On Daytona Beach in 1935, Englishman Sir Malcolm Campbell drove his 12,000 pound “Bluebird V” vehicle propelled by a supercharged V-12 Rolls Royce engine. Sir Campbell’s unprecedented official one-mile speed: 276.82 miles per hour.
Today, the Daytona Beach area is still known as “The Birthplace of Speed,” and “The World’s Most Famous Beach.” But other adventures await, if you’ll tear yourself off those miles of shimmering sand.
Fast and High
A sleek lime green jet boat named “Wet Ever” glides up to the dock adjacent to Aunt Catfish’s Restaurant in Port Orange,
“Ok folks, climb in for the ride of your life,” grins Captain Bill Mullican. “Get comfy. Hold onto the handlebars. Real tight.”
We climb into the 12-passenger boat as Captain Bill fires up the 420 horsepower motor. In four seconds, we’re careening through the Intracoastal Waterway at 50 mph.
In a blur of white spray and deep green water, we smile at dolphins gliding, egrets flapping, clouds billowing. Saltwater fills our open mouths.
Captain Bill cuts the engine, spinning us into crazy circles. Screaming and spitting out seawater, we whirl in this horse powered cuisinart, lovin’ every silly second.
“Hope ya’ll had a great time,” he grins, dropping us back at the dock 45 minutes later.
Yeah, I’m pumped. What’s next?
Next is a heartpounding climb up 203 spiral steps to the top of Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. The 175-foot lighthouse, Florida’s tallest, was completed in 1887 and considered “the most beautiful tower in the district.” Relit in December 1982, the Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and a working beacon illuminated by a 1000-watt lamp.
Trudging up to step 100, (I like counting), I stop on a narrow platform attached to the inside wall. Breathtaking views of the Halifax River and the Florida coastline are seen from the window. Kids in bare feet leap the stairwell like Ever Ready battery bunnies, as their moms call out “Be careful!” At the top, we walk outside around the balcony, looking at yachts, and luxury homes. Teenagers boldly lean over the edge, posing for each other’s cell phone photos.
Walking slowly down the curvaceous 203 steps, I hold the cold metal handrail. “Take it one step at a time” has a new meaning. As terra firma looms closer, I applaud my middle aged knees for their courage and give thanks I don’t have to spend the night keeping watch, as so many devoted light keepers once did.
Confronting my inner wuss
Today I will don a sexy jumpsuit, ascend to 13,500 feet in a zippy little airplane, and jump out. I will freefall above the earth at 120 mph for 60 seconds. My hunky skydiving instructor, attached in tandem behind me, will deploy a gorgeous parachute. We will float through the sky for five blissful minutes, landing gently on our feet. Family and friends will be proud of my stupendous bravura. Fans will stand in line for my autograph.
Or maybe not.
“You jump, you die,” my inner wuss whines.
“You big tough gladiator. Jump!” counters my Ego.
Does everyone in our group have the guts to skydive?
“Skydiving has been on my to do list forever,” says Janice Nieder, a writer and world traveler from San Francisco. “I’ll see if I can do it.”
“I’m wondering why I would even think about jumping out of a perfectly good plane,” jokes Atlanta resident Karen Warren, mother of a 2-year-old daughter.
“But I’m gonna do it.”
“Skydiving will be a life accomplishment for me,” says Missy Martino, a magazine publisher and writer/photographer from St. Petersburg, Florida.
These women possess something I don’t: Courage. Moxie.
I hug my friends good luck. Hope you updated your wills.
At Spruce Creek, I meet nature guide Wynn Hamilton. “We’re going to kayak a unique blackwater stream fed from Florida Aquafer springs,” she tells me.
We climb into yellow kayaks, as a peacock with dazzling turquoise feathers calls out goodbye. Sun streaks through 1000-year-old bald cypress trees and sabal palms. Mesmerized by the tangled jungle mirrored in the water, I inhale the sweet fragrance of magnolias. I remember a quote by author/naturalist Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: “I do not understand how anyone can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to.”
Paddling under a fallen log, a pale pink spider glides down her web onto my kayak.
“Want to skydive off my kayak?” I ask her. “Just don’t bite my leg. I’ve had enough stress this morning.”
No cars, no people. Soft wind rustling among leaves, woodpeckers knocking against trees, warblers calling out hello. Inside this elegant green/black/blue Kaleidoscope, I’m home sweet home.
A plane buzzes overhead. Are those my skydiving gal pals?
I wave hello. Everyone is right where they belong.
Pink spider and me.
The need for speed
So when Janice says skydiving was a “wow,” and Karen breathes “what a rush,” and Missy glows, “I did it!” my wuss and I go off for a sulk.
I’m a bit disappointed in both of us.
Enough with the stunning natural world. I feel the need for speed.
At Daytona International Speedway we sign up for The Richard Petty Experience. Known as “The King,” Petty’s accomplishments in the Daytona 500 and on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are unrivaled. A seven time Daytona 500 Champion, Petty won in 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, and 1981.
In King Petty’s honor, I pull on a blue jump suit, and a massive helmut, and grimace as the Pit Crew attaches a scary metal brace to the back of my neck. A red black and yellow two-seat stock car roars up along the famous Daytona Speedway track. I slither in through the passenger window, settle down into the black leather seat, and greet my driver, Brian Pellaw.
He’s pretty hunky, so I decide to lay my cards on the table.
“Mr. Pellaw,” I begin.
“Brian,” he interrupts.
“Brian,” I continue. “I’m kinda wussy. Speed scares me. A bit.”
He guns the engine. Deafening rocket launch.
“We’ll do three laps,” he says. “If you’re havin’ fun, give me a thumb up.”
Before I can ask what to do if I’m not having fun, the pit crew leans in and straps my body into the seat. Lock down, can’t escape. Fans along the track wave goodbye.
Goodbye? I just got here.
“Uh Brian, I do have one more question…..”
Hunkaroony silences my whining with pedal to the metal. Suddenly, that faraway spot on the track is in my face and gone. We swoop up the banked track and like Velcro magic, the nice safe car hugs the curve. Back on the flat, the scenery blurs. Video game or reality? My ears vibrate; my heart has moved into my eyeballs. Can you die from fright?
End of lap one, I give Brian a thumb up. Are there any other choices?
Lap two, he’s bolting along at 135 mph. Breathe deeply, remember yoga. Don’t panic. Do not jump out of the car. Kids, do not try this at home.
End of lap two. Am I going to be sick? Not in here with super cool Brian at the wheel. Is that a belly laugh? Yes, I’m giggling. Then my scrambled brain kicks out the world’s goofiest song.
“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” I sing softly. Mr. Rogers, are you hiding in the back seat?
Lap three, Brian and his precious stock car NASCAR are happy at 160. I’m happy too, humming away. Blurry can be beautiful.
Whaddya mean we’re only going three laps? What’s the rush?
“Can’t ya drive faster Brian?” I yell. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Two thumbs up.
If you go
Outstanding area restaurants:
Inlet Harbor Marina and Restaurant, 133 Inlet Harbor Rd. Ponce Inlet, Fl. 386-767-5590. www.inletharbor.com
Martini’s Chophouse, 1815 S. Ridgewood Ave. South Daytona, Fl. 386-763-1090.
Ronin Sushi & Bar, 111 West International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, Fl.
386-252-6320. www.roninsushiandbar.com
Stonewood Grill and Tavern, 100 S. Atlantic Ave. Ormond Beach, Fl. 386-671-1200. www.stonewoodgrill.com
Attractions:
Cracker Creek Canoeing, Port Orange, Fl. 386-304-0778. http://www.oldfloridapioneer.com/.
Daytona Beach Jet Boats, Port Orange, Fl. 386-631-5554. http://www.daytonabeachjetboats.com
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl. 386-947-6800.
www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, Ponce Inlet, Fl. 386-761-1821. www.ponceinlet.org
Skydive DeLand, DeLand, Fl. 386-738-3539. http://www.skydivedeland.com/.
More information:
Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-544-0415. www.daytonabeach.com
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