I noticed this post on the Pulse of Central Florida blog and discovered that you can take a Segway tour of the town of Celebration. I must admit that I’ve been to Celebration showing homes tons of times, but never noticed that there was such a tour.

I knew there were some nature trails, but it looks like the trail is quite extensive by the looks of this video taken on one of the tours.

It’s one heck of a way to see the neighborhood and I’ve gotta admit I’ve always wondered what it would be like to ride a Segway.

There was a post on this blog back in 2008, Disney Planning New Luxury Home Community, and now it’s finally coming to reality. I had my doubts as well, but it looks like Disney is finally getting this community underway.

According to this article in the Wall Street Journal, Disney unveiled it’s plans for it’s ultra luxury community called Golden Oak this week. Prices will range from $1.5 to $8 million and will encompass 4,900 acres with 450 homes in 3 distinct villages.

I believe this community is located on Osprey Ridge which Disney closed down a few years back. It’s arguably the most scenic of all the courses at the resort.

Owners will be allowed to bring in their own custom builder to create the home of their dreams within the set of guidelines provided by Disney. I feel sorry for the builder of these homes. If the guidelines are anything like the ones in Celebration, it’s probably the size of a small phone book but it did end up looking beautiful.

I don’t know if they’ve heard, but the real estate market here in Orlando and every where else in the world isn’t all that good.

Now they want to build something no one can afford?

Perhaps Disney knows something that I don’t know.

Having followed the market in SW Orlando for quite some time, I’ll be curious to see how all this pans out. I guess you don’t have to worry about the company going bankrupt before they finish, but how long will it take?

They quote 10 years, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it took a little while longer.

Anyway, here’s a SLIDESHOW of the community if you’re interested.

Please contact me for more information on this new community.

So the Mouse House created recently by an Orlando based company, IQ-Homes, relishes our association. The home is shaped like a mouse, so I wouldn’t want to live there but it does incorporate quite a few green and smart home technologies that I’d like to begin seeing in more homes.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Exotic Car Gallery showcases the most exotic and rarest of road machines in a setting for all of us mortals to enjoy.

For most people, the closest we’ll get is seeing them in pictures, magazines, or perhaps one on the road, but you get an up close and personal experience at the new gallery.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now the Golf Channel is getting into the act. They aired an episode of Golf in America last night and focused mainly on Bella Collina. They make some strong accusations, including Champion’s Tour player and Golf Channel panelist Mark Lye accusing the Ginn Company of being “extremely good at conning people”. Of course, Mark built a home in Bella Collina which he can’t sell because the values are down 90% according to the show.

They also point out that most of the promised amenities have not been built including the walking trails, lakeside boat docks, soccer fields, and equestrian center. I still have the original leather bound brochure which promises these things. I seriously have little hope of these amenities ever being built.

The brochure never stated a condition of the real estate market having to be good for these amenities to be completed, so I would expect them to built as promised. I guess the Ginn Company can get out of it somehow.

The New York Times also published an article about Bella Collina and other Ginn communities entitled “It’s Tee Time. Where is Everybody?”

On one hand, I feel sorry for the property owners at Bella Collina. They have a property that’s declined significantly which can’t be sold now for pure economic reasons, but there is a possibility of making a profit some years down the down. I have no idea how long it will take, but the market will rebound at some point.

On the other hand, people lose out on investments all the time and no one ever gives any sympathy to them. I’m just glad, neither myself or any of my customers bought lots in Bella Collina and believe me, we were all tempted.

I’ve been fond of this place since it was the corner country store called the Fisher Market way back when. Besides being a cool little store, it was also a place where a teenager, maybe this teenager, could get some beer before heading out on Lake Down. Well, there’s my history with the place.

I think Fish, the owner/chef of Yellow Dog Eats, probably took advantage of the situation himself if you know what I mean. Anyway, he’s now a productive and some times responsible member of society like I am. Who am I kidding, he’s still a wild man and makes a visit to Yellow Dog Eats that much more interesting. His favorite quote “make food, now war” gives you glimpse into the personality that is Chef Fish.

I love me some barbecue and can’t wait to start having some of Fish’s creations with some of the fine wines he keeps around. For a great night out you can reserve the chef’s table upstairs where Fish does his magic for a party up to 10. The upstairs used to be an antique store but I think the chef’s table is a better idea.

Anyway, the Yellow Dog is back in action and better than ever.

There’s something beautiful about a brand new baseball or soccer field. The red clay is still a perfectly smooth surface and the grass is void of divots. You almost get a feel that you’re playing somewhere special.

I’m sure it won’t stay that way for very long so you better get a game out here soon. I hope they get a soccer game going here like they do at the Dr. Phillips Park. There’s 2 baseball and 2 soccer fields with lights so you don’t have to play in the heat.

Anyway, the only strange thing is that the sign for the park doubles as a sign for a cemetery which is kinda creepy. Ahh, at least the neighbors are quiet.

The latest installment of the diners and dives series is another little secret place in SW Orlando that’s perfect for beautiful sunsets. It’s a thatch roof bar along the shores of Lake Minneola in Clermont called the Tiki Bar.

You can get there by boat or car and anyone who’s been there will tell you that the hamburgers are the best around. I mean it blows the pants off of 5 Guys or any other joint and the atmosphere is way better.

You sit outside with a view of the lake like you’re at the some tropical getaway. Everyone’s really laid back and the sunsets are spectacular each and every night.

There’s a place to walk along the lake and of course horse shoes. It’s not the fanciest place out there but it makes up for it in scenery and atmosphere. They’re fine if you don’t have shoes or a shirt… my kind of place.

It’s all about the food here and not so much about the way the place looks. The shabbier the setting, the more satisfied you are with finding the place.

The first in the series is Willies BBQ on 9th St. in Winter Garden. It reminds me of a place I used to frequent in college called Betty Joe’s BBQ. I love me some southern cookin and this place is the real deal from the collared greens and corn bread to the pulled pork and ribs.

Everything’s reasonably priced and Willie sure looks proud of his work. He’s so proud, there’s no BBQ sauce out on the counters like in most places. The seasoning is just the way it should be Willie’s way.

I get a little suspicious when a BBQ place looks too fancy anyway. The antiques and rocking chairs suit me just right and puts me in the mood for some soul food.

I just wish they had fries although it’s not technically soul food. It’s french food ain’t it.

If you ever get a craving for some soul food, I’d check out Willie’s.