SPECTACULAR DRIVE TO FLORIDA 2022


We begin our journey from our home in Golden Valley, Minnesota to Lauderhill, Florida. It is a rainy day, but we don’t care….we are on the road. I took this photo from inside the truck as Phil was driving. The rain had stopped for a minute and the road looks like glass. Along with the autumn leaf color, I think it is a beautiful photo. Do you like it?

I didn’t take many other photos as we traveled as we had a couple days of rain.

This old country road is interesting. When we come upon one like this with patches and uneven sides, we never know what we will see. It is always a mystery. We really like driving on these kinds of roads.

But then somewhere in our 3rd day on the road, we began finding nice country roads on which to travel. This one was pretty quiet with farms spread out along the way.________________________________________

Had to take a photo of this cornfield with the different cuts between patches of corn. I had never seen this before and wonder what the benefits are. If you know, I hope you will let me know.

Here is Phil doing one of his favorite things…reading a menu. We had stopped at this restaurant where he went in and asked to see the menu. They, of course, were happy to let him see it probably not knowing he was going to take it to the truck to read it in its entirety. He took it back inside, but I wonder if they thought he was going to run off with it.

These lemon yellow leaves were the most beautiful expression of a happy autumn day. They truly were the color of lemons and we had them along the roads for miles. It was a nice surprise after some rainy days.

When we drove into this small country town, we said…”Llamas?” No, would you believe CAMELS? Yes, camels. They have been raised and living in this Alabama town for about 30 years. They were bought and raised to be used in Nativity Scenes. It was just not what one would expect to see in America – only in the zoos.

We Find The Seminole Inn In Indiantown, FL

Phil is standing on the front porch of the Seminole Inn in Indiantown, Florida. This town is about 30 miles NW of Palm Beach. Another amazing discovery to find the most charming, restored Seminole Inn & Restaurant in this place. We spent the night here. It seemed like a small town, but were told the population is about 5000 and mostly located on farms and citrus orchards around the town. We had a nice dinner and then enjoyed exploring the Inn and all its antiques. It is about 100 years old…has been bought and remodeled by the same family three times over the years. I am taking you on a little tour of the place. I loved it and told Phil I wanted to move in. He just winked at me. He knows how I am about places like this.

The dining room. We did not have an opportunity to enjoy dinner here as they only serve dinner Wednesday through Sundays. Maybe next time!
We checked in. Had the window open while we slept. A bit cool, but we slept well.
An antique bank of mailboxes.
This was a cute sign hanging somewhere.
This is the back porch with table and chairs for eating outside, if one prefers.
Two of the four rockers on the front porch where Phil and I sat to watch the sun set.
Thought this was not as spectacular as some sunsets we have seen in our travels, it was simply as beautiful and peaceful as it could be. Any artist would love to put the gold on the edges of those clouds.
Can’t you just see a lovely woman in a long dress with her hair hanging in rag curls walking down this staircase. There was another on the other side of the fireplace.
The front inside entry that welcomes visitors when they arrive. We talked with the Inn personnel and they were as interesting and nice as the Seminole Inn.
The backyard. Lots of interesting stuff there.

Cracker cows are found on the fields around Indiantown. The ancestors of this breed were brought here when the Spanish Conquistadors came from Spain in the 1500s. Truth be told, I am not sure these are Cracker cows….there were so many herds of different cows of different colors, how could one know for sure. I liked the gray, white and black colors of this herd and I am sure those long ears are soft as can be….so they got their picture taken. You can read all about Cracker cows on the internet.

Dinner At The Boathouse in Disney Springs, FL

With a wonderful invitation from a more than wonderful friend, we have dinner at the Boathouse……..always a splendid experience. 

Dave….you need loppers to trim the trees so this photo-taking person can see the “B.” (smile!)
The big blue hot air balloon for daytime rides.
Beautiful red geraniums welcome visitors to Disney Springs
When I asked Phil what he had said to this man with the balloons, he said if he had a few more balloons, he could go up, up, up and away!
This Lobster Bisque is delicious….. got more?

It was a hard decision as to what to order to eat as everything looked inviting, but we both settled on steak. Someone kept coming by our table and asking if everything was alright. Wonder what that was about? Hmmmmm.

And then there was this supreme dessert of macadamia nuts, chocolate, vanilla ice cream and other delicious things. Truly amazing! Both Phil and I “rolled” out of there – full to the brim!

Quote from Lin Yutang……”I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like autumn best because its leaves are a little yellow, its tone mellower, its colors richer, and it is tinged a little with sorrow and a premonition of death. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, not of the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limits of life and is content.”
Phil and I wish all of you a most happy thanksgiving and every joy and peace in the coming holidays. BE in touch. we would love to hear from you and what is going on in your life. stay healthy and happy.
   anne & phil