Palm Coast Florida

28 April 2018

Yesterday afternoon I had booked an Airbnb in Ormond Beach only to arrive and find that my booking was cancelled by the host. When this happens Airbnb are quick to assist find an alternate property and, as was the case with me, it was difficult to find something last minute at the same price and Airbnb meet any additional cost for a property which might cost more than the original booking. I was so glad the Ormond Beach property cancelled as I would not have had the privilege of staying in the home of Lev and Galina. I have never met a Korean with a Russian accent before and I fell in love with Galina. Perhaps it is because she said my hair colour looked “flirty”.

Prior to my “Odyssey” I decided to stop colouring my hair as it is always difficult to manage when travelling and I also think it is time for me to accept my hair colour is “silvering”. Since this decision I have noticed how many women look beautiful, classy, sexy, quirky or all of this with going natural. I have found it very liberating.

After Galina and Lev gave me a wonderful breakfast of crepes and potato and bacon omelette I drove to the Bulow Plantation Ruins.

There wasn’t much of the ruins left as the plantion house was destroyed by fire.

The area is very pretty for hiking and swimming, although not sure I would go in for a swim.

Driving to my next Airbnb the at the Palm Coast I dropped into the Bulow Plantation RV Park. Similar concept to the Australian caravan park.

These quaint cabins are $US50 per night but they have no cooking facilities or bathroom.

I saw some of the 55+ communities I have been hearing about in my travels. I tried to get access to this one but no-one answered the access phone number.

There is a 55+ ( also known as “age-restricted”) community in Florida called “The Villages” and I would have liked to rent an Airbnb to experience this area which has a population of over 125,000. It is the fastest growing small city in the USA. One of the problems of these communities is if a grandparent becomes the carer of grandchildren there is 90 day time restriction. If a spouse under 55 is widowed, most often they are forced to sell the property. With 9 golf clubs, cinema, supermarkets and shops, the common mode of transport is golf buggies. I wouldn’t mind trying out this community for a few months each year.

This evening my host took me to the Moonrise Brewing Company for an amateur comedy night.

This is in the lovely European Village area.