Steve Schussler’s career began with his creation of The Rainforest Cafe. Many of us have had a meal with a jungle experience at this restaurant at the Mall of America. The Boathouse at Disney Springs, Florida is another of Schussler’s many creations. The Boathouse offers “dream boat” rides on the water. These Amphibian cars are from the 1960s restored to their original condition. One of the people at the center of the “boats” is Dave. He is the man who transforms the cars into boats and keeps these vehicles “water-worthy.”. The Boathouse is located in Disney Springs in downtown Disney. Dave invited Phil and me for dinner and an Amphibian car ride experience on the water. We were excited and thankful.
As Captain Tom drives down the ramp into the lake with a big splash as the water rushes up over the hood of the Amphicar. You can see the dash of the 1960s Amphicar we are in, which was made in Germany all those years ago. Phil sat in front and I climbed into the rear seat.
I’m sure you know what I was looking for as we drifted into the water…..Yup, leaks!! And all the while we were in the water, there was not a single drop of water inside the car. I think our good friend, Dave, and his team get the credit for that.
This is Dave on the left talking with Phil. He has become a really good friend of ours, and is such a good man. He has known Steve Schussler for more than 30 years, maybe even 40. He is Schussler’s crack mechanic often working to frequently update the amphicars at The Boathouse. Another great guy we met that night was Ryan, the Boathouse Restaurant Manager. Such a nice guy Ryan is and so highly respected at the restaurant. All around, everyone treated Phil and me like royalty.
In the restaurant, Ryan seated in one of the 3 spectacular dining rooms. The Boathouse seats over 1000 people. In addition to the beautiful dining rooms, there are 3 bars, including one on the water and a raw bar. The Boathouse dining room we sat in was amazingly decorated. Ryan seated us at the VIP table, which had water views on both sides.
Phil ordered swordfish (deliciously seasoned) that came with a HUGE baked sweet potato (perfectly done). I had the cedar plank salmon (flaky and delicious) and asparagus along with a glass of wine….filled up a couple of times . It was all delicious and the presentation was superb……..then came dessert recommended by the waiter. WOW. It had to be at least 8 inches high. Macadamia Turtle Pie made with vanilla ice cream, macadamia nuts, chocolate and caramel sauce over a vanilla wafer crust. It was so delicious.
There are boats , old and new, everywhere in the restaurant. The lighting is superb and the beautiful music is hand-selected. There is no dead air.
Maybe Phil will take me back to The Boathouse in March for my birthday. After all, 80 should be celebrated in some fabulous manner, right?
This little pink mascot accompanied us on our water trip.
There is so much to write about The Boathouse. I suggest you “google it” and guarantee you will be amazed at the success of this Minnesota man, Steve Schussler.
THE MOTTO OF THE BOATHOUSE IS THERE ARE SMALL SHIPS AND THERE ARE BIG SHIPS, BUT THE BEST SHIPS OF ALL ARE FRIENDSHIPS!
After the Amphicar ride, the car comes up the ramp and spins on this turn-table. There is no room for the cars to turn around so this was the solution….spin the cars around which puts them headed in the right direction for going down the ramp and into the water again. Pretty cool idea, eh?
History books tell us that Betsy Ross made the first American Flag with 13 Stars and 13 Stripes. This may be a myth, but it is what we all learned as children. Today U.S. Flags are made in the US and abroad. In fact, 5 million dollars worth of flags are imported. Most are made in the U.S.
Chris Binner of Valley Forge Flags says creating a flag is making the most emotional cloth on earth. He says the flags are made with love and care.
In the SE United States, a company there makes the flags for the caskets of military funerals. They make 350 flags a day, 70,000 a year. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs receives these flags. The oldest machine in the area, made in 1924, works to do the white stars on the blue fabric. One employee says this machine looks like a piece of the Industrial Revolution. The employees of this company are proud and honored to do this work.
One day we picked up 2 coconuts from along the street. One of the guys here opened one and had quite a time so we didn’t want to ask him to open this one. Phil decided he would give it a try. A hammer is not an adequate tool to open a coconut, but it was all we had. Phil kept asking the question. “How do the monkeys get these darn things open??” The coconut is still sitting in its “husk” on the counter.
CORONAVIRUS: Five cases have been confirmed here in the US. China reported 7700 confirmed cases today with more than 100 dead. Some believe that number is not accurate and that many more have the virus. I learned that the name “coronavirus” is because there are little “crowns” on the top of the organism. Hopefully, it will be contained.
Maxine Waters: I could not believe what this 15th term in the House of Representatives woman said recently. She said (paraphrasing) that if President Trump is not impeached now, the Democrats will continue to try to impeach him because that is what the Democrat’s constituents sent the Democrats to Washington to do. Hmmmmm….I thought we sent our representatives to Washington to work to improve our roads and bridges, solve our immigration issues, help our Veterans, control prescription drug cost, solve the opioid crisis – and hopefully, spend our taxpayer dollars wisely. Thin of how much money has adn time has been spend on this impeachment with, in my opinion, is a false charge. For me, the money sent is beyond forgiveness. And while the impeachment trial is going on, none of our politicians can work on any of these issues so none of what we asked our Congress to do is getting done. (Maxine Waters is one example of why we need term limits!).
The Boston Lobster Feast in Kissimmee, Florida.
Getting ready to go to dinner at The Boathouse, we stayed in Kissimmee, Florida as Kissimmee is not far from Disney Springs. While we were in Kissimmee, we had dinner at the World Famous Boston Lobster Feast. When we arrived at the restaurant, the place was filled, but Phil spoke to a young couple and they asked us to join them at their table. It turned out to be a very interesting evening. This young couple was from Iceland so our conversation was one where we learned much about their “cold” country. They came to Florida to golf. That seems rather odd to me, but they were playing golf every day and were really excited about it. It was not their first time to come to Florida to golf.
We learned that Iceland is never very warm. I was especially interested in the DNA research that goes on there because so many residents are related. I had previously read about that research and they were aware of it. The island is not at the top of the best places to visit or live so many residents are related.
We talked about the area in Iceland where men lift huge stones showing they are no longer boys, but strong men. Iceland is quite a “pure” place where small horses that are shipped out cannot return to ensure no disease returns with them. They said living in Iceland is very expensive. We enjoyed our visit with them.
BOOKS
- There’s a Jungle in There. This is Steve Schussler’s Memoir written with Marvin Karlin. It includes his failures and successes and how he got to where he is today. It is said that the word “can’t: is not in Steve Schussler’s vocabulary, and from what we know about him, the title is appropriate.
2. Pick up a copy of Peter Schweizer’s book titled Profiles in Corruption. This book tells about the 5 Biden family members who made fortunes…and it includes Hunter Biden who made millions in Ukraine and Russia… while his father, Joe Biden, was Vice President. His research also includes information about the Clintons and the Obamas and how they have made their money since leaving the White House. Maybe he even covers President Trump, I don’t know. I do plan to read the book once it hits the Half Price Bookstore.
3. Vacationland. Sarah Stonich is a Minnesota author who has written some 5 successful books. This one tells the stories of people vacationing at a resort. Sarah writes with great humor and good stories about towns and events we who live in Minnesota know, and those of you who do not know Minnesota will find her stories very interesting. I have read 4 of her books and really enjoyed them.
Heard a fun little thing the other day and thought you might enjoy it. On the back of a woman’s tombstone was a recipe for her chocolate chip cookies. When she was alive, people would ask her for that cookie recipe. Her response was that she would only give it away over her dead body!!” And that is exactly what she did!
DO YOU HAVE A DOG OR CAT OR OTHER ANIMAL YOU LOVE?
If so, this is “from your dog.” Or any other animal who lives with you.
Please don’t get mad at me because I get excited when you get home. It’s the best part of my day. I only live 10-15 years so don’t leave me alone for too long. I don’t have as much time to live as you do. Don’t stay cross with me all day, you have work, family and friends. I only have you. Take care of me when I get old. I’ll be just as cute as when I was a puppy.
Remember I Love You and You are My Everything.
You are not our pet, but we love and care about you and wish you the best of everything good. …………..goodbye until next time.
Anne & Phil