Yes, I am sorry, one of those people. I would fly to Florida and bask in the sun for a few weeks. Then I would fly back and have stories to tell about a vacation.
I did that for years before I moved here. I never really did like the cold weather. Cold Weather went from being something that happened, to something that I dreaded. The day I left Pennsylvania, April 11 2006, there was still snow on the ground. A late snow for Philadelphia, but still snow.
I hope never to live in a place with snow on the ground.
My preferred way of getting there was driving the car. It gave me freedom of motion, and freedom from planning.
Plus flying meant airports, airports and the whole ritual of getting in the air is about as close to hell on earth as I can conceive of. Even being in rush hour traffic is preferable.
It also allowed me to stop and look around. After all, the drive for me was a two day affair. I'm good with long drives, but you do have to get out from time to time.
Stopping midway down the coast one time I discovered a distinctly Florida fruit. Honeybells. Specifically Honeybell Oranges. They were similar to a Tangelo, but those were nowhere near as sweet. A leathery skin, very moist, very sweet. Candy like, the name Honeybell fit well.
The locals turned me onto the things. They would speak in loving terms about these with pride. Good Years they were everywhere. There was a farmer's market on the way that I would always stop at and get a big bag of them. Both directions actually, one for while I was in Florida, one for home.
My family and friends got wind of them and insisted on my getting them some when I could.
One of the first things I did when I moved here, and into my house, was to find a Honeybell tree and plant it in a bad spot near the car port. It's too hot there, too dry, and the tree struggled to put any fruit out, usually giving up at about 3 oranges.
A couple years back, news came out that Florida Citrus had Canker. I didn't know it, but that was the end of finding these fruit widely. My own tree did not have the canker, as that picture is about as perfect an Orange as I could find at any point.
But the days of wedging a heavy half bushel bag on each side of the Jeep's wheel well was done. I wasn't driving, and the fruit just wasn't available.
This year's three little oranges was about as much as I could find. I have had two of three and they were wonderful. Since Citrus does not ripen off the trees, as my Mangoes do, I am allowing the last one a little more time.
My mistreated tree was doing me well. I picked the first, and walked to the driveway. Peeling the leathery skin and setting bits on the bumper of the Jeep, I was able to taste that same wonderful taste from days gone by.
They just are not available, you just won't be able to have one unless you know someone with a tree. When canker swept Florida, "They" - the state or the USDA or both, paid the owners to cut down their trees. Mine was planted after the canker.
There is just one orange left. I'll have it sitting on the bumper of the Jeep, leaving a sloppy puddle of juice on the cement behind the car. Or maybe, better, indoors on a plate. That way I can catch that sweet nectar.
They really are that good. Too bad you will probably never have one.
You see, I used to have a place I could go. I knew a guy who could get me "B" fruit. Oh it ate well but was not "Gift" quality.
But no longer. That is quite the shame. A bit of old Florida sweetness gone by the wayside.
Let me tell you, one year, I made the trip on a big old motorcycle. Honda Goldwing Interstate. When you get to middle of the coast, say Indian River county, and the trees were in bloom, your ride would be perfumed by millions of Orange Blossoms. Having a big bag of oranges strapped to the back of that bike added some weight but the pay off of the snack on the road was worth it.
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