ONLY GOT TO SCRATCH THE SURFACE

 A favorite cousin who lives in Lander, WY recently visited New Smyrna Beach, FL (on the Atlantic Coast)  and inquired if there was any way possible for us to visit she and her husband while they were visiting in Florida on Memorial Day Weekend.

Steve and Anna (Knapp) Erixon

We had never been to New Smyrna Beach (often referred to as Orlando's beach), located in Volusia County, and we decided to drive our coach over to explore an area of Florida we have not visited while full timing.   That's what this summer is about - "old us visiting old Florida"!  Surprisingly, NSB is a lovely drive-on Atlantic coast beach and to say it was jam-packed with visitors and cars is an understatement.

New Smyrna Beach, FL

New Smyrna Beach on west side of Intercoastal Waterway

We truly enjoyed our visit!  One of our other favorite cousins, Richard and Nancy Knapp, drove from St Cloud, and we had a mini family reunion. Upon checking into our campground, New Smyrna Beach RV Park, we were told by the manager of the campground..."Don't try to eat in NSB this weekend...too many visitors."

New Smyrna Beach RV Park

So we drove south to a highly recommended seafood restaurant,  Dixie Crossroads, in Titusville, FL.  *****5 stars.

Our mini-family reunion  - Dixie Crossroads,
Titusville, FL

Anna (Knapp) Erixon, Richard Knapp,  Marty (Knapp) Whitney

Dixie Crossroads Restaurant is a keeper.  If you can, go there!  Not a disappointment.  We tried their specialty rock shrimp prepared several different ways, and we all agreed they were all delicious!  We had such an enjoyable visit, a delicious meal, and learned volumes about this beautiful area of the state.

Visiting new campgrounds and unfamiliar surroundings can sometimes be a challenge but New Smyrna Beach RV Park was very well managed.  There were many weekend visitors with large groups of friends/family.  This  beautiful unpretentious campground definitely fits into the category of "old Florida", and we enjoyed our brief stay and may return one day.

New Smyrna Beach RV Park Office

New Smyrna Beach RV Park

We visited the site of the ruins of the Cruger-de Peyster Sugar Mill, in New Smyrna Beach, in operation in the mid 1800's, which contained huge industrial machinery manufactured in New York.  In 1835 the mill was burned to the ground by Seminole Indians and the ruins remained unprotected until 2007.

Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill Ruins
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill Ruins
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill Ruins
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill Ruins
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Historic sugar mill ruins such as those in New Smyrna Beach are found throughout Florida, and reminds us of the day when sugar cane production was a boon to Florida's economy.  As we said in the beginning, we barely got to scratch the surface of this beautiful part of Florida so we'll have to return one day.