A Festive Florida Stop: Ocala & Our First Homemade Thanksgiving
Our northern Florida stop this year brought us to Ocala, the Horse Capital of the World. Now, while we appreciate the beauty of horses, we aren’t exactly equestrian enthusiasts—so what drew us here? The Florida Springs. Plus, we found a sister resort to one of our favorite stays in Lake Wales, meaning we knew we’d have all the amenities we love while being perfectly positioned for outdoor adventures.
Holiday Vibes & Downtown Delights
With the holidays approaching, downtown Ocala was festively decorated, making it a charming place to stroll, dine, and soak up the holiday spirit. Naturally, we had to grab a photo of Leo with the Christmas tree—because what’s Christmas without an adorable pup in the mix? 🎄🐶
The downtown food scene did not disappoint. We found some great spots to indulge, adding another reason why Ocala was worth the stop.
Exploring Silver Springs: Glass Bottom Boats & Manatees
One of the highlights of our stay was a trip to Silver Springs State Park for a glass-bottom boat tour. Floating over the crystal-clear waters, we were mesmerized by the underwater world below—ancient artifacts, fish, and the famous submerged movie props from old Hollywood films. But the real magic? Getting up close with manatees. These gentle giants glided effortlessly through the springs, giving us a front-row seat to their slow, graceful movements. What a surreal experience!
Our First-Ever Homemade Thanksgiving
While we’ve enjoyed many memorable Thanksgivings on the road, this one was extra special—because for the first time ever, we cooked our own Thanksgiving dinner in the RV!
🍗 Nick smoked a turkey to perfection.
🥔 Homemade dressing and au gratin potatoes made their way to the table.
🥧 I experimented with a new pumpkin dessert on a pretzel crust (spoiler: it was a keeper!).
🍷 And of course, we paired it all with Muscadine wine from Tennessee—because no Thanksgiving feast is complete without a good drink!
Sitting down to our own homemade holiday meal, we couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful—for this life on the road, the adventures we get to experience, and the people (and pup!) we share it with.
Final Thoughts: A Stop Worth Repeating
Ocala might be known for its horses, but for us, it became a place of beautiful nature, holiday charm, and special memories. The combination of Silver Springs, great food, and our first Thanksgiving feast made it a destination we’d happily revisit.
Next stop? More Florida sunshine, more adventures, and maybe another batch of that pumpkin pretzel dessert. 😆
