Lance Around Orlando

Riding Through Winter Garden

“Why didn’t I think of that?”

Every now and again you encounter an idea that is so simple, yet so brilliant, you instantly know it is truly genius.

That’s how I felt several years ago when I first heard of the concept of “Rails to Trails.”  It’s a pretty simple idea–Many railroads are going out of business.  There are a huge number of railroad tracks that are being abandoned.  These tracks are already graded, level and designed so they skirt around obstructions as much as possible.  Wouldn’t they be perfect for walking or bike paths?  Since railroads have connected the entire country, wouldn’t it be possible to connect large portions of the country with bike or walking paths?

Unlike the Appalachian Trail, that intentionally provides a more rustic contiguous path from Georgia to Maine, rail trails can provide more locally interactive community experiences as rail lines were designed specifically to transport from one community to another.  Along the way, those utilizing these trails can get exercise and enjoy the great outdoors in environmentally friendly ways.

Slowly, quietly, communities–mostly in the Midwest at first–would begin converting the old rail lines into healthy, environmentally friendly trails.  In 1986 the rails to trails conservancy (RTC) was born.  Although it was co-founded by Peter Harnik and David Burwell, I had to do a lot of research to uncover these founders.  Instead, the RTC website identifies an expansive network of grassroots activism that worked together to develop the concept.

It’s an impressive website that seems to indicate an impressive organization.  One of their success stories is the West Orange Trail that connects the town of Clermont, FL to the town of Apopka, FL.

One of the essential underlying themes to my blog is that there is so much more to do in Central Florida than to simply visit our world class theme parks.  (which, by the way, are fabulous.)  As members of the LanceAroundOrlando community read and share about their Central Florida experiences, it is my dream that the little, “off-the-beaten-path” nooks & crannies will gain a measure of popularity among the well informed travelers.

One such place would be the West Orange Trail–a 22 mile rail trail that goes from Clermont, FL (just a few miles north of Disney) to the community of Apopka.  The trail features numerous “stations” and “outposts.”  A station is a full service facility offering restrooms, water fountains, benches and so forth.  An outpost  may simply offer access to the trail.

One end of the trailhead starts at Killarney Station, Clermont.  Here you can find bikes and blades rentals, a children’s play area and a covered picnic shelter.  Less than a mile later, the trail traverses the covered Old Rail Road Bridge across the Florida Turnpike.  In a short distance, you come to the xeriscape/butterfly garden about a mile east of the Oakland Outpost.

Winter Garden Wheel Works

A few miles further along the way, the trail passes through the downtown medium on Plant Street in Winter Garden.  Here there are two bike stores, various restaurants and other small shops line a street reminiscent of a scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  The Winter Garden Historical Museum is another feature on this section of the trail.

A few miles further along is the Clarcona Horseman’s Park.  This public equestrian park offers show rings with bleachers, judging towers and horse stalls.  It is also a staging area for equestrians to link to the equestrian path of the West Orange Trail.

After the trail skirts some beautiful scenic views of Lake Apopka, it comes to the other trailhead at Welch Road in Apopka.

The trail has won several awards including one from the National Department of Transportation as one of 25 of America’s Best Enhancement Projects.  Someday, it will be part of what will be known as the Central Florida Loop–A 200 mile regional trail connection.

It’s just one of the many fantastic attractions in Central Florida that cost little or no money and are discovered only by well informed travelers looking for “more than a mouse!”™

Wekiva River at Wekiwa Springs State Park

When I was much younger–And much thinner–I used to enjoy hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

One of the real treats while hiking is a stop at a spring.  Often, this would be a thin pipe of fresh water spouting up out of the ground.  After a long hike, the cool, clear water is an oasis.  Sometimes the spring would be so large that the water was like a fountain pouring into a pool maybe two or three feet wide.  How refreshing!  I would dunk my entire head under the cool water and drink in gulps of refreshing liquid to cool my hike-weary body.

I have lived in Florida for a dozen years.  I have heard about Wekiwa Springs State Park.  In fact, my good friend Dave Scrivano and his wife Colleen were going to go backpacking there with my family in 1994, but we had to cancel at the last minute because Number One Son got sick.  Both Mrs. LanceAround and Colleen were pregnant and this turned out to be the last opportunity we would have had to enjoy a primitive camping experience as our subsequent domestication eliminated the further possibility of a camping hike together.  I feel so sad we could not go on that trip.  And, until yesterday, I had never been to the Wekiwa Spring.

So imagine my surprise when I go to the spring and find, not a fountain of water, but a huge body of water that is about 40 feet wide, pumps over forty million gallons into the Wekiva River every day, and maintains a cool, clear 72 degree temperature year round–The ultimate swimming hole!

[Ed Note:  The name of the river is “Wekiva” and the name of the spring is “Wekiwa.”  This is not a misspelling.  I never noticed this and my friend, LizTheFair, discovered I was misspelling the name of the spring.]

Perfect Picnic Spot at Wekiwa

This natural paradise comes complete, surrounded by large oak trees dripping with hanging moss; a smooth, sandy spring floor ranging in depth from one to five feet; one large rock in the center that is a excellent playground for the curious; a grassy hillside perfect for a family picnic; and, best of all, it feeds into the Wekiva River allowing one to go on a canoe, kayak or boat trip 30 miles northwards to the St. John River.  Disney could not have planned a better swimming hole!

All this for a cost of only $5–Per carload!

So many tourists come to Central Florida only to find that the cost of accommodations are the least of their expenses.  Tickets to theme parks, meals, small attractions and souvenirs run into the thousands of dollars.  Yet here, right on Disney’s doorstep, is a low cost alternative that allows visitors to experience the REAL Florida.  By packing a picnic lunch and buying a drab of suntan oil, you can have vacation paradise for just pennies.  It provides the perfect respite to a long, hot and tiring day in the theme parks.

Canoeing and Kayaking at Wekiwa

For just a little more money, you can rent a canoe or kayak for two hours, half day or full day.  You can even rent one for two days and camp overnight in the wilds of Florida.  There are guided canoe, kayak and pontoon boat options and guided horseback rides for additional fees.  There is a shuttle to a drop off location that allows you to canoe or kayak back to your car.  Most of these activities are much cheaper than spending a day with the mouse.

The state park has bicycle trails, full facility camping, RV camping, primitive camping, horseback trails, hiking trails and pets are welcome.

The reason for yesterday’s visit was the annual Wekiva Riverfest.  This event is produced by the “Friends of Wekiva.”  According to their website, “Since 1982 the Friends of the Wekiva River have worked to protect, preserve, and restore the natural functions and beauty of the Wekiva River system. As a result of our leadership and the cooperation of our river partners, the Wekiva is designated a Florida Outstanding Water, a Florida Canoe Trail, a Florida Wild and Scenic River, and a National Wild and Scenic River with over 70,000 acres of state-protected lands in the basin.”

Number One Daughter and friends enjoying Wekiwa

Number One Daughter’s Middle School provided community service at this event by helping to staff the Equinox Documentaries booth.  Their website states “Equinox Documentaries was created by veteran producers and writers who care deeply about our natural world—particularly Florida and the wider region in which we live.  We feel the best way to protect a wild place is to forge a connection with it, and to build an ethic from that connection. It’s our goal to bring viewers engaging images and thoughtful stories that allow that connection.”

Yesterday, as Number One Daughter, her two school chums and I were floating, fully clothed (we didn’t know we had to bring a swimsuit.), in the refreshing Wekiwa Spring, we understood what it meant to “forge a connection to a wild place.”

For the well informed traveler looking for “more than a mouse”™ Wekiwa Springs State Park brings the the best of the natural beauty of Florida that allows your family to also form such a connection.

C’mon in, the water’s fine!

What to do when your vacation money lives here

Central Florida, with its world class theme parks, has become the vacation capitol of the world.

The major theme parks include the four at Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) and Animal Kingdom; Two at Universal Orlando:  Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure; Sea World and its sister park in Tampa, Busch Gardens.  In addition there is Discovery Cove, Cypress Gardens, Kennedy Space Center, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica, Wet and Wild, Old Town and Fantasy of Flight.  This does not even include the plethora of mini golf courses; minor attractions such as WonderWorks, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and the Water Ski Museum; or cultural venues such as the Orlando Science Center, Museum of Art, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Mennello Museum of American Art and the list goes on from there…

But let’s face it, these places are EXPENSIVE.  Yes, they are worth the price of admission.  But when you have to pay $75 per person for one day in a theme park (not to mention all the food, souvenirs and beverages) it can take a huge chunk out of your vacation budget.

Yet, amidst the chatter and shouting of the major attractions, Central Florida has so much more to offer–And you might be surprised to learn how much of it is free or very low cost.

The primary purpose of this blog is to expose the underrated or off-the-beaten-path destinations that get drowned out in the clutter of the major attractions of Central Florida.  These are often wonderful vacation spots that many guests don’t find because of the sirens‘ calls of the big boys.  Still, you can vacation to this area on a shoestring if you want.  And since there are so many major attractions, it is relatively easy to have a fabulous vacation with world class accommodations and service on a very limited budget.

Here are just a few ideas of things to do.  There are many others.  And I have (or will) devote entire blog posts to most of these off-the-beaten-path attractions:

Rent a vacation Home with a private pool–No, I’m not just saying this because I own the vacation rental home company, I own the vacation rental home company because I sincerely believe it is the best way to vacation.  If I thought a hotel or RV park was better for my guests, I would sell this business and buy one of those.  Taking a day to relax by the pool in your own, private vacation home is a real treat and a real money saver!

Caladesi Island State Park–This pristine island beach is ranked as one of the top beaches in the entire USA!  Perhaps it retains its natural serenity because no vehicles are allowed on the island–It can only be reached by boat or ferry.  It is on the gulf coast, near Tampa, so there are not many waves.  But there are white sand beaches, kayak trails, picnic tables, shelters and Florida wildlife.

Ocala National Forest–Huge springs, twisting streams, lakes for fishing and water skiing plus you can walk the trails that will remind you of Gregory Peck’s classic role in The Yearling!

Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach–Located on the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida, these popular tourist destinations are perfect for all the usual beach-loving activities (and better waves than you find on the gulf coast!)

Wekiwa Springs State Park–This huge spring provides the perfect, old fashioned watering hole for a cool dip in year round 72 degree water.  Or enjoy a kayak or canoe trip down the Wekiva River.

Spook Hill and Bok Tower–Spook Hill is a curious anomaly–An optical illusion makes it seem as though your car is rolling uphill.  Nearby Bok Tower is a beautiful Carillon built by Edward Bok and set in a colorful garden where peace seems to emanate from every corner.

Geohashing–This is not indigenous to Florida.  You can geohash anywhere.  But this link to my blog post will explain how I found an unexpected vacation that cost nothing and helped me to de-stress when Number One Son introduced me to the concept of geohashing.

West Orange Trail–This 22 mile “rails to trails” biking or walking trail goes from Clermont to Apopka passing through quaint towns, like Winter Garden.

These are only a few of the many excellent vacation choices available to the well-informed traveller, on a budget, who is looking for “more than a mouse!”™