A Day in Daytona Beach

Saturday was promising to be a beautiful day, a great day for a road trip!

We took a quick trip through Deland to locate the service facility where we’re having our electrical system checked next week, and then took Highway 92 – International Speedway Drive – into Daytona Beach.

As we approached the Speedway, we stopped in to take a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We drove to the Visitor Center near the Grandstand, where we could hear cars flying by on the track.  That was loud by itself – can’t imagine what it must be like on a race day!

 

Because of the track activity, tours that day were not going onto the track, so we decided to just look around at the Visitor Center and did not go on a tour.

 

 

Walkway of Champions . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Founders and Superstars . . .

 

Race Cars and Pace Cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though we’re not necessarily “NASCAR Fans”, it’s a pretty impressive place!

From the Speedway, we drove out to the beach. 

We didn’t take the car out on the beach,

but at this quiet time of year, we found a parking spot one block back and walked down to the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this sunny but somewhat cool afternoon, there were a few people enjoying the sun, but not many in the water.

Not even the birds!

We walked along the beach to the pier,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where there were lots of people taking advantage of the beautiful day to do some fishing.

This guy pulled in a bonnet-head shark as we walked up.  It looked like a mini-hammerhead to us – the fisherman was explaining the differences to Tom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed the abundant sunshine!

From the beach, we made our way to the Angell-Phelps Chocolate Factory, where they promised tours . . . and free samples!

We were just in time for the next tour, along with about 30 other people!  They actually had to split us into 2 separate tour groups.  Unlike the Kilwin’s Tour that we went on in Michigan, we did not get to enter the factory (so no hair nets!) – we viewed the process from windows while our guide, Nick, entertained us with company history, the candy-making process, and a fair amount of dry humor!

Angell-Phelps was founded by 2 ladies in 1925 in Mackinaw City, Michigan, who eventually sought out warmer weather and moved theor company to Florida.

Much of the equipment in the kitchen was moved from the Michigan location, including the 2 big copper pots (probably Upper Peninsula copper!), and the scale.

This machine keeps the white chocolate at the perfect temperature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We passed by the chocolate coating line, the cooling unit for those dipped chocolates, and the Quality Control and Packaging areas.

 

Then it was sample time!  Look at that tray of samples!

Everybody received their choice of 2 samples – milk and dark chocolates, caramels, pretzels, and their signature item, chocolate covered potato chips.

We all took a potato chip and a caramel.  Bryce didn’t like the chip at all, Tom thought it was OK, and I thought it was pretty good.  We all liked the caramels!

 

 

After our little snack, it was time to find someplace for dinner.  I seached on my phone, and we decided to try Aunt Catfish’s on the River in Port Orange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked on the pier as we waited for our table.

You know it must be good when there’s a 40 minute wait at 3:30 in the afternoon!

We finally got seated, and enjoyed our delicious meals served on fish plates!

Bryce was the most adventurous, ordering gator bites!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the RV Resort, we were treated to a beautiful sunset!