Spanish Springs on a Friday evening

Some CDP bloggers, including myself, have been having problems accessing CDP and the portal over the past few days...please know that if I don't comment as per usual, it's not for lack of trying. Sometimes CDP and some blogs just will not load.

Cozco Handcrafts

Main Street, Spanish Springs. There is a Cozco handcrafts store. There is no Spanish Springs Gazette; that sign is an attempt to bring some old-timey authenticity to what is essentially a Disneyesque hometown.

I thought it made for a nice photo, though.

Johnny Rocket's Diner

I had thought Johnny Rocket's was a local operation. It is not. Johnny Rocket's is an international chain with restaurants in many countries, including Dubai, and in one case, on an ocean-going cruise ship.

It is a 1950s style diner, serving milk shakes, hamburgers, fries, etc. This particular restaurant is in Lake Sumter Landing, directly across from the town square. We have yet to eat there, but it seems to be doing a good business.

Friday night at Spanish Springs

On Friday evenings, people gather early to meet with friends, purchase 2 for 1 drinks, listen to music and dance at the town squares in Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing. This shot was taken at Spanish Springs.

Lake Sumter Landing travel agency

This is the place to go in Lake Sumter Landing if you wish assistance in planning a trip. You can even obtain tickets to Orlando's various Disney attractions here.

Gal's barber shop

As you drive into Lake Sumter Landing, you will see Gal's barber shop. It was closed when we took this photo, so I don't know if Gal is the name of the owner, or if it is a barber shop for gals.

I'll try to check that out as I'm finding it hard to sleep at night not knowing the truth of the matter.

Boardwalk at Lake Sumter Landing

Photo by Lois Anne

The Veranda from another angle

The other evening, Lois Anne took this photo of the Veranda restaurant in Lake Sumter Landing. We've shown the restaurant previously, but this is another angle and as you can see it is located directly across from the town square.

The Villages Charter High School

The Villages is an over-55 community. Nevertheless, most of the people who work in The Villages live nearby and many of them have children, and thus the honchos in The Villages decided it was appropriate to build an elementary school, a middle school and a high school.

This is the high school, which as you can see, is a very fine facility.

Leaning water tower?

Lois Anne took this rather dramatic photo of the Lake Sumter Landing water tower silhouetted by the setting sun. The water tower does not really lean.

Did someone call for a cab?

There are many unique golf carts (or cars, as some call them) in The Villages. This one, which we found at Lake Sumter Landing, we thought was special. It's not really a cab, but designed to look like one.

Ty and Suzanne Giesemann

We met Ty and Suzanne Giesemann last night on the boardwalk at Lake Sumter Landing. They were enjoying a beautiful evening with their two long-haired Dachshunds, Rudy and Gretchen.

Both Ty and Suzanne are retired U.S. Naval officers. Ty, a Captain, retired after 28 years in the Navy, during which time he drove warships in various parts of the world. Suzanne, a Commander, retired after twenty years serving in a variety of capacities.

After their retirement, they spent four years traveling on their beautiful sailboat, Liberty. Relatively recently they moved to The Villages and now call The Village of Mallory Square their home.

Suzanne is a writer with several books in print, two of which have to do with sailing. Her latest book due to be released this month is "the amazing true story" of the medium, B. Anne Gehman and her husband, former Jesuit priest, Wayne Knoll.

The Giesemann's are a fascinating couple living their dream. You can read all about their lives and their adventures here. For more information on Suzanne and her books, click here.

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet Ty and Suzanne and for their willingness to pose for us and share their story with us (and with the City Daily Photo blogging community.) Thank you, Ty and Suzanne!

Spanish Springs Golf Cart Series #5 - Plus

Lake Sumter sunset

Lois Anne took this very nice sunset photo at Lake Sumter landing. The Waterfront Inn is off to the left.

Spanish Springs Golf Cart Series #4