Today, being a non-craft day, meant we were free to do anything, so we slept in then stayed in bed listening to local news until 9 a.m. It was also another great day, weather wise, with the temps approaching 80 F.
After breakfast we jumped in the Del Sol and set out for Deland, FL. We were going to the Quilt Shop of Deland. We go there every few weeks to check out new items. We were lucky and got our "usual" parking spot.
We have been to hundreds of Quilt Shops all over Canada and the USA. Many have lovely fabrics and a few have an unbelievably huge selection; however, in my "not-so-humble" opinion (grin) - this is the Best of the Best! Even though they may not have the largest selection - they are tops in everything that matters.
Judy, the owner, (Charlotte is the one with the purse - another grin) goes beyond helpful and friendly (like all the staff do). They know what they are talking about! The store is full of quilts and various projects they have made from the patterns they sell. They not only deal in the highest quality items; they also make "Kits" that have everything you need for a number of the patterns that are in stock. This means they not only can help you find what you need - they freely dispense "Suggestions" and "Pointers".
Finding fabric you like - Great!
Getting the "Notions" you need - Super!
Buying a kit here - Fantastic!
Getting advice you understand - PRICELESS! (MasterCard - eat your heart out!).
Check them out online.(they ship!)
http://www.quiltshopofdeland.com/about-us.htm
Our next stop, also in Deland, was at the Kermit's Key West Key Lime Factory Outlet. This is another regular visit when in the area. Rather than call out their "Key Lime Emergency Response Unit" we arrived in person to pick up multiple bags of their "Sugar Free Key Lime Candy". We often pop (many of) these in our mouth while at a "Show". Last night, at the Kingston Trio Concert, we discovered we only had a few left. This, like the quilt shop, is a regular stop when in the area.
This is not the Famous Kermit's Original Key West Key Lime Shoppe (bet you figured this out already) - it's in Key West, FL. This is the production facility in Deland where all the "non-pie" items are made. This location lets them keep internet order (and production) costs lower as shipping to and from Key West are much more expensice.
They also ship!
http://www.keylimeshop.com/locations
Soon we were back on the road and heading "North to
First, being it was time to eat, was Corky Bell's in East Palatka. They have a great menu with reasonable prices. It is worth the (little more than an hour) drive (each way) from OMS (Olde Mill Stream RV Resort) - especially on such a nice "Convertible" day!
They are always very busy; however we found a parking spot that was open near the entrance. This is rare as there are hundreds there at any given time.
Charlotte went in to get on the seating list while I put the top on the Del Sol and locked it up. I joined her shortly after. We could have sat on their huge and lovely deck by the water; but it was beginning to get hot and humid outside. We were also still a little "warm and winded " from the hour long drive with the top off.
While waiting for our order I had the opportunity to sit with an old friend - "Gator Joe"!
Charlotte ordered the Mahi-Mahi and I decided on the Half-Rack of Ribs w\Shrimp. Their Hushpuppies were great as was their "Crunchy" Coleslaw. Both meals were excellent (as usual).
After eating we headed to the second stop (in Palatka) on our agenda. It was Ravine Gardens State Park.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Ravine-Gardens
The entrance (any time we have come) is (usually?) not manned. There is an "Honour System" whereby you put the fee ($5.00 for each vehicle w\up to 8 passengers) in an envelope, tear off the receipt\pass (that hangs on your vehicle's rear view mirror) and then deposit the envelope in a box.
The park has two ravines up to 120 feet deep with steep banks at 45 degree angles. Unlike common gullies, trenches or sinkholes caused by temporary flooding, the steephead ravine is a permanent feature with a spring-fed creek that never dries up, called Whitewater Branch. The underground water bubbling up cuts into the bank and carries the sand and soil downstream to the St. Johns River. Over thousands of years the ravine has widened and deepened to what you see today.
In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal WPA (Works Progress Administration). Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system. The paved loop, we suspect, may have originally been all brick as a number of the hillside areas and road edges are still lined with bricks today.
A 1.8-mile paved road winds around the ravine, offering motorists, bicyclists, runners and walkers (and their dogs) a view of the gardens. One runner kept ahead of us for half of the loop ( 5 mph Speed Limit) before we passed her on an uphill. The Ravine Loop is closed to vehicle traffic one hour before sunset, but remains open for pedestrians, bicycles, and wheelchairs.
The garden's peak flowering period is azalea season, late January to April. Numerous picnic sites, equipped with tables and grills, are available to visitors. There are also areas for kids to play (Jungle Gym stuff) and an "Eco" exercise park for fitness buffs.
They do not allow swimming because of the "Gators".
We have always enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of the ride through this park. The exit has an "Automatic Gate"; however since you have the receipt you can return back through the entrance and "do-it-again". (That's my story and I'm sticking to it). We did previously.
On departure it is just a few blocks to SR-19. After a few miles on the 4-lane section it reverts to being 2 lanes and the traffic soon disappears. SR-19 takes us right to OMS. It was still warm enough to leave the top off. We enjoyed the ride back and arrive just at sunset (6:06 p.m.).
I dropped Charlotte off at the motorhome, picked up the computer and went to The Lodge to use the Wi-Fi to do the blog. I made it back to the RV a little before 9 p.m.
It was just TV surfing for the rest of the night. Needless to say, with 7 hours of fresh air and sunshine, we won't need to be rocked to sleep tonight.
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