Author Archives: floridatraveler

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About floridatraveler

Emeritus Professor of History and travel and textbook writer M. C. Bob Leonard makes the Sunshine State his home base. Besides serving as content editor for several textbook publishers and as a college professor, he moderates the FHIC at www.floridahistory.org

Florida Is Not All Football – There’s A Big Art Scene

Posted on January 4, 2017 by floridatraveler

The other day Tampa was packed with people from Iowa and Florida Gator fans for the annual Outback Bowl.  Next weekend the Clemson-Alabama NCAA Championships will bring 100,000+ football fans into the city. But Florida is more than football. My … Continue reading →

Posted in art, attractions, florida education, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Key West: Still Crazy After All These Years

Posted on December 28, 2016 by floridatraveler

Anyone who has spent some time in Florida knows that the island of KEY WEST is the place to go for weird and crazy fun.  There is nothing ordinary about Key West and its wild and diverse population. People don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in art, attractions, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In Florida Christmas Is A Post Office and a Fort

Posted on December 19, 2016 by floridatraveler

This is the season in Central Florida when people drive Southeast from Orlando to the town of Christmas to mail their Santa letters and special packages.  But Christmas, Florida, is not named just for holiday cheer – on Christmas day in … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Forts, mcbobleonard | Leave a comment

Man Made Disasters: A Time Of Reflection

Posted on December 14, 2016 by floridatraveler

This is the time of year when reporters review the good and the bad events of the year.  In Florida, most of our disastrous events have been caused by nature – hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and forest fires hit by lightning. … Continue reading →

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Florida: The Reenactment of America’s Longest and Most Costly War

Posted on December 7, 2016 by floridatraveler

This time of year dozens of Floridians and volunteers from across the nation dress up as United States Enlisted Soldiers to reenact the longest and most costly (in today’s money) war in American history. It is the Seminole Indian Wars, … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, florida education, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Forts, mcbobleonard, museums, Recreational Experiences | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas In Florida Is Snow-Less, But Not Show-Less

Posted on November 30, 2016 by floridatraveler

Growing up outside Boston as a child meant dreaming of a white Christmas.  As often or not we had frigid weather, icy roads, and no snow. Floridians don’t have to worry about the white stuff in December.  We still celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, disney, florida history, florida vacations, food, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, travel | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Saint Augustine 1565: The First Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2016 by floridatraveler

For a person who grew up in Massachusetts and whose grandfather was a proud ancestor of the Howland family of Mayflower fame, it is hard to accept the fact that the first Thanksgiving took place in September of 1565 and … Continue reading →

Posted in dining, environment, florida education, Florida Food, florida history, food, Historic Forts, travel | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Take A Holiday Dinner Cruise In Florida

Posted on November 16, 2016 by floridatraveler

In looking for ways to entertain winter and holiday visitors, I realized that I forgot about a way to combine dinner and a cruise to see the Christmas and holiday nights of the Florida waterfront.  And to be perfectly honest, … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, Florida Food, florida history, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, travel | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Florida’s Famous Mansions Are Open To Visit

Posted on November 8, 2016 by floridatraveler

Whenever my wife and I vacation in North Carolina, we have to stay at the incredible Biltmore complex, the largest private house in the United States.  I’m not certain I would want to reside in a place with 43 bathrooms … Continue reading →

Posted in art, attractions, circus, florida education, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, museums, railroads | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

November Has Its Moments In Florida

Posted on November 1, 2016 by floridatraveler

November is an in-between time for vacationers in Florida and many enjoy the fact that many of the snowbirds have not arrived and most natives have deserted the beaches as the water lowers into the 70’s (burrrrr).   The big festival … Continue reading →

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