Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Green Mountain Scenic Overlook & Trailhead, Blackbear Kitchen & Orange Blossom Candies & Cream

At first I was certain that I wouldn't have much to say this time; once I started writing, though... I realized the error of that opinion. The next time I do one of these in early May, I know I'll have a unique experience or two to discuss. Anyhow, the first part of April has been rather quiet, which is fine. Not everything has gone to plan which I'm never a fan of. Still, there are times when that happens where I wonder if it's fate telling me that I'm better off not doing the activity I had planned. I do try to make the best of it when that happens-which includes last night, where I at least went to a store I hadn't been to in ages and made a small purchase. In fact, I'll be positive and not bury a restaurant like I promised I would last time despite them having low-quality food. Considering that place had a limited menu AND their pizza oven was not operational despite the place just opening, there's always the chance they won't be in business for that long anyhow.

I am excited that the baseball season has started up again. I'll be back at Tropicana Field to see the Tampa Bay Rays New to me is that on my TV I will use the MLB app. Besides having highlights of each game, it will be an easy way to catch up on the daily results. Speaking of sports on diamonds, earlier in the year I had two encounters w/ collegiate softball teams that play in Clermont, as they do each other. At a restaurant I sat by some coaches from St. Ambrose University in Iowa. The previous month, when I was at Wal-Mart and saw the entire UW-Platteville team in uniform walking around. Besides that being quite the sight, I've actually been on that campus before-that's where the Chicago Bears used to have their training camp in the late summer way back when.

For the sake of doing something different & being on my feet doing exercise more often, for the first time I visited the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook & Trailhead; that is in Lake County a little bit northwest of Monteverde, the small town best known for having an expensive private school that for years has had one of the best boys high school basketball teams in the country. The trail was in a scenic rural setting & while it's a trail that doesn't have as much wildlife as some others I've been on, it was still nice scenery plus I heard plenty of birds chirping, not to mention some butterflies. Plus, I made it all the way to a pond which had an alligator visible. It was tiring yet a rewarding stroll nevertheless. After that I ate in Monteverde for the first time. Blackbear Kitchen was a small place w/ a small menu where at least what I had was tasty; it was the “healthy” option of macaroni and cheese combined w/ grilled cheese. While the place was noisier than expected, otherwise I can't complain. Afterwards I walked on over to the mother/daughter operation known as Orange Blossom Candies & Cream. Besides it looking charmingly quaint, the mom was working there & was very friendly. Oh, and the ice cream I had was great; I'll be back there sooner rather than later.

Like I said, I'll post another one of these in early May, where I will have a few unique experiences to share.

 

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