Day 19, 20, 21 Palm Bluff Conservation Area

We began our next day with coffee and breakfast prepared on the wood stove. After a pleasant beginning to the day we headed off toward New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, FL on the ocean side of the state. Our plan for today is explore and make connections for possible sales in the future. Stopping by a few flea/farmers markets and local shops to get an idea of the market in the area. 

The picture doesn't do it justice, the massive roof in this picture is a maze of buildings all connected to make the most massive semi permanent flea market I have ever experienced. Daytona flea market.

Dayton speedway as we passed by

Birthplace of NASCAR speedway entrance
Daytona beach "world's most famous beach"
Some don't know but NASCAR was born on daytona beach. Also the major auto companies we know today's founders battled for the fastest times racing down the beach setting the long standing land speed record around 275mph (reaching 330 mph in the run but not in the measured mile). The sand is unique here, very dense, fine, well packed and smooth as glass. The course was 9 miles long and the measured mile was in the middle. The beach was home to racing and major milestones in the auto industry from 1903 to 1935 and again into the fifties a few years later. After our walk down the beach and self guided tour about the history that has happened there we moved along on our journey. 

Michelle at Daytona Beach, FL

Pictures from the Pier




Selfie in front of the pier 


Lots of birds soaring along the beach 



Stand up jetski event being held at Daytona Beach MLK weekend each year.

A view from Turtle Mound overlooking Mosquito Bay
A little south of Daytona Beach is Turtle Mound marking the north end of the Canaveral National Seashore. Turtle mound was created by the ancient native americans in the area. It was essentially their trash pile, composed mainly of oyster shells. This massive pile of seashells is 35 foot tall and actually used in map reference and navigation for air and water purposes being it is the highest point in the area.  

A view of the dense packed oyster shells creating the Turtle Mound, visible along the trail to the top of the shell mound.

After a nice hike and an adventurous day of scouting and sight seeing we decide to stop for one last seafood meal in the area before we are at camp for the next two days creating inventory for sales and markets in the near future.

JB's Fish Camp menu located just outside of the national park.

Menu continued
Seafood chowder and seafood gumbo

Blackened sampler and Yo's buffalo shrimp

The star of the show was most certainly the buffalo shrimp. Lightly breaded with a beer breading type flakey batter that had a nice buffalo sauce style bite to it. A side of blue cheese topped it off. The corn was cooked perfectly (most seafood boil type corn is cooked to extreme measures leaving it mushy and like creamed corn starch on a cob) though not sweet at all. Nothing compared to the sweet corn we know and love from central/upstate NY. We returned to camp to settle in and work on inventory production for the next couple days. 

Sunset from the deck of the restaurant 


Some tropical themed lighter sleeves Carmen is working on.

Michelle has been crocheting mandalas and granny square hats with little Sunshine on on her lap. Shes had a great time running around the campsite with a little freedom.


Michelle and her good crochet buddy Jenn (Starlily Creations) did an online artist chat on Instagram  which can be viewed here:  https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKMyxeVDC6Z/?igshid=15r0f3ru9xfbh

It is 1.5 hours long and full of friendly creative banter.  


Getting ready for another chilly night in the tent.


Day 22 will be packing up camp and moving about an hour north to Barr Hammock campsite on Lake George conservation area just east of Ocala National Forest. Thanks for tuning in.

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