2023 - TRIP SUMMARIES AND PHOTOS

Trip Date:  11/21/23 

I started my teaching career in 1984.  Never back then did I imagine that 39 years later I would be taking one of my first students and her family on a boat cruise.  Today I had the fortunate opportunity to do just that!

Stephanie and her children, Spencer and Cadence, were my guests this morning.  We took a tour on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, starting at Fort Maitland Park, which was recently reconstructed and is very nice. 

We had such a great time, telling old stories and remembering fun times from years ago.  Stephanie’s children were so much fun to be with, and we never had a lapse in conversation.  They were so interesting and shared stories with me about their travels and interests.  I was able to share some stories about their Mom and their family.  My wife taught Stephanie’s brother in two different grade levels.  We know he would have enjoyed being there!

We took our time and cruised by Rollins College, which you can spot behind them in the background in one of the pictures.  Stephanie graduated from Rollins.  I remember being invited to attend her graduation, and was glad I could be there to help her celebrate.  She got excited when she saw Dinky Dock, and indicated they used to swim there frequently!

During our ride, we were able to get fairly close to the huge mansion that is still under construction, and they took pictures of the building, as well as the bronze elephant in the backyard of the mansion.  

We also rode by a cypress tree out in one of the lakes that was decorated for Christmas!

We had such a great time together today!  It was so nice to reconnect, and I am looking forward to being able to take them back out in the boat in the future and showing them the waterways in Palm Coast.

Trip Date:  6/30/23 

Mark has wanted to get out on the water for a boat ride for quite some time.  We were finally able to coordinate our schedules and we took several hours last Friday to take a ride on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes.  We launched from Fort Maitland Park, which just recently reopened after being totally redone.  It is a very nice park, complete with restrooms, a playground, and a nice launch area.

Going through the canals between the  lakes, Mark spotted some of the largest  bamboo either one of us has ever seen.   Imagine turning one of those into a cane pole. 

A great blue heron was in the mood for a photo op, and stayed there as we passed by.  He was not bothered at all by our presence.

One of the interesting aspects of this ride is to get to view the beautiful houses surrounding the lakes.  We saw one particular mansion that is still under construction.  It takes up several lots, has a giant elephant statue on one side of the back yard, with a huge pool being constructed on the opposite side of the yard.  With the amount of glass going in, residents of this mansion are promised stunning views of the lake.

After several hours in the heat, we decided it was time to go in.  I'm looking forward to healing from surgery and cooler weather so I can take Mark back out again.  Next time, we will try some siteseeing and fishing in Palm Coast.