OWNERSHIP & TRAVEL Page 21 Sep / Oct , 2024 | TimeSharing Today Timeshare snow-birding again !
By Mike Kocon , Stillwater , MN
This year , my wife Dee and I continued our winter tradition of using our timeshare weeks to “ snowbird ” in Florida . We ’ re now up to a 10-week sojourn that leaves us just far enough behind in work at home when we return .
Departure and journey
After turning off the water and lowering the water heater , we left Minnesota on January 17th , in the middle of what is historically the coldest week of winter . While it wasn ’ t extremely cold , the day before , Iowa and Missouri had received a LOT of snow . We ’ re used to winter driving but had to give extra space to plenty of drivers who weren ’ t . We spent our first night at my sister Julie ’ s home in Columbia .
With a noontime start , we stopped in Paducah , KY , for our second night and toured the Quilt Museum the next morning . Amazing ! These quilts are works of art and craftsmanship .
Oceanfront bliss in Cocoa Beach
Our first two Florida weeks were spent oceanfront at Ocean Landings in Cocoa Beach . It is a large resort with two 5-story beachfront condos , three off-ocean 2-story condos , two pools and hot tubs , a poolside snack bar , a bar and grille , and formal dining on property .
You can grill and host dinner in the covered picnic area or get your exercise on the outdoor basketball , tennis / pickleball courts or indoors in the handball / racquetball courts — Plus the expansive beach .
We loved the sunrises from our balcony . This is really the only time of year that you can count on me to get up in time ( 7:30 ) to see them . I golfed and played pickleball again this year with my Canadian friends , and we enjoyed the beach and our annual dinners in Melbourne at
Meg O ’ Malley ’ s and in Titusville at Dixie Crossroads .
We also visited Ellie Mae ’ s Tiki Bar ( fantastic !) based on a recommendation from Dee ’ s physical therapist . For the second year in a row , she had another knee replaced , this time in December . Once again , Florida offered better winter walking surfaces .
Resort experiences and golf
After visiting the Space Coast Strawberry Festival in Viera and enjoying all things strawberry , we checked into Magic Tree Resort in Kissimmee , using a 7Across exchange . Magic Tree is a lovely , home-style resort . The resort does charge a resort fee to non-owners , but it offers a lot . We spent our time relaxing by / in the pool and playing games in the beautiful garden-like courtyard .
There ’ s a Walmart ajacent to the resort , making shopping for necessities very convenient . I used one of their immaculate gas grills to make dinner . Magic Tree is
Magic Tree Resort , Kissimmee , FL .
Ocean Landing Resort , Cocoa Beach , FL .
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