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Featured Places To Stop: A Hidden Florida Fantasy

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By: Heidi O.

Every year, Chris and I work through the holidays. Last year over Thanksgiving, we got a load down to Polk City, FL and were staying at the Love’s Travel Center off of I-4 at Exit 44. We thought we would be bored and unable to do much since it was Thanksgiving weekend, and Polk City seems to be in the middle of nowhere in Florida.

Lo and behold, I searched the Internet for something to do (thank goodness for technology!), and I came across a museum that was extremely interesting to us both. A Fantasy of Flight museum.. This museum is owned by Kermit Weeks and has over 150 historical planes that are all airworthy.

We took a tour of the facility, which is an interactive display of WWI and WWII planes and bunkers. Among the displays were planes you could walk through, showing you everything from the cockpit to the hull where the parachuters jumped out.

At the time we were there, Kermit himself came out and gave a “fly by” demonstration in one of his planes. The day we were there he flew a P51 Mustang. He did these demonstrations daily last November when we were there, telling us that he changed planes for each day’s demo.

I have learned that the museum is now only open certain days to the public, so call ahead (863-984-3500).  If you are ever in the area and find out if they are open, it is WORTH it to see it.

Outside on the tarmac was also Waldo Wrights Flying Service,  and Chris and I (ok well, Chris more than I) enjoyed a ride in a biplane. We caught a ride in the 1930s New Standard D-25. I can say it was an experience worth having, even though I was afraid of falling out (and I LOVE to fly most times)!

This is definitely a “hidden” treasure worth seeing if you ever get stuck in Polk City, or what the locals call “Orlampa”!!!!

Image Credit: LFink / Shutterstock.com

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