Jots and Tittles on Spots and Vittles
We finally had an excuse to treat ourselves to a meal at The Mill in Brandon. The term mill could connote the churning out of hackneyed, uninspired, edible utility widgets. Consequently, it is a dangerous moniker to self-apply for a restaurant that aspires to creative exploits. Would this premium-casual restaurant prove itself to be rote or refined? Continue reading “Reward Yourself at The Mill Restaurant, Brandon”
Taking chances brings spice to life. On a tight budget that’s easier said than done, but sometimes a deal comes along that lowers the risks. The Discovery Pass got us into the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and then our feet got us into Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana to get some hot slices inside of us. It was a rewarding day all around. Then we added ice cream. Continue reading “Discover Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and Eat Pizza”
Campbell’s Dairyland in Brandon is small town Americana, an ice cream institution. Their extensive menu of food and ice cream is delicious, so it’s not merely nostalgia. We recently visited Campbell’s one hot summer evening for some light eats and frozen treats. It has instantly become for us a tradition of the season, which in Florida is pretty much all year long.
I’m not one to kneejerk knock the new and exclusively embrace the old. There are a place and time for new spots. But when I am feeling nostalgic, hungry for a classic casual meal, and feeling the urge for frozen cream and sugar, I now know where my destiny lies. Under a tin umbrella with hot fudge and a cherry on top. Continue reading “Campbell’s Dairyland Ice Cream and Vintage Eighties Nostalgia”
A museum can be an oasis when the weather outside is frightful. And if you don’t think sunny skies are frightful, you’ve not experienced 100 degrees in the shade with 95 percent humidity. We decided to visit the Tampa Museum of Art to escape the sauna and get a bit of culture with our cool.
Modern museums were born of rich people’s desire to show off their rich people stuff to win rich friends and influence rich people. But all that swag requires climate control to keep it from turning to smut. Their expense is your gain because HVAC makes museums cool places to visit when the heat is on and warm places to visit when the freeze is deep. Continue reading “Explore in Cool Comfort at the Tampa Museum of Art”
We had just satisfied our hungering brains’ demands for art and our parched skins’ cries for cool temperatures with a stroll through an air-conditioned museum. Now our bellies cried out for attention. Surrounded by options galore, we decided to revisit a pleasant spot for choice sandwiches and sweet cakes: Wright’s Gourmet House. Continue reading “Get Your Cake and Sandwiches Too at Wright’s Gourmet – Round Two”
The trip to Lakeland for regular visits with my Grandpa may only be an hour drive, but even an hour can become monotonous. Adding nifty spots, vittles, and pastimes can add value to the trip. Casually aware of a connection to Frank Lloyd Wright, I investigated and learned that he designed the FSC campus; I immediately planned a visit to coincide with our next trip into town.
Not that there’s anything more valuable than the quality time spent by a boy and his Grandpa. Still, this li’l slugger was hunting for something new to do in Lakeland. We found it and enjoyed a self-guided tour of the campus wherein we marveled at the singular and bold architecture of one of America’s most iconic architects. Continue reading “Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright Campus in Lakeland”
A visit to my grandfather was long overdue, but so was a visit to a nearby Lakeland vittles shack that I discovered in the near past. A mistake of identity led us to Country Chicken N’ Fish and their renowned fried gizzards. Would the tiny house of country-fried delights meet my expectations? Would Christa find favor for the tender tasty giblets? Continue reading “Gizzards Top a Tasty Meal from a Trusty Lakeland Shack”
Responsibilities and flooding rains thwarted my plans to paddle the nearby Alafia River. However, a chance diversion from a planned route revealed a gem unknown to me and opened new possibilities. A sunset paddle through a mirrored landscape of birds and trees under an evening sky reminiscent of N.C. Wyeth. Cloud giants were no worry, but would giant reptiles abound?
I like my beauty with a hint of danger. And a life-vest. And a whistle. Continue reading “Paddle Into the Sunset”
Having found a favored spot for tasty tacos at a great price, I find myself not wanting to get tacos anywhere else. This is unfortunate because the first place we ever had tacos near the home base was at Taco YOLO, in Fishhawk. It had just recently opened then and was going through the awkward stages, but it did so with grace, gratitude, and great food.
We had an affinity for the spot and wanted to return, only with so many other places to try, we did so only once. And I had since found a place for tacos that cast shade on all others. Gimme one reason to eat here, and I’ll turn right back around. Continue reading “Oh Yeah, I Like Tacos. What Else You Got?”
The discovery that the International Independent Showmen’s Association maintains a museum in nearby Gibsonton had piqued my curiosity. This collection of all things relative to outdoor entertainment and amusements connects to the town’s history as a winter haven for traveling show people.
A carny town? Right down the road? This has promise. Continue reading “Carny-Town Museum Displays Artifacts of Amusements”