03/01 to 03/31 - Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley - Part 2

Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley,

Clermont, FL

March 2024 

Welcome back. Thanks to KM's comment in my last blog, my theme for Part 2 (the month of March) here at Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley will be "Food, Friends, & Fires." My AI program sums it up quite nicely: "Underneath the stars, amidst the crackling flames, there's a primal bond forged between food, friends, and fires, where stories are shared, laughter echoes, and memories are kindled."

March also brings with it the realization that at the end of the month I will be traveling back home. I plan a detour to Paducah, Kentucky to experience my second total solar eclipse. If you're interested, I wrote eight blogs in 2017 leading up to that event, the first of which can be read HERE. You can continue reading the rest simply by clicking on "NEWER POSTS" at the end of the first blog. Day 5 is when the action begins. I hope to be back in CPP by April 12th.

Meanwhile, right off the bat, Friday, March 1st, Roberta made reservations at Trattoria al Forno located on the Boardwalk at Disney. It was a dinner treat for friend, Janet and her belated birthday. Tony, Doreen, Johnny and I joined them. Janet flew down for a week. No stranger to this terrific restaurant, I looked forward to my usual, go-to meal, Truffle Gnocchi. You can view the menu HERE. And from their website, some photos to give you an appreciation of the ambiance that enhances the food, the company and the wine.

Truffle Gnocchi: Parmesan, Fontina, Truffle Cream. Not quite the way I remember it from the past, but sitll...an outstanding taste treat.

Plant-based Olive Oil Cake: Olive Oil-Pistachio Cake, Blueberry Compote, Candied Pistachio, Blackberry Gelato. "Plant-based?" "Olive Oil Cake?" Yes, different but tasty.

Happy Belated Birthday, Janet.

Janet & Roberta

Charlie & Johnny (Happy Retirement Johnny)

Doreen & Tony

Upon leaving the restaurant and before boarding a water taxi for a quick round-trip to Epcot, we stopped to enjoy one of the ever present, evening street entertainers.

Once again friends, Mya and Mark, made the trip from Port Orange to spend the afternoon and evening here at Elite. After dinner they stayed to enjoy a campfire and the company of some of my fellow campers. For dinner we opted for Thai cuisine in Celebration. Thai Thani restaurant was established by a retired Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Commerce. The restaurant was opened to enhance the Thai Government policy to promote Thai food as a leading cuisine of the world. I looked forward to this culinary treat and to experience the temporary immersion into a different culture. In addition to an extensive menu containing many Vegan choices, the restaurant is full of art depicting the culture.

This hanging wood relief carving was incredible and forced the viewer to study and appreciate its detail.

Chairs were an eye catcher.

The Thai Thani Sampler: Spring rolls, Crab Rangoon, and Vegan Curry Puffs (veggie gyoza); The peeled tomato skin ("rose") added color.

I chose the Pineapple Fried Rice: Stir-fried jasmine rice with pineapples, onions, scallions, tomatoes and carrots garnished with roasted cashew nuts.

On a Tuesday Boy's Night Out, Walter, Tony, Johnny and I dined at Outback in Clermont.

The table shared a Bloomin' Onion: their "special hand-crafted onion cooked until golden and ready to dip in their spicy signature bloom sauce."

A more appealing photo of the delicious Bloomin' Onion from their website.

our special onion is hand-crafted,

cooked until golden and ready to dip

into our spicy signature bloom sauce

I opted for the 6 oz. "Victoria's Barrel Cut Filet Mignon" and the Homestyle Mashed Potatoes.

At The Friar Tucks restaurant, Roberta, Tony/Doreen and I enjoyed British fare.

Cottage Pie: A classic meal made with slow cooked ground beef and vegetables, baked with a mashed potato topping.

And for dessert, their famous Biscoff Bomb: "Invented here at The Friar Tuck and Our very best seller, with good reason. Buttery pastry fried with Biscoff filling Topped with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce."

Cheers: To good health, RVing and embracing the joys of a well-poured pint!

Walter and I visited Bahama Breeze and enjoyed dinner another evening.

Malibu Strawberry Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, sugarcane and lime juice, topped with strawberry ice.

Jerk Chicken Pasta: Sliced jerk chicken breast, asparagus, mushrooms and bow tie pasta tossed in a parmesan cream sauce.

Each night as our fire was reduced to red, glowing embers, it beckoned a return of everyone's childhood memory...baking a potato in the hot coals of a campfire. Sue and Ray left one in the care of Doreen. That potato met its happy demise one chilly evening. I'm curious as to how many of my readers have such memories. Mention it in the comments below. 

After about 15-20 minutes of regularly turning the foil encased potato, it was tested and found to be satisfactory for human consumption...not like my first attempt in the past that resulted in what were described as charcoal briquettes.

 

Table set up with bowls and butter for sharing.

Johnny and Tony tasted, survived and gave their stamp of approval.

A delicious success but next time maybe 5 or 10 minutes more.

Some other visitors.

Local RV repairman, Mark, came by to replace the idle arm of my awning, replaced the faulty solenoid on my propane regulator and...

...troubleshot my rearview camera looking for but not finding the problem for its intermittent functioning.

A Sand Hill Crane 

A pair of Mourning Doves take temporary refuge in the vent area above in the gazebo. 

 

A March 5th sunset.

A March 12 Waxing Crescent

I just had to do this; trying to capture the bluest blue sky I've ever seen. The entire sky above from horizon to horizon...blue.

And to continue our dining get-togethers, another trip to Amore Restaurant.

L. to R. Fran, Doreen, Kathy, Roberta, Charlie, Ray, Tony, Walter

For starters, a Caesar salad.

My entree tonight was the Baked Rigatoni; al dente pasta enveloped in homemade meat sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, and crowned with melted mozzarella cheese. I found the meat sauce a tad on the dry side and disappointed that the mozzarella was sliced rather than shredded. The huge portion taken home provided two more meals.

Roberta's favorite dessert, tiramisu.

She slid the plate across to me to share. She loves chocolate (and I did get to sample a teaspoonful.)

Ray, Kathy and I met friends, Trish and Craig at nearby Mito's Sushi & Grill. 

Rocky Shrimp Appetizer with a spicy cream sauce served on the side. 

Yummy Yummy Roll: 10 pieces of lobster tempura, cream cheese, avocado, cucumber paper with mango on top with chef's special sauce. Delicious!!

To conclude this blog, a mention of my completed project. For those who remember: in December, while at John Prince Park Campground in Lake Worth, FL, I found a number of Apple Snail Shells washed up on the shoreline of Lake Osborne and began a project. A Snail Shell Windchime. For background and to refresh memories, here is the link to the Project Beginnings.

Pam, a neighbor and a craftsperson gave me a piece of driftwood from the UP Michigan where she is from and suggested I use it to hang my shells.

I strung and knotted each strand of shells with nylon fishing filament to prevent their slipping.

The constant breezes provided the expected soothing sound of the shells.

And just like that the month of March flew by and my time to prepare, pack up and say my good byes had arrived. Tony/Doreen back to Fishkill and Roberta back to Slate Hill. Ray/Kathy have sold their house here in Clermont and now off to Holley, NY to oversee the construction of their new home. I'll be making two stops in Georgia and one in Tennessee before spending a few nights in Paducah, KY viewing the April 8th total solar eclipse. A special event in that it falls on son, Chuck's birthday.

Summarizing my two-month experience proves to be quite challenging. As mention in the beginning of this blog, it's all about Food, Friends and Fires. Despite having visited this place at least four times before, the weather variations, the camaraderie with fellow campers, delightful dining experiences and the lively conversations around the frequent campfires contribute to making each stay uniquely special and remarkably memorable highlighted by morning coffee get-togethers with Walter and Ray. I can't wait to repeat the experience next year. See you in Kentucky. Have a safe and blessed Easter.

"Camping in Florida is like finding yourself in a natural paradise where every sunrise brings a new adventure."

- Unknown

02/01 to 02/29 - Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley - Part 1

Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley,

Clermont, FL

February 2024

A different entrance sign this year but...

...the entrance to the property remains the same.

My lot 120 is on the corner of  Pine St. and Sunshine Avenue.

As the unusual weather pattern continues here in chilly Florida, night time temperatures hovering in the mid-fifties continue to warrant the use of the heater at night. This is my fourth year renting here and will be joining fellow Hudson Islanders already set up. They include: full time residents, Walt/Fran and Ray/Kathy. Seasonal renters beside me include, Tony/Doreen, Ray/Sue and Roberta. In nearby campgrounds, we have Pat/Jim and Johnny. 

Back home a nor'easter greeted my friends and neighbors with a 6 to 10" snow storm.

We, on the other hand, began our nightly (weather permitting) get-togethers around ye ol campfire. The temperatures certainly welcomed the warmth.

My two month stay here will be highlighted with day trips to nearby attractions, dining out now and then with the gang in the evening and enjoying the warmth and company of campfires. This blog will remind me of my month of February in chilly Florida.

A trip to Disney's Boardwalk... 

...a ride through Disney on the Skyliner.

And a bite to eat.

L. to R. Roberta, Johnny, Doreen, Tony, Sue, Ray, Moi

Tuesdays are "Boys Night Out" where the men of the resort sign up and visit area restaurants. As many as twenty make the trip. One was at Red Robin.

From their website, a Gourmet Cheeseburger and... (You know they don't look like this when presented...)

...a Tower of Onion Rings and dipping sauces to be shared.

Another Tuesday "Boys Night Out" took us to Hurricane Grill where I had...

Coconut Shrimp Tiki Tacos: Coconut crusted jumbo shrimp with diced pineapple, tangy Cole slaw, sweet red chili sauce served with chips and salsa. The day's special was three tacos for the price of two.

Some readers may remember last year's blog where our crowd descended (twice) on Amore Ristorante for delicious authentic Italian cuisine. This evening, thirteen. 

Ladies on one side, spouses opposite. L. to R: Chrissy, Kathy, Pat, Doreen, Sue, Roberta, Johnny, Ray, Tony, Jim, Charlie, Ray and Mike.

Capellini Primavera: Sauteed vegetables with garlic and olive oil served over angel hair pasta.

And Tiramisu for dessert, of course.

Friends drove over from Port Orange, FL to visit and have lunch one day. We went to nearby Mito Sushi & Grill

L. to R. Mark, Mya, Charlie, Zahni and Matt. Zane and Amanda had already left.

Highway 27 Roll: Smoked salmon, "krab", cream cheese deep fried with yummy yummy and eel sauce.

The gang took another trip north into Clermont to Bruster's Ice Cream. Another terrific taste treat. On Thursdays, if you bring your own banana, they'll make a banana split for you at half price. 

And just like that, Leap Year's February 29th was upon us. This LINK has some interesting facts about Leap Year. In the blink of an eye, the first of my two-month stay has gone by. I'll end this month's blog with our trip to Carrabba's in Clermont, about 11 miles north of our campground.

L. to R: Janet, Tony, Johnny, Ray, Walter, Fran, Kathy, Charlie, Doreen. Photo provided by Roberta.

 

Always delicious Caesar Salad

Lobster Ravioli: Ravioli stuffed with lobster and Romano in a white wine cream sauce topped with diced tomatoes. 

Their Spring Special provides patrons with a take-home meal of equal or lesser value than your dine-in entree for just $10.00 My choice was Linguine Primavera: Linguine with asparagus, peas, roasted tomatoes, tossed with basil pesto cream sauce and wood-grilled chicken. And for dessert, Limoncello Bread Pudding: House-made limoncello and vanilla custard-soaked brioche bread with limoncello syrup and vanilla ice cream. Two or three future meals to look forward to.

Roberta and Janet drove to Plant City, FL to catch their annual Spring Strawberry Festival. It's a big deal as you'll see if you follow the link. She was nice enough to bring me a basket. Thank you, Roberta.

And, as mentioned above, with each evening, depending on a multitude of variables, the warmth of a campfires filled the chilly night air.

And so concludes the month of February. I'm anticipating more of the same for the month of March; dining excursions and campfires will dominate the upcoming blog. I look forward to having you join me for the experience. My homework continues to be: my on-line lessons in Italian and making plans and booking my 9-state summer itinerary beginning mid-June. Till next time, stay warm, safe, healthy and happy.

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” – Luciano Pavarotti