SunRail to Winter Park Adventure

Part of being a REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA is last minute adventures.  Recently, Brian and I combined two adventures into one...riding the Florida SunRail train and walking around Park Avenue in Winter Park.

SUNRAIL

We purchased our tickets from a kiosk.  Each ticket cost $5.50 round trip from Sanford to Winter Park.  It is best to use a credit/debit card.  Only a few kiosks accept cash and on that day the Sanford kiosk wasn't accepting cash (as a couple passengers found out).

The tracks in Sanford are shared with Amtrak and an Amtrak AutoTrain passed by.  I noticed this sign on the vehicle cars.

Other than the obvious, I couldn't think of what it meant.  I Googled it and found this explanation:

Hump Yard:  A yard where gravity and powered switches sort incoming trains onto correct tracks.  DO NOT HUMP signs are placed on cars that must not use a hump yard because of cargo restrictions or car age.

Okay.  If you say so.

Just like the stations, the trains are new, clean and very comfortable.  Brian and I choose to sit on the top, for a better view.  The only problem with that is there is no view.  One side is industrial and the other side is residential.  Still the  ride was fun!  Our one-way trip was about 30 minutes.

WINTER PARK

The SunRail Winter Park station is conveniently located just a block from Park Avenue and Central Park.  Is this New York or Florida?

Park Avenue is a great place for a relaxing stroll through a variety of shops and restaurants.  We started with a cup of coffee, checked out some flavored olive oils and vinegars, bought some paprika at a spice shop, did some window shopping and ended with a light lunch.

I looked beyond the retail displays and found some beautiful urban landscaping and my first electric car charging station...a glimpse into the future.

While waiting for the SunRail train ride back, I strolled around Central Park.  It is beautifully landscaped with fountains, walking paths and a rose gard.

There are lots more to do in Winter Park (museums, gardens, Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, Rollins College), but we had a 2:11 train to catch...Another day.