Category Archives: florida history

Florida Animal Sanctuaries Are Unlike Animal Parks

Posted on April 4, 2017 by floridatraveler

Animals have always been big business in Florida.  Walt Disney World has Animal Kingdom to compete against Tampa’s Busch Gardens.  Sea animals have their place at Sea World while there are six other dolphin playgrounds. Lion Country Safari started in … Continue reading →

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10 Great Florida Literary Landmarks To Visit

Posted on March 28, 2017 by floridatraveler

It was not until well into the twentieth century that Florida had the urban population and economy to bolster its own literary marketplace.  For decades most Florida writers were snowbirds, who found places like Saint Augustine and Key West warm … Continue reading →

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Small Town Weekend Trips: Dade City

Posted on March 21, 2017 by floridatraveler

I spent last weekend on a little trip from my home in Tampa to do some antique shopping in Dade City and eat at the famous Lunch at Limoges luncheon at the 1908 Williams Department store.  You are missing the … Continue reading →

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Products and Industries You Don’t Identify With Florida

Posted on March 14, 2017 by floridatraveler

When you say “Florida products” to most Americans, most will think oranges and grapefruit, perhaps winter vegetables, motor homes and trailers, and lots of beach items like boats and water skis.  Florida’s economy is much more diverse today and some … Continue reading →

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Things In Florida That Scare Visitors: Fact and Fancy

Posted on March 7, 2017 by floridatraveler

As a person who writes blogs and articles about Florida, I get a lot of emails about whet people like and don’t like about my state.  It may shock some of you that there are people in the USA who … Continue reading →

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March Is Flower Blooming Season In Florida

Posted on February 27, 2017 by floridatraveler

March is perhaps the best season to visit Florida’s dozens of beautiful, flowering parks from Jacksonville and Pensacola to Miami and Naples.  There is a great diversity of plants in March in Florida which is famous worldwide for its azalea … Continue reading →

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Florida’s Biggest Stadium Does Not Have A Football Field

Posted on February 21, 2017 by floridatraveler

Spring training is just around the bend in Florida and I’m teaching a class as an adjunct in the building almost next door to the largest spring training stadium in the Florida Grapefruit League, George Steinbrenner Park, spring home of … Continue reading →

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It’s Art Festival Time In Florida

Posted on February 13, 2017 by floridatraveler

February and March are big months for huge outdoor art festivals in Florida. Last weekend was one of my favorite events to visit – the 20th annual art festival in downtown Dunedin.  Main Street was filled with artists and craftsmen … Continue reading →

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How Can You Tell A Real Floridian From All the Visitors and Newcomers?

Posted on February 5, 2017 by floridatraveler

This is the time of year when Floridians feel they are outnumbered on the highways and stores by visitors and “snowbirds.” I know some people don’t like that term.  Texas calls them “winter Texans” and that’s OK with me.  But … Continue reading →

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US27: The Old Alternate Route To Miami

Posted on January 30, 2017 by floridatraveler

Most people from the Northeast heading to Miami or the Keys simply take I-95 along the Atlantic Ocean.  Those coming from the Midwest usually leave I-75 at the Florida Turnpike and slice across Florida through Orlando. Before the development of … Continue reading →

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