Fourth of July Celebrations

22Jun09

All across the state this Fourth of July there will be red rockets a glaring a bombs a bursting with fireworks displays everywhere. Floridians love celebrating Independence Day so much that fireworks dealers have used a loophole in the law where any farmer can buy fireworks to scare wildlife away from their crops. If you’re looking to play it safe this year and keep the kids away from your Uncle Hank and other amateur pyros, take a look at these fireworks shows we’ve discovered:

The City of Kissimmee will be your host at this annual Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 4 at Kissimmee Lakefront Park from 5 pm to 9:30 pm.

The Miami-Dade Parks Annual Independence Day celebration will feature concerts, food and beverages.

KABOOM is Pensacola Beach’s 3 day celebration of the 4th of July. Set to start at 3 pm on Friday with free live music at the Gulfside Pavilion.

More Florida 4th of July Fireworks.

Filed under: Florida, Miami, Travel   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Fireworks, July 4

Fishing the Florida Keys for Tarpon Offers Reel Excitement

23May09

During a recent vacation in the Florida Keys, I decided to hire a guide and go fishing for the day. We had gone snorkeling the day before in John Pennekamp State Park, the water was crystal clear from the lack of rain and I wanted to take pictures of Key West.

The clarity of the water enticed me to try fishing for tarpon before heading down to party on Duval Street in Key West. The boat captain picked me up at the dock of the waterfront lodge we were staying at around 7:30 in the morning in a 17′ Maverick, powered by a 90HP Yamaha.

When we arrived at our fishing destination our intention was to fish live crabs and sight cast to tarpon but it was a still early for the tarpon bite so we moved at little in shore for bonefish.

The Maverick I was fishing from had a forward casting platform and since there was only a slight chop on the water, I thought I’d give it a try. Now, most people wouldn’t be so worried about standing on a platform two feet off the deck of a boat that measured a mere 18″ x 18″ but for a middle aged guy carrying a few extra pounds, it was a bit of a challenge. After only a few minutes on the platform I felt confident and the extra height gave me a better view of the fish.

When we moved out to deeper water to chase the tarpon we encountered activity right away. The first tarpon I cast to was a single fish, the cast was ok but not perfect and the tarpon moved on. The next fish I spotted moved through the flats so fast I don’t even think he saw my bait, what can you do?

Shortly after that, a pod of 10-15 tarpon came swimming right at us. My first cast was a little short, as the fish moved around the boat, I reeled up and got ready to take another cast. The guide yelled “Pick out on fish and cast to it” but there were so many and my heart was pumping so fast that I ending up casting into the middle of the pod just to watch them swim around it.

Shortly after that an inconsiderate boater moved up on us and it was time to relocate so, just a short boat ride later and we had moved to a different flat.

The next flat looked just as promising as the first because we saw fish right away. Then my shot appeared, I cast the live crab to a fish about 50-75 feet ahead. The tarpon saw the bait and inhaled it. As the guide advised, I waited for the line to get tight and raised the rod tip. The fish jumped seven times in the shallow flat before making it to deeper water for the remainder of the fight which lasted about twenty minutes.

The guide estimated that the fish weighed around 45 pounds. Tarpon always look bigger in the water and I would have thought it was closer to 60 pounds, but he was the expert.

I’ve caught a few tarpon through the years and hooked many more, including a spring ocean fish that may have gone over 150 pounds while trolling live bait for kingfish, but this was my first in the crystal clear waters of Key Largo and one I’ll remember for years to come.

Key West and the Florida Keys are America’s tropical playground. With so many things to do in Key West like fishing, snorkeling and diving you’ll have an adventure to remember. So bring your camera to take pictures of South Florida.

Filed under: Florida, Travel   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Boating, Fishing, Florida, Florida Keys, Key Largo, Key West, Outdoors

St Augustine is a Historical Family Favorite

26Apr09

St. Augustine is the oldest European established city in the U.S. and is located in Northeast Florida south of Jacksonville. Long before St. Augustine became the family vacation paradise, it became St. Augustine in 1565. The settlement was already forty-two years old when Historic Jamestown was founded, and it has survives today as the oldest European town in the United States. Now St. Augustine is one of Florida’s favorite travel destination with beaches, attractions and historical significance.

There are so many things to do in St Augustine, the historic district is full of restaurants, coffee shops and small shops with craftsmen who are knowledgeable in the trades of the period. The small narrow streets are a excellent for taking a romantic stroll. Two trolley tours offer transportation s along a route with over 100 points of interest throughout Saint Augustine.

The Castillo de San Marcos, the historic Fort was built after the city was attacked by Pirates, the fort was never taken by force, only by treaty and was built of coquina rock, native to the area. The entrance to Castillo de San Marcos is heavily fortified and was surrounded by moat. Six different flags have flown over Castillo de San Marcos and you can view the Spanish and English barracks. On weekends, they fire the cannons in a demonstration.

The beaches of St. Augustine located on Anastasia Island home of Anastasia State Park. There is pier that is a favorite of fishermen and those who want a panoramic view of the beach. The beaches here are a favorite and considered by many the best Florida beaches.

There is also lighthouse on Anastasia Island which favorite for history loving tourist. It’s 219 steps the top, you’ll get a spectacular view of the surrounding area as the observation deck is 165 feet above sea-level. St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the most popular lighthouses.

Families and couples will find many things to keep occupied with the attractions like The Alligator Farm, San Sebastian Winery, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum and The Fountain of Youth. St. Augustine is a perfect place to spend a vacation.

Filed under: St Augustine, Travel   |  Leave a Comment

Manatees Released at Blue Springs by SeaWorld

01Mar09

Blue Springs, FL – SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team released Rita, the largest manatee the park has ever cared for, back into nature … by crane.

Rita was rescued in 1982 – from the Banana River in Merritt Island because her right pectoral flipper was entangled in a crab trap; the injury forced SeaWorld vets to amputate. After living more than 26 years ago at one of the Orlando Attractions, SeaWorld, here caregivers will miss her.

The 12-foot-long, 3,000-pound female was released into Blue Springs Thursday, February 26. Due to her immense size, SeaWorld’s rescue team had to utilize the heavy piece of machinery to lift and lower her into the spring.

A state-mandated quarantine for the papilloma virus (PV) kept Rita at SeaWorld longer than expected. At the time, wildlife officials feared this virus could be spread to wild manatee populations and it was thought Rita may have been exposed. Recently completed research shows that PV already exists in the wild and provides no threat to wild manatees.

SeaWorld is also releasing Amber, a 9-foot-long, 1,300-pound, female orphan manatee that was rescued from Blue Springs in 2001.

Filed under: Florida, Orlando   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Manatee

February Florida Annual Festivals

15Feb09

Wintertime in Florida means festivals and parties. So take a break from the cold and join us in the Sunshine State for wintertime fun without the snow.

At the Grant Seafood Festival you can sample some of the local favorites like Shrimp & Tuna Kabobs, both Manhattan & New England Clam Chowder, Fried Shrimp, Raw & Steamed Oysters, Steamed Clams, Linguini with Clam Sauce and Lobster Bisque. There will also be live music and entertainment.

One of Florida’s largest festivals will take place between Orlando and Tampa, the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City is a huge favorite with numerous stage shows, exhibits of agriculture, horticulture, commerce, fine arts, homemade goods and crafts, livestock competitions and every strawberry delight you can dream of. The musical line up includes Jessica Simpson, George Jones, Taylor Swift, Julianne Hough (”Huff”) and Kellie Pickler.

If you’re ready to loose and party, Mardi Gras in Florida is where you’ll find plenty of beads, music, parades and fun. Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is also going on in Orlando featuring top acts like KC and the Sunshine Band, The Village People, Trace Adkins and Nelly.

Filed under: Florida, Orlando, Travel   |  1 Comment
Tags: Festivals, Food Festivals, Jessica Simpson, Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, Nelly, Seafood, Taylor Swift