I love history so therefore I love historical sites and I often seek such sites out when I'm in the…read morearea or in this case right down the road from my home. Although a little off the beaten path I have driven through this neighborhood a number of times and today I decided to stop and take a closer look. It's relatively easy to find but one should obey the speed limit and show some respect. Located in the middle of the street on a tiny tree and flower filled dirt island on Canova Drive in New Smyrna Beach, the memorial is dedicated to Charles Dummett, a teenager who died in 1860. The Historic Account The son of Douglas D. Dummett, a landowner, and Leandra "Anna" Fernandez, Charles Dummett died when he was just 15 years old. While the exact cause of his death remains a mystery, most accounts attribute it to a hunting accident. The elder Dummett was said to be so saddened by the loss of his son that he built the young man's grave right where his body was found. It's remained there ever since. In the 1950s, developers who were working in the area decided to build a road around the memorial instead of embarking on the long legal process of getting permission to move it. According to a 2019 article in the Daytona Beach News Journal, an anonymous artist added a statue of a dog to the gravesite and on most days there are still fresh flowers laid on the tomb...

I love the areas in and around Crescent City, Florida and frequently camp here throughout the year…read more This small municipality seems to always have something to celebrate which is a testament to the people that call it home and although my interactions with the people have been somewhat limited I can say they are very welcoming people and there are no strangers here. The city has access to an abundance of water and forests and when I first started coming here I felt it was a little isolated and very remote but I've come to learn that's not always the case and find it's the perfect place to find your own personal space yet enjoy plenty of convenience when it comes to the local businesses. I love that Crescent City still cherishes it's history and the people that came before them, there are many hidden treasures here that haven't been exploited, it still small town American that embraces it's culture and welcomes everyone with open arms and definitely earns it's definition of "Old Florida Charm" which is so attractive to me. Located on the shores of Crescent Lake this city offers plenty of access to some of the best freshwater fishing in the state and is still referred to as "The Bass Capital of the World" and offers a lot of opportunities to view the beautiful sunrises across the lake with its's tranquil setting, it's the perfect place to enjoy a fresh cup of morning coffee while relaxing somewhere along the shoreline, you don't need to have a pre-planned agenda to come here once you arrive the day will unfold before you. As an example one of my favorite restaurants El Amigo Restaurant breakfast service starts at 9:00 AM now that's laid back n' low key...

This is what I would call a roadside attraction as it literally is right there!…read more So first I must say that the address will take you to an intersection so from here your gonna wanna continue down Old Dixie highway as it's about a mile away from here but it comes up quickly so keep your eyes peeled so you don't miss it! This is more or less a ruin of what it once was but the history is totally here as you can see just how much work it was having this facility in the swamp as it's literally in the heart of it! The area is fenced off but for good reason as I'm sure if you were to get closer to the structure it might not be that safe. We spent a little bit here as it was quite fascinating to just enjoy the structure and the atmosphere. Overall a super cool part of Florida's history that you should totally check out if your in the area as who doesn't love sugar and rum!

Stopped by while in the area at a state park. Interesting history. Parking is right off of Old…read moreDixie Highway. Not really good for handicapped people. Ruins are inside a fence. We were glad we stopped. Interesting for us. Some birds in the area. You are able to walk around the fence to view the ruins.

While on our Florida Mini Vacay, Deacon, Kayla Beth Fields & I stopped at New Smyrna Beach area to…read morecheck out the Sugar Mill Ruins. This was Deacon's first historical site with his maw maw YoYo on her trek to see all things historical. He seemed to enjoy the adventure. The Cruger-de-Peyster Plantation Sugar Mill Ruins are superb. There are hiking trails in to the jungle like funa but we didn't have bug spray. I keep it in my car but we were enjoying Kayla's new rocking rover!!! We saw quite a few lizards. I guess they are a local staple to the wildlife here. Their little throats blow out a orangish bag, weird to us West Virginians....lol!! This park is nice! Pets allowed Small parking lot. FREE TO ENJOY! Well marked with signage to the location. Highly recommend if you are in the area.

Simple free walkthrough. With signage as to what it was and what they did. A little hard to find as…read moreit isn't a large sign

Nice place has lots of local history for Daytona. I love the painted murals inside. Super friendly…read morepeople working there. Price of admission very reasonable.

This museum was just steps away from the chocolate factory snd was recommended to visit this rainy…read moreday. It costs $10 for adult admission and was well worth the price. Find the director, she's a wealth of knowledge and is doing an exceptional job here. She's in search of full women mannequins to display the many articles of clothing ready to display. I'm a Florida native and learned so much visiting today. So interesting to learn about Daytona's history with artifacts thousands of years old on display.

The Granada Bridge is my bridge to Heaven! The bridge has about a 1.6 mile walking area giving a…read morelift of elevation and great views on both sides of the bridge. You also have parks on both sides of the bridge, to relax, go to a festival, fish or walk your dog. I still get butterflies when crossing the bridge and seeing the ocean every time.

I've been crossing over the river here for quite sometime and it never gets old, the view from the…read moretop is truly magnificent. This bridge is usually pretty busy so the speeds allow you time to enjoy the view and no mater which way you're traveling you have access to lots of businesses or a place to pull over and relax or as others have stated there's great access to the river and beautiful green spaces. It seems to be a great place to get your steps in, I rarely cross this bridge when there aren't a number of people using the pedestrian walkways.

Today I had an interaction with the CBO who came to perform a fence inspection. I was helping my…read moreneighbor tear shed their storm damaged shed and was unaware a permit was required. The CBO was very polite and explained things respectfully and professionally. I know some people are quick to judge these departments but they are in place to protect us citizens. The CBO was very personable and my interactions with him were positive. My advice to my fellow citizens of Holly Hill is don't rush judgment on our city workers just because they do their job. A permit was immediately pulled and work continued. Thanks CBO for your understanding and for all you do in the community.

Interstate 4 is more than a road. It is Florida's second most notorious superhighway (after I-95),…read moreoften feeling like a racetrack. Stretching from Tampa to Daytona Beach, it barrels through the state's busiest corridors and delivers an experience that is unforgettable, though not always pleasant. Traffic is constant. Commuters mix with visitors bound for Orlando's theme parks, creating a stew of impatience and unpredictability. Lane changes are sudden, speeds swing wildly, and the sheer volume of cars makes every mile a test of nerves. Orlando magnifies the chaos. Between the Turnpike interchange, attraction exits, the tolled express lanes and construction zones, the highway becomes a gauntlet. Even seasoned Floridians joke that surviving I‑4 requires equal parts skill and luck. At the western end near I‑75 in Tampa, a massive Confederate flag flies from private property beside the interstate. It is impossible to miss, adding a controversial landmark to the journey. In short, I‑4 is not just an interstate. It is Florida's most unpredictable stage, where commuters, tourists, and symbolism collide. Driving it often feels less like travel and more like survival. As you take the exit from I-95 and head towards Orlando, "Gentlemen! Start! Your! Engines!" [Review 1566 of 2025 - 2150 in Florida - 25116 overall] 719 South Woodland Boulevard is the headquarters for FDOT District 5 who oversees the Orlando metro and the majority of I‑4, including the massive I‑4 Ultimate project.