| Page Views: 2,514 Last Visit to Eustis: January, 2002 | Eustis my home by Michael_D - last update: Jan 10, 2005 |
Small town with a warm heart Eustis was originally called Highlands until A.S. Pendry of (my hometown)ROCHESTER,NEW YORK, built his home on this site, and changed the settlement's name to Pendryville. In 1880, it was renamed Lake Eustis, and in 1881 became Eustis.
Eustis is now a small town of 15,000 25 miles north of Orlando.
Eustis has a laid-back small town feel... a nostalgic slow paced kind of town. The area so typical "Florida" that the movie ROSEWOOD with John Voigt was filmed close by.
It is possible to swim outside all year around. EUSTIS is perfect for cycling with many parallel roads and easy cycling. A little planning and you wouldnt need a car here.
Just Another Day in my Orange Blossum Empire.
A far and happy cry from my native New York.
WELCOME to EUSTIS |
|  | Ocala Forest is just up the road from Eustis When most people think of Florida they think of Theme parks. Ive been a seasons passholder at WDW for 20 years now, but that not MY Florida. The REAL Florida can bee seen in the Ocala National Forest...its awesome!!! The big scrub of green expanses and sparkling waters of the clear springs nestled amoungst the huge trees are trully a natural wonder few people see because most people opt for Disney and the beaches.
Statistically the Ocala National Forest receives more visitors than any other national forest in the Sunshine State.
The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative of a Timucuan Indian term meaning fair land or big hammock. The Ocala`s vegetation lives up to its name. You will see towering palms, large live oaks and zillions of the scrub pines that dominate forest`s scrub oak ecosystem. The Ocala`s sand pine scrub ecosystem is the WORLDS LARGEST continuous forest of this type.
You will also see scrub palmettos...palm trees..cypress trees..turtles..alligators...deer...and an abundance of birds of all types as many of them spend the winter in the sunshine state and migrate north in the spring.
The parks to see are Alexander Springs...Salt Springs...Silver Glen Springs...Clearwater Lake...Lake Dorr...Juniper Springs and Blue Springs, where it is not unusual to see 3 or 4 manatee or sea cows swimming in the warm springs during the winter months.
My favorite is Clearwater Lake,,its where I go to think/ponder...its far from the hustle/bustle of Orlando and all you can hear is the wind in the pines...I cant help but imagine how the local indian tribes must have appreciated this area hundreds of years ago.Part of the Florida trail passes through Clearwater lake area...on its way toward Fairless Prairie near Gainesville.
Another favorite is Alexander Springs...where the `boil` of the spring bubbles out of a cave 40 feet below you..perfectly clear water,,,a constant 72 degrees all year around...Silver Glen Springs is quite similar and all the parks have excellent facilities..bathrooms..changing areas ..snackbars..and a protected hiking trail..miles of marked paths with trees and vegitation noted on signs along the way with splendid views of the forest and swimming areas..
With all its natural beauty..the Ocala forest is a VT `MUST SEE!` |
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| Pros: | "A quaint small town off the tourist "trail"" | | In A Nutshell: | "My adopted home" |
Michael_D's Eustis Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 13 - Photos: 9 | | | Restaurants
Tips: 15 - Photos: 7 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | Nightlife
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2 | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | Transportation
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for Michael_D about Eustis | | | | |
Maria250 Wed Oct 8, 2008 20:31 UTC
Very nice read on Clifford House! So it's now/and still the housing of Eustis Historical Museum? | Pawtuxet Mon Apr 30, 2007 00:46 UTC
Saw the signs for Eustis and knew you were somewhere around there..... | Elenadosvedanya Tue Jan 27, 2004 22:54 UTC
Very nice...Elena |
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