I chose to seize the day, every day, this week. Nonetheless, I am blissfully exhausted. My quest in pursuit of all things fun has been a success. Not surprisingly, if you asked me to, I’d do it all over again.
I can happily confirm that Central Florida did surprise me (I’ve lived here for 14 years, so I had my doubts.) Hopefully I’ve done a decent job of channeling the ambiance of the sunshine state directly to your computer screen. As you can see, there are action-packed options galore.
Even better, there was the added bonus of some pretty stunning scenery. When I drove out to Cocoa Beach this week, there was enough early-morning fog surrounding me that it felt like I was falling into a good dream. A surreal landscape worth rolling out of bed at 6 a.m. for. On the drive back, I spotted my favorite tree, a massive pine that stands above — way above — the rest, like the school yard bully of the forest.
I basked among Hong Kong orchids and sweet-almond plants at Discovery Cove and giggled like a 5-year-old when sun conures, who looked as if they’d just bathed in a tub of yellow paint, landed on my head. I stared in awe as two cockateels lovingly, or so it seemed, shared a small chunk of fruit. Is was so perfect; it’s almost like they’d been cast for a Disney movie scene.
At Gaylord Palms, I spotted an entire pasture chock full of cows right across the street from the ritzy resort. And let’s not forget the postcard perfection on Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Everglades. My fly-fishing lesson was more than learning to cast, it was about strolling under hundred-year-old oak groves, gazing at majestic native birds and taking in the grand landscape.
By week’s end, I’d stumbled upon plenty of hidden treats in the world of theme parks. In sum, it was a nook-by-nook look at the authentic spirit of Central Florida. While I am sad to see my stint as guest blogger come to an end, I am tuckered and ready for a long nap. If you’re planning on visiting our neck of the woods anytime soon, prepare to be pleasantly overwhelmed.
