Hello from sunny 70 degree Daytona Beach!  Today is actually supposed to be the warmest day of our trip, so don’t get *too* jealous.  Mom and I made stops at some of our most favorite spots today, starting with the Daytona Flea Market.  There are some people down here already but it feels like not a lot of  race fans have gotten to town yet.  Even though the flea market is open the whole week leading up to the 500, there were a lot of vendors who didn’t open up shop today, even by the time we left around noon.  There weren’t many produce vendors so that was kind of a bummer.

Thank goodness the weird Asian dollar stores were open–they are my weakness.

ENTER OUR HAPPY WORLD!

HURRY TO COLLECT ME!

EVERY STYLES FULLY WONDERFUL!

Knock off Monster High girls-I like the box on the right were it looks like Frankie is trying to hold Clawdine back, lol.

(I did NOT buy any of these dolls, but I was temped by the girl on top! Too bad she’s $13.99)

A box of mechanical puppies–I am totally temped by the green striped one.  Mom and I momentarily thought the box was an embroidery kit instead of “embrocation”…whatever that means.  After reading the ingredients list and smelling the tiny bottle inside, I think it is some sort of pain relief liquid.  I just love weird stuff like this.

Pooh wants out of that van, I think… oh, flea markets.

There have been several bars & restaurants we’ve gone to over the years, “down under” the Dunlawton bridge. I barely caught this pic of the sign as mom drove down.

Under the bridge, DJ’s Deck has been a top favorite for the past 3 years.  We usually go at least two or three times while we are in Florida.  The place is right on the inter-coastal waterway and next to a seafood market so boats go in and out and you can watch seafood get unloaded by all manner of salty dogs.  Our top picks are the fish dip $6.99, hush puppies $1.99, and the ONE DOLLAR oyster shooters. Horseradish, hot sauce, jalapeno, oyster, and a splash of beer.  SMH.  See it pictures below next to the beer.

And now for a few more weird scenes from the day!

“SCRAPPLE INDIANA TENDERLOIN LASAGNA”

(what the actual heck?)

“VOODO CHICKENS $75.00”

(Again, what the actual heck?!)

Crab legs!!!!  Charlie Horse was recommended to me years ago by my college friend Dustin Spagnola (a really rad artist who grew up in  the area).  The Tuesday special is two pounds of crab legs for $20.  You pretty much can’t beat it and the legs have been fresh every time I’ve had them.  The Ceasar salad is also a favorite–the lettuce is so cold it’s just a notch above frozen.  Totally worth going 2 nights in a row.  And we usually do!

Purchases of the day!  Vinyl apron (featuring strange Asian to English translations), 2 plastic deviled egg plates, beaded poinsettia appliques (10 cents!),6 feathered birds, plastic string, glittered fold-up fans, bright yellow im-PRESS nails (my favorite falsies), 3 picture easels, 2 jewel encrusted hair clips, and an outfit that you’ll prolly get to see tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more fun tomorrow!