It’s Not Always Sunny in Florida.

To many people Florida is known to be the Sunshine State…it says so on the license plate. For those who do not know about the license plate, they may also know that Florida is called the home of the mouse ( Mickey Mouse). To some Floridians it is also known as the place where old people come and die, the forever tourist destination, and the crazy place in the United States where an alligator is somehow involved.

Growing up with a big part of life in Florida, it has given me a somewhat irrational fear of the water. Either an alligator or shark was trying to eat me, thanks to movies such as Jaws, Lake Placid and Piranha. To me, when alligators are known to go for swims in pools it is odd to me that people do not do a once over look before hopping in the water.

Leading to my trip to Florida, I had taken my car to get serviced and told many of my close friends and business partners that I was headed to Florida. The first instinct was to reply wow, I hope you have fun at Disney. It truly, hurt a little inside as I explained my grandparents live there and I was saying goodbye. My grandfather was being placed on hospice at the beginning of November. People live there too.

The Irony of The Sunshine State

To those who live in central Florida, they are all too familiar with the weather people often being wrong. How sunshine and blue skies are often midafternoon storms. Where the weather can be so weird that it could be a downpour on one side and clear skies on the other side of the road. It always seems like we are in hurricane season. We often laugh at those who carry umbrellas because we know the storm will pass soon enough…at least I did in high school.

Each time I said I was going to Florida, I felt like it was just a looming cloud of rain soon to downpour. I was going to say goodbye to a man that taught me so much. I will forever remember his odd quirks, the odd jokes and his humor, the way he dusted crumbs off his fingers after eating English muffins. I don’t think people with positive relationships are ever ready to say goodbye. But I was determined to make the best out of the situation. Stopping at almost every tourist-y thing along the way and finally go to the Presidents Hall of Fame.

Know Before You Go

Visit Florida’s website to find out more information about the state.

Florida Vacations, Travel & Tourism Guide | VISIT FLORIDA

Read Here about the Presidents Hall of Fame Adventure.

Presidents Hall of Fame: Clermont, Florida — Stephanie Creates Blank