01/05/26 to 01/31/26 Elite Resort Clermont, FL Part One

  Elite Resort at Citrus Valley

 Part One

January 05 to January 31, 2026 

Greetings and welcome back. Feeling the need to overcome a writer's block that I've been experiencing, I finally decided to jot down some notes for my future self. I blinked and the month of January disappeared. With the new month of January came the historic "Deep Freeze" experienced by Florida. The record low was 23.1º, the lowest ever recorded in Florida. So weather seems to be the trigger for me getting back into blog posting and a topic that dominated our outdoor activities like morning coffee, afternoon cocktails and evening campfires.

Keep in mind there is no complaining because each of us Yankees here for the few months know very well what's been going on back home. Photos and videos from families and friends, weather notifications and warnings as well as the news have kept us informed and along with many readers can acknowledge this has been one of the nastiest winters remembered. There are some old people I hang with that will tell you, "Why, when I was growing up, I can remember...." This was in the last century so I guess it's good that they remember. Yes, I cope with their reminiscing. Many have cameras at home pointed to strategic locations to monitor their home environment: Snow levels on back porches/patios, indoor house temperatures and plowed driveways for oil deliveries are being monitored. 

The snowbird "residents" of our Hudson Islanders group who have been fortunate enough to land a site to rent from owners include: Johnny, Roberta, Tony/Doreen, Jack, Dan/Mel and Ray/Kathy. Permanent residents, Walter/Fran and off sites members, Pat/Jim brings our number to fourteen. This marks my tenth year at this location, so I'm done describing it. For anyone who cares, last year's detailed description (in three parts) can be read HERE.  This year, a different slant. For Part One, January, Dining Out and the installation of my new recliner are featured.

Dining Out: ("Calories don’t count when you’re laughing with friends"). Dining out for us means either "Boys Night Out" (Thursdays) or all together with spouses. Either way, we always enjoy the opportunity to not cook and be served at the many places we have in our surrounding area. Quite unlike what I'm used to at home. Trip Advisor lists around 221 to 270 restaurants in the Clermont area (as of recent 2026 data, including broader Lake County spots that fall within ~10 miles). The names of the restaurants are in red and will bring you their menu page. You will enjoy the creative websites as well as their unique menu items.

Miller’s Ale House BNO

Zinger Mac & Cheese: Bite-sized pieces of medium sauced Zingers®, shell pasta, creamy cheddar, Parmesan and Monterey Jack cheese sauce, scallions, toasted breadcrumbs.

Trattoria al Forno in Disney

L. to R. Fran, Mel, Johnny, Doreen, Tony, Jim, Pat, Jack, Dan, Roberta

Truffle Gnocchi: It's a vegetarian pasta entrée featuring potato gnocchi in a creamy truffle-infused sauce with Parmesan. This year was disappointing. Usually my go-to dinner, this year the gnocchi was pan-fried and crispy; it literally had a crunch. The Parmesan sauce always terrific. The $33.00 glass of wine I had took away some of the enjoyment...but that's Disney.

I Love New York Pizza BNO

The best I've had in this part of Florida. Next item will be their HUGE calzone.

The Friar Tuck

Johnny, Mel, Doreen, Tony, Jack, Dan

Cottage Pie: Ground beef, mixed vegetables and onions in a thick brown gravy topped with mashed potatoes and baked.

Dessert: Bread pudding with vanilla sauce or was it vanilla sauce with bread pudding.

 

The Best of British Pub: Fish and Chips with Mel, Dan and Jack. Photos not taken

Longhorn Steakhouse:

L. to R. Mel, Doreen, Roberta, Johnny, Charlie, Jack, Tony, Dan

White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms: Fresh, roasted mushrooms hand-stuffed with garlic herb cheese, topped with our signature Parmesan and garlic cheese crust and served over a creamy four cheese sauce. This and a bowl of French Onion Soup hit the spot.

The First Watch BNO

One morning for breakfast with Jack. More upscale than the Waffle House across the road and more expensive. I enjoyed but neglected to take a photo of the one pancake (as big as the plate) and fried bacon.

Ocean House Seafood BNO No photos

New York Brewery Project BNO

Johnny, Roy, Walter, Dan, Tony, Ray

NYBP Manhattan Mac & Cheese: Signature Beer Cheese Sauce and buttery crumb topping. Served with warm, toasted garlic bread

Bayridge Sushi BNO

Rainforest roll, shrimp tempura, snow crab, melted mozzarella cheese, avocado, rice  paper, tobiko, scallion, spicy mayo, eel sauce

Oakwood Smokehouse Grill

Special Treat - Jack's breakfast

Bacon done right

Jack's special pancake just for me.

Yes, it's all about food. Well, there's also Campfires, Cocktail hours and an Awning Replacement. These you'll read about in Part Two. So stay tuned.

To conclude this portion of the January post, I'll share yet another "adventure." This RV season has been noteworthy for many reasons. In the past it's been all about people, places and attractions (it's always about food). This year it's all about things. A new transmission for Winnie, inside, a new recliner, next month, read about a new awning and my upcoming 6-night Royal Crown Western Caribbean Cruise. Thanks to my SKI fund, it will all fall into place.

My pull out sofa bed that slept two was never used. In ten years, the couch portion of it however, with my sitting and sleeping on it left lasting impressions that allowed water to collect if spilled, if you get the image. As mentioned in past blogs, the talents, experiences and willingness to help each other has always been the hallmark of this RV group. Friends were eager to take on the job and with that desire, jumped right into wanting to install my new recliner rather than having me pay a mobile RV tech to come and do it.

This is what it looked like new. 

With AI assistance, I edited photo to show how ten years caused it to become worn even when the sitting area was reupholstered and the foam replaced.

To prepare the area for the new recliner and save them time, I spent two days disassembling and removing the old for the new.

We even had the pickup truck that would cart the old recliner to the disposal area on the premises.

The 1, 2, 3 job (they said) took 2¾ hours.

The finished product in Ebro Graphite, reclines just enough to provide a comfortable sleep.

Through the efforts of Larry, Curly and Moe. Oops.. I mean Tony, Dan and Ray, it was a job well done AND MUCH APPRECIATED!

The support group looked on and gave support.

So much going on, it's hard to keep up. Part Two will continue my annual winter adventure. When I left home December 1st, I didn't realize winter would follow. So, to my neighbors and friends up north, stay warm stay safe and stay healthy till next time.

Two feet of snow

“Every snowbird insists they came for sunshine… while single-handedly lowering the state average temperature.”