{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Florida 2025 on Jamie Thingelstad", "icon": "https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2025/14/1545.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/", "feed_url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/05/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 7", "content_html": "\n\"Google\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-05T02:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/05/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Escape Room","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/05/roundabout-flight-plan-from-mco.html", "content_html": "

Roundabout flight plan from MCO to MSP to avoid storms.

\n\"In-flight\n", "date_published": "2025-04-05T00:49:04-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/05/roundabout-flight-plan-from-mco.html", "tags": ["Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/04/crazy-train-escape-room.html", "title": "Crazy Train Escape Room", "content_html": "

Our final thing before leaving Florida and heading home was to visit Doldrick’s Escape Room and do their Crazy Train: The Ballad Of Skeemin’ Plotz escape room. Tammy saw this room was rated 61 in the world by the Top Escape Rooms Project in 2024 so we had to check it out! It was our 66th escape room and our first room in Florida.

\n

This room was great! You are given 75 minutes to solve this room and it is wonderfully themed like an old school cartoon. You have to stop Skeemin’ Plotz and all of his various attempts to skeem. The story was great and the overall room mechanics were flawless. Screens serve as windows looking out of the train and you see and interact with things happening inside and outside the train. The difficulty on the puzzles was all “just right” and we were super engaged through the entire room. The time breezed away, we used (technically) no clues, and successfully stopped old Skeemin’ Plotz! Room 66!

\n

\"Four\"Family

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-04T18:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/04/crazy-train-escape-room.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Escape Room","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/03/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 6", "content_html": "\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-03T21:43:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/03/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/03/this-airbnb-in-st-augustine.html", "content_html": "

This Airbnb in St. Augustine has a great vibe. The tiny pool is actually a “cool tub” with a chiller for the hot summers.

\n\"Open-plan\n\"Rectangular\n", "date_published": "2025-04-03T08:52:05-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/03/this-airbnb-in-st-augustine.html", "tags": ["Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/02/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 5", "content_html": "\n\"Google\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-02T21:15:18-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/02/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Outdoors","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/02/stopped-at-turners-donuts-to.html", "content_html": "

Stopped at Turner’s Donuts to get a bite before hitting the road.

\n\n

All that, with a coffee, for $11.

\n\"Donut\n", "date_published": "2025-04-02T07:15:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/02/stopped-at-turners-donuts-to.html", "tags": ["Travel","Restaurants","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/01/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 4", "content_html": "\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-01T21:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/01/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/01/tammy-and-i-at-sunset.html", "content_html": "

Tammy and I at sunset on Anna Maria Beach. πŸ₯°

\n\"Couple\n", "date_published": "2025-04-01T19:23:42-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/01/tammy-and-i-at-sunset.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/01/sunset-from-anna-maria-island.html", "content_html": "

Sunset from Anna Maria Island.

\n\"Brilliant\n", "date_published": "2025-04-01T19:04:42-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/01/sunset-from-anna-maria-island.html", "tags": ["Travel","Outdoors","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/01/finished-cycling-miles-in-minutes.html", "content_html": "

Finished cycling 4.64 miles in 30.1 minutes. We actually rode twice this but I only recorded the route from Smoqehouse back to the Airbnb. There is really just the one main road that goes up Anna Maria Island. It has a bike path on the side so is an okay ride even though there can be a lot of traffic. πŸš΄β€β™‚οΈ

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-04-01T17:10:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/01/finished-cycling-miles-in-minutes.html", "tags": ["Travel","Cycling","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/01/smoqehouse.html", "title": "SMOQEHOUSE", "content_html": "

Smoqehouse opened in 2016 in the now defunct Faribo West Mall in Faribault, MN. This was a short drive from our cabin and they had delicious pulled pork sandwiches. This became a regular part of our cabin weekends β€” a dinner visit to Smoqehouse. A year after opening this first location they expanded to Northfield and shortly after that opened a location in Anna Maria Island. Sadly for us the Faribault location eventually shut down, and the Northfield location sadly had a kitchen fire and was destroyed along with the historic hotel it was in.

\n

We were without the delicious pulled pork from Smoqehouse. For years. In the meantime I’ve vastly improved my pulled pork technique and have gotten it pretty darn close β€” but we still miss our visits to Smoqehouse.

\n

Since we were heading to Anna Maria Island, there was no way we were going to miss an opportunity to visit! And we were super happy to be greeted by Andrew Kubes who we used to see in Northfield in those early 2016 visits. He shared that we now are members of a fairly small group of folks that have were diners at the Faribault and Anna Maria Island locations.

\n

\"Exterior
\nGreat barbecue in here!

\n

\"Five
\nWe got a family photo with Andrew Kubes!

\n

\"Vintage
\nThese lights are the exact same look that the Faribault location had in the big community table.

\n

\"Chalkboard
\nSame chalk menu board!

\n

\"Interior
\nThese cow, pig, and chicken images were also in the Faribault location.

\n

\"Bradenton
\nWrite-up in the Bradenton Herald on Smoqehouse.

\n

\"Vintage
\nSmoqehouse on wheels! Nice looking pickup.

\n

And how about the barbecue? Love the classic barbecue style dinner trays.

\n

Tammy got the classic pulled pork sandwich β€” good as ever!

\n\"Woman\n

Tyler tucked in on the brisket burger. His only regret was not making it a double!

\n\"Teen\n

Mazie had the chicken and thought it was great.

\n\"Smiling\n

I got the Cubano and it was amongst the best. This was not a regular menu item in Faribault.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-04-01T16:15:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/01/smoqehouse.html", "tags": ["Cooking","Travel","Restaurants","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/01/crystens-ami-boat-tour.html", "title": "Crysten's AMI Boat Tour", "content_html": "

We had a fun afternoon with Crysten’s AMI exploring the bay side of Anna Maria Island with our guide Jeremy. We snorkeled on a sand bar in the middle of the bay finding sand dollars, crabs, and shells. Then found two groups of manatee as well as dolphins getting dinner.

\n\"Five\n

These full face snorkeling masks were hard for me to get comfortable with.

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-04-01T15:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/01/crystens-ami-boat-tour.html", "tags": ["Travel","Outdoors","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/31/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 3", "content_html": "\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T21:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/31/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/31/project-there-are-ice-cream.html", "title": "Project 11:11 β€” There are ice cream boats?", "content_html": "

We were hanging out on Anna Maria Beach around 5:30p today and saw a boat coming close to shore playing that unmistakable ice cream truck music. It had two flags in the back and we wondered “Is that an ice cream boat?” It was indeed an ice cream boat. AN ICE CREAM BOAT! How awesome is that.

\n

The boat was a bit down the shore from us but how can you pass up getting ice cream from the very first ice cream boat we’ve ever seen. We made our way over to the boat. As we got closer I saw that not only was this an Ice Cream Boat, but it was also raising money for vets. All of the proceeds from these ice creams were going to support vets. We made a couple donations and got a couple of ice creams, and I asked for more information about this organization.

\n

The organization is Project 11:11 started by Erin Gallivan from Bradenton. They have a bunch of profiles on various sites to check out, as well as a GoFundMe to help raise money.

\n

What a great thing to do to bring smiles to people on the beach and do good for veterans. Way to go! πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

\n

\"Colorful\"Two

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T21:02:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/31/project-there-are-ice-cream.html", "tags": ["Travel","Giving","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/31/sand-feet.html", "content_html": "

Sand feet. 🦢

\n\"Bare\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T20:19:36-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/31/sand-feet.html", "tags": ["Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/31/yes-im-on-vacation-but.html", "content_html": "

Yes I’m on vacation β€” but I’m still updating my bits.

\n\"iPhone\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T14:51:17-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/31/yes-im-on-vacation-but.html", "tags": ["Travel","Apple","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/31/finished-mile-walk-in-minutes.html", "content_html": "

Finished 2.21 mile walk in 59.9 minutes (27.1 min/mile). Majority walking along the beach in loose sand enjoying the scenery and sounds. Started at Airbnb and finished for lunch on other side of the island. Saw dolphins off the top of Anna Maria Island. πŸ–οΈπŸ¬

\n\"GPS\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T13:42:11-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/31/finished-mile-walk-in-minutes.html", "tags": ["Fitness","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/31/seven-custom-made-donuts-from.html", "content_html": "

Seven custom made donuts from the Donut Experiment this morning.

\n\"Seven\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T07:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/31/seven-custom-made-donuts-from.html", "tags": ["Travel","Restaurants","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/30/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 2", "content_html": "\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-30T20:27:54-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/30/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/30/fishing-at-dusk.html", "content_html": "

Prepared for an evening of shark fishing.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-03-30T19:32:48-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/30/fishing-at-dusk.html", "tags": ["Travel","Outdoors","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/30/sunset-on-the-gulf.html", "content_html": "

Sunset on the Gulf.

\n\"Sun\n", "date_published": "2025-03-30T19:22:11-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/30/sunset-on-the-gulf.html", "tags": ["Travel","Outdoors","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/30/135705.html", "content_html": "

πŸ–οΈβ˜€οΈπŸ€©

\n

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-30T13:57:05-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/30/135705.html", "tags": ["Videos","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/29/213000.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 1", "content_html": "\n\"Apple\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-29T21:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/29/213000.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/29/we-are-not-going-to.html", "content_html": "

We are not going to get a sunset tonight. Will try again tomorrow night!

\n\"Cloudy\n", "date_published": "2025-03-29T18:44:46-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/29/we-are-not-going-to.html", "tags": ["Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/29/instagram-walls-sigh.html", "content_html": "

Instagram walls. sigh πŸ˜”

\n\"Corner\n", "date_published": "2025-03-29T16:36:38-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/29/instagram-walls-sigh.html", "tags": ["Travel","Restaurants","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/29/view-from-the-door-of.html", "content_html": "

View from the door of our Airbnb on Anna Maria Island for the next four days. πŸ€©πŸ–οΈ

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-03-29T16:33:30-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/29/view-from-the-door-of.html", "tags": ["Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/29/peacheys-donuts.html", "title": "Peachey's Donuts", "content_html": "

We first discovered Peachey’s Donuts at the Minnesota State Fair where we enjoyed the delicious treats β€” not once, or twice, but three separate occasions. Our family likes donuts! 😁

\n

But Peachey’s “home base” is actually Sarasota, Florida and that is where Spring Break was bringing us this year. Tammy made sure our travel plans aligned so that we could make a stop and have our breakfast on the road. A bonus was that we got to try the pretzel as well β€” it was incredible!

\n

If you see a Peachey’s truck anywhere near you. Go there!

\n
\"People\"Glazed\"People\"Three\"A\"A\"A
\n", "date_published": "2025-03-29T10:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/29/peacheys-donuts.html", "tags": ["Travel","Restaurants","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/29/florida-spring-break-day.html", "title": "Florida Spring Break: Day 0", "content_html": "\n

Jump to day\n0,\n1,\n2,\n3,\n4,\n5,\n6, and\n7 or\nsee collection.

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-29T02:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/29/florida-spring-break-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/28/family-selfie-at-msp.html", "content_html": "

Family selfie at MSP! ✈️

\n\"Four\n", "date_published": "2025-03-28T18:51:35-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/28/family-selfie-at-msp.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Florida 2025"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/28/departing-soon-for-spring-break.html", "content_html": "

Departing soon for Spring Break in Florida! πŸ›«

\n\"MSP\n", "date_published": "2025-03-28T16:55:11-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/28/departing-soon-for-spring-break.html", "tags": ["Travel","Florida 2025"] } ] }