Another Brilliantly Beautiful Small Florida Town

If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit Howey-in-the-Hills in “northernish” Florida, you’ve missed a stunning opportunity to experience beautiful, rustic Florida and small-town charm. I’ve participated in job related, professional development at the Mission Inn Resort, located in Howey-in-the-Hills, a beautiful area surrounded by Spanish moss-covered trees and wide-open spaces. As you drive the winding roads, you’ll spot quaint, two-story old houses, bringing a gleam to the eye of the fixer-upper geniuses driving by. There are also new housing developments being built, taking advantage of the local beauty, if you prefer having adjacent homes close to you.

And something else that will shock and delight you is the Yalaha Bootlegging Company. Yes, you read that correctly, “bootlegging!” Along the very road that leads to the Mission Inn Resort, you almost dislocate your neck as you drive by the sign, thinking, “That can’t be, I must have read that wrong!” 

Set back from the road, amidst blueberry fields and rural beauty, is a small company that actually makes real moonshine – legally! It’s a very cabinesque building set back from the road that you might not notice. As you drive up and park, you note an inviting front porch with a welcoming sign stating free samples inside. I suspect that most visitors are frankly curious about moonshine, what it is, how it is made and finally have a sip of the moonshine from the miniscule sample cups. 

There are lots of blends to try with moonshine and various fruit flavors. but browsing around the store reveals fresh produce and an amazing selection of Blue Bayou Farm homemade jellies, like Elderberry, Pineapple Lime, Sinful Banana Rum, Tropical Sunrise, and many more unique flavors. There are jars of raw honey, homemade Kosher Dill pickles, cheese curds, Yalaha T shirts and hats, which were selling briskly for the sheer uniqueness of the Yalaha Bootlegging Co. logo on each one. 

Before I tell you about the next incredible surprise on the way to the Mission Inn Resort, you need to hear more about the Inn. It’s set in the rolling hills of a beautiful, award-winning golf course amongst gardens, mature trees, and stunning views from every hole. Spanish style buildings are spread out on different levels, all with breathtaking views from screened balconies adjoining hotel rooms. Spacious restaurants and bars, a lovely patio with pool and hot tub and plenty of lounging chairs waiting to enhance your relaxation needs. There are also intimate alcoves to sit and enjoy the sunshine or converse with friends, much like California style patios, and many areas inside with seating for informal conversations.

A stone’s throw away from the Yalaha Bootlegging Co. is another unexpected gem, “A German Bakery, Like No Other” called the “Yalaha Bakery” – that’s all on their sign. It’s a unique building too. It’s uncommonly large for the area, yellow with arched doorways to the Beer Garden and entrance to the bakery. Windows and doors have flowers and vegetables, mostly blue artistic ribbons, intricate designs, and painted flowers in window boxes that are captivating. However, the outside pales in comparison to the visions inside the bakery.

Try to imagine a rural, winding road with tall oak trees covered with Spanish moss and all of a sudden this…what? Bakery appears! It doesn’t seem possible to have enough population nearby to support even a small bakery, but one this size and quality? It’s unfathomable. To see it is to believe it. I couldn’t resist taking photos of the dessert cases so try not to drool on the Coastal Breeze News! They also have a Deli and Beer Garden so you can have a complete dining experience. Plus, they offer a shaded area outside to enjoy your selections. By the way, the two I bought and devoured are also in a photo. It was magical.

There are wonders and gifts everywhere when we open our eyes in appreciation rather than taking them for granted. We have so much to be positive about, enriching us rather than dwelling on the negatives.