Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

If you enjoy visiting historical sites, you’ll relish this one. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum was established in 1887 and is considered a National Historic Landmark. All the dwellings and support buildings remain intact. Located between St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral, Mosquito (now Ponce) Inlet was the recommended choice of the U.S. Lighthouse Board. The tower is built from bricks and stands 175 feet tall.

Note the twisty spiral steps that lead up the tower. No way was I climbing those stairs!

These other buildings are where the lighthouse keeper and his assistants lived with their families. They had to be self-sufficient, and it could not have been an easy life.

The gift shop has a wide variety of items for sale including souvenirs, toys, books, jewelry and more. It’s a fun stop on your way out. We capped off our visit with lunch at Off the Hook in Ponce Inlet. Read more about that meal and other culinary adventures from our trip HERE.

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Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens is a hidden gem in Central Florida worthy of a visit. It’s a botanical garden with an old sugar mill ruin offering a fascinating glimpse into our state’s history.

On our second day staying at New Smyrna Beach, we started out with a beach walk. We parked in a twenty-dollar lot overlooking the water. Nearby were restrooms, picnic tables, and covered benches if you didn’t bring a chair and need somewhere to sit. We kicked off our shoes and let the seawater slosh over our bared feet as we strolled along the shoreline. The seashells were tiny but colorful. I noted an absence of seaweed and driftwood on this stretch. While the sand here isn’t as powdery white as on Florida’s west coast, the beach was clean. By the time we turned back, we were craving air-conditioned comfort for the rest of the day.

Our next stop was the Marine Discovery Center. It has a cute gift shop, classrooms, and a mini aquarium. I had fun looking at the fish and buying toys for my grandson. There was a group of kids here for summer camp. From here, you can book a boat or kayak ecotour adventure.

Next, we set out to discover Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, located between New Smyrna Beach and Daytona. After about a twenty-minute drive, we pulled up to this hidden gem. Surrounded by lush greenery, this historical site had once been a theme park called Bongoland. We walked the paths, admiring the flowering plants and tall trees while a grasshopper drew our curious gaze.

Then we came to the old sugar mill. I’ve seen such ruins before, but these were quite intact by comparison. We observed the giant cauldrons where the sugar was boiled and then the other machinery left over from this era. In my book Dead Roots, I had a sugar mill ruin at a plantation resort. For that story, I visited the Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton, FL which housed another former plantation and sugar mill.

Coming Next: Ponce Inlet Light Station & Museum

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Dining at New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach has many tempting restaurants, so many that we tried two different ones each evening of our two-night stay. When we arrived in town, we began our culinary adventures at the Third Wave Café & Wine Bar where I got a Chicken Salad Sandwich. I didn’t want to overeat so that we could enjoy a meal later that day at the famed restaurant, The Garlic.

I loved the décor at The Garlic with its lush greenery, sparkling lights, and warren of rooms. We started with a Caesar Salad that I thought was too bland. The dressing had no tang to it and all I tasted was the lettuce. I’ve had better elsewhere. I liked the roasted garlic dip with olive oil and balsamic vinegar that came with warm, crusty bread. It was a unique idea, although some of the baked garlic clumped together. Next, we ordered the Shrimp and Scallop Scampi but with shrimp only. This came with a delicious sauce and chunks of garlic that pleased our palates. The portion was plenty to share.

For dessert, we headed down the street to Norwood Tree House Bar. Here I had a glass of Chardonnay and we shared their Blueberry Crumble that was a bit dense and more like blueberry cake. I’d expected a baked dessert with blueberries on the bottom and a crumbly top. Now satisfyingly full, we headed back to our hotel.

Thursday morning, we had breakfast at the Mermaid Café. I got the standard 2-egg breakfast with accompaniments. Thus fortified, we took a walk along the beach. Then we drove to Canal Street to see that shopping district, but it was very quiet. For lunch, we stopped at Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille. I loved their menu and fish dishes but couldn’t eat so much for lunch, so I ordered the lighter Beet, Goat Cheese, and Walnut Salad. We enjoyed the view of the water from the outside deck. This place would be worthy of a return if I could take leftovers home or share a meal for dinner. The food fueled us to explore the Marine Discovery Center and the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens.

That night, we again split up our meal between two restaurants. First we had drinks along with a spinach and artichoke dip that came with a warm baguette at the Third Wave Café. I liked the tropical rum drink I’d ordered. After our starters, we headed to The Grille at Riverview attached to our hotel for dessert. I ordered Key Lime Pie and Sara had Warm Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. I’d expected a slice of pie and got this entire round. Needless to say, I couldn’t waste it and asked the hotel clerk to put a leftover box in their fridge.

Breakfast the last day was once again at The Mermaid Café at Riverview. This time, we shared a Belgian Waffle with fresh strawberries and whipped cream and freshly baked Beignets. Before heading home, we went to the Ponce Inlet Light Station & Museum.

Then we lunched at Off the Hook at Inlet Harbor, which is a good choice if you’re in this area. We both had the fried shrimp basket.

This concludes our culinary adventures at New Smyrna Beach. Now I have to work on losing the weight I’d gained. Oh, and here’s one more place in town where we stopped to sample the wares:

Coming next are the special attractions we’d visited.

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Mini Vacay at New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is a charming place to visit on Florida’s east coast. It’s about an hour’s drive from the northern end of Greater Orlando. We stayed at the Riverview Hotel at 103 Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach FL. It is located about a ten-minute walk from the beach past numerous quaint shops and restaurants. Established in 1885, this 18-room boutique hotel has actual keys for the doors and breakfast included at The Mermaid Café next door. The lobby, where coffee and tea are served 24 hours, has an ice machine, comfy seating, and a tempting gift shop. Be aware there are three stories and no elevator. Our room on the second floor had two queens as requested. The bedding was comfortable, although I would have preferred a plusher comforter than the thin one supplied. I got cold at night and had to take out a spare blanket from the closet. The a/c and ceiling fan controls were a bit tricky and I wasn’t able to lower the fan speed.

The bathroom came equipped with a stall shower instead of a tub, for which I was grateful. However, it would have been nice to have had a grab bar installed for added safety, and a glass door instead of a curtain. The toiletries included usable shower gel, shampoo and conditioner in the shower, and an array of lotion, bar soaps, and a shower cap by the sink.

What I missed most in the room was a mini-fridge. Without one, we couldn’t take home leftovers from any of the restaurants we visited. Thus, we either shared a plate or ate appetizers. While the front desk offered to put away our take home boxes in their refrigerator, it didn’t offer the same convenience. Otherwise, the hotel’s charming ambiance encourages you to relax. And if that’s not enough, you can sign up for pampering treatments at the adjacent spa.

If you prefer a chain hotel, I noticed a Hampton Inn, Best Western, and Springhill Suites by Marriott in the area plus other B&B establishments.

Walking east, we stopped by the beach to soak in the ocean view.

We decided to come back in the morning for a beach walk and to hunt for seashells.

Coming Next: Our Dining Adventures at New Smyrna Beach

Leu House Museum

The Leu House Museum is located inside Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, FL. Overlooking Lake Rowena, this stately residence is on the National Register of Historic Places. Although we’ve been to the botanical gardens many times, this was our first tour of the house.

The original owners were the Mizell family who claimed the land in 1858. There they grew sugar cane, cotton and corn. David Mizell was the sheriff of Orange County. He got killed in an ambush in 1870. Duncan Pell, the next owner, hired David’s son to add two more wings to the house. He made this a weekend getaway for him and his second wife, silent screen star Helen Gardner.

The Woodward family came next in 1906, adding on to the house to make it the present size. They used the house for a winter retreat.

Finally, Harry P. Leu and his wife Mary Jane bought the property in 1936. They traveled widely and brought back seedlings and plants for their garden. They donated the acreage and house to the City of Orlando in 1961.

Inside, the rooms have been restored with a mixture of original furnishings and donations. The lifestyle reflects turn-of-the-century living. The first families lived without plumbing and electricity, which were later additions.

Through the front door, we entered the living room. There’s a pleasant parlor to the left and a dining room straight ahead, with a staircase next to a bookshelf I’d like in my home. Most of these rooms had fireplaces.

The kitchen has been modernized in some ways but still has a wood-burning stove and an old-fashioned refrigeration unit. Originally, it was a warming room while the food was cooking in an outbuilding accessible from a breezeway. But then the kitchen moved indoors.

The upstairs held several bedrooms that looked bright and airy. They appear easily habitable.

A screened porch out back would have been a pleasant place to relax during temperate weather.

On the paths back to the garden entrance, we viewed some of the glass and steel sculptures by Alex Heveri for a special exhibit. Otherwise, try to time your visit to include a tour of the house. Go to https://leugardens.org for more information.

Leu House Museum is worth a trip to Leu Gardens in Orlando #Florida #history Share on X

We enjoy touring botanical gardens and historic homes. Are there any near you?

Chocolate Emporium

For my birthday this year, I wanted to go somewhere new and different. When I read about the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in City Walk at Universal Studios, I thought it sounded like fun. I enjoy themed restaurants and my mouth drooled for a chocolate sundae.

We arrived at City Walk after paying the $30 parking fee and traveling through the extensive parking garage. City Walk leads to the two Universal theme parks so it’s a busy place. A series of restaurants and shops circle around a lake and offer plenty of choices for everyone. There’s also a movie theater and an escape room for entertainment. As you can see, our grandson enjoyed Voodoo Doughnuts.

At the appointed hour, we got seated at the restaurant that has a cool steampunk theme. There’s even a costumed guy in a robot outfit that roams around greeting children. Milkshakes are a popular item here, but I passed. Getting dessert was more important to me.

We ordered a chocolate almond bread as an appetizer. It tasted like chocolate cake. Then Richard and I split the Monte Cristo sandwich with chips so we’d have room for dessert.

Dessert was a brownie sundae that came with a lit candle for my birthday. With two scoops of chocolate ice cream, it was enough to share.

I loved my gifts, like this figure of a woman reading a book, cookies with my book covers, and a cruise companion book, among other items. The best gift of all was the company of loved ones and merely being here to celebrate this birthday.

After our meal, we entered the gift shop filled with souvenir mugs, tee shirts and hats along with cotton candy and unique jars of colored sugar and other sweets.

An array of artisan chocolates and macarons tempts visitors in display cases.

Outside, we walked around the lake until we made it to the exit.

It was a wonderful day spent with family in a memorable setting. Put this restaurant on your list if you want a fun experience while in Orlando.

Stetson Mansion Christmas Tour

We enjoyed our self-guided tour through the Stetson Mansion in Deland, FL. The place is known for its massive Christmas decoration display that is amazing and unique. Built in 1886 for hat manufacturer John B. Stetson, the house deployed Edison electricity, steam heat, a call bell system, and running water for all three floors. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Each room inside the house has a theme in terms of the decorations, and the creativity of the designer stuns the senses. But beyond you can see the intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, parquet floors, crystal chandeliers, impressive fireplaces, and other hidden details. I really wish they’d reestablish the guided history tour including the third floor and the garage as that would interest me more. Here we are with Ann Meier and Pat Babcock.

You’re not allowed to take photos inside the mansion, but outdoors is fine. There’s a lovely covered porch to one side and a pool at the opposite end of the house. A meditation garden graces the rear past the garage and schoolhouse. The latter, converted into a guest cottage, serves as a tiny gift shop (cash only) where you can buy a guidebook on the mansion’s history along with Christmas ornaments and Stetson belts. It would be great if this shop expanded to take credit cards and included some Stetson hats!

All in all, this is a fascinating glimpse into history and Victorian architecture. From here, it’s a five-minute drive to historic downtown Deland with numerous shops and restaurants. https://www.stetsonmansion.com/

Journey of Water

This past weekend, we attended a passholder preview of a new attraction inspired by Moana at Disney World’s Epcot theme park. Journey of Water is located in World Nature, which is to the right past Spaceship Earth. It’s an educational and interactive exhibit that relates the cycle of water on our planet.

In a garden-like setting, you walk through various sections. You’ll see dancing waters, can move your arms under a falling stream to make music, or raise your arms and make water jump. It’s fun for kids as well as adults and is a very pleasant path surrounded by trees and plants.

Flowers provide splashes of color along the easy-walking trail. Toward the end is a topiary representation of Moana in a peaceful setting.

I felt the entire exhibit was well done and was sad when it came to an end. I like nature trails anyway, and this one is a delight to explore and to learn about our water cycles at the same time.

Epcot Food & Wine Festival

All this scenic wonder roused our appetites, so we headed to World Showcase to sample the dishes at Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival. Our first stop was Australia for the lamb chops. The meat was very tender and tasty, but I found the seasoning too salty for my palate.

We enjoyed the food at Kenya. Richard and I shared the coffee barbecued beef with mashed potatoes while Sue & Mark Bernstein, our companions, said the shrimp skewers were very good. Those are definitely on my list for next time.

I tried the mimosa flight at Shimmering Sips. I liked the berry one in the middle, but the other two choices didn’t have much taste.

The crab cake at Coastal Eats was delicious. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, it had mostly crab meat with no shells and I didn’t taste any filler. Very good and so was the slaw that accompanied it.

All in all, we had a great day except for the heat. It’s time for Fall already!

Celebrity Apex Review – The Ship Part Two

Each day, our newsletter listed tons of activities that you could do on board Celebrity Apex. But some were lacking that you could find on other ships. There wasn’t any bingo, which is a big draw elsewhere. No cooking classes that we would have enjoyed. You could do arts and crafts, take dance classes, go to the art auctions, or attend various seminars but nothing to do with culture or history. Even the Destination Talk was lacking. It showed the highlights of each port and gave important information but there wasn’t any colorful display of what you could buy with giveaways, shopping recommendations, maps or coupons.

ENTERTAINMENT

The evening entertainment was excellent. We enjoyed the production shows the best. The Tree of Life reminded us of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The theme appeared to be changing seasons. The singers and dancers wore street clothes, which didn’t impress us as much as the spectacular special effects and the huge movie screen with changing scenery in the background.

We liked the Crystallize show better with its superb aerialists. The theater itself is in the round, a new concept on a cruise ship. You have a good view from nearly anywhere with no columns obstructing the line of site. However, seating was limited, and you had to arrive at least twenty minutes early to guarantee a space. The second-floor seating, so I was told, was for higher tier guests. Showtimes were 7pm and 9 pm. Being early risers, we never made the additional late-night shows.

We particularly enjoyed the pianist who gave a concert one night. Accompanied by the ship’s orchestra, he played variations of popular movie themes. He ended with The Mandalorian, a Star Wars TV show that we watch. There were also a violinist and a guitarist on board, both of them talented professionals.

CAPTAIN’S CLUB

As repeat cruisers at Elite level, we enjoyed certain benefits. Aside from the free bag of laundry and Internet minutes, these included free drinks from 5 to 7 every evening except embarkation. We could get them at any lounge but not in the restaurants. We shared the same status as our friends, Ann Meier and Pat Babcock, so it was fun to meet them at each event.

The Welcome party at Eden included an aerialist performing a sample of their show. We didn’t sign up in time for the Backstage Tour, so we missed that one. We did attend the Senior Officer’s Party where servers brought around drinks and appetizers. Below is the ship’s captain.

The Music & Mixology event was fun and unusual. A talented bartender juggled his wares as he mixed three drinks. If I recall, they were a Manhattan, Mai Tai, and Spiced Pimms.

A Wine Tasting was held in the Tuscan Restaurant. I took a photo of the bottles since we were not given printouts of the wines with room for notes as in the past.

In the mornings from 8 to 10am in the Bistro lounge, we could get a free Mimosa, Bloody Mary or Bellini along with a choice of light menu items. I liked the fruit and chocolate croissants.

We appreciated our benefits and felt as though our loyalty was properly recognized. This was a fun part of the trip.

Celebrity Apex Ship Review Part Two #cruising #CelebrityCruises Share on X

Coming Next: The Food and the Ports of Call

Celebrity Apex Review – The Ship Part One

Celebrity Apex has an ultra-modern design with eclectic art works scattered throughout the ship. It has sweeping upward ramps and a movable bar on the side of the ship and potted plants in areas such as the Rooftop Garden and the Eden Lounge. One modern technology I appreciated was the lack of handles on restroom doors that opened with a wave of your hand. Here are random scenes throughout the ship:

Pools

Deck 14 holds the main pool and the solarium, which was my favorite since it’s covered. In between the two is a grill where you can get hot dogs, burgers including a turkey burger, and fries. The grill also has a soft ice cream dispenser. The spa café is at the rear of the solarium. Here you can get light snacks and cold drinks or coffee.

Shops

If you like expensive brand-name merchandise such as Coach, Cartier, and Mont Blanc, you’ll be happy. Effy Jewelers are on board but there’s no fun selection of fashion jewelry like on other ships or dressy tops or sweaters. The resort clothing is bland and so are the logo souvenirs including tee shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, mugs, etc. We’ve had better shops on other ships. Even the liquor store had big bottles, nothing small, no gift packs of little bottles or even gift boxes or bars of chocolate. There were the usual rum cakes at 2 boxes for $35 and no Caribbean rum balls. So while there were a number of shops to browse in, not many held our interest. There were also no blow-out sales like on other ships.

Bars

We missed having a selection of lounges midship compared to our past cruises. No wine bar, bellini or champagne bar. The martini bar on Deck 3 of the grand plaza had a band or guitarist and was always lively, although the side walls are painted black and there’s no view of the ocean from there. Here’s the sweeping grand chandelier.

Midship on Deck 4 is a coffee bar where I believe you could order drinks in the evening. Specialty coffees here cost money, but the pastries are free. This large area has seating with a view. Opposite on Decks 4 and 5 were the Bistro and the Steakhouse, respectively. These specialty (meaning additional cost) restaurants took up space that could have been nice lounges. We missed having a piano bar, a quiet spot where you could sit and get drinks and chat with soft background music.

The Club is on Deck 4 next to the theater. No windows here so you feel closed in. This is the spot for game shows and other special events. The Casino is midship so again you lose space there that could have been a nice lounge. The Craft Social bar is adjacent, between the casino and bistro, but it’s relatively small and more like a sports bar.

Then there’s the bar that goes up and down the ship’s side. This was parked in place for most of the cruise. We were told it would only move twice during the week and you needed a reservation. Otherwise, it served as a lounge with a view if you could find a seat but wasn’t as cozy as other settings.

Celebrity Apex Review - The Ship Part One #cruising #CelebrityCruises Share on X

Coming Next: The Ship Part Two, then Food and Ports of Call

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