Adventures with Cheryl and Dan: Florida for February

This was definitely the winter to get out of Ohio and I had actually planned it way last spring when I found a house to rent in Central Florida (Haines City) which is owned by a couple from Glasgow, Scotland. The house is in the Southern Dunes Golf Community.

But let me back up a bit because we didn't just leave Ohio and fly to Florida. You can see that we drove the trusty red Ford Escape that took us to California and back. (See previous posts from February 2012 HERE.)

Our first stop was at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello which you might think inhospitable in early February but it was great. Of course, the tourism is down so we had unobstructed views and a nearly personal tour of the place.

Tom's nose and the the weather were both a bit drippy when we arrived.

Welcome to Monticello. The sun is peeking out.

We spent our second night in Richmond but instead of the sites we visited a cousin who I haven't seen in way too many years.

We had a great time going over some old papers and photos he had concerning our family tree which I have been researching.

This is a page from an account book our great-grandfather kept in his sixties. Most entries are for true purchase of tobacco and alcohol but note Dec. 12th. for show and HOT TIME!

The journey south continued to Beaufort, South Carolina. It was a lovely little place not far from the more popular Hilton Head and just about equidistant from Charleston and Savannah. Above is the ea home of an early resident that you can tour but hope you don't get the long-winded guide. we got. We were the only ones there (off-season still) and it was way too much information for the significance of the place. However....

a drive around on a very pleasant day revealed some lovely scenic views.

Lighthouse on Hunting Island

Beachcomber with fluffed feathers

A pretty pink hotel

Our last night before arriving at our rental house was spent at a very nice hotel on Amelia Island old town area of Fernandina Beach. The hotl room was the first one I ever had with a fireplace which made up for the rather depressing view of the paper mill and the railroad track.

We visited the small farmer's market and some nearby antique shops before we headed out to finally find real sunshine.

Views of the golf course that winds all through the Southern Dunes community. I don't golf but hubby used the driving range a few times.

During our month in Florida we took an overnight trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel/Captiva

The winter homes of Edison and Ford was the main reason for going and it was well worth it. Lots to learn here and the setting is lovely. Edison spent more time here. His home is shown above.

Ford only used his two weeks out of the year when he visited for Edison's birthday.

The real highlight of the trip was in the museum part where there are rooms set aside for all aspects of Edison's endeavors. The one about his film company had a real surprise for us.

They were showing an informational film that also showed some of the actual silent films and while we were standing there "AT BEAR SWAMP GULCH" appeared on the screen. My husband's grandfather is in this film and a number of others rather late in his life. I missed snapping a picture of him or the credit that showed his name. To see more check out THIS.

Sanibel/Captiva

No, we did NOT build this.

What is this? Animal, vegetable or mineral?

Our next week was spent with our son and daughter-in-law who flew down from Michigan to escape the cold and spend "quality" time with Mom and Dad. Since the rental house had 3 bedrooms and two baths we really wanted to take advantage of the space. I have a great picture of them but they would kill me if I posted it. I took it at the Ringling Home and Museum in Sarasota where the following were taken.

The above and below were taken outside the fabulous art museum in which I snapped nary a picture for some reason. I did have my little pocket camera die during the trip so that may be the reason.

These are the interior of the house called Cas d'Zan. The first is the ceiling and shows only a small section depicting all kinds of dance styles from around the world.

I was fascinated with these glass patchwork windows of handmade glass that played with the light.

On this same day we also toured the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg where no photography was allowed inside and I had exterior shots from a previous visit.

Another place I did not photograph was our evening drive out to St. Armand's Island where we had dinner at Columbia, a Cuban restaurant. There is another in Celebration and I really like the food.

We were not into visiting DisneyWorld as we have been there and done that twice before but daughter-in-law had never been so we went to downtown Disney. Son said it was just like DisneyWorld without the rides.

There are Legos everywhere in Florida. There is a new LegoLand in Winter Haven...if that's your thing. Dan like this corner of a billboard showing what future features are working on behind it. Floating '57 Chevys!! Dan will be back for this.

I'd like to put these outside the house next winter.

We took another little excursion to Fantasy of Flight in Winter Haven and I don't have a single picture. If you want to know more about it check the website HERE.

We dropped off son and daughter-in-law at the airport on a Sunday morning and immediately left for our next overnight to Miami. We drove out to Miami Beach and it was so crowded we couldn't even find a place to park and get out of the car!! I booked us into my usual Hilton chain and they gave us a room like we have never dreamed of.

It was actually a two bedroom, two bath apartment with a balcony with a fantastic view. Oh, and a kitchen AND a bidet (not pictured!).

Taken from the pool area where a bird was posing but I would have liked it if he had turned the other direction.

WOW!

Since we didn't make it to the beach when we arrived I searched out a great place for the next day which was just what I was looking for. Just a short drive north is a public beach with very easy access and parking and we enjoyed the sun and surf with only a few other people. Of course, it was a Monday so that may have been the reason.

After several tranquil hours here we headed back to our base. Instead of the highway we drove up the A1A coastal road through all the familiar towns we here about...Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Beach. Saw lots of cool stuff that I couldn't photograph from the car AND I was driving.

Another excursion was a place I would have never found without the recommendation of a friend. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum is in Winter Park just a bit north of Orlando. The town itself is quite nice, especially if you get there on a day it is NOT raining. We weren't too concerned about the precipitation because we spent a very long time inside this gem of a place. It holds the world's largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The entry price is a steal and if photography was allowed I would have to put them all on the blog because everything makes you swoon. Stop by the website and LOOK HERE.

I just love this hanging plant. Actually brought some seeds home that awe got at our next attraction.

We ate here at Prado's while the rain fell.

Our last day in Florida was spent at the attraction closest to us - Bok Tower Gardens and Carrillon. Click the link to learn more. The day was absolutely perfect as was the location. This is just a smidgen of the many pictures I captured.

I find this Spanish moss fascinating. I even brought home a little pile I grabbed off the ground on our way out. No signs banning it. You pay money for this stuff in craft stores as a ground cover for flower arrangements.

Below is the view from the highest "mountain" in Florida where Bok built his home and garden. It is called Iron Mountain and it is the highest point in Florida but barely a bump anywhere else.

Following two pictures are Bok's home

Contrasting type gardens

The gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. He was EVERYWHERE. If you keep going you will be meeting up with him again in a day or so.

We left for home and snow on the day after strolling among flowers and sunshine. We again took the long way round. Stopping for a night in Savannah, GA where we had stopped on another trip. I really didn't take pictures because we mostly visited antique shops and then it got dark.

Our last site but not our last stop was in Asheville, North Carolina. Mostly the city is the location for the Biltmore Estate, the largest home in America. Arriving late in the day, we first drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Folk Art Center. No photography allowed inside...bummer! There were stupendously beautiful quilts.

This picture was taken outside the center.

The picture on the right is the view from our hotel window.

A kind gentleman who is employed here snapped this picture of us and suggested we visit the conservatory first since it is a bit of a walk and rain was expected later. The place was nearly deserted this early in the morning so you almost felt like you owned it. :)

The grounds and gardens at The Biltmore Estate were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

I borrowed this picture from Wikipedia. Remember no photos inside. This portrait by the famous portrait artist John Singer Sargent hangs in the estate along with another of the architect Richard Morris Hunt.

Read more about this prolific "gardener" HERE

Our tickets were for two days and we were pleased to find great sunshine and blue skies the next morning and returned early to the Estate to drive all over the beautiful winding roads and enjoy the beauty even when spring hasn't yet arrived.