath the viewing platform.

There is no swimming in this spring.  There is a play ground and a couple of nice pavilions.  It would be a really unique place to have a wedding, but I don't know if you can actually do that there.



Gemini Spring

If you would like a longer outing there is a Spring to Spring trail that goes from Green Springs to Gemini Springs.  Gemini Springs is a larger recreational area with fishing and kayaking/boating as well as a dog park and playground.  The two springs at Gemini are pretty, but traditional clear water.

Tips:   The terrain isn't rugged, so sturdy sandals are fine for walking...except, well, snakes. 

Website Green Spring:  http://www.volusia.org/services/community-services/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks-and-trails/park-facilities-and-locations/ecological-nature-parks/green-spring-park.stml







Website Gemini Spring:  http://www.volusia.org/services/community-services/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks-and-trails/park-facilities-and-locations/ecological-nature-parks/gemini-springs-park.stml

Swamp House River Front Grill (Debary, FL)

While we were out exploring we stumbled upon this place.  Well, we actually used a smartphone app, because you would be really unlikely just to accidentally find this place out driving around.  For one thing, it is at the end of the road.  For another, it doesn't really look like a public restaurant until you are parked and walking in.

This place is pretty unique.  We were there on a Saturday afternoon.  There was a man playing good country music.  Not too loud, just right.  They actually grill their burgers outside on a real grill.  And I'm here to tell you they are delicious.

They have a specialty drink called a Rum Bucket.  I watched the bartender pour 4 types of rum in and then a bunch of other stuff too.  Only 9.99 for the first one and 7.99 for refills.  This drink is NOT for the driver!

The restaurant sits right at a harbor where there are lots of boats parked and reserved parking for diners who wish to arrive by boat.  The country store sells fishing and boating supplies, some oddities, and also rents Pontoon boats for cruising up and down the St. John's river.  You only need a drivers license to rent one.
 

If you are up visiting the Springs, the Sanford zoo, Debary Historic House, or just in the area, it is worth stopping by here on a sunny day.

Tips:  Outside tables at the bar are first come first served, so be prepared to stand or wait or go upstairs to the inside restaurant.

Website:  http://www.swamphousegrill.com/

Ginnie Springs (High Springs, FL)

Florida Springs are something everyone in Florida knows about and nobody who doesn't live here seems to understand, if they even know they exist.  Tourists want to see Disney and all of the theme parks, but they miss what Florida really is.  They go home with a great memory, but not the one I would want them to have.

There are a lot of springs on private land and in state parks that offer a bunch of different amenities.  This blog is only about Ginnie Springs.  I'll talk about some of my other favorites later.

Ginnie Springs is best known for its camping and tubing down the river.  The springs are a constant chilly 70ish degrees, but that is a great temperature for Florida summers.  The Santa Fe river is slightly warmer.

Aside from tubing in the water, you can dive, snorkel, swim, and fish.  It is about a 15 minute walk from the top of the tube run to the bottom and takes about an hour in the tube. 

This is a private spring and as such has its own fee schedule.  You can check out the costs for admission, camping, and equipment rentals on their web page. 

You should note that if you are looking for quiet out of the way interaction with nature, Ginnie Springs is probably not the right park for you.  This park is very popular with the college crowd from both University of Florida and Florida State University, so expect a bit of a party atmosphere.  Alcohol is ubiquitous.  Quiet hours don't start until midnight, so don't expect to get a lot of sleep.

Also note it is very busy on holiday weekends and spring weekends.  Make reservations early and arrive early to get a good spot.

Tips:  No pets allowed.

Everything at the camp store is a bit expensive, so plan ahead.

You can save some money by bringing your own floating devices.

Website:  http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com/

Kayaking

a double kayak

There are a lot of fantastic places to kayak on the Space Coast!  Any google search will show you all of the boat ramps in Brevard County.  The best kayaking will normally be at any ramp that is for non-motorized craft only, but there are exceptions to that rule. 



A manatee in the canal in Thousand Islands

One of my favorite places to kayak is in the thousand islands area in Cocoa Beach.  The boat ramp at the end of the aptly named Boat Ramp Road is a great place to drop your kayak in the water.  The area there is full off shallow lagoons and mangroves along with a deepwater canal for the bigger boats to use. 



I don't recommend getting this close, but sometimes it is
hard to get out of the way.

Wildlife viewing is great in this area as well.  Manatees are often present in the canals near the houses.  Dolphins skim by in the canals and even in the lagoons where the water is deep enough for fishing.  Birds are everywhere.  Some people even fish from kayaks out here.

Other nice areas to explore:  The Grand Canal south of Pineda Causeway.  Drop in at the causeway

I recommend a SUP if you want
to stand up

and cruise through the nice houses.

Further south off A1A is Honest John's Fish Camp.  http://honestjohnsfishcamp.com/  You can rent a kayak here and I think there is a small fee to use their ramp for your own boat.  There is a nice canal around some mangrove islands and a great opportunity to see dolphins and manatees.



sunset from paddling paradise

Want to try paddle boarding or kayaking for the first time?  Visit http://www.paddlingparadise.com/. They will rent you the equipment and show you how to use it.  They have scheduled tours and gatherings as well including sunset paddles that end with a nice fire by the river.  They are at off US1 at the Eau Gallie River.

You can also drop in a Ballard Park in the same area of the Eau Gallie River.  http://www.melbourneflorida.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/12/1539

I have heard that Turkey Creek in Palm Bay is a nice place to kayak, but I have not been there yet. http://www.brevardcounty.us/EELProgram/Areas/TurkeyCreek/Home There is also nice hiking in this park.

Sunset on Lake Washington

Lake Washington is a beautiful place to do a sunset paddle as well.  You won't see manatees or dolphins, but keep your eye out for alligator and perhaps don't get too near the shallow shorelines.

Further north there are several nice places on Merritt Island including the Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary.  This is another area that has nice hiking as well as kayaking. 

Set up for Bioluminescent Tour

Merritt Island Wildlife Sanctuary has several canoe drops worth exploring.  The one near Haulover Canal is likely to have some manatees in the area.  There is also bioluminescent kayaking in this area at night in the summer.  Go when there is no moon!

Water sports are abundant on the space coast, but few ways let you get closer to the wildlife than kayaking or paddleboarding. 

Tips:  Assume you will get wet.  Plan accordingly.

Waterproof camera and/or Go Pro.

Dry bag for anything that can't get wet, but be careful they aren't fool proof. 

If you are able to paddle yourself, I recommend it.  Two person kayaks are fun, but a little hard to coordinate if you don't know what you are doing.

Mckee Gardens (Vero Beach)

McKee Gardens is a short drive from Brevard County, but worth the trip.  Take Highway A1A and enjoy the scenery.  Maybe stop by Sebastian Inlet. 

McKee Gardens is a flower lover/photographer's paradise.  Beautiful paths run between reflecting ponds with stone bridges.  Butterflies flit between the flowers.  Giant ancient looking species of ferns  huddle together in shady spots.  Clumps of bamboo reach over the walking path, many with messages carved into the stalks by visitors over the years. 

There is a hall and a Spanish kitchen with beautiful antiques.  There is also a hidden pavilion in the bamboo garden. These areas can be rented for events.  The place would make a beautiful wedding venue.

From time to time there are special events, so it would be a good idea to check the website prior to planning a visit.  There are varying costs for admission.

Here is the link:  http://www.mckeegarden.org/index.php

Tips:  Bring a camera, but remember that professional photo shoots must be prearranged.

There is a very nice gift shop.

Bring water to drink.

No pets are allowed.

Schedule about an hour to tour the gardens.  Longer if you want to take pictures or just sit and enjoy the peacefulness.

Kennedy Space Center (Titusville)

Everyone knows that Kennedy Space Center is here.  That is why we call it the Space Coast, right?

The visitor's center is a neat place to go.  Tours of the center as very cool.  The Astronaut Training experience seems to appeal to the younger crowd.

And now, of course, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is on display.  That is the newest and latest attraction, but don't let that be the only thing you see.  The space program has a long and interesting history.  It may not appeal to everyone, but I have found that my out of town guests who experienced the space race back in the 1960s are particularly interested in the Apollo/Saturn V tour.

I've never seen anyone who didn't enjoy walking around the rocket garden, but that is just the beginning of the experience.



General Admission to the complex includes: 

Space Shuttle Atlantis℠	Twin IMAX® Theater 3D Films
Shuttle Launch Experience®	Special Viewing for Rocket Launches
Meet an astronaut	Numerous Shows and Exhibits

The Black Tulip (Cocoa Village)

In the past few months I have had several opportunities to visit The Tulip (formerly The Black Tulip) in Cocoa Village.  At least I think they have changed the name...I'm not 100% certain as I have seen it both ways lately.  I have not had cause to be disappointed in any of these visits.

The first visit was for a friends birthday.  The Tulip arranged for the front bar area to be reserved for the group of about 20.  They provided a limited menu at a fixed price, half price on wine and beer, and the organizer arranged for delicious appetizers to be served prior to dinner.  Every single part of this event was handled smoothly, the food was delicious, and the service was impeccable.

Based on the success of that event, I decided to host my company's holiday party at the restaurant.  We had 45 people and reserved the entire restaurant on a Sunday when they are normally closed.  Again we had appetizers served in advance on trays and a limited menu that included soup or salad, entrée, and dessert.  We offered an open bar.  The staff, again, was perfect.  Friendly, smiling, professional and apparently with amazing memories to remember what everyone was drinking and make sure glasses were always full. 

After the event, the owner, Daniel, gave me a gift certificate as a thank you for having our event at his restaurant.  For our anniversary, we went to the restaurant on a Friday night.  Daniel greeted us at the door and welcomed us back.  It was clear that he knew we had been there before, but he didn't specifically remember us.  That was fine with us.  We weren't looking for any special treatment, just a nice dinner in a good restaurant. 

We had a nice dinner.  I ordered the duck, which is not something I would normally order.  It was good, but I probably wouldn't order it again.  The other meals I had there were more to my personal liking.  We had mentioned that it was our anniversary and they offered us a complementary dessert, but we declined.  Daniel visited our table several times just to check on us and when we declined dessert, he brought us a tequila mix shot instead.  It was very good. 

After we left, having paid with the gift certificate, Daniel remembered who we were and was quite embarrassed that he hadn't remembered us.  He called me on my cell phone to apologize and asked why we hadn't reminded him.  He apologized repeatedly for not visiting with us more (although, the amount of time he spent checking on us was more than you would ever get most places).  It was a super nice gesture.  Something that would never happen at a chain restaurant! 

My concern is this.  Whenever I mention The Tulip to locals, they all say how much they love that place.  But they also say, I haven't been there for years.  When we were there, it wasn't empty, but it wasn't packed either.  I worry that people take these nice places, locally owned, a part of the local history and culture, for granted.  They think they will go there sometime, but they don't and eventually the business is gone and becomes an "I remember when" instead of a vibrant part of the community. 

So, instead of thinking this is a special occasion place, just go.  Our dinner, including a bottle of wine, was $100.  It may not be Applebee's prices, but it isn't Applebee's food either.

Tips:  http://www.theblacktuliprestaurant.com/