We were looking for somewhere new to spend the late afternoon on what had been, and still was, a glorious Florida spring day. We didn’t want to drive too far from our base on US27 near Clermont but as we had already been to Bok Gardens, Mount Dora and Winter Garden on a previous visit our options were becoming a little bit limited.
It was then that we remembered a friend of ours mentioning The Villages, up near Lady Lake about 40 miles north of where we were staying which was described as a 55+ community that warmly welcomed visitors to its lovely town center at Lake Sumpter Landing.
The directions are fairly simple. From the US27 north take a left on to CR466A at Fruitland Park and then after a couple of miles turn left on Morse Boulevard and follow the signs for Market Square.
As we approached along Morse Boulevard we were quite astounded that running parallel to the highway was a two way golf cart lane, where it was apparent that this was the preferred mode of transport for local residents, rather than cars.
Our intention upon reaching the center was to describe the shopping and entertainment on offer but we became increasingly preoccupied with the golf carts that numbered well into the hundreds.
Not only did they have their own special parking bays, but these golf carts were wonderfully customized versions to add a wonderful touch of individuality. Imagine a golf cart with shiny silver alloy wheels, a bespoke paint job and ‘his and her’ names emblazoned across the front and you start to get a feel for what we were witnessing.
There were some outrageous stretch versions, carts with front ends that closely resembled a miniature Rolls Royce or Model T Ford and others with Surry fringes replacing the hard top roofs.
You can’t help but feel that there is little bit of rivalry going on to hit the road (or cart lane) with the world’s best customized cart, which would then draw gasps of admiration from bemused onlookers.
Well, if that’s the case, entering this competition doesn’t come cheap as, from our own observations; the local dealer had some second hand models available at over $10000 each.
It is a truly remarkable sight to see so many different differently crafted carts in one place, and for that alone it’s worth the trip. We’ll tell you about what the Villages has to offer another time.
It was then that we remembered a friend of ours mentioning The Villages, up near Lady Lake about 40 miles north of where we were staying which was described as a 55+ community that warmly welcomed visitors to its lovely town center at Lake Sumpter Landing.
The directions are fairly simple. From the US27 north take a left on to CR466A at Fruitland Park and then after a couple of miles turn left on Morse Boulevard and follow the signs for Market Square.
As we approached along Morse Boulevard we were quite astounded that running parallel to the highway was a two way golf cart lane, where it was apparent that this was the preferred mode of transport for local residents, rather than cars.
Our intention upon reaching the center was to describe the shopping and entertainment on offer but we became increasingly preoccupied with the golf carts that numbered well into the hundreds.
Not only did they have their own special parking bays, but these golf carts were wonderfully customized versions to add a wonderful touch of individuality. Imagine a golf cart with shiny silver alloy wheels, a bespoke paint job and ‘his and her’ names emblazoned across the front and you start to get a feel for what we were witnessing.
There were some outrageous stretch versions, carts with front ends that closely resembled a miniature Rolls Royce or Model T Ford and others with Surry fringes replacing the hard top roofs.
You can’t help but feel that there is little bit of rivalry going on to hit the road (or cart lane) with the world’s best customized cart, which would then draw gasps of admiration from bemused onlookers.
Well, if that’s the case, entering this competition doesn’t come cheap as, from our own observations; the local dealer had some second hand models available at over $10000 each.
It is a truly remarkable sight to see so many different differently crafted carts in one place, and for that alone it’s worth the trip. We’ll tell you about what the Villages has to offer another time.