Big Talbot Island - Jacksonville Florida

During the Christmas break one year we decided to venture up to the Jacksonville area and look around.  The kids and I had never been there and Duane, who used to live there, hadn't been in several years.  While we were looking at some of the sights, Duane asked if we wanted to go see something that was cool and of course we said yes, so we headed off towards Big Talbot Island.  We pulled off A1A and went down a long dirt road and parked.  When we got out we didn't see anything, but he said don't worry we go down a path and you will see it.  That is when Cody saw a large cliff overlooking sand and asked if he could jump down so that is what he and Duane did.  Jasmine and I of course took the simpler route down.  Once down on the beach though I was taken aback. The dead trees on the sand were just amazing and the fact that there was no one around for miles.  We walked for a while taking in the beautiful surroundings. 

I would recommend this be something that everyone go and see at least once while living in Florida.  The beach there is eroding and won't be around long.  Take your kids, dogs and a picnic lunch and enjoy the day.  There is Little Talbot Island State Park that you can go camping at if you would like to spend a weekend and enjoy a mini vacation away from the hustle and bustle of your weekday lives.  The entrance is just right up the rode from the Little Talbot Island area.

Silver Springs Theme Park - Silver Springs, FL - http://www.silversprings.com/

I was checking online one day and found discounted tickets for Silver Springs - buy 1 adult get 1 adult free - so it peaked my interest.  Upon googling Silver Springs and checking it out I was super excited to go.  They have glass bottom boats.  I have heard of those and had always wanted to ride on one, but have never had the opportunity.  So the next Saturday I packed up Duane, the kids and one of Jasmine's friends and we were off.  The boat rides were very educational and informative and the entire park was just beautiful to look at.  We rode on three different rides that feature the glass bottom boats and each one is a little different.  One of them took us to an Owl preserve where we got to hear about some of the wildlife that is saved and rehabilitated in Silver Springs.  The one thing that I thought was the most interesting was that the spring pumps out over 550 million gallons of water a day - they said it was enough to give everyone in the world two glasses of water each day.  They also have a safari adventure that takes you through some of the Ocala National Forest.

In addition to the boat rides they had an animal area.  We were able to feed giraffes, miniture horses, gators, and other barn yard animals.  They have a cougar, flamingos, a Florida Panther, a Kodiak bear that weighs over 2500 lbs!! and a 5,000 lb tortoise that was the size of a dog house.

While walking to the giraffe area they have off to the right a "Good Luck Palm".  The saying is if you are photographed while standing in the palm, you will have 5 years good luck.  The kids asked for like a hundred pictures, but not sure that I believe that it works.

I think one of the items that Cody enjoyed the most was all of the shows.  In various areas of the park they would have 20-30 minutes shows teaching you about different animals.  We learned about gators (he got to go up and pet one) and snakes, we got to see them feed them.

In all Silver Springs was a very enjoyable day that didn't by any means break the bank.  They also have a water park too so you can enjoy nature and the animals and then go over and cool yourselves off on a hot day. They have season passes for both parks and all the concerts for under $50 per person.

Old Town - 192 - Kissimmee FL

One of the places that my family and I always enjoy going is Old Town on 192 in Kissimmee.  It is a fabulous place to take the kids and have a fun filled day, go for just an hour or two, or go at night and party a little.  Old Town is a dead end street that is lined with shopping, eateries, bars, games and things to do.  They have an arcade, electronic bull, the feats of strength games, and tons to do and see.  On one end of the street there are smaller festival type rides and games and at the other end there is a free fall drop, laser tag, bumper cars, and small go-cart track

We enjoy the bouncy house glow-in-the-dark laser tag.  It is only $5.00 per person and you get about 5 minutes of play.  It is fun to jump, hide and run through the bouncy house while trying to remember it is laser tag and the idea is to shoot to win. 

If you are looking for something to look at while you are enjoying your day Old Town has specialty nights.  Thursday is bike night, Friday has newer custom and exotic cars, Saturday is all of the classic cars made before 1975 and the first Sunday of every month they have Latin night filled with music and dancing.  All of the speciality nights you can wander around and look at the cars and they do a parade so you can pick a spot and watch them all cruise by you and then go look closer at your favorites. 

Right outside of Old Town (otherside of the fence) is a Fun Spot USA.  They have two go-cart tracks that are 3 stories tall and look like they intertwine.  We do this often.  It is about $8.00 per person to ride either of these tracks.  They also have the superman high flyer if you want to take a try, 2 other leveled go-cart tracks, tons of festival type games and more.  For a certain price you can buy arm bands that either cover all the rides except the go-carts or by a go-cart wristband and ride as many times as you would like.

Wanting to go out without the kids.  They have something for you as well.  Sun on the Beach transforms from a casual bar to a dance club when the sun goes down.  Get there early and no cover will be charged to you.  Not in the dancing mood, you can try the Blue Max Tavern where you can try your hand at Karaoke every night of the week. 

We have a blast everytime we go to Old Town and try to go at least once a month.

Monster Mini Golf - Winter Garden, FL

One day driving down Daniels Rd in Winter Garden I saw a sign "Monster Mini Golf" so we decided to check it out.  It is an inside glow in the dark, monster inspired, 18 hold miniture golf course.  The price was only $6.00/per person and less for kids smaller than the monster's on the sign board.  We had a blast.  We were not aware of the glow-n-the-dark and we just happened to be wearing white so we fit right in.  When we got there we were the only people in the place and had fun taking our time through their eleborate mini golf holes.  After we were done, we spent some time playing the arcade games that they have.  I believe Jasmine and Duane went head to head with the basketball hoop game, while Cody and I played a little Skee-ball.  This is where we found the "Whack A Rat" game.  I a fun spin off of the old Whack a Mole game that I used to love as a kid.  We find ourselves at the Monster Mini Golf whenever the weather outside is bad so that we can play a game of golf and have Whack a Rat competitions. 

Monster Mini Golf
1297 Winter Garden Vineland Rd (Rte 535) Suite 130
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Phone: 407 614-4688

Wintergarden@monsterminigolf.com

Tubing down the Rainbow River

One night talking with some of Duane's family they had said that they went tubing down the Rainbow River and it was a blast.  This got me thinking that this would be something fun to do with the kids and so I started checking into it.  There are many places along the Rainbow River to rent tubes to do a float and most have either a 2 hour or 4 hour float that you can do.  I thought 4 hours in the river was a bit much for our first adventure, so we decided on the 2 hour float.  I did some checking of prices with the many facilities and came across Dragonfly Watersports. It was on $10 per person for the float and $5.00 for parking.  It was not in the Rainbow River State Park itself so there was more of a chance that it would not fill up as quickly. As with all of the other State Park's here in Florida, it is first come, first serve and when the parking lots fill up the parks are closed.

DragonFly opens at 9:00am and the last launch is at 2:15 pm so I wanted to get there before the rush.  Dunnellon, FL is about an hour and a half from Windermere, so I made the kids get up early and told them to sleep in the car on the way over.  We started out about 7:30 am.  When we arrived we were the first people at the place.  The paperwork and registration was very small and we were heading off to the bus that would take us up the 2.5 miles to where our adventure would begin.  The water was COLD!!! but after a little time it became very comfortable and it was really cool how the water was so clear you could see the bottom of the river.  The floor of the river is covered in what looks like grass (pic) below was taken with my camera looking down into the water. Many time we were able to see the fish that were following us on our float.  The kids really enjoyed it and I think next time we may go for the 4 hour or try one of the spots that actually dumps us into the Rainbow River State Park.  The scenery was just beautiful and we were able to see many types of wildlife, no gators though, which was good because I don't know if the kids would have continued down the float had we seen any.  The float ends back at the place we parked so there is not a lot of hiking the tube around.

Rainbow Springs State Park Tube Facility

10830 SW 180th Ave. Rd. Dunnellon, Fl 34432

(352) 465-4035

Opens in April on weekends only and then after Memorial Day is open through the weekdays.  Thursday - Monday

Pontoon Boat ride down St Johns River and Blue Springs State Park

For Duane's Birthday, Feb 2009, we wanted to do something different.  He is really into the flora and fauna of Florida so what would be better that a nice pontoon boat ride down the St. John's River.  We decided on a 4 hour adventure - but could have choosen the full day 8 hour (which I think we may do next time) and headed off for High Banks Marina in Debary, FL.  The people were really nice and the boat was amazing.  We could have fit up to 12 people and were allowed to bring our own cooler with snacks to use while on our trip.  The registration and paperwork took no time at all and we were off.  We saw many types of wildlife on our adventure Snowy Egrets, Blue Herons, Alligators and Manatees. 

We stopped at the Blue Springs State Park during our ride and there were 100s of Manatees around. 

Apparently due to the fact that the spring is always at 72 degrees year round the Manatees flock when the weather gets cold.  We had tried going to the State Park (driving) and it was closed down as once the parking spaces fill up they close the park.  This time though we docked and paid our $5.00 to enter the park from the river.  It was breathtaking and definitely worth the stop.  There was a lot for the kids to do (playground) and large open areas for picnicking or for playing.

Get some of your friends together and enjoy this side of Florida.  It is a really great time and you won't be dissapointed.

Highbanks Marina & Campresort

488 West Highbanks

DeBary, FL 32713

4 hour excursion

7:30AM - 11:30AM or 12:30PM - 4:30PM
$95 plus tax

Whole day or 8 hour excursion
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
$180 plus tax
$200 CASH Deposit required + Cost of Gas

Kelley Park / Rock Springs - Apopka, FL

Kelly Park

400 E Kelly Park RD

Apopka 32712

http://www.orangecountyfl.net/dept/cesrvcs/parks/ParkDetails.asp?ParkID=22

Open Monday - Sunday - 8am - 8pm (summer) 8am - 6pm (winter)

While Cody was attending the YMCA summer camp he told me about this really cool place that they would go tubing at.  I looked into it and thought this seemed something very Florida like so off we went.  Everyone I talked to said get there early, because once the parking lot is full there is no more admission.  So we left the house around 7:30 am and off we went.  Before we got to the entrance of the park I saw tub rental places offering some pretty good prices so that you would not have to swim the entire time, but float.  They charge a deposit as well as a rental fee for each of the tubes, but you receive your deposit back when you bring the tubes back after you are done and it an all day rental.  After tying these to the back hatch of the van we were off.  This is really important to get because there are NO tube rentals in the park itself.  We paid a nominal fee of $1 per person at the entrance to the park. There were tons of people flowing in and I was glad that we decided to go early because about an hour after we entered (right around 10) the park was already closed.

The water was cold due to it being a spring but after a few minutes of the heat it was very refreshing.  You walk you tubes through a walkway to the top of the float and are able to jump into an area where the spring flows in.  It is about 25 foot deep and helps your body get acclimated to the temperature of the water.  I would definitely suggest bringing something to float on as the entire float is filled with very large, very sharp rocks that are not very knee friendly.  The float itself was about 25 minutes where you then flow into a larger area that is used for swimming. This is a nice area if you have smaller kids or do not want to do the floating.  There is another passage way after this that you can continue down if you would like.

Want to stay for the entire day?  No problem.  They have areas that you can set up a canopy and bring your picnic baskets and coolers.  In addition to this they also have a concession stand that offers many good items without breaking the bank.  Don't like to much sun?  There were many shady areas that you can hang out in from the tall forest that surrounds the area.  Tired of swimming?  There were also trails that you could hike in or large areas that you could toss a ball or frisbee around to work up a sweat before going back in and cooling off.