The two RV Gypsies visited Solomon's Castle, the home and studio of internationally known sculptor, Howard Solomon. The Castle was built by the artist's own hand and has a gallery of his art and more than 80 interpretive stained glass windows. The Boat in The Moat, also built by the artist, is a replica of a 16th century Spanish galleon and houses the Castle's restaurant. The two RV Gypsies also walked along the magnificent nature trail by the picturesque Horse Creek. This was a very interesting place, and worth the $10 each of the two RV Gypsies paid for the tour on this date.
(Entry price may or may not change - the two RV Gypsies have nothing to do with the cost of entry.

Below: Two "men-at-arms", one clad in black and the other covered in white (Knight and Day) stand guard at the castle doors. However, they are black, and hard to see in the photo below.

Below: A stone pony on the grounds outside the castle

The Flower Bed (get it?)

The Green House
(not a greenhouse)

Solomon's Castle covers 12,000 square feet and stands (at the moment) three stories high. It's impossible to photograph in the blinding Florida sun, as Solomon has covered every exterior surface with discarded aluminum printing plates. The broad sweeping brick walkway that leads to it is impressive, until Solomon points out that the "bricks" have simply been painted on poured cement.

Below: The tour guide said that after Mr. Bok saw The Alamo in Texas, he built his own Alamo - a Salamo on his property. Notice the holes in the "cannon balls".

(Note: The two RV Gypsies have been to The Alamo in Texas, twice and those photos can be seen by clicking here, but if you go there, be sure to return here.

Rooms To Go - and it has nothing to do with the furniture store.

The famous Boat in the Moat (that does not float). It is a restaurant. The Boat in the Moat Restaurant is run by Howard's daughter, Alane, and her husband Dean. Dean is also the friendly voice on the phone when you call for information, directions or to book a group for a castle tour and lunch, or a night's stay in The Blue Moon Room. All of the food in the restaurant is prepared in their own kitchen. All meals are homemade the old fashion way, using real food! You can dine inside the Spanish Galleon, or weather permitting, on the outside patio under the magnificent live oak trees. You might even be entertained by local musicians who like to drop by and play for your pleasure.

(quoted from http://www.solomonscastle.org/restaurant.htm)

The two RV Gypsies did not eat in this restaurant. The tour guide ended the tour at this point.

The below photos were taken while walking around the grounds at Solomon's Castle by Horse Creek.

Below: Some of the eighty (80) plus interpretive stained glass windows at Solomon's Castle - planets,
fairy tales and more

The two stained glass windows shown below are the Nino and Pinto, the boat in the moat is the Santa Maria.

The Two RV Gypsies went on a guided tour through the galleries and part of the home of Howard Solomon. The two RV Gypsies saw over three hundred pieces of art by Howard Solomon, created with discarded materials; oil drums, broken appliances, car parts and the old steel style drink cans and things most people wouldn't imagine! There is a cost (credit cards not accepted). This was well worth the price in the opinion of the Two RV Gypsies.