Page 9 - Van WIg & Associates Newsletter - Alamitos Heights Real Estate Edge, June 2019

scenic spot TRAVEL

WINTER PARK CHAIN OF LAKES:

PADDLING WITH HISTORY AND SCENERY

PEACE OF MIND KAYAK TOUR Winter Park, but out here, you’re I enjoyed hearing about some of
Koerner said that when he first away from it all,” Koerner said. Winter Park’s storied history while
moved to Winter Park in 1988, Plus, if you can’t participate in the also taking in the sights and sounds
business slowed down for restaurants lives of the rich and famous, you can of nature.
and shops during the hot summer at least get a glimpse of how they live Peace of Mind Kayak Tours offers
months as wealthy homeowners fled from a unique perspective out on daily experiences on the Winter
north for cooler conditions. the lakes. Park Chain of Lakes and beyond.
As we paddled across Lake When we reached Lake Maitland, Adult tickets for the two-hour tour
Osceola, we passed the house we paddled past Kraft Azalea Park, are $40 and tickets for children 3-13
formerly owned by Mr. Fred Rogers, glancing up at the birds flying are $33. Alternatively, you can rent
a Pittsburgh native who attended overhead. a single or tandem kayak for a half
Rollins College. Over near the Isle of Sicily, we day, a full day or even a week.
As we approached the Venetian saw where the comedian Carrot Top Find more information on
Canal that would take us north and Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc PeaceOfMindKayakTours.com. n
to Lake Maitland, Koerner talked Rivers both have houses. Ahem,
about the appeal in exploring the mansions. ©2019 The Orlando Sentinel.
chain of lakes. Ultimately, the tour proved to Distributed by Tribune Content
by Patrick Connolly Koerner at Dinky Dock to launch “It’s surrounded by Orlando and be as informative as it was relaxing. Agency, LLC.
our single kayaks into the refreshing
ause friend let beauty refresh the waters of Lake Virginia.
spirit, are the words inscribed Koerner proved to be a fun and
Pon the exedra at Kraft Azalea knowledgeable guide, identifying
Park near Florida’s Lake Maitland. plants and birds as we went along
You can’t see them while kayaking and also detailing some of Winter
on the lake, but the message certainly Park’s history.
rings true while enjoying the peace He pointed out a house formerly
and quiet that comes with a morning owned by NBA player Horace
on the water. Grant, which at one time was one
Winter Park has a chain of six lakes of the largest in Winter Park. More
all connected by narrow, manmade recently, Koerner said it was dwarfed
canals. You could easily drive by a humble 27,000-square-foot
through the city and miss them, so abode on Lake Osceola.
in one sense—these gems are hiding Koerner also said that during
in plain sight. Winter Park’s beginnings in the late
Recently, I set out with Peace of 19th century, lakefront land was
Mind Kayak Tours to experience all selling for just $2 per acre. Across
of the beauty—both manmade and the lake from the 27,000-square-foot
natural—to be found on the Winter mansion, we saw a 2.25-acre empty
Park Chain of Lakes. lot selling for $6.5 million.
I met co-owner and guide Joe Oh, how the times have changed.

WWW.SUPERBROKER.COM

562-754-8802 | ALLISON@SUPERBROKER.COM

9