After a two-year hiatus, the Volusia/Flagler Heart walk was held again at the Daytona International Speedway. Originally scheduled for Friday, September 30, 2022, the event got postponed due to Tropical Storm Ian. It was rescheduled for Saturday, December 12. For Heart Walk 2018 and 2019, I walked with colleagues from Hunt Library. I had formed a team again and received a few donations, however none of my colleagues that had walked in the past could attend this year on the new date. Almost at the last minute my friend Olga agreed to walk with me.
We drove into the infield area and parked, then walked to the Fanzone to sign in. The morning was cool but sunny, a perfect day for a walk. We picked up water and snacks, took photos, and listened to the speakers announce the fundraising winners. The attendance was much lower, probably due to the time of year, but there was still a respectable crowd.
We received our instructions and shortly after 9:00 am we entered the track to begin the 2.5 mile walk. Even though I had done it a couple times before, it’s still interesting to be able to walk on the racetrack at the Speedway. Olga seemed to be excited about it.
Olga wanted to walk very fast, and I struggled to keep up. I did manage to convince to slow down a bit, but we walked the entire trioval at a fairly brisk pace—when we weren’t stopping to take photos, of course.
We walked for about 45 minutes as the morning became a bit warmer. Finally, just before 10:00 am we headed down pit road where the team from the American Heart Association cheered us on and took our photo.
The walk now completed, we grabbed some more snacks and water and left the Fanzone. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to drive on any of the track this time, but we drove through the infield and tunnel and left the Speedway, headed for a well-deserved lunch.
Thanks to Olga for being a fun and enthusiastic partner for Heart Walk 2022.
KEXP is an independent radio station in Seattle which streams live and also hosts musical artists playing in their in-house studio. The station makes these live performances available on YouTube. I have discovered many new bands by following KEXP’s YouTube channel. Here are some of my favorite live performances. See also Best of KEXP 1, Best of KEXP 2, and Best of KEXP 3.
After years of planning and construction, part of the Daytona Beach Riverfront Esplanade opened at 8:00 am on Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Riverfront Esplanade lies to the east of Beach Street between Main Street to the north and International Speedway Boulevard (ISB) to the south. The two-block section south from ISB to Orange Avenue is still under construction with a scheduled opening at the end of 2022.
Opening Day
I didn’t know it was open when I set out on a morning walk up Beach Street. Looking over to the park, I noticed the orange fencing had been removed and the teal-colored gates were open. I entered the park at the entrance next to the News-Journal Center and headed north to see the Halifax River Overlook, a raised platform with swings and views across the river.
I left the overlook and continued north behind the News-Journal Center.
Past the News-Journal Center, the path (with blue cushioned running trail) ran parallel to Beach Street past Bethune Plaza and the Brown & Brown Insurance building.
This view is across the South Lawn towards Manatee Island.
Soon I arrived at the Manatee Plaza where staff were handing out postcard announcements, park maps, water bottles, and bandanas. The plaza contains restrooms and is the gateway to Manatee Island.
Although I have lived in downtown Daytona Beach for more than nine years, I had never visited Manatee Island. I now crossed the bridge and turned right, quickly arriving at the Amphitheater. This was not new, but it had been refurbished and had fresh grass laid down.
I continued walking counterclockwise around the island with views across the Halifax River to several bridges.
The island had lots of palm trees, open grassy areas, several pavilions, and more restrooms.
I circled the island, then crossed the bridge back to the main park and turned right to continue north for a little bit. After passing under an orange inflatable arch, I decided to turn around and head back home.
I retraced my route back south on the (main) Sweetheart Trail along the South Lawn.
I passed again behind the News-Journal Center with a view towards the Halifax River Overlook.
I passed the path where I had entered the park and continued south.
I reached the south entrance at the corner of Beach Street and ISB and exited the park after finishing an hour’s walk. Below is the free gear I got.
Day Two
The next day, Sunday, June 5, I rode my bike through the Riverfront Esplanade to have a second look and to visit the areas I hadn’t seen the day before. I entered at the south entrance and rode along the main path, around the Overlook, past the News-Journal Center, and looped Manatee Island. At the Manatee Plaza I rode north along the North Lawn to the end I skipped the day before.
When I reached the Josie Rogers’ House, I turned left and rode out to the entrance on Beach Street for some photos of the house.
The sign reads:
DR. JOSIE ROGERS’ HOUSE
Dr. Josie Rogers was born in Daytona Beach on November 26, 1876 – the same year the city was incorporated. In 1879, her father built this house, where she grew up. She became the first female Mayor of Daytona Beach in 1922, only 2 years after passage of woman’s right to vote. She was the first female physician in Daytona Beach and her office was open to both white and black patients. She served as Chairman of the State Health Department and Chief of Staff for the Halifax District Hospital. Her father, Durham Rogers, was instrumental with the incorporation of the Town of Daytona. He was the Town’s first surveyor, built the first ice plant and first bridge across the Halifax River (Main Street Bridge).
Not noted on the sign: This house is not in its original location, it had been moved years ago from the spot where Manatee Plaza now sits.
I continued around the house north to Brownie’s Dog Park.
The Dog Park, which includes an agility course, was not open. Dog owners must sign up for a dog park membership to use it.
I now reached the north entrance to the park.
From here I re-entered the park and followed the (main) Sweetheart Trail all the way back to the south entrance.
I left the park, and turned right to ride north on Beach Street along the west perimeter of the park. At Main Street is located the main sign for the Riverfront Esplanade (see first photo, above). I continued north along the riverfront to extend my ride. On the way home, I stopped by Veteran’s Plaza for one last photo.
I have been skeptical about how many new people the new Riverfront Esplanade will attract to patronize the riverfront shops of Daytona Beach. But as a downtown resident, I am pleased to have a beautiful new park in which to walk and ride my bike. I look forward to the opening of the southern section in a few months. Watch for Part 2.
Although I hiked Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve for the second time in January, this was my first new hike from the book in 2022. The weather was beautiful all day, but the hike itself was one of the least interesting, so far. The entire perimeter trail was a double-track for horses and hikers. The highlight here is definitely the trees.
I originally had planned to go to the Central Florida Cars & Coffee on Sunday, March 6, 2022, so I had cleaned and detailed my car the previous day. However, when I saw the Instagram post from the Embry-Riddle Muscle Car Association about their Cars & Coffee happening that Sunday morning, I changed my plans. They had invited anyone to attend, not just students.
A few days before this hike, my friend Olga sent me a text message asking me to pick a hike for the weekend. We had previous hiked the St. Francis Trail together and really enjoyed it. In August 2019 I had hiked Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, but that day was hot and miserable due to horseflies. Back then I knew I wanted to hike it again during a cooler time of year. So I suggested this hike to Olga.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach campus is home to at least one colony of cats. In 2018, some students, with the support of faculty and staff, formed a club to help feed and care for the campus cats. They called it the Protecting Animal Wellness Society (P.A.W.S.).
Each year I donate money to P.A.W.S. During Winter Break, when most students are away from campus, local staff sign up to feed the cats. I previously wrote about feeding the Embry-Riddle cats in 2019.
After I completed a morning hike at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, I stopped to pick up lunch at Firehouse Subs, then drove back south to Turkey Creek Sanctuary Park. I ate lunch in my car before walking to the park entrance around 12:45 pm.
The weather was unseasonably warm during the last week of December, so I decided to complete two more hikes from the 50 Hikes book. I woke up early and made the long drive south to Melbourne. I began my hike around 10:00 am.
St. Francis Trail is in the far eastern side of the Ocala National Forest, just outside of DeLand, Florida.
Nearly all of my previous hikes from the book had been solo. My companion on this hike was my friend Olga. We started the hike around 10:30 am on an unseasonably warm December day. Olga was actually overdressed in jeans.
