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While I’ve made a few stops in Sanford, I often felt rushed, so this season I booked 10 nights in a house in the quaint Historic District. It was a good idea! Sanford’s downtown is known for its brick-lined streets, towering oaks, and Victorian homes. But, it wasn't always known as "Celery City". When the Great Freeze of 1894 and ‘95 ruined the area’s citrus groves, farmers diversified by growing vegetables. Sanford then became one of the largest vegetable shipping centers in the United States by the early 20th century, with celery as the most successful crop. With time to play, I learned a great deal about this small city at the Henry Shelton Sanford Museum and the County Library. While I was quite familiar with the Sanford RiverWalk, I was also able to extend my two-wheel journeys around Lake Monroe by natural spring parks and by the towns of DeBary, Enterprise and Osteen. In late 2024, Sanford was recognized as a Florida Trail Town, so while the RiverWalk now connects to three trail networks, they’re committed to expanding recreation and ecotourism county-wide. Very nice. It’s been a good stay and with just one day to go, I’m pondering one last ride and a relaxing breakfast at El Coqui Bakery before hopping the train.
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Since I’d booked an Auto Train ticket for late March it was time to head toward the middle with a stop or two. Returning to tent mode was desirable though a state park during spring break was out of the question. When I tapped Hipcamp once again, I found Black Horse Resort Ranch offering camping, a swimming pool, trails, a community kitchen and clubhouse. With the Ocala National Forest on three sides, I could be an active camper without being an equestrian, so why not? A new experience. On day one with map in hand, I set out walking the longest trail until I dead-ended at the ponds. The trails are sandy so with temps in the high-80s it felt like I was walking in the desert not the woods. Much to my surprise I never saw another soul on foot or horseback. When I returned, I tried to confirm the trail length, but what I heard was that it was bear breeding season so I best be careful. “You walked all that way in that deep sand today?” I was also asked if I wanted to see a photo taken by a horse lover the day prior of a 5’ rattlesnake. All of this info was brought to my attention after my two-hour journey. I did not repeat this activity. My second night, I was enjoying the sunset from my site but it was obvious that a group was gathered around a large campfire. Very few sites have firepits so I wondered if this was an invitation only situation. Indeed it is, and since I was a week-long tent camper (the only tent camper), I never received an invite. As it turns out, there’s a group of equestrian RVers who have been seasonal visitors here for 20-to-30 years and penetrating that clique takes more than simply showing up. Woe is me, but they definitely wanted me to “have a blessed day”. While I did get myself into the nearby town of Umatilla for two days of pedaling, the Ranch is a nice property where I could walk the perimeter trail, lift weights at the clubhouse, and relax poolside with a book. It was a hot day by the pool when I started chatting with Monique, a young, single woman who was also a novice ranch resident. She hails from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, so alas, we had plenty to talk about and plan to stay in touch. Was this the experience that I had envisioned? I’m not sure I had a vision, but I’d say that this did not feel like the Ponderosa. It’s been more than three weeks since my too-brief visit to Sebastian Inlet and I’m finally feeling like I’m hitting the ground running again. Weather-wise I may have pointed north a bit too soon as it’s been a bit cooler and wetter than expected, but I’ve also been watching the weather truly north so no whining. For a few more days, I’m in a month-long share of a sweet little house in Ormond Beach with Kim, a former New Yorker, and her lovable chihuahuas. She could not be any nicer, and the location is surprisingly grand for an affordable price as I’m walking distance to the ocean and the riverfront. I’m also just eight miles north of too-busy Daytona Beach, but it didn’t affect me until this final week when the 84th Annual Bike Week is in full swing – one of the world's largest motorcycle events. Oh my God on scheduling! Ormond Beach has a small town feel but is a small city with nearly 44,000 people and many more folks in high season. It’s actually known as “the Birthplace of Speed” as the wide, smooth sand was a proving ground for auto inventors and drivers from 1903–1911 -- the beginning of what later became NASCAR. The Ormond Garage, built in 1904 by Henry Flagler, accommodated the race cars with owners and manufacturers staying at Flagler's Ormond Hotel (c1887 but this grand hotel was torn down in 1992). It was Flagler who persuaded John D. Rockefeller to winter here, where after several seasons at the Ormond Hotel he purchased “The Casements” in 1918. He lived in this home seasonally until his death in 1937 at age 97; just shy of his wish to reach 100. In addition to an interesting history, Ormond Beach is surrounded by a number of state parks, and has neighborhoods with mostly single family homes built in the 1950s and ‘60s. However, Atlantic Boulevard (A1A) is a mishmash of housing, hotels and retail, and unfortunately, historic preservation didn’t begin here until the 1970s. I very much enjoyed time at the Four Park Corners along the riverfront, a docent tour of The Casements, the Art Walk, a Sculpture Tour, and learning about Mary McLeod Bethune at a library event. Thankfully, it was also possible for me to bike neighborhoods throughout town and head south throughout Daytona Beach. People aren’t overly-friendly but they’re still cordial both in and out of cars. Of course it was cycling that brought me to discover Flagler Beach, a small seaside community founded just over 100 years ago. Actually, parking brought me there so I could bike over the Intracoastal and head a bit further north on two wheels to the Lehigh Trail in Palm Coast. This became a weekly trek as I enjoyed both the Trail option and the friendly, casual feel of Flagler Beach. I’m still trying to catch up on life, but in a few days I’m happily moving off-grid again to a site just south of the Ocala National Forest. |
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April 2025
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