Category Archives: florida history

Hail The Queen of Florida – Our Favorite Snail

Posted on June 19, 2013 by floridatraveler

Conchs are eatable gastropods very popular as a seafood dish in southern Florida and the islands.  People see conch shells on the beach in Florida and don’t identify them with the food. The Queen Conch, also called the pink conch, … Continue reading →

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If It’s Summer It’s Watermelon Time

Posted on June 14, 2013 by floridatraveler

Years ago when I attended FSU I went to a June Watermelon Festival in Chipley (Washington County). I see that after 57 years the Watermelon Festival is still going on strong – this year on June 28-29th. In the winter … Continue reading →

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One Day Florida Will Swath Ship to Havana

Posted on June 1, 2013 by floridatraveler

The Key West Express (photo above) is a high speed catamaran that takes travelers from Fort Myers Beach to Key West in less than four hours. It is presently Florida’s only long distance coastal above-water boat. I am sad to … Continue reading →

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St Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute

Posted on May 21, 2013 by floridatraveler

Sitting on the quiet banks of the Ancloate River in Tarpon Springs is St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, a tribute to the work of Dr. James Gills, the man who has performed more surgeries than any other eye surgeon … Continue reading →

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Best Oceanfront Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns

Posted on May 20, 2013 by floridatraveler

Summer is on the way and its time for Floridians to hit the beaches. Instead of giant and costly resorts and high rise condos, we like those rare commodities: a great bed and beakfast inn DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH. Here … Continue reading →

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Sanibel Island Backs Preservation As Much As Conservation

Posted on May 7, 2013 by floridatraveler

Sanibel and Captiva Islands are well known for their strong rules protecting the environment, but the islands are equally supportive of preserving the islands’ past. The Sanibel Historical Village and Museum has saved an entire village of island history: 1896 … Continue reading →

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The Return of the Cracker Cow

Posted on April 14, 2013 by floridatraveler

South of Disney World is “cattle country” in Florida and more and more cattlemen are turning to “Cracker cattle” – the wild ancestors of cattle brought to Florida by the Spanish for local consumption. After the Civil War bigger breeds … Continue reading →

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Sanaa Is Ground Level Africa

Posted on April 7, 2013 by floridatraveler

My favorite luxury resort at WDW is the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas. It has three killer restaurants, a wonderful African theme, friendly people from Africa and elsewhere, and a large and exotic pool area. It’s biggest shortcoming is that … Continue reading →

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The end of Tampa’s Revolving Restaurant Landmark

Posted on March 31, 2013 by floridatraveler

It is with great regret that I announce that The View at CK’s at Tampa AIrport Marriott is closing this summer. The 1980’s revolving restaurant gave us Tampans a feeling of status in the world of restaurant architecture. Started by … Continue reading →

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Basketball Puts Florida Gulf Coast U On The Map

Posted on March 23, 2013 by floridatraveler

It is strange how a basketball game can put a university on the news map faster than hiring a few Nobel Prize winners. Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers is further south than U. of South Florida. Beach balls … Continue reading →

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