Whether you enjoy boats or bikes, horses or birds, antiques or art, Lake County has it for you.

I have called Lake County home since 1999. This is the Lake County I know...

I was a crime scene investigator with the Orange County Sheriff's Office when I met and married my husband, a deputy with the agency. At the time I lived in downtown Orlando area and I enjoyed the faster pace and many conveniences of the city. (Such as lattes and Chinese food delivery.) He had called Lake County home for over twenty years after growing up in Zellwood and doing a stint in the Navy. When we married I moved to his Lake County home.

I live in Eustis, located in the heart of central Florida along the eastern shore of Lake Eustis. With a population of 17,000 and growing Eustis has small town friendliness with a historical downtown, a variety of dining experiences and an excellent hospital. Lake Eustis is a 7,000 acre lake and is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes.

Lake County has 1400 lakes and the best of these make up the Harris Chain of Lakes. The Harris Chain flows into the Oklawaha River, feeding the St. Johns River and eventually traveling all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Lake Eustis and Lake Dora are connected by the Dora Canal, reportedly the most beautiful 1/2 mile of water in the world. I personally recommend kayaking this scenic canal. Don't forget your camera; you can get the most amazing pictures of the wildlife.

I was attracted to Mount Dora long before I lived here. I used to travel the 45 minutes from Orlando twice a year to attend the Mount Dora Arts Festival held the first weekend in February and the Mount Dora Crafts Festival held the fourth weekend in October. In addition to these fine festivals there are several other events held in Mount Dora; Taste of Mount Dora (May), Art Car weekend (August), plant festival (November), antiques festivals, music festivals, concerts in the park, outdoor movies, etc.

I am proud to call Lake County home. I have found several locations for good lattes, no Chinese food delivery (that's okay; my husband doesn't like Chinese food.) Lake County is a great place to live, work and raise my children. I enjoy visiting the big cities and catching the energy, but I always enjoy coming home where I kick up my feet, relax and still have that frilly cup of coffee!