Road Tripping Through Florida

By Betsi Hill

When you think of Florida, your mind goes to Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and of course, theme parks. Florida has so much more, and we’re unveiling three of our favorite Florida small-town destinations.

Fort Pierce The Treasure Coast is home to Fort Pierce. The Treasure Coast takes its name from the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, which sunk off the coast after being caught by a vicious hurricane. Mel Fisher and the Real Eight Company struck gold in May 1964 when Fisher discovered a “carpet of gold” in approximately 20 feet of water. Only a few ships of the fleet have been located, which beckons treasure hunters to the area each summer.

What to Do in Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce is one of Florida’s top surfing spots. We love taking an afternoon stroll down to Fort Pierce Inlet State Park to watch the surfers. Across the inlet, at South Jetty Park, you’ll see kite boarders performing acrobatics over the wave tops as they catch the wind currents.

After watching the kiteboarder’s acrobatic show at South Jetty Park, a favorite stop is Taco Dive, where fresh and local reign. Taco Dive is not your typical little dive restaurant.

It’s dog-friendly, so our Maltese Zach loves to visit. The staff always indulge him with a glass, not a dog bowl of water. Speaking of the team, they always greet you with a smile, even when wearing a mask.

Local favorites include their Smothered Tots, bite-sized tater tots smothered in queso sauce and topped with fresh jalapeños. The queso Sauce with beef is flavorful with a bit of spice and is always a hit and our favorite.

Taco Dive has put a twist on the lowly taco. My husband loves the Under Dog, a grilled beef hotdog smothered with cabbage, tomato, cucumber, jalapeño, onion, queso fresco crumbles, spicy mustard, and cheese.

The Irish is an unusual taco with slow-roasted beer-soaked corned beef topped with sautéed cabbage, tater tots, and spicy mustard.

My tastes lean a bit more traditional. I love the Cilantro Chicken taco, which is tasty with a bit of spice added. It makes my mouth feel as if it were having a fiesta.

Photos (L-R): Aerial stunts at South Jetty Park; Steak taco atTaco Dive; Pelican & friend in Fort Pierce; All photos ©Jim Hill

The chicken is fireroasted, then shredded and topped with lettuce, cheese, tomato, and house-made dive sauce. The dive sauce is a sour cream base blended with herbs and cilantro.

National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum

A visit to the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is a must when you are in Fort Pierce. The museum traces the history of the Navy Seals from their humble beginnings through current day.

When World War II broke out, the US Navy created Underwater Demolition Teams for special amphibious missions. On June 6, 1943, Fort Pierce became home to the newly formed Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) training school.

LCDR Draper Kauffman assembled volunteers from the Bomb and Mine Disposal School, The Civil Engineering Corps, and Naval Construction Corps for the first classes at the NCDU training school.

Demolition of submerged beach obstacles was the dominant emphasis of the training school—beach obstacles located predominately in beach surf zones. Following graduation, they sent the teams to the Pacific, the Mediterranean, and England.

The Naval Combat Demolition teams played pivotal roles in D-Day on June 6, 1944, and the invasion of Southern France in August of 1944. Some of the Fort Pierce-trained teams went to the Pacific theatre.

There were 30

Underwater

Demolition teams formed during World War II, and 26 trained at Fort Pierce.

Following WWII, they reorganized the teams into four 50-man units, and these four post-WWII UDT teams were the precursor of the modern-day SEAL teams.

Beaches

Fort Pierce boasts some beautiful beaches. Our favorite is Avalon Beach State Park. We love the windswept dunes, and if you look out over the reefs, you may see a dolphin or two frolicking in the waves.

From Memorial Day through September, it’s turtle season, so you may encounter a sea turtle lumbering down the beach as she makes her way back to the sea after nesting. If you are a morning person and love to walk the beach at sunrise, you may even see a turtle nest “boil” as the hatchlings scramble out of the nest and head to the sea.

Stay at the Driftwood Inn

A short drive from Fort Pierce is Vero Beach. A drive down scenic A1A will bring you to a funky and eclectic hotel. In 1937, Waldo Sexton built The Driftwood Inn. This iconic and historic property is worth a stay. It’s a slice of Old Florida with touches reminiscent of history and a location perched on the beach.

DeLand When we first visited this delightful town in Central Florida, we fell in love. This college town is bursting with fantastic outdoor activities, history, spirits (real spirits and brewed spirits), and incredible food.

Photos (L-R): Water lilies on the St. Johns River; The St. Johns River with St. Johns River Eco Tours; Wildlife is abundant along the St. Johns River All photos ©Jim Hill

What to do in DeLand

John Stetson of Stetson Hat fame built his winter mansion in the Deland area. Today the Stetson Mansion has been renovated and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion is Florida’s only Gilded Age mansion dating back to 1886. The estate is open for tours, so don’t miss an opportunity to visit when you find yourself in DeLand.

Pancakes and Springs

Take a dip in the springs, and eat pancakes at De Leon Springs. De Leon Springs, named for Ponce De Leon, the legendary explorer, is one of Florida’s many state parks and is one of our top choices for exploring nature. Walking the trails through the sub-tropical forest offers a respite from the summer heat.

Take a dip in the springs and cool off after your hike. The water is a constant 72 degrees year-round. Concrete steps lead into the crystal clear pool. After cooling down, it’s time to eat, and our choice is always the Old Spanish Sugar Mill and Griddle House.

Opened in 1961 by the Schwarze family, this unique restaurant has a massive griddle in the middle of the table. Once the batter arrives, the creative fun begins! You’re the chef and can top your pancake creations with chocolate chips, peanut butter, blueberries, bananas, pecans, apples, or applesauce. The results are endless; the giggles and laughter infectious, and time spent together priceless.

Photos (L-R): A collection of John Stetson’s hats; Fun at De Leon Springs; Cooking pancakes @the Old Spanish Sugar Mill and Griddle House in De Leon Springs All photos ©Jim Hill

Shop Until You Drop and Then You Sip

Don’t miss exploring DeLand’s downtown! You certainly won’t have any shortage of shops, though your wallet may be a bit lighter from all the temptations that beckon you as you meander through downtown.

Of course, shopping leaves you parched. Stop into the Elusive Grape for a sip of wine and perhaps a nibble to eat. If brews are more your style, then don’t miss a stop to Hyderhead or Persimmon Hollow. If you are feeling adventurous, Odd Elixir Meadworks will be right up your alley.

Another Type of Spirit

I won’t let the cat out of the bag because each must experience the next stop on their own, but a stop at Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp is an eye-opening experience. Book a tour for the full experience of Cassadaga.

Eco Fun

Don’t miss an eco-tour along the St. Johns River with St. John River Eco Tours. Doug Little loves the St. Johns River and is passionate about sharing that love with visitors. He’ll regale you with stories about life on the river and its wildlife.

Culinary Finds

Of course, food always plays a part on a road trip, and DeLand doesn’t disappoint.

Chica’s Cuban Cafe offers some of the most scrumptious Cuban bites we have eaten and is one of our go-to restaurants! We

Photos (L-R): Mojo Pork Plantains at Chica; The Elusive Grape Wine Bar and Tapas; Hibiscus Tacos at De La Vega All photos ©Jim Hill

love the Havana Loaded Plantain Strips. The mojo pork is so tasty and makes our mouths so happy.

De La Vega is a family-owned restaurant with a passion for sharing their love of Latin Fusion cuisine. The empanadas are hearty and tasty. Always a hit.

But the star of De La Vega is the hibiscus flowers. De La Vega’s Plantain Tacitas uses caramelized hibiscus flowers as the centerpiece of this dish, and it is exquisite! The Hibiscus Tacos are indeed a bite of heaven. They are so flavorful, with a combination of spices and just enough bite to be fun.

Mount Dora Mount Dora is snuggled on Lake Dora and is a top destination for antique enthusiasts. Filled with old-fashioned Southern hospitality, Mount Dora is one of our favorite choices for just slowing down, relaxing, and recharging.

What to Do in Mount Dora

What better way to explore an area filled with lakes than by seaplane? Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane Adventures have several different tours to explore the area.

I highly recommend this unusual way of exploring. You’ll walk away with a birds-eye view of the area, making your Mount Dora visit something you’ll never forget.

Mount Dora is overflowing with unique shopping, so you’re sure to find lots of trinkets and treasures to bring home with you. The antique lover won’t be disappointed.

For fresh farm-to-table and hook-to-table food, a stop at Pisces Rising is perfect for a delectable, relaxing meal. The food is fresh and well prepared, and the view overlooking the lake as you sip a glass of wine and watch the sun slip down is unparalleled.

Are you craving a stop for a cocktail after all that shopping and exploring? Stop into Tremain’s Tavern Bar at the Lakeside Inn. They are crafting some amazing cocktails. My personal favorite? The Lavender Lemon Drop Martini.

These three Florida small towns are jampacked with sights, shopping, good food, and history. No matter which one you stop and linger in, you will not be disappointed.

Photos (Top to bottom): Mount Dora’s charming downtown; Mount Dora is filled with lots of eclectic shops and boutiques; Mount Dora’s downtown; Boutique shopping reigns in Mount Dora; Delightful meal at Pieces Rising All photos ©Jim Hill