Blooming Right Now - Northeast Florida

March 18th

Azaleas are in bloom There are a few houses that I made sure to drive by just to see a long line of blossoms under the watchful stand of pines along the road.

I have seen other dogwoods in bloom in our neighborhood, but ours is slow waking up and stingy with tight greenish blooms.

Walk Score on Zillow

Just checking up to see what our house is listed as on Zillow and came across our "Walking Score". We received a 57, which is described as "somewhat walkable". I think our rating on this may go up, as we now have a high end grocery store within walking distance. Now with children, I am finding that they like to walk places. The only thing I don't think of is that I have to carry what I buy back. Two gallons of milk sounds like a good idea until I step out the door and remember I didn't bring a car.

Stop on I-85 Mayfield Dairy

On of my favorite travelling stops along I-85 simply must be Mayfield Dairy. What you cry? Not Chateau Elan for wine? No, no, no. (Or non, non, non.) Ice cream wins out every time!

This is a milk processing and packaging plant that has a nice tour that lasts about 20 minutes. First is the requisite film about the company, then you don the clever little yellow hair nets (and beard nets for men) go through to see the trucks coming in with raw milk, sampling and testing room, and some cool robotics filling and shuttling jugs and spinning on caps. This provide a spring board for homeschool discussions about where our food comes from, what scientists do, business models and so on. There is a little store too full of cute things, but the biggest draw is the sweetly priced ice cream parlor featuring Mayfield ice cream. There is a lovely outdoor landscaped terrace with seating, although indoor tables are available for inclement weather. There is also a very large Jersey Cow Statue that the kids can run around in a grassy field.

Blooming Right Now - Northeast Florida

Carolina Jessamine - The gorgeous yellow blooms are out in full force. There are so many bees swinging happily around the vine seems to hum.

Southbound on I-75 - Lanes Orchard in Georgia

If you are traveling southbound (or northbound) on I-75, and children are aboard, make a stop at Lane Southern Orchard. It is a few miles (3 or 4) off the interstate but a fun stop for families. Take exit 142 off I-75, head West and it's on the right after a few miles through beautiful Georgia.
Travelers and locals find the playground a fun trip and my three enjoyed climbing on the tractors. A local mom suggested stopping in mid March, the peach trees bloom and it is just the most beautiful thing she has ever seen.
There is a self tour of the peach packing facilities at the back of the store, and for $6 per adult, $4 per child, a tractor ride will take you into the orchard. Tours are seasonal, but my kids were still excited by so many trees in rows.
Inside they have a walk up bakery and ice cream counter. (I must reccomend the fried peach pie, I ate it too fast to take a picture.) There is a family restarant as well as clean restrooms. There is a store that sells peaches, pecans and citrus in season.
We enjoyed a quick stop, a sweet treat, and some energy let out at their playground.