Our Location today is Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.
It truly is strange how one can appreciate the warmth of the
lower states during the winter months but can be easily worn out just doing
simple activities out in the sun like setting up camp. We didn’t have any
trouble sleeping last night to the point where we slept until 8:00 this morning.
We spent a short time on the computers reading and adding data
to our MiFi plan before loading up the truck and heading out. With our limited
stay at this park and so much we want to see and do we can’t afford to sit
around. Besides we have to look while we can because the Weather Guessers are
showing some nasty weather heading our way for the weekend.
Kathy set the GPS and we were soon headed southbound down I-95 then
over to US 1. When we saw that sign
we were kind of wishing we were still down at the Zero Mile Marker. Our first
destination today was the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse Museum located on Mosquito Inlet. Our GPS worked
flawlessly until it told us the address was on the right side of the road
instead of the left. Sometimes it is Directionally Challenged.
Just as we entered the Gift-shop to purchase our tour
tickets we heard the sound of something that sounded like glass crashing to the
floor. Then a little voice explaining that his alligator’s tail must have hit it
when he was flying. Adult/Senior tickets are $5.00 each but we weren’t allowed
to bring our water bottles with us even though it was hot but they did have
water fountains around the site.
After putting our bottles back in the truck we started with
the short introductory video that opened our eyes to the changes in Lighthouse Designs
and what was expected of those that were charged with the task of tending to
the lighthouse. We then started visiting the different buildings learning more
as we went but saving the lighthouse for last. Kathy’s knees and her breathing
were starting to bother her so she opted to find a shady spot to rest while I explored
the Lighthouse further.
The Mechanics behind the Rotating Beacon Light. |
By the time I was about halfway up inside the lighthouse I knew
that I’d have to slow my pace down as it was warm and the air thin. With people
coming down using the same spiral staircase that was an easy thing to do. With
little air coming in it nearly felt like Air Conditioning coming through the
vents in the Service Room at the top of the tower itself where you could see
the inner workings of the Beacon.
Looking Down. |
Exiting to the outer viewing platform the breeze at 175 feet
was refreshing and the views amazing. I was up there for nearly ten minutes and
was able to calm a few women who were scared of heights. Unfortunately just as I
was about to descend a young woman had to walk backwards all the way down
guiding her eight year old daughter who suddenly freaked out over how high she
was and there was no calming her until she was on the ground. This is a very
worthwhile museum to explore and to learn from. If you plan on climbing to the
top be prepared to climb 203 steps to get there.
There's Kathy. |
Young Mom talking her daughter down one step at a time. |
It was nearly 2:00 when we left and we needed to eat lunch.
Kathy had research a restaurant called Down The Hatch. She only found positive
reviews and it was only a mile from the lighthouse. From the outside it looked
like an open air bar but when we went inside it was a different world in Air
Conditioned comfort. We had window seats so as we enjoyed our meals we watched
the small crafts traversing the canals. Just before we were ready to leave we
started seeing a couple of Dolphins doing short leaps out of the water putting
on a show that lasted for close to ten minutes. Only having brought the small
camera into the restaurant there was no way to document those occurrences.
It was past 3:30 by the time we left for our next stop that was
the Daytona
Beach Boardwalk Amusement District. Unfortunately there was
something special going on today so it was impossible to find parking of any
kind so we’ll just hope to make it back there before we leave.
The sand you see is part of Daytona Beach. |
Heading back towards the trailer we were planning on
stopping at the grocery store to refill our water jugs and refill our pantry as
well. Not using the GPS I entered the wrong shopping plaza where four of our
favorite stores in the US are located. We did managed to find a few things on
our shopping list that we won’t need at the grocery store now but then we made
a major dent in our Xxxxxxmas shopping
today.
It was nearly 7:00 and we were starting to need something to
eat so as luck would have it there was a Chick-fil-A at
the front of the parking lot so we just walked over. The place was jammed but
we were enjoying our supper within five minutes with a view out the front window
that we could see part of the Speedway form.
Back at the trailer after everything was unloaded Kathy was
very happy to take her shoes off for the day. Thanks for following along and
feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
Krackers
When
is a green book not a green book?
When
it's read.
Seems your GPS is not very reliable, we don't even own one other than our I-phone and never have any problems.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy that weather while you can , gonna be awesome here next week.
We love visiting lighthouses. I have this one on my list. The price is excellent. Poor little girl.
ReplyDelete