Did I mention A Dragon? It's all there. Where, did you say? Nowhere. Well, it seems like nowhere, and it takes forever to get there. You think this is a joke, right? Well, the joke's on you if you're a "Real Florida" buff and haven't visited Solomon's Castle in Ona. Ona, Florida. Well, it's not really in Ona. Ona is the name given to the nearest crossroad.
Solomon, Howard Solomon that is, tells a funny story about why he created a tin-clad castle and filled it with whimsical sculptures crafted from odds and ends he has collected over the past 30+ years. There is a delightful story behind each object he proudly presents during the course of a 45 minute tour. Many of the vignettes pass almost too quickly to catch as he moves from sculpture to montage, from concoction to contraption. By the time you are guided through the Boat in the Moat (restaurant) and into the gift shop by way of the Lily Light House, you realize that the real attraction is a warm, kind-hearted man with a vivid imagination, a self-deprecating style, and a vibrant sense of humor.
Everyone should have the opportunity to meet at least one Howard Solomon in their life. You will be energized by the experience.
