Mt Dora, FL

Above:  Mt Dora sunset  Below: Downtown Mt Dora

We've had a great week visiting Dave & Mary, riding bicycles, and exploring the local area.  We're staying at the Orange Blossom KOA in Apopka, FL.  It's just south of the approach end of runway 33 of the Orlando-Apopka airport. So we're enjoying watching the general aviation planes fly over as they land & take-off.    Big-rig friendly and has both sun (satellite friendly) & shady sites.  Sites are somewhat close - similar to west coast campgrounds, but ours is wide enough that we can park the truck next

to the trailer plus park a small car in front of the trailer.

First site up for a visit was Mt Dora.  Pretty little town with narrow roads, quaint shops and a gorgeous view of the lake.  They proudly sell bumper stickers touting that you've "Climbed Mt Dora - all 144 feet."  No knit shops, though.

Next was a visit to an auction.  First time at an auction for me.  I think it was wise to tell them upfront we wouldn't be bidding.  Dave & Mary got a nice curio

the night we went.

Next up was a visit to Tom & Heather's new house over at the Plantation in Leesburg (FL) subdivision.  As always, the house they got is nice, and they're making it their own.  As is Tom & Heather's tradition, they have a genuine knack for finding good restaurants.  They recommended Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill.  Great place to eat BBQ.  Maybe better than Moe's and LA BBQ. 

Next up for us was to get out and do some bike riding.  Besides riding the roads of Dave & Mary's subdivision (10 miles), we got out to the Seminole Wekiva Trail.  I got an hour in, and I believe Donna got about 17 miles or so on the trail.  Side note:  Per Donna, Wekiva apparently has a great little knit shop.

Next up was my bucket list:  Visit Downtown Disney.

Like everything else, names change.  When we first went to Disney World in Orlando, the shops were called Disney Village.  Somewhere along the line, that changed to Downtown Disney.  Now it's called Disney Springs.  No matter the name, it's still the same great shops, a new amphibian car ride is there, and plenty of construction.  I got my Earl of Sandwich fix, over indulged at the Ghirardelli Fountain, and got a big bag of spiced dark chocolate squares.  Oh, we've updated our Disney wardrobe, too.

Taking a break while shopping at Disney Springs.

As you would probably guess, Dave & Mary's new home is really nice as is the subdivision they're located in.  Like most people with new homes, they're taking their time making it theirs.  The colors they chose are great (& calming).  It's easy to relax when we're there.  And Donna loves the kitchen.  We've met some of their neighbors and visited some of the new houses on the subdivision's parade of homes.  We think Dave & Mary made a great choice!



Well, that's it for this week.  More exploring & bicycle riding is planned for sure.  Later, David