Tag Archive: Florida travel

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

Little Talbot State Park, Florida

Pin itRejuvenate 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…

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

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

Pin itMike 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…

Wordless Wednesday: Caring for Florida Wildlife in Punta Gorda

Jacaranda in Ponce de Leon Park, Punta Gorda, Fla.

Pin itLast week I had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, Fla. The nonprofit organization is supported 100 percent by donations and do an amazing job nurturing Florida’s native wildlife back to health and caring for those orphaned for whatever reason. Wildlife receives tender care with…

Wordless Wednesday: Peaceful Placida, Fla.

Wordless Wednesday: Placida, Fla.

Pin itSunday I had the opportunity to spend some time in the adorable fishing community of Placida, located in Charlotte County inĀ  Southwest Florida. I simply love it for its authenticity and admit I don’t spend enough time there. If you visit, plan on lunch or dinner at the Fishery Restaurant (13000 Fishery Rd. Tel:…

Loving Pelican Kitsch in Gulfport, Florida

Kitschy Pelican in Downtown Gulfport. Definitely Old Florida Feel.

Pin it  “It’s kind of old Florida-ish,” the diner at the next table over told his dining companion when describing Gulfport, Florida. Some visitors to this waterfront community would probably say the funky boutique shops are their favorite amenity about Gulfport while others may say the Walter & Bert Williams Fishing Pier. Another group may…

Walking with Dr. Beach to Find Out What Makes a Great Beach

Dr. Beach and Hist 50 Beach Rating Criteria Sheet, Stump Pass Near Palm Island Resort, Fla.

Pin itWhen Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman was 4-years-old, his parents brought in a dump truck full of sand to transform most of his Charlotte, N.C., backyard into a sandbox. They thought this would prevent the youngster from playing in red clay notorious for ruining his clothing. When he was six, Leatherman found himself on Myrtle…

De Leon Springs: Make Your Own Pancakes in this Florida State Park

Cooking My Own Blueberry Pancakes

Pin it  If you don’t like how the pancakes turn out at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House in De Leon Springs State Park, there’s no one to blame but you. That’s because you’re the chef. Being a solo diner, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to get a seat and…

Quick Stop at Ray Charles Childhood Home, Greenville, Florida

Pick Up Map for Ray Charles Childhood Home, Greenville, Fla.

Pin itI’m proof billboard advertising works. On a recent trip through Florida’s Panhandle, I spotted one advertising the Ray Charles Childhood Home in Greenville, Fla. Huh? First, I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t know there was a town called Greenville and second, I didn’t know Ray Charles had Sunshine State connections.

RoomStays.com for Florida Vacation Planning

BB Groundhog at La Quinta Inn Cocoa Beach, Fla.

Pin itSummer’s around the corner and my fellow Floridians will soon being planning their vacations. A good number of us actually vacation within our home state because after all, it is the vacation capital of the world! There are many resources for locating Florida hotels and RoomStays.com, my new friends supporting my travel habit, is…

I Ate Bugs and Tolerated It: ECHO Farm, Fort Myers

Urban Gardening, ECHO Farm, North Fort Myers, Fla., March 19, 2011

Pin it“Would you like a grilled cricket?” the young woman said while holding a bag of chilled mealworms. I attended ECHO Farm Day at Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization in North Fort Myers, Fla., yesterday. Founded back in the 1970s, it’s a global Christian organization believing in equipping people with agricultural skills and resources to…

Social Widgets powered by AB-WebLog.com.