Do you ever simply need to get away from the daily routine? A simple outing? We visited a small town an hour from our home. It was not a thrilling, or even particularly successful visit. Then we found a small Amish bakery and deli. I’ll tell you about lunch, but first…
We left home, crossed Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest spot on the Florida peninsula at 312 feet above sea level, circumvented Lake Apopka, and arrived in Mt. Dora. A small town, noted for its quaint shops and eateries, it is usually bustling. It is also extremely hilly. We have gone before but never were able to get an accessible parking space. We arrived in town, passed a picturesque church, and spotted an old shelter house. Perhaps there would be parking there. Yes! In the back was a space. We ate our mid-morning snack as we watched a rousing game of pickle ball. Shopping time. We trudged up and down hills over a few blocks. There were some interesting antiques and some fun things for the garden. We didn’t buy anything. Manual wheelchairs are not fond of steep hills and rough curb cuts, but we made it. What we didn’t find was a lunch place that struck our fancy. It was only noon, and we decided to explore in the car. If we didn’t find lunch other than a chain, we’d go home and have a protein shake.
Aha! A small building with red windows and doors. “Amish Bakery and Deli.” There were bright red tables and chairs on the small porch and in the front lawn. I opted for the pastrami, and Sandy chose the chicken salad, both on freshly baked ciabatta bread. Ten dollars each seemed a bit high until we learned this included the sandwich, a side of macaroni salad, a bag of healthy potato chips, a warm chocolate chip cookie, and our choice of beverage. Yum. Each lunch comes is a red box that makes its own carrying handle. We ate half of our sandwiches, our macaroni salads, spit a bag of chips, and ate the rest for dinner.
Life on wheels. It has its challenges but can be very rewarding if we keep searching and enjoy the simple things.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing a common day with Sandy and me. I enjoy your comments and questions. In the works are some pictures and descriptions of the repeat of an ill-fated vacation that was very successful this time, but I got overwhelmed with things at home and haven’t finished it yet.
Picture descriptions: Main photo is the front of a bakery. The entire front is made of doors and windows with individual panes. The trim is painted bright red. There is cutout of an Amish lady with white hair, black bonnet, blue dress, and black apron. She is holding a basket with a napkin and cookies. Below is a sign that reads, “Fresh Amish Pies and Cookies.” Second picture is an old cooler resembling a Volkswagen Bus from the 1960’s. It is blue with a white stripe and front. On the front is a peace sign. The lid is open, and the inside is painted black. Third picture is of lean pastrami on ciabatta bread. It is cut in half. Top center is a small cup of macaroni salad.
this sounds like a very lovely day out! thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Thank you, Wendi. We were only gone a little over 4 hours. It was a nice break from the routine.
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oh my yes……….4 hours would be a wonderful break from normal “life”
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Yes, sometimes it is enough just to simply get away from the routine.
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Amen! 🙂
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Sounds like a great little find. I love just going out in the car sometimes and wondering where we will end up, they can be the best days x
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When we lived in Indiana, which sometimes seems like a previous life, we knew several great, little, rural towns. Florida only has one or two. Even Mt. Dora has a 6 lane bypass that looks like Orlando.
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We have been before but couldn’t park downtown. It was on something of a whim as we did exactly what you said, headed out. There aren’t a lot of places to do that in Florida. Too metro.
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I love hearing of your adventures. We like you enjoy going out and exploring, it’s amazing what you find
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Isn’t it, though! It’s nice when we find something other than the usual chains and city streets.
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I am so glad you found a winning lunch. It sounds like a great place to visit.
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It was fun. We actually spent about 2 1/2 hours there. It’s small. I should have mentioned that some of the restaurants were upstairs with no elevator.
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There is still a way to go on wheelchair access here too George. However, it is improving.
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We found generally good access in Dublin around Trinity College and St. Stevens Green. I’m sure, like the US, there is still a lot of variation.
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His friends used to say that if you wanted to find my Dad, then look for him in the local bakery. A cozy spot with good food and fine people is a wonderful spot.
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Yes, there is something special about a bakery, especially if it has upped their game to provide some healthy alternatives to sugar.
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Mt Dora sounds like a lovely little town, providing you can manage the inclines. $10 for that whole lunch sounds really good! Like you, I’d be put off if it were just the sandwich. Sometimes these sorts of finds can be the best, the unexpected gems you stumble upon. And you’re right, life can be rewarding if we seep searching & appreciate the simple things. Thanks for sharing! Take your time on the other post – take the weekend to relax & I hope you both have a lovely time 🙂
xx
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Thanks! It has personality, but the inclines are enough to make me seek something flatter next trip. Like the mall, with its glass tile floor and air conditioning. lol
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The bakery sounds lovely George. When we lived in Florida, we had some books called “One Tank Trips” (can’t remember who wrote them now) and we would go through, pick out a place, and drive there on Saturdays. Once we took one of those and the place we were going to had closed down. I think it was in Sarasota, so we just drove around until we found something else interesting. Of course, sometimes we would head out somewhere, stop for a “quick” lunch, and never make it past that point.😊 Those little serendipitous finds are the best!
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I have seen that kind of tours. They can make for a fun day. The population of Florida is growing, uncontrolled, and the traffic makes excursions more like commutes. I don’t know if this is the case everywhere, though. Still, there are some good finds around.
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