Orange City, FL
Clark Family Campground
Leaving Mt. Dora, we headed to Orange City and the Clark Family Campground. http://www.clarkfamilycampground.com/ We have Wi Fi! How cool is that in a campground! And it’s available at our site! That’s even cooler! There is a pool, coin laundry, modern bath houses, game room and playground for the kids, mini grocery, rec room, catch and release fishing, and planned activities. Tent and RV sites can choose electric. Wildlife is welcomed, so birders, here is your destination! Cranes, owls and storks are some birds that visit. Other animals include squirrels, coons, and snakes. Kim, in the office, is very helpful and friendly. We felt very comfortable with her. Rate per night is $31, and a AAA discount is offered.
Lake Helen and Cassadaga are two tiny villages that are worth taking the time to see. Lake Helen is on the little lake of Lake Helen. There are some very pretty houses and parks. http://www.lakehelen.com/ The Lake Helen coffee and Tea Company offers delicious light meals for a good price. We each had a Cuban Midnight Sandwich. Greg had the apple-cabbage slaw, while my side was the cucumber salad. An ice tea and lemonade were our drinks. Everything was tasty! Total bill was $15. http://www.lakehelencoffee.com/About_Us.html
Cassadaga is known as the spiritualist town. It is a 115 year old community. Classes in spirituality, healing, meditation, and other topics are offered several days of the week. Take some time to stroll down the side streets. It seems that every other house is a medium. The Hotel Cassadaga offers séances, past life experiences, healing, and classes and seminars in Native American Medicine, Palmistry and other paranormal beliefs. A café is in the hotel. The hotel and village have gift shops and book stores. Allow about 45 minutes. http://www.cassadagahotel.net/
Back at our campsite, we cooked a tasty meal of steak, potatoes roasted in the coals, and fresh tomatoes. This campground is a good place to get off the road for one night, or to make a home base for several nights. Blue Springs, Deland, de Leon Springs, Hontoon Island, and Daytona Beach are nearby, as are golf courses, tennis courts, and flea markets.
The springs were calling our name, and we heeded the call. After cooking breakfast at camp – oatmeal with fresh blueberries and hot coffee, we followed the trail to De Leon Springs State Park in the town of De Leon Springs. The park is beautiful, with majestic Live Oaks draped in Spanish moss. There are copious picnic areas, a lovely butterfly garden, canoe rentals, an eco tour on the river, and a Visitor Center. The water of the springs is a constant 72 degrees F. and is clear and refreshing. We took a quick dip, noticing the tiny shells on the bottom of the pool. The water is so clean feeling! We checked out the source, a deep pit that gushes water! Water birds, deer, alligators, and fish are among the animals living here. Our appetite wetted, the best solution was the Spanish Sugar Mill! The mill operated on the Spring Garden plantation when it was at this site in the 1800s. The Mill retains the rustic ambiance, all wood and history. Outside, in the back, artifacts of the old mill wait to be discovered by new visitors. Inside, griddles on the tables invite customers to cook their own pancakes. Maple syrup, honey, and molasses can be toppings. Blueberries, peanut butter, pecans, and chocolate chips are extra toppings. Not interested in pancakes? Soups, sandwiches, and salads are available. I made multi-grain pancakes with peanut butter, and Greg had a tuna sandwich. Good food! The bill was $ 15. A tiny gift shop is in the corner. Native Americans used the spring, as did European settlers later, and Seminole War and Civil War soldiers. In an effort to lure tourists in the 19th century, a fountain of youth was constructed, remaining today, although now dry. Camping, fishing, hiking, and birding are some on hand activities. Admission to the park is $6 per carload. Allow an hour, at least. www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings
Blue Springs was still calling, so . . . . we went for another swim. Blue Springs State Park is in Orange City, about 25 minutes from De Leon. I snorkeled up to the head spring! The water is extremely forceful coming out, and swimming upstream was work! I was rewarded, with turtles, fish, and deep blue algae that seemed to dance. Again, the water is clean and fresh, with a constant 72 degree temperature. The water is so clear, I felt like I could almost see all the way to the St. John’s River. Both Greg and I felt so refreshed after our swim. The surroundings are more natural than De Leon, with many submerged trees, and braches hanging low over the water. Be cautious not to snag yourself on a log or branch! We saw mullet, catfish, and many water birds. A fascinating phenomenon, the clear spring water meets the dark St. John water and a defining line develops before they blend together. The Thursby House is on the grounds. This is the first house built in the area, in the mid 1800s. The Thursby’s had 10 children! As of 2000, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s on a midden, or Native American refuse heap. Camping, canoeing, hiking, birding, and fishing are offered. This a manatee preserve, so they are usually around in the winter months. Swimming with them is not permitted. Admission to the park is $6 a car. Give yourself at least an hour. www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring
Back to DeLand and Stetson University for some culture! There are art galleries, a theater, museums, and many cultural events in DeLand, the Volusia County seat. DeLand calls itself the “Athens of Florida” following the lead of Athens, Greece in valuing education and the arts. We found an Asian market, art school, and book store that back up that claim. It’s a very charming little town! There is diverse eating and shopping. Chess Park was a real surprise! Tables with chess boards in a park with a waterfall! Many of the older buildings have been restored. www.deland.org Stetson University originally was named DeLand Academy. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest higher education institution in Florida. Many of the campus buildings are historic; the campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. Allow an hour to tour the campus and town. http://www.stetson.edu/home/ After sightseeing, we visited the Bills and Frank’s Brickhouse Grill on Woodland Blvd, the main street in town. The food was delicious! We started with crab stuffed mushrooms. Greg had a full rack of baby backs with sides of baked potato and green beans; I had the smoked pork chops with sides of baked potato and applesauce. We had a glass of wine, too. Our total was $51. http://www.discoverdaytona.com/deland/restaurants/brickhouse_grill/index.htm
The threat of Hurricane Ida, and the blustery day had us taking down our tent at the campground.
