CHERRY POCKET RESTAURANT
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8-12-2023 CHERRY POCKET RESTAURANT & FISH CAMP
We met in the parking lot behind Bob Evans restaurant on Fletcher near I-75 about 9:45 Saturday morning. Nice turn out - nine Vettes and seventeen members. We had a really nice day for our cruise to the Cherry Pocket Steak and Seafood restaurant (a fish camp) in Lake Wales, Florida. Our cruise took almost two hours and was one of our longest cruises recently. AND . . . one of our best. John H mapped out a great route for our cruise and we enjoyed winding, hilly, canopy covered backroads through farm land and horse country. And for the most part stayed together - nine beautiful Vettes stretched out in a line. John was navigator in his Vette and Irene did the driving to lead our caravan. When we got separated at turns-across-traffic or traffic lights, she did what it took to get us all together again. Terrific job, Irene.
Cherry Pocket is one of those places you HAVE to be going to if you expect to find it. It's in a world all its own - a beautiful setting on Lake Pierce. It's been there forever and is a very laid-back, rustic place. We all loved it and, from everyone's reaction, we'll be making this cruise again at some point in the future. A fabulous day for all who went on this cruise. If you didn't go, you really missed a good time.
In Bob Evans parking lot
Vettes are starting to show up
Waiting for a couple more
Group about ready to go
Our group, Front row: Arnaldo, Laura, Irene, Cathy, Peter, Yaz, Matty, Penelope, Debbie, Carol. Back: John, Dan, Nick, Jim, Lloyd, (no name)
Yayyyy ! We're on our way
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. . . . . . . . . . .Cruising through horse country . . . . . . . . .
Looks like we're on the right road
This must be the place
It is !! It is !!
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Yippeee ! WE'RE HERE ! ! ! ! !
Cars are parked. Now, let's go eat
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Peter, where are you?
Here I am.
A couple of us had to park on the side of the entrance road. Lot was full.
Just look at those Vettes gracing the parking lot
Classy sign near entrance
Going all out on the signage budget
You can rent cabins here and spend a few days fishing in Lake Pierce
Caution signs about local residents
Anyone for gator bites?
Jack and Jill
A beautiful setting
That's Lake Pierce out there
Boat ramp. You can usually see baby gators near the ramp
We took the side entrance because we weren't dressed very formally.
Main entrance
Fair warning
Another warning - Unattended Children will be given expresso and a free kitten
Once inside, the true richness of the place hits you
Dollar bills on columns, walls and ceiling
Let's arrange some tables so our group can eat together
Ugh! Umph! Grunt !
That's good. Now for the menus
Our group is ready to eat
Seafood pasta
Menu
Ahi Ahi appetizer
Grilled grouper
The gumbo was a big hit. Smelled so good. Tasted even better.
Ohhhhhhhhh. Yummmmm
Study that menu
Hmmmm. Yaz, that looks good!
Or, maybe that ! Or . . .
How can anything so ugly tase so good?
Lloyd & Carol
C'mon Cathy. We're waiting !!
So delicious
What looks good, Penelope?
Well, John and Irene seem happy with their choices
Yak. Yak. Yak. We do that a lot when we get together. It's called "liking each other."
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OK. Our food is here. Let's get serious
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Arnaldo and Laura confirm - the gumbo was OUTSTANDING
Irene is faking. She won't really share that Key Lime pie
Jim has been known to eat sweets before
After eating, some of us wandered around the fish camp checking it out and some of us headed home - stuffed and content. It was a good day and a great cruise.