The following is Scott Fais' weekly blog detailing discoveries made while traveling through Florida and along the road of life.
Peter Gregory is a passionate man. He has to be. There are more than 125 mouths waiting to be fed each morning at his ranch.
Although his children are older, they're all picky. And they take all day to feed and look after.
Apples, oats and carrots only please.
The not-for-profit Retirement Home for Horses at Mill Creek Farm accepts horses who are in need of some tender loving care. I discovered retired police officers, stage performers who use to entertain at Orlando dinner shows, sprinters who spent their early years circling a track and even the subjects of medical experiments at Florida's universities.
At Mill Creek, horses who are blind, suffer from bad legs and ailments naked to the human eye are allowed to live out their days in peace.
Peter took me for a ride via golf cart of the grounds. As we went deeper into the grounds, I was impressed with just how many different pastures hold the horses. I was even more impressed how the Englishman knew the name of each animal and the circumstances that led them to Mill Creek. Most horses approached our golf cart for a handout and some affection. Even the blind horses knew Peter’s name and gentle touch.
The farm loves visitors and is open on Saturday's only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan to be headed out by 3 p.m. since the gate swings shut. Admission is free, but you better show up with two carrots per person. Anything less and you're going to leave upset that you didn't have the chance to spend some quality one-on-one time with the horses.
Many folks arrived with bags full of produce. Here is a tip: get the goods at home. When you pull off Interstate 75, there are only fast food places and gas stations. No grocery stores here in this corner of Alachua.
Both adults and kids at heart will leave with a greater respect for horses and memories to last.
"In Other News..." I am multi-tasking this evening (who doesn't these days?), blogging and editing at the same time. I'm hard at work on our next Central Florida On Demand special. "Florida on a Tankful Summer Splash" is set to debut on May 1 (which is in a few hours of writing this). My laptop computer is still burning up gigabytes like there is no tomorrow... when in all actuality, the deadline is tomorrow.
Here's the cheap plug: Watch as I visit six great places in or on the water. From floating down a lazy river Mother Nature made herself or quiet boat ride by sunset, there are several places where you can escape and celebrate summer.
My mentor Scott Harris continues to keep me entertained on the latest concerning Florida's commuter rail debate, while my childhood heroes, the American Gladiators, are doing a guest promo on "Deal or No Deal" on the TV across the newsroom - another cheap plug (We'll play American Gladiators next week on Florida on a Tankful. That’s a plug too). Meantime, fellow reporter Jackie Shutack announced she's leaving to join a carnival. Well, not really. However, she is trying to get Tiffany Greene and I to join in a game of bean bag toss. I said "Deal" and gave in. I won a small stuffed animal produced from the depths of Tiffany's desk.
Back to work. Watch "Summer Splash" if I get it done. Find out on Central Florida On Demand, Bright House Digital Channel 300!
Until next week, safe travels,
-SCOTT!
Know of a place from your childhood that Florida on a Tankful needs to spotlight? Drop Scott a line atsfais@cfnews13.com.