Located just 75 miles North of Tampa and St. Petersburg, and 90 miles West of Orlando on the West coast of Florida, the Homossa State Park was first inhabited by the Calusa and Seminole Indians. In 1846 a former US Senator established a plantation and sugar cane mill, and was the areaós first known settlement made by the white man. Today, owned and protected by the state of Florida, there is no place like the Homossa State Park to view…
Seminole Mills Park This is a 50-acre park located on Third Street north from Lake Mills Road in Southwest Seminole County near Chuluota. Lake Mills offers a unique up-close look at a mixed hardwood swamp. You’ll also find highlands thick with oak and pine at Lake Mills. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to see the wide range of the real, natural Florida. Views of Lake Mills Pavilions are invitingly located under the shade of 150 year old oak trees. There are…
Key West"s charm and beauty draws a wide variety of people to this small island. The historic architecture and unique atmosphere sets this place apart from the rest of Florida. In fact it has such a particular flavor in the air, one is lead to believe they have arrived at fairy-tale come true. On this tropical island the weather never gets too cold--frost is simply unheard of--and the continual breeze that comes directly off the ocean prevents the island from…
Cooper City, Florida This activity filled park was named in honor of the late great Chicago Bears football star, Brian Piccolo, who grew up in Broward County. Of all the parks in the area, the locals refer to Piccolo Park as the most diverse. In this park you can find state-of-the-art facilities and fields for almost every activity. The park also keeps the whole family engaged with areas and programs for thrill seekers of all ages. This 180- acre park…
Inconspicuously positioned off commercial highway 520 is the Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated on 436 acres in Merritt Island, Florida, the sanctuary is an unexpected resource for soft adventure. Merritt Island, population 36,090, is the site of NASA’s Moonport, from which the Shuttle is launched. The city is located off the east coast, bounded by the Indian River and Banana Creek. The island is named after the early settler given the land grant by Spain. The oranges planted here were among…
When thinking of Jacksonville, you may think of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguar’s, or the pretty river walk, but you have probably never heard of Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. This city park consists of 450 acres of forest, trails, a fresh water lake and a gorgeous beach. Who is Kathryn Abbey Hanna? Born in Chicago on November 5, 1895, Kathryn had served on the board of Parks and Historical Places. While she is remembered primarily as an educator and author of…
It’s funny how it’s turned out. I was born and raised in Florida, just miles from several major tourist destinations, including Cape Canaveral and Disney World. These days, I return to Florida a couple times a year to visit my family, and end up playing the role of a Florida tourist. This time of the year is one of those times. It’s March in Colorado - the middle of winter. Year after year, it never fails, I find myself daydreaming…
Pinellas County, Florida has withstood the test of time. Although it has changed in some ways since it inception in the 1800’s, the county still continues to attract people for vacation, and eventually convinces them to stay for good. Its history tells the tale of many who experienced this. The area where Pinellas County now exists was first inhabited by the Tocobagan Tribe, and subsequently dominated by the Spanish, led by Panfilo de Narvaez and Hernando DeSoto in the 16th…
Key Largo is a great place to visit on vacation, as the island has its fair share of colorful and interesting people. Captain Slate, the owner of Atlantis Dive Center, is one of those people. He has long earned the title of native to Key Largo, since he moved to the island in 1978 and established a world renowned business. Captain Slate loves the ocean and is very environmentally conscious; he is always coming up with new, interesting ideas to promote…
You're entranced by the crystal clear bluish green water and you find your mind drifting. You notice how the color is reflected in the small clouds above you. It's been fifteen minutes since the last string of tarpon has passed the skiff. The skiff rocks gently as the guide shifts his weight. Suddenly, you're back at ground zero. After the last attempt at the fish, you're looking for a rock to crawl under. Your casting stroke looks as though you're…