Merritt
Island Wildlife
Florida’s beauty and abundance of wildlife doesn’t
miss a beat in winter. A day visit to the Merritt Island Wildlife
Refuge demonstrates this, for certain. Curacao
A friendly island with all the amenities of some of the more "popular"
Caribbean islands, but with a more relaxed atmosphere. The best
thing about Curaçao, to me, is it’s modern infrastructure
and the high standard of living most of the local people enjoy.
Dominican
Republic
Today, the Dominican Republic is known for its seemingly pure
white sand beaches. A stroll around the island reveals rainforest,
desert like expanses, and an abundance of farming fields, especially
in the Southwest, where sugar cane, and banana groves span the
spectacular countryside. Bimini,
Bahamas
A short flight to Bimini was a superb way to begin the adventure
to this small and quaint island. From Ft. Lauderdale Executive
Airport, via Bimini Island Air, we soared in a small eight-seater
plane, blessed with stunning views, from take off to landing.
I was filled with excitement flying through the huge puffy clouds
towards the two islands that would be my host for a week. Sint
Maarten
Ahh! Stable ground. Fresh off the Grand Princess cruise ship I
took in the salty and humid early morning air as I strolled along
the squeaky clean sidewalk at the A.C. Wathey Pier at Pointe Blanche,
in Dutch Sint Maarten. Guatemala
Guatemala offers an affordable, accessible travel destination
of unique history and cultural and biological diversity. Kathryn
Appey Hanna Park
There is plenty to do at the park, including off road biking trails,
walking and hiking, fresh water and salt water fishing, play grounds,
and clean beaches where you can swim and surf in the ocean. The
off road biking is superb, consisting of 5 miles of well-groomed
single-track trails. St
Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine was established in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de
Aviles, and is the oldest permanent European settlement in the
continental United States. For 235 years it was the political,
military, and religious capital of the Province of Florida from
which Spain exercised jurisdiction over a vast geographical region. The
United States Virgin Islands
St. John is covered in dense woodlands, rolling hills, sandy bars,
and an alluring irregular coast, and making for some of the best
beaches in the Carribbean, especially on the north coast. A
Day at Ulumay
Inconspicuously positioned off commercial highway 520 is the Ulumay
Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated on 436 acres in Merritt Island, Florida,
the sanctuary is an unexpected resource for soft adventure. Quintana
Roo, Mexico
The state of Quintana Roo offers much to the laid back and energetic
traveler. The semitropical, scubby-jungled Quintana Roo became
an official state in 1974. The state is a dichotomy of sorts,
with the Americanized party atmospheres of Cancun and Cozumel
on one hand, and the archaeological marvels of the Maya ruins
only a stone’s throw away. Fort
Myers Beach Florida
The Ft. Myers area has plenty to do for the beach, nature and
history lover. We were pleasantly surprised with its beauty. Next
time we look forward to discovering Sanibel Island and Captiva
Island, which are both in the Ft. Myers area. These islands are
some of the most beautiful areas in Florida, from what I’ve
been told. Mysterious
Honduras
Honduras has more extensive rain forests and cloud forests than
Costa Rica, Mayan ruins comparable to those of Guatemela, better
beaches than Nicaragua, a more peaceful political climate than
El Salvador, safer cities than those of Panama, and the greatest
undeveloped wilderness area in all of Central America. Turks
and Caicos Islands - Island Bazaar
We can call it an Island Bazaar. Turks and Caicos, with its many,
many islands, and its plethora of biological components, there
are so many choices for the curious traveler in the Turk &
Caicos Islands. Which island will you choose? Lovely
St Lucia
Alive! This is the best the word to describe the island of St.
Lucia. St. Lucia is a flourishing and diverse island with thick
rain forests, mountain peaks, beaches, rare wildlife, and brilliant
foliage. Brian
Piccolo Park
In this park you can find state-of-the-art facilities and fields
for almost every activity. The park also keeps the whole family
engaged with areas and programs for thrill seekers of all ages. Oleta
State Park
If you want to experience the fun of South Florida, Oleta River
State Park is the place to visit. Oleta Park is the largest urban
park in the state of Florida at over 1043 acres. The park offers
kayaking, mountain biking, camping, swimming, fishing, picnic
areas and air-conditioned cabins. Key
West
Beautiful weather, crystal oceans, great food, fun and relaxation
all in a beautiful historic setting. A
Day in the Dry Tortugas
The rising sun peaked through the unrestricted shade as the palms
brushed gently against the screen of the window; ahh, it was a
typical Key West 6:30 am wake up call. Melbourne,
Florida
Located 15 miles south of Melbourne Beach is one of Florida’s
most popular parks. Famous for it’s prime surfing and fishing,
Sebastian Inlet State Park has something to offer everybody. Seminole
County Parks
This is a 50-acre park located on Third Street north from Lake
Mills Road in Southwest Seminole County near Chuluota. Lake Mills
offers a unique up-close look at a mixed hardwood swamp. Quiet
Waters Park, Florida
Quiet Waters Park is a great trail for beginners or advanced mountain
bike riders. It have challenging trails that takes you through
trees, over natural bridges, and around several beautiful lakes. A
Day at Red Reef Park
These mounds are usually teeming with life, blue tangs, parrotfish,
snappers, full of sergeant majors, and an occasional barracuda
or two. Dominica
As we made our approach to land in Dominica, I was awestruck at
the incredible jungle scenery and mountainous terrain “ not
a single hotel chain\ or high rise in site “ just the Atlantic
Ocean, and the tops of coconut palm trees. Cozumel
Cozumel is the largest inhabited island in the Mexican Republic
and the oldest in the Caribbean group. Nestled just 12 miles off
the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, it's surface is approximately
80 percent jungle. Key
West
Beautiful weather, crystal oceans, great food, fun and relaxation
all in a beautiful historic setting. Florida
State Parks Homossa State Park - Located just 75 miles North of Tampa
and St. Petersburg, and 90 miles West of Orlando on the West coast
of Florida, the Homossa State Park was first inhabited by the
Calusa and Seminole Indians.
Bahia Honda State Park - What makes the 13 acres of Bahia
Honda State Park located in the big pine key so special, is that
it is the only island in the Florida keys that can boast extensive
sandy beaches. Meet
Caroline McNamara Her trip to Belize The trip from Belize City to Ambergris
Caye takes 15 minutes on a puddle jumper and about 1 hour by boat. See
what Hilary & Ron had to say about their trip to Amelia Island
and St. Augustine, FL
It has to be one of our favorite places in the State. We loved
it. The best way we could describe it to friends back home was
that it reminded us of the set in the movie Jaws.....Amityville. Tim
Mulvihill's trip to Grand Bahama Island
On my recent trip to Grand Bahama Island I enjoyed the beautiful
beaches, clear warm
water, and a terrific snorkeling adventure. I had never experienced
anything quite like the clear water and smooth white sand... Blaski
Barbara's trip to Hopetown on Elbow Cay in the Abacos Bahama
Island The water is incredible
there. We did some snorkeling in a couple of the protected reefs.
I have always had a fear of water (other than swimming at the
shore) so it was a big step for me to get out there and snorkel. Anneli's
trip to Bahamas & Dominican Republic
We can recommend Dominican Republic with it's beautiful nature.
There are several guides taking small groups up in the mountains
to rainforest and waterfalls which are not experienced anywhere
else.
Activities
To Do
Parrot
Jungle Island Parrot
Jungle is one of those attractions in South Florida that has been
around so long that most South Florida residents have been there.
It’s like the Statue of Liberty. Eventually, most residents
of New York will visit in their lifetime. Barefoot
Nature Preserve and Beaches Barefoot Nature Preserve
was an unforgettable find. Located in wealthy Naples, Florida,
this spectacular Collier County park stands in the midst of luxurious
homes. The preserve has a little bit of everything, including
a great beach, nature path, lecture halls, educational classes,
and backwater canoeing. Third
annual Big "O" Birding Festival
Bird enthusiasts are waiting patiently for April 2, 2004. That
is the day that the Third annual Big "O" Birding Festival
begins and for three days, the lake region will be host to hundreds
of avid birders in search of the areass
winged residents. The
Miami Metro Zoo
Where can you go to be in Asia, Africa and Australia in one day?
Well of coarse at the Miami Metro Zoo, a world renown zoo. I was
at the zoo, on a typical South Florida Summer day, hot in the
morning, rainy in the afternoon, and beautiful in the evening. Pelican
Island
Living on the bluff, Paul could always watch the river and the
bird life on it, especially the pelicans, which were numerous.
From the top of the bluff he could see Pelican Island, to the
east in the Indian River, where the pelicans went to roost and
nest. He came to love them. Miami
Seaquarium
What do you do with a 5 year boy who you only spend a day with
once a year? You take him to the Miami Seaquarium, of coarse. Florida
Keys Wild Bird Center
If you are a bird watcher or just want to learn about the animals
and their preservation, you must stop and see the Florida Keys
Wild Bird Center. It's FREE! Bird
Watching in Florida
St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge is one of my very favorite
birding hot spots. It is located on the Florida Panhandle just
south of Tallahassee. Florida,
its more than Disney World
A view through one man's eyes of what else Florida has to offer.
If you think Florida is all Mickey Mouse and Disney World, you
should read this story. My
Bicycle ride to Key Largo-
by Lenette Marie
The challenges of training for 100 mile bike ride from Miami to
Key Largo Riding
a Harley Davidson in the Florida Keys
If you like to drive and being on the open road in a car, then
you will love to challenge yourself to ride a motorcycle. Skydive
Photography
- by Kelly McQuillen
The twin-engine plane soars 2 1/2 miles above the earth, slipping
gracefully through the air at 90mph. Suddenly the door opens and
the thundering wind rushes in to fill the cabin with brisk air. Meet
Nicki LaPierre - One of Florida's youngest Dolphin Handlers Nicki, a slender a 24 year old with
a great tan, found her dream job three years ago as a dolphin
handler in the beautiful Florida Keys. Her cheerful attitude clearly
displays the passion she has for what she does.
Local
Commentary
Lotto
Fever Is playing the lotto really gambling?
Isn't playing the lotto a 'get rich quick' form of investing just
like playing the stock market? Even if I lose, doesn't the money
I put into the lotto go towards schools and education? I don't
see the problem with putting a couple bucks a day towards winning
the big one. "Proud
To Be An American" I know my country was and is based
upon Christian law and a healthy belief in God. I know that I
am very blessed to live in the greatest country in the world.
I am proud to be an American. Don't
Get Yoked! What is holding you back? Why are
you not accomplishing all of your goals? What is stopping you
from a meaningful relationship with your spouse? What is it that
is restricting your career advancement? What is binding you and
limiting your financial success, health or happiness? The
Power of a Smile If you have been overwhelmed lately,
make it a priority to re-discover your fun side. Make a commitment
to make you and someone else laugh out loud. Tell a joke, get
your sense of humor back, make those around you laugh and enjoy
your company. Beachfest
with Luis Palau On March 22nd and 23rd hundreds
of thousands of people flocked to Ft Lauderdale Beach to hear
great music good news presented at Beachfest. The great music
was from top recording artist from around the world while the
good news was from Luis Palau. Borrow,
Buy and Refinance Now! Are you still renting and waiting
to buy your first home? Have you refinanced your home yet? Are
you still delaying the purchase and installation of that home
improvement? Stop delaying! Move now before the interest rates
go up. Living
a Healthy Lifestyle Every diet works: the one that
will work for you is the one you stick with and make it your lifestyle! New
Years Resolution Where is your New Years resolutions?
The calendar is at the end of January; do you know where your
New Years resolutions are?
Places
To Visit
