Innkeeper to Island Keeper

So, I already thought I HAD the best job in the world acting, writing and blogging my adventures in Central Florida and what it's like to be an innkeeper. But as it turns out, I could have the best job in the world on the OTHER side of the world in Queensland Australia.

Click here to see my VIDEO and let me know what you think!

--Rachelle

All aboard!

Inspired by my activities logged on the blog, Jim and Ana with the Mount Dora Historic Inn were inspired to act as a tourist in their own backyard and jump aboard the Mount Dora Trolley for a tour. Jim and Ana have loved living in Mount Dora since they moved here from Miami ... I think this experience deepened their appreciation for the town.

Here is a guest blog by Jim Tuttle ...

My wife and I own a Bed and Breakfast in Mount Dora; and, are afforded many opportunities to meet fun and fabulous people all the time. Even while walking around town with our dogs, Brie and Niko, we are often engaged in conversations by visitors and neighbors, and many times our chats will last the better part of an hour. We love living in Mount Dora and we especially love that we took the plunge.

We traded in our stressful corporate days for the hassle-free and enriched lifestyle that we have, now. In fact by mid-day, we generally are enjoying a picnic in one of the many parks, shopping (my wife's favorite), taking part in one of the many outdoor activities, or dining at a street side café.

Just the other day, we took the Historic Trolley ride with two of our guests around town, and though, we have lived here for a little over two years now, we learned so much about our very "Norman Rockwell-esque"

The tour was so very informative about Mount Dora's unique history and extremely entertaining. In addition to all the fun we had with our hosts Byron, and Doris the Narrator, we also enjoyed the canopied streets (thanks to our many mature oak trees) and awe-inspiring architecture of the town. The architecture in Mount Dora is as diverse as its residents.

Our homes in Mount Dora are so far removed from the cookie-cutter type homes we were accustomed to in Miami, that we were instantly captured by the extremely distinctive architecture you find in this historic town.


After our fabulous trolley ride, we decided to take in one of the local restaurants and enjoy the sunset. Here is my wife enjoying a glass of champagne while we sat at Pisces Rising and watch the sun sink into the horizon. Just another day in paradise!

The Sweetest Thing

One large pizza, $11. Two coffees and a dessert, $6. Movie in the Park, free. Listening to a little boy sing, "Proud To Be An American" ... priceless.

My college buddy and good friend, Betsey, came up to Mount Dora to visit and experience a small town Friday night. We watched a little bit of the movie Happy Feet playing on the hill in Donnelly Park with families and couples all snuggled up on their blankets and camp chairs. Our rumbling tummies steered us over to PizzAmore to split a Vesuvio layered with spinach, feta, garlic and EVOO. After chatting it up with the locals at the pizza place we walked another block to have some coffee and dessert up on the balcony of One Flight Up. There we discussed politics, the current state of the economy, what we're hopeful for in 2009.

And then something delightfully spontaneous and touching happened. A little boy walked into the room and said he'd like to sing us all a song and then in a small innocent voice sang Lee Greenwood's Proud To Be An American. Coming from such a young soul, I thought it was very touching.

My friend Betsey popped outside to get a picture of the future American Idol contestant. (Yeah, yeah, that's me peaking through the window.)

It always seems the moments that are unplanned are the sweetest.

--Rachelle

Art, Wine, and TGIF ...

Omigosh! Is it really FRIDAY? Is it me, or does it seem after a big event, time seems to snap right by. All sorts of build up and anticipation and then ... bam ... not only is it over, but it's a week old! Such is my life right now. Last weekend was our BIG art festival weekend hosted by the Mount Dora Center for the Arts. After turning over all the rooms for a full house, every cottage taken, we couldn't wait to go take a walk downtown and explore all the exhibitors. With over 250 artists from around the world, there was a lot to see. It was sensory overload. Art. Inspiration. Food. Wine. Music. Everything good in the World all concentrated in nine city blocks.

One of our guests was an exhibiting artist, Teresa, creator of Minds Eye Journals. Her hand crafted leather journals are truly one-of-a-kind and perfect for artistic sketches or journaling an adventure. I'm looking forward to taking a water colors class to learn to create something worthy of her craftsmanship.

After the Mount Dora Art Festival, the week seems to have zoomed by while catching up on things and preparing for our next big crowd gatherer, The Mount Dora Music Festival, coming up next weekend.

As one of our friends in the community always says...

Peace, Prosperity, and Party Party Party,

Rachelle

###

Dog-on Hungry

Tonight was girls night out ... including my very furry baby girl pictured to the left. I love how our little town, Mount Dora, is so pet-friendly.

My neighbor and I walked downtown to dinner and brought along my shiba inu, Allie. We strolled through the park, past the dog-treat bakery (where she got a good sniff at the front door) and landed ourselves outside on the deck at Pisces Rising overlooking Lake Dora. While we enjoyed the ambiance and entrees, Allie relaxed at our feet while sipping from her own doggie bowl and inhaling some treats brought to her by our server. I swear she doesn't even take time to taste her treats ... the moment it hits her lips, it's gone. Like a magic disappearing act. Ah well, such is a dog's life. They savor their naps, just not their food.

Do you have a favorite dog-friendly business or travel destination? If so, let us know! Allie and I just might have to come visit.

--Rachelle

Some More Smores Please!

Last night we decided to take advantage of the cooler weather and light up the fire pit in our courtyard. Nothing like some graham crackers, marshmallows and dark chocolate all melted together to take the edge off of the chill in the air. Oh, and of course a hot steaming mug of hot chocolate.

We invited our neighbors over to join us and our guests in the finger licking goodness of roasted marshmallows and telling stories by the fire under the stars. It was much like camping, only better. You can't beat having the feel of the outdoors with the convenience of being able to walk a few steps to get indoors to snuggle into some flannel sheets and brush your teeth in a real bathroom without a woodsy spider staring you down.
Aaah ... the convenience of being able to have backyard smores.

A perfect evening kick-off to our downtown Mount Dora Art Festival.

--Rachelle

Ghostly Gardens

What ever happened to global warming? I think this is the COLDEST winter I can remember here in Central Florida ... and from what I see on the news everyone in the rest of the country is experiencing the same. It even sounds weird to say "cold winter" and "Florida" in the same sentence. At least we're not dealing with power outages, snow and ice. Our preparation for record lows includes pulling out our scarves and sweaters and covering up all our plants in the yard to the point where it looks like we have lawn ghosts and have rewound back to Halloween.

It's a bummer. Usually our winters are mild enough to get some pre-spring gardening done. Our landscaping sure could use some love ... but it may just have to wait until after Valentines Day.

Until then, my little white sheet ghost garden will have to do.

--Rachelle