Category Archives: Historic Buildings

PANAMA CITY – NOT THE BEACH BUT THE CITY

Posted on August 8, 2020 by

Its is SUMMER TIME and this is the main tourist season for PANAMA CITY BEACH, the beach center for the so-called “Redneck Riviera.”  I first saw PCB as a student at Florida State University and I was amazed at the … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, florida education, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, panama city, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Perfect Trip To Boost Christmas Spirit: Bok Tower and Gardens

Posted on December 14, 2018 by

The Christmas season can be a time of nervous energy and open tension.  It is a time when if you live in Florida, you may get a lot of visitors, both families and friends. It is also a time when … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Often Undervalued Gem: Charlotte Harbor

Posted on October 16, 2018 by

Recently I attended a convention in Punta Gorda, the town where my family first moved to Florida in the 1960’s. The waterfront devastated by category 4 Hurricane Charley in August of 2004 has not only been rebuilt, it has been … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, dining, environment, extreme sports, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Hurricane That Killed and Flooded Florida

Posted on September 22, 2018 by

The devastating flooding in the Carolinas due to the huge hurricane reminded me of Florida’s most dramatic flooding crisis.  It may seem strange to some of you since Florida is so flat and its rivers seem to flow slowly. Ninety … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, Historic Buildings, Hurricanes, mcbobleonard, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Shopping Malls and Shopping Places in Florida

Posted on September 17, 2018 by

One of Florida’s most popular indoor vacation experiences is to go shopping, although with Florida’s climate, many of the popular shopping spots utilize beautiful outdoor settings.  It seems every area of Florida has discount malls but I prefer going to … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, disney springs, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, Tampa, travel, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Favorite Florida Drives: INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

Posted on September 9, 2018 by

This is part of a series of driving tours I will present in the next few months with an emphasis on Florida’s natural beauty, historic architecture, and attractions. Most people vacation in Orlando, Daytona Beach, or Central Florida visit the John … Continue reading →

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My Favorite Florida Bed and Breakfast Places

Posted on August 31, 2018 by

When it comes to staying in a great vacation spot at a value place, Florida’s top bed and breakfast houses are a great choice for couples of all ages.  The breakfasts alone at many of these places beats anything you’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, bed&breakfast, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, Tampa | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Women Who Changed Florida: My Honor Roll

Posted on August 5, 2018 by

I was asked at a conference if I thought Janet Reno was the greatest woman in Florida history.  She was the first female Attorney General in the USA, but she was appointed at a time Presidents realized Cabinets should resemble … Continue reading →

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Winter Park Is The City Of Wonderful Canals

Posted on July 23, 2018 by

Winter Park is identified across Central Florida as an upscale community filled with a downtown of attractive stores and restaurants along Park Avenue, wonderful lakeside estates, and Florida’s first four year college, ROLLINS COLLEGE The mix of education, money, and Northern money gives … Continue reading →

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West Volusia: The Other Side of Daytona Beach

Posted on June 4, 2018 by

When you mention Volusia County to tourists and even most Florida residents, their first images are of the hard packed sands of Daytona Beach and the Daytona 500 Speedway.   If you ask “What else is in Volusia?” – some will … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, environment, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment