Posts Tagged "Florida travel"

Feed a Giraffe and Other Animals at Giraffe Ranch in Dade City, Florida

Posted on Aug 12, 2012 in Disclosure, Florida Fun, Solo Adventures | 0 comments

Giraffe Tonuge - Incoming! Giraffe Ranch, Dade City, Fla.

I rubbed the nose of a camel, felt the tongue of a giraffe, and fed grapes to ring-tailed lemurs last weekend and it was a totally amazing experience. Best of all, I didn’t need a passport. These and other animals live a seemingly happy life at Giraffe Ranch, a 47-acre private property just a 45 minute drive north of Tampa in Dade City, Fla.

Swirl, Sniff, Sip and Savor at Catania’s Winery in Englewood, Florida

Posted on Jun 3, 2012 in Culinary Travel, Disclosure, Florida Fun | 5 comments

Margherita and John Catania Opened Catania's Winery in Englewood, Fla., to the Public in Aug. 2011

Pulling into the Englewood, Fla., industrial park, I honestly thought it was an odd location for Catania’s Winery and wondered how the wine would taste. Wine snobs’ noses wrinkle when I mention Florida-made wine. While the idea of grapefruit and key lime wine seems intriguing and delicious, it’s definitely an acquired taste.

Florida has several wineries, some producing wine from exotic fruit such as Schnebly Redland’s Winery in Homestead (their avocado wine is quite delightful) while others make it from Florida grapes, such as Monticello Vineyards & Winery in Monticello (crafted with organic muscadine grapes grown on the vineyards).

W is for What is Art?

Posted on Apr 29, 2012 in Florida Fun, Social Media | 0 comments

Is this Art?

What is art? Growing up, I wanted to be an artist (among other things). I loved drawing, painting and photography but I never felt I could make it as an artist and traveled down another path.

Merriam-Webster defines art as

a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced

I like to think I have an open mind as to what art is but honestly, I don’t “get” most abstract art. I don’t understand how a canvas painted red with a dab of yellow can be embraced as fine art over other types of art, such as the statue called “Unconditional Surrender” which, up until Thursday, April 26, 2012, sat on Sarasota, Fla.’s waterfront.

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike in a State Park Near You

Posted on Dec 29, 2011 in Nature Travel | 0 comments

Little Talbot State Park, Florida

Rejuvenate and connect with your inner tree-hugger on New Year’s Day by participating in a First Day Hike in a state park near you. Here in the Sunshine State, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service is sponsoring free, guided hikes in nine state parks on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. Don’t worry if you won’t be in Florida on New Year’s Day because hikes and walks are being offered in all 50 states.

Alligator Hugging in Naples, Florida. Yeah, That’s Right. Gator Hugging.

Posted on Aug 28, 2011 in Florida Fun, Nature Travel, Solo Adventures | 1 comment

Mike Sturgill, aka "Gatorman Mike", Sits with Lovable Bobby in Naples, Florida

Mike Sturgill sat in his Naples, Fla., souvenir shop stroking his pet named “Bobby.” With the exception of an occasional eye blink, Bobby stood still and I swear, I saw contentment on his face. If he were a cat, he’d be purring.

“Would you like to hug him?” Sturgill, aka “Gatorman Mike,” asked as the 4-year-old, and 4-foot long alligator lazily rested.