Florida Backroads: Kissimmee to Indian River

Adventure day part 1 of 2

My day after Thanksgiving adventure ride was from Kissimmee to Western Indian River County.

I always try to take back roads home from Clermont but this year I was especially motivated by the changes on the Florida Turnpike. The toll collectors are gone. You can pay with a sunpass or your plate can be charged with a 2.50 fee on it. The Turnpike is fine unless there is an accident when it turns into a deathtrap and you end up sitting in traffic for hours on end.

This way home cuts off quite a bit of Turnpike and is a pleasant drive.

I got off the Turnpike at the U.S. 17/192/441/Florida’s Turnpike and headed east.

The first ten miles are heavily populated and lot of lights. Also a good place to grab some food and a restroom.

About 10 miles out the lights are less. The road goes down to two lanes and the traffic moves along smoothly.

Florida Backroads: Kissimmee to Indian River

I did see a Reptile World but it looked closed.

We drove thru Harmony.

Then drove thru Holopaw. Took that right on Holopaw Rd.

Speed limit in most places is 60 mph.

The ride south is very peaceful. Mostly ranches, cows and horses. No bathrooms which is why I told you to use the restrooms at the beginning.

Peaceful.

My immediate destination was Florida Forever, a place I had discovered on a previous trip. It is about 7. 7 miles south on the left. I was so excited to see all the birds and eat one of those mouth watering hamburgers. Unfortunately, it was closed.

Fortunately for you I wrote a previous post and you can see it here.

Florida Back Roads: 441 South from Orlando

So we drove south. We drove and we drove. We were both a little bummed out. So I decided to put Blue Cypress Lakes in my maps. I had never been there and requisite of this adventure day is to go someplace new that I had never been before. Even if I had loads of work waiting at home. Life’s too short not to take a few extra hours and discover something new!

Kodi “Are we there yet?”

441 south

Discover I did but before that I stopped to pay homage to the Desert Inn. This marvelous historic building was literally destroyed by a truck (or truck driver depending on how you look at it)

If you are interested you can read about it here: