Titusville, Florida to Daytona Beach, Florida 1/3/2014

JANUARY 3, 2014 (Friday)

Woke up early (8:30 AM) to grey skies and rain. The cold front is passing through but it’s kinda stuck here for awhile, I think. Today was moving day so we had to pack up everything, take it downstairs and then pack the car. I always hate to leave our “home” really dirty, so I usually do a little light housekeeping so the housekeeper doesn’t have to do everything.

The thing I really liked about Vacation Villas was that whatever you couldn’t or didn’t want to take, they like you to leave so they can donate it. Really like that. We had some things we had purchased for our Christmas dinner that we didn’t use and we hated to throw it away. Nice to know it would go to a good home. We were glad to be leaving, though, because the resort itself is not a resort. It’s an apartment complex fronting as a resort. No activities. We did see the workout room (and a man was using it), and computer room, and pool. It is a very old resort that doesn’t maintain itself very well, or maintains in a very different way.

We left and drove along the ocean for about an hour to get to Daytona Beach. Coming over the bridge onto the little spit of land where most of the resorts are, it’s a lot like Myrtle Beach with all the shops, resorts, amusement activities, etc. Fun.

While we were driving we saw so many old cars and fun things. We also saw a funeral at a church where it must have been a firefighter because they had hung a huge flag between two fire trucks. Was nice to see the tribute. We also stopped for breakfast/lunch. Michael and Lexi went to Subway for their flatbread breakfast, and I went next door to Dunkin Donuts. I had heard about them so decided to try. I got one of their breakfast sandwiches and a donut. Wasn’t overly impressed but I had to try it. Prefer Duck Donuts in Kitty Hawk (yummy).

Strange art, Edie asked me to turn around so we could go back and get a picture of this gallery.

Looked like a memorial service at a church for a fallen fire fighter.

We got to Ocean Walk Daytona Beach about noon and decided to see how long before our room was ready. We were very surprised that we were able to get into our room. We parked and went in to our room. We were blown away by how beautiful it was. Only wish we could live here. It’s a huge two bedroom, two bathroom with a very large balcony that overlooks the lazy river pool, another pool, hot tub, putting green, and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Just stunning. And it has a washer/dryer. Love that. Too bad it was so cold or else we’d be out in that lazy river going round and round, making ourselves dizzy.

The Wyndam lobby is grand and elegant. We all really like the art throughout the place.

Lex's bathtub/shower. — Lex’s bathtub/shower.

Lex's other vanity and toilet. — Lex’s other vanity and toilet.

Lex's bedroom, TV on dresser, not pictured. — Lex’s bedroom, TV on dresser, not pictured.

Living room, flat screen, slider to a balcony.

Master bedroom has a slider and balcony on the left, and a flat screen.

Master twin vanities, and Edie really likes the magnifying mirror top left.

Nice mirror by the front door so you can check yourself out before you leave.

Neat lighting where the ceiling is recessed and gives the effect of indirect lighting, very nice.

Lazy river, putting green and big pool with hot tub in the top right.

Another pool with hot tub and a kids pool in the top left.

It is cold and windy here today and there are people in the hot tub. Worst part would be getting out and back to your room.

There is an indoor 9 hole minature golf course on our floor, 4th, just down the hall from our room.

At the indoor pool. I just love wavy glass block walls.

Water features in kiddie's pool. — Water features in kiddie’s pool.

Around 3:00 PM, we went downstairs to see what the welcome was about that was advertised on the paperwork given to us at checkin. Mostly it was free popcorn and an activities chart. Looks like you can be as busy or as lazy as you want to be here. Nice. We then headed to the bar (The Landing) and had a drink. Was surprised that for all the high end feeling, they used paper cups for every drink. After that we walked over to the mall attached to this resort (Ocean Walk Shoppes). Just a quick walk. We opted to have dinner at Sloppy Joe’s. We had the nicest waiter named Luis. He was originally from New York but has been working for Sloppy Joe’s for almost a year. Very fun and friendly.

Lex's blue thing. — Lex’s blue thing (I think it’s called a shark attack).

A direct walk from the 4th floor to a shopping center next door.

Fun sidewalk designs at the shopping center.

The oval dirt race track in the background is used for rc car races. Looks like fun.

I was fascinated by the salt and pepper shakers, never seen them with spring loaded lids.

Edie and Lex split the fishbowl, I had a beer, Luis took our picture.

Damn thing got out of control and got Lex.

Then the dang thing got me! — Then it went after me!

Edie’s burnt NY strip, vegetables and loaded potato.

Lex's fish tacos, yellow rice with black beans. — Lex’s fish tacos, yellow rice with black beans.

When Luis delivered it he said, "It is so fresh it hasn't left the boat yet." — When Luis delivered it he said, “It is so fresh it hasn’t left the boat yet.”

We had a lovely dinner. Lexi got fish tacos, Michael got fish and chips, and I got a steak. I had been hankering for a steak for a few days. Lexi and I also split a “fishbowl” drink (64 ounces of a fruit juice type drink, really good, too good), and Michael got a beer. Everything was excellent.

We are now safely back in our room and I am sitting here watching the wind blow and the waves crash. It is so beautiful.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!