A Pocket Guide to Valentine’s Day Exploration

On the road less traveled…again. 

There’s nothing like whisking your partner away and not telling them where you’re headed but making them drive. A thoroughly planned spontaneous Valentine’s Day escape.

Mark Ray, a former Marine, likes to be on a “need-to-know” basis. So, without further conversation, we jumped in the car.

“Where are we going?” asked Mark.

“That’s on a need-to-know basis, dear.

“Well, I need to know. I will eventually have to get off on an exit, correct?”

“Yes, when it comes up, I’ll let you know.”

“About how many miles?”

“Seventy-five, give or take.”

We landed in Florida’s horse country – Ocala and surrounding area – for a whatever-may-come-next kind of day, followed up by the same the next day.

For those of you who are the captain of the planned spontaneity, take note. 

All items below are carried out best with the element of surprise.

Step 1: Pack the other person, preferably while they are not looking.

Step 2: Pack yourself and include a few things to spice up the trip. 

Step 3: Purchase or make what you need for the ultimate surprise for your loved one. The quintessential list: a gift, champagne, glassware (we don’t like that plastic sh*t), lingerie, great shoes, chocolate and one or more Valentine’s Day cards. Pack these in non-see-through carry-all.

Step 4: Pack the car. Wake up early if you need to. It’s all in the little things.

Step 5: Bundle them in the car, check the gas, let Siri know where you’re going but tell that bitch to keep it to herself, and hit the road.

Our one tank trip took us through old Florida woods, rolling countryside of lazing cows, grazing horses and stretches of split rail farm fences. Dropping onto the main drag of Ocala led us right past our hotel – The Equus Inn, a cost-efficient, quaint, clean, coffee klatch kind of accommodation that plays host to equestrian associations each year. The bronze horse in the port cochere welcomes you to a friendly staff and amenities of a heated pool, a small gathering pavilion complete with a fire pit and the unique self-service beer and wine bar. Their selections include local craft beers and white and red wines served at wine snob approved temperatures. 

We checked in, grabbed our coats and gloves, and headed downtown to Ocala Square. There are some historical facts about Ocala worth noting. Ocala was a major centre for the Timucua (big hammock) Indians in the 1600s. Fort King was built shortly after Florida became a territory in 1861 to protect white settlers from the Seminole Indians. Ocala prospered and grew around the fort when the railroad came to town in 1881. Ocala became known statewide as “The Brick City” when in 1883 most of downtown burned and was replaced with brick buildings. Thank you to Mike Miller and his Florida Backroads Travel Book for the historical facts about Ocala.

One of many ‘Horse Fever’ statues in downtown Ocala, FL. Learn more about Ocala’s public art here.

Citrus was the big industry until the frosts of 1894 and 1895 wiped out the entire industry paving way for tourism, attractions, and the thriving thoroughbred industry. Rosemere Farms was the first thoroughbred farm in Ocala but is now Paddock Mall and Central Florida College. 

The square boasts a gazebo and painted horses which are part of the Horse Fever Project which raises money for the Marion Cultural Alliance, as well as various charities of the buyer’s choice. There are quite a few food and drink establishments in and around the town square. The hours are varied as are the days and some COVID restrictions may apply. Decide what your taste of the day maybe and check out Mark’s Prime Steakhouse, a five-star dinner restaurant, Ivy on the Square, southern style cooking in an 1890 building, the self-explanatory The Lodge Brick City Craft and Pub Eatery, and the Sushi Bistro. 

We thought about what we’ve been craving recently and started with Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille, right off the square specializing in seafood and cocktails. This place is popular and perpetually full.  To while away the half-hour wait, we wandered off to O’Malley’s on the Alley, an Irish establishment featuring sports on TV, a variety of concoctions and tap beers, and a framed portrait of one of their bartenders. Hanging off the porcelain god in the bathroom.

Harry’s has irresistible food, good service and a Nola-based menu featuring the Bourbon Street favorites you love along with a few standouts. We were hooked on Harry’s Louisiana Fondue, the She-crab soup, and followed it with the Oreo beignets. All that was missing was soft jazz tunes seeping through the windows from the street. 

After a timeout from the sightseeing and restaurant reviewing, we poured Valentine’s champagne and spent a relaxing hour or so in front of the fire pit. As we bounce from location to location, we are always amazed at the awesome people we meet and get to know. 

The Brick City Southern Kitchen was happy to welcome two out-of-towners with no idea what to order. Their southern style fare will transport you right back to Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house. There’s BBQ, catfish, pork and chicken platters to share, stew to warm the cockles of your heart, and if you can’t decide? Get your Mojo going – four sides of comfort food guaranteed to send you home happy and satisfied. Try a helping of black-eyed peas, meaty green beans, collard greens or a helping of sweet potato mash. 

Once we said goodbye to the bronze stallion at Equus, we once again hopped on the road less traveled. Our app, atlas and map guided us to Steinhatchee where we stopped to visit the Inn and Marina. A throwback to another time, the area boasts quiet streets, slow-paced life and a Mayberry feel that makes you want to sit a spell and chat with the locals. Few locales still feature a dirt road here and there where neighbors gather in the street to catch up on the day’s events and the latest news from outside the city limits of quietude. 

Since the weather was a bit overcast, the only thing to do was to head south. We climbed back on the byways and headed down the backroads till we landed at one of our favorite villages – Cedar Key. The town is surrounded by water, and even though it has had its fair share of the whipping winds of hurricanes, the solid citizens of Cedar hold dear their history and love to share stories of their colorful past and present. 

One of the icons of the city center is the Island Hotel and Restaurant, established in 1859. Listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings now, the hotel features numbered rooms and has passed through loving hands since its construction. The history is long and distinct and deserves a thorough read. The dining room is elegant, the old lobby small, but distinguished, and the ghost stories plentiful. As we listened to the travelers checking in, we heard a wonderful story from the front desk girl. 

There is a treasured armadillo that holds a place of honor in the lobby. One day, the armadillo disappeared leaving no trace. The owners wondered what could have happened and where it might have “run” off to when Instagram pictures began surfacing of the missing mammal traveling around the country in style. One day out of the blue, the errant animal returned home – no note, no names, just a trail of destinations logged into a social media account. Welcome home. Maybe we should hold a contest to name the ambassador. Reminds me of Dawg on Columbo. That poor basset didn’t have a name either.

Although we didn’t stay at the Inn this time, we will next time we head in that direction. Till then, stay with us as we will be heading back to the road less traveled, again, going north to North Carolina and points within. Till then, live life’s rich moments every day of your life!

Written by Jacquie Galvin, President & CEO of LLRM, Travel Blogger, Author