Six
Great Day Trips
There's More to Orlando than Mickey Mouse,
by Anne Sponholtz
Six road trips out of Orlando, Florida, offer
a kind of magic that can't be found in the fantasy worlds
of Disney World. It is the magic of adventure found in exploring
the highways and byways of the Sunshine State, a real world
of beaches, mermaids, manatees and outer space.
Titusville, Fla.
Travel time: 50 minutes
Three, two, one, blast off! There is nothing
quite as thrilling as watching up close and personal the space
shuttle blast off to outer space. The parks, roadways and
campgrounds in Titusville
offer some of the best spots in the state for watching liftoff.
Be sure to pack the lawn chairs, a cooler and maybe even a
beach umbrella and small grill so you can enjoy some tailgating
while waiting for the big moment. If you take along a laptop,
you can hook up to a WiFi connection and tune into NASA.
Here you can watch the astronauts as they talk to their families
on their cell phones or wave at the camera as they prepare
to board the shuttle. They are so nonchalant they seem to
be out on an afternoon stroll.
It does take a little luck to be on hand for
a shuttle launch since space shots are often delayed -- sometimes
for hours, sometimes for days. Nevertheless, it is worth the
gamble for a chance to see this part of history. If it's not
a launch day, head across the river to Kennedy
Space Center, where you can take a tour or buy advance
tickets for viewing shuttle and rocket launches from the Space
Center.
Silver Springs, Fla.
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes
The famous glass bottom boats at Silver
Springs give visitors a rare underwater peek at the type
of springs that make up so much of Florida's landscape --
without having to put on a wet suit and air tanks. The crystal
clear water at this "nature theme park" seems to
turn emerald green at times, as visitors discover a variety
of fish, underwater artifacts and even remains from one of
the movies shot here. The park operates a petting zoo for
youngsters, and shops and restaurants fill an open-air mall.
Concerts early in the year feature stars such as The Beach
Boys and Kenny Rogers.
You can cruise down the Silver River or enjoy
the wildlife exhibits on shore; either way it's an education.
One recent Florida transplant, who thought alligators were
green, soon learned that most alligators are grayish-black,
except for the rare albino alligators, like the two at Silver
Springs, which are white. The botanical gardens offer a quiet
respite along lovely paths where you can walk in the footsteps
of Native Americans who occupied the area 500 years ago. Check
the hours and days of operation, as some days Silver Springs
is closed.
Flagler Beach, Fla.
Travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Flagler
Beach is reminiscent of what Florida was like before condominiums
and high-rises began creeping up the coastline from Miami.
There are no malls or fast-food restaurants here, just a few
shops and restaurants scattered through the tiny town. Fruits,
vegetables, local seafood and fresh baked goods draw large
crowds to the farmers'
market on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the
Intracoastal Waterway, Flagler Beach is the perfect day trip
for those looking to enjoy some sand and surf or to take in
a little fishing away from the hustle and bustle of the more
popular Florida beachfront towns. The unusual reddish sand
is the product of an offshore coquina shelf, and you can enjoy
it in peace since the beach is often deserted and vehicles
are prohibited. The beach is easily accessible from the fishing
pier, from up and down Scenic and Historic A1A Coastal Byway,
and from Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler
Beach, where a small fee is charged.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Travel time: 1 hour 25 minutes
One of the most fascinating creatures to make
its home in the waterways of Florida is the manatee, and there
is no better place to see manatees than at Homosassa
Springs Wildlife State Park. The springs are home to manatees
undergoing rehabilitation from injuries or those otherwise
unable to return to the wild. It is a place where many wild
manatees stop by for a visit, drawn to the spring waters and
food sources of the Homosassa River. Manatees can grow to
13 feet, weigh in at a hefty 3,000 pounds, and are extremely
slow moving. Because they are marine mammals, they must surface
to breathe, and there are, at times, reports of manatees injured
or killed by speeding boats.
This is a wildlife park in every sense, giving
visitors a real peek into natural Florida and the animals
that roam, crawl, swim and fly in this state and beyond. Although
the waters look inviting for fishing, pleasure boating and
swimming, none of those recreational activities is permitted.
There is an entrance fee and some restrictions do apply at
the park, so be sure to check out the park's Web site ahead
of your visit. When you see that manatees swim by, it will
likely be an "Ah!" moment.
Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Travel time: 2 hours
If you have a desire to visit Greece, but don't
feel like hopping on an airplane and crossing the Atlantic
Ocean, you might satisfy that yearning with a visit to Tarpon
Springs, on Florida's west coast. You won't get to walk
up the rocks at the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, but along
the historic
sponge docks, you will find a touch of Greece around every
corner. It was the discovery of sponges in the Gulf of Mexico
off the shores of Tarpon Springs that brought Greek sponge
divers to the community more than 100 years ago.
Tarpon Springs is not a polished city, but rather
like a well-lived-in home. Greek restaurants feature such
items as dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), spanakopita
(spinach pie) and, my personal favorite, moussaka (an
eggplant dish). Walk up and down the narrow streets and discover
wonderful shops packed with colorful clothes, unique gifts
and unusual sponges for practical and decorative uses. Take
a cruise down the Anclote River or just sit on a bench enjoying
homemade fudge or Greek pastries and take in the sights, smells
and sounds of this intriguing Greek community.
Weeki Wachee Springs
Travel time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Weeki
Wachee Springs is a whimsical place where, at least for
a moment, you can believe in mermaids. The crystal clear water
of the springs comes alive as talented, captivating "mermaids"
perform amazing underwater feats, at times even enjoying a
soft drink underwater. Audiences watch underwater shows, such
as "The Little Mermaid" performance, from a 500-seat
theater embedded in the side of the springs, 16 feet below
the surface of the water.
The park also features cruises down the Weeki
Wachee River, animal shows and, in summer, the Buccaneer Bay
water park, billed as Florida's only spring-fed water park
(it even has white sand beaches). Weeki Wachee Springs has
seen many changes in its 60 years in the entertainment business,
and more changes may be in store. If things go as planned,
Weeki Wachee Springs may become Florida's 162nd state park,
a move that would likely make Florida the only state with
mermaids on its payroll. Be sure to check the dates and times
of operation and the fee schedule for admission.
Everybody Loves the Mouse
Orlando is the gateway to many exciting theme parks, and Mickey
Mouse, who introduced theme parks to Florida, conjures up
smiling faces on young and old alike. But I hope you enjoy
these road trips beyond the glitz and glitter of the more
popular theme parks, giving you a chance to see some of Florida
that has been around long before the mouse came to town.
Anne
Sponholtz
6/27/08
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