Lake Placid Florida

Lake Placid Florida,

This beautiful town located in Highlands County Florida has a population of around 2,000 people. No this is not the town where the 1980 Winter Olympics took place but it is well known for the beautiful caladiums that are grown here and the town is also known for being called the Town of Murals. The Mayor of Lake Placid Welcome Page.


Lake Placid is found in the lake-intensive center of the state and known as the Caladium Capital of the World, Lake Placid’s attractions include 27 freshwater lakes, Toby's Clown School and a small-town charm people love. The annual Caladium Festival is held the end of July, Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery hosts an annual Grape Stomp in August, and a Saturday Morning Market is held on the second Saturday of each month October through March. Enjoy the area's unique ecosystem at Archbold Biological Station, as well as a historically good time at the Depot Museum, home of the red caboose and local history artifacts displayed by the Lake Placid Historical Society. In 2012, Reader’s Digest named Lake Placid “America’s Most Interesting Town.”

Spooky, Creepy Homes In Florida

Where ever you drive in Florida you will find houses abandon or in terrible shape. Many of these homes on the back rural roads of Florida have been their since the plantation days. The weather in Florida plays a significant role in making these homes look old and spooky. Just a couple blocks from where I live in Central Florida is one of these homes. Many of the local kids say it is haunted and have seen ghost walking around the fenced in yard late at night.

 

Here is a good article with more pictures of old spooky homes around Florida

14 Creepy Homes

The Ghostly Side of Ybor City

Tampa's famous historic district called Ybor City is a well known area of Tampa that is very charming and quiet during the day. The area would remind you of a miniature New Orleans. The cobble stone streets and wrought iron balconies take you back to when Tampa was just a small town. This area is great for place for souvenir shopping or sipping some great Cuban coffee while watching cigars being made and rolled by hand.
At night Ybor comes alive with entertainment and street festivals. The bars, lounges, and restaurants come alive with young and old. But what also comes alive are the ghost that haunt this area.

One of the places that is claimed to be haunted is the Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn. The Inn was at one time a public clinic. Today visitors claim to see ghost of nurses that use to treat the patients. The Inn was on the Travel Channel show called The Dead Files and the episode was called "Hotel Hell"

Another location that claim to have ghost in Ybor is the famous Cuban Club. This social club was started in the early 1900's for the Cuban immigrants. Today the club is still be used for many social gatherings. The Cuban club was featured on the SyFy Channel Ghost Hunters television show and the episode "Club Dead".

Lake Lindsey Florida

Lying between Inverness Fl. and Brooksville Fl. Is a small community called Lake Lindsey. This small rural community of just under 100 people. This area of Hernando County is just beautiful with its majestic oak trees over hanging the road and the two most beautiful lakes in Hernando county, Lake McKethan and Lake Lindsey.  Lake Lindsey does have a public boat ramp and offers great fresh-water fishing for the fishing enthusiast.

One of the most fascinating things about this small rural community is it’s mall. Every day I drive past this interesting little general store and I just wonder, if these walls could talk what would they say.

Lake Lindsey Mall on Facebook  Click Here

Another interesting place to visit it the local cemetery. There are many stories on the tomb stones that date back to the early 1800's.

Here is a real good article that I came across when I was putting this site together.

There's A Story Behind Every Grave In Historic Cemetery

Crystal River Florida Indian Mounds

Crystal River Indian Mounds located in beautiful Crystal River is a 61 acre pre-Columbian, Native American burial site which is operated today by the Florida State Parks. It is said that this site is one of the best preserved pre-Columbian sites in North America. The six mound complex contains burial mounds, temple platform mound, a plaza area, and a midden. For over 1,600 years (200B.C. until 1400 A.D.) the Deptford Culture occupied this area. It is estimated that over 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex every year when it is was occupied.

The most impressive feature of the site is the two great platform mounds. The largest platform mound was built around 1,400 years ago. It is said that probably only the highest chief and priest lived on top of these mounds. Very similar to the Aztec pyramids.

Today the site can be visited and contains a half mile paved loop trail that passes by each mount and signs explaining the mound history. A 55 step observation deck atop the parks largest mound, the Temple Mound provides breath taking views of the area especially the coastal water ways. This also is a great area for anglers because it is a prime location for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.

The Crystal River Archaeological State Park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sunset 365 days a year. The admission cost is only $3.00 per vehicle.

Panama City Beach

Are you looking for a fantastic beach that offers a lot of things to do and see, then it would be wise of you to consider Panama City Beach.

With over 27 miles of sugary white sand of coast line this is the perfect place for vacationing, swimming, fishing, jet skiing, sunning, parasailing, and boating. Panama City Beach is an awesome destination for all travelers.

Panama City Beach as a population of just over 12,000 people and sits in Bay County in the wonderful, beautiful Panhandle of Florida. The city got the name some years ago and the Spring Break Capital of the World due to the fact from March through April over 100,000 college and high school students arrive here from all over the world to celebrate spring break.

For the nature lovers Panama City Beach offers miles and miles of hiking and biking trails from the emerald coast line to the tree lined rivers offering many opportunities to photograph all the beauty that nature offers.

If you are an avid fisherman then Panama City Beach is the place for you. This area offers some of the best fishing in the country from casting a net or a line from the many piers along the beach to chartering a professional fishing charter to take you on into the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico Panama City Beach is the place for great fishing. Here is a website to visit for Charter Boat Fishing in the Panama City Beach Area.

There is no better way to end your vacation at Panama City Beach than to experience awesome sunset at the most beautiful beaches in the world. Panama City Beach is known for some of the most impressive sunsets here in America.

Panama City Beach has its own blog site, I am not endorsing it but if you would like to learn more of this great destination come check out their blog.

Webster Florida

Webster Florida is one of those little sleepy towns in the heart of Florida except on Monday’s. Every Monday the town comes alive with the awesome Webster Flea Market. The flea market draws thousands of people from all over the world and is open all year long. Summer hours for the Webster's Flea Market and Farmer's Market are from 6 am to 2 pm, while winter months see the market open from 5 pm to 3 pm.

For more than 50 years the Webster Flea Market has been in operation and one of those place to find everything imaginable.  One of the big draws for people is that this is a great place to find fresh produce from local farmers, fresh flowers and plants, antiques, electronics, and many other products.

 

Peak season for the Webster Flea market is in the cooler months of Florida usually from October to May.  The only problem this time of year is there are hundreds if not thousands of people walking the 50 acre flea market and the vender's are not for much for wheeling and dealing.

 

You can also bring your pets along to the Webster's Flea Market and Farmer's Market as long you as keep them on a leash and clean up after them. And if you run out of cash, just as you are about to strike a great bargain, simply head to the on site ATM, which is located just a few minutes away from all the action!

The other thing that takes place on this site is once a month on the 1^st Sunday of every month there is a Auto & Cycle swap meet that takes place. With more than 300 vendors bringing new and used parts and merchandise you should be able to find what you are searching for. This is the place to come to find that part you have been searching for. From parts for antique collectible to ready-made project car or even a brand new custom vehicle this is the place to find it. Admission is price for the swap meet is $4 per person and includes free use of hot showers and restroom facilities

 

 

To get to Webster is easy from any direction. It takes just over an hour to get to Webster from Orlando, Tampa or Gainesville. (See Map)

Suwannee River

The Suwannee River Is called by some the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. The river meanders some 235 miles from the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico. Over 206 miles are on the Florida side of the borer.

The river and the people that enjoy the river are blessed to have as many as 55 crystal clear springs that feed the river and give the public many places to enjoy the crystal clear water.

 

The Suwannee River is one of only a few untouched natural river systems in the southeastern United States and it is federally designated as a wild river.

 

One thing that you need to be careful of when boating on the Suwannee River are the Jumping Sturgeon Fish. The sturgeon fish seem to migrate up the Suwannee river each year and they grow very large in size. So be extremely careful when the sturgeon are making their way up the river.

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in doing some camping or fishing along the great Suwannee River here is a web site for you to visit to get more information for this great area Florida State Parks Suwannee River.

 

There is so much to do and see along the Suwannee River so please take a day and drive over and enjoy what nature has to offer.

Homosassa Springs Florida

The day was warm but a little wet which made for a great day to take the grandson and head over to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Homosassa River and Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park is in Citrus County where we live. This area is very unique and filled with nature of all kinds. The park does have an admission but it is really worth the cost to get in.
The park is great for all ages to come and enjoy. Like I said we took our grandson which was only about a year old at the time and he had an awesome time enjoying all the animals and wildlife that the park offers for your enjoyment.

 

 

These are just a few pictures of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. You must come out to see it for yourself just how amazing this place is.

Weeki Wachee Florida

The city of Weeki Watchee sits in Hernando County with a population in 2000 of 12 people. This huge town covers an area of 1 square mile, but this city is known all around the world. Weeki Watchee is around an hour north of Tampa on Hwy 19. This little star on the map is known for their enchanted spring and the famous underwater mermaid show.

 

At Weeki Watchee state park the water bubbles out the aquifer at a consistent 74 degrees and flows down the Weeki Watchee 7 mile long river.

 

 

The spring’s average discharge is 112 million gallons a day. The sandy-bottomed spring pool is large, at 165 feet by 210 feet, but the vent is a small 20-foot by 3-foot opening through exposed limestone rock at a depth of 185 feet. The force of the discharge is too great for safe entry except during drought conditions.

There is much to see and do at this fantastic place that is only a mile square called Weeki Watchee. I love going and tubing and swimming in the springs and crystal blue water. When exploring the river you may be so lucky to come across a West Indian Manatee

taking a swim up river, or you see an alligator taking a nap on the shore.

 

Come and experience the natural beauty of the crystal clear waters of the Weeki Wachee River and enjoy a great outdoor experience while canoeing or floating down this beautiful springs.

Inglis Florida

Inglis Florida is a small rural community that sits off the Gulf of Mexico in the Nature coast of Florida. This area is known for birdwatching, fishing and many other outdoor recreational activities.

One of the beauties of this area of Florida is the Withlacoochee River. This picturesque waterway was given the name "Outstanding Florida Waterway" by the State of Florida. For visitors it is an awesome site to see the large shrimp boats coming to unload their catch for the day.

Fishing, crabbing, shrimping and commercial fishing is one of the main industries in this area of Florida. So seeing stacks of crab traps and nets drying in the sun gives the allure of a old fishing village back in time.

My family and I just love to visit these little out of the way towns in Florida. Some of them like Inglis take your mind back in time to the way things were in yesteryear.

Three Sisters Springs

Here we go again,

Three Sisters Springs in Citrus County is in the news again. An Orlando organization called The Save the Manatee is wanting to close the springs during the winter months. The club has started a petition to keep people out of the springs and make the area a manatee sanctuary during the winter.

Sanctuaries are set up in Kings Bay so manatees have a place to stay warm without being disturbed,

but the club says more are needed.

They say manatees would use Three Sisters Springs more if people were kept out.

"We like to share the water but you got to be eco-friendly as well," said Joe Grzeca.

The Save the Manatee Club also believes shutting down Three Sisters would ease crowding near the entrance. Not everyone however, is a fan of the idea.

Source

Fort Christmas

Fort Christmas was built in the community of Christmas Florida. This fort was built during the Second Seminole War, Construct started on Christmas Day December 25, 1837.

Today there sits a full scaled replica of Fort Christmas at 1300 Fort Christmas Rd. The site is less than one mile for the original location of the Fort. Today at Fort Christmas Park besides the full scale replica of the fort there is also a growing number of restored Florida Cracker Houses and Farm Buildings furnished with original and reproduced furniture that depicts the rural life of Florida from the 1870’s through the 1930’s.

 

 

The historical park is just a few miles north of the main highway HWY 50 separating Central Florida’s Orland and Titusville on the Florida’s Space Coast . The historical park also includes several picnic pavilions (including a large one that is covered and screened), restroom facilities, a unique themed children's playground, a baseball diamond, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

Fort Jefferson, Florida

Fort Jefferson, Florida

Fort Jefferson is within the Dry Tortugas National Park and is about 70 miles west of Key West. Fort Jefferson is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1992 the fort was established as a National Park.

Fort Jefferson was built to protect on of the most deep-water anchorages in North America. Nearly 30 years in the making the Fort was never finished or fully manned. During the Civil Was the Union warships used the harbor in their effort to blockage the Southern shipping routes.

For many years the fort was used by the Union Army to house prisoners. The most famous prisoner to see the inside of the fort was Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician who helped John Wiles Booth.

Today the 100 square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands which is only accessible by boat or seaplane. With vast amounts of marine life and coral reefs this is an excellent place to come and explore. The shallow waters also make this an excellent place to come and snorkel and enjoy the abundance of colorful tropical fish and living coral that sits just off shore in the beautiful blue waters.

Camping in the Dry Tortugas National Park is definitely an experience of a lifetime! Imagine sleeping under the stars, on an island 70 miles from civilization, with the warm tropical breezes blowing through palm trees and the rhythmic sound of the ocean waves playing in the background. Camping is limited so make sure you make reservations ahead of time.

The Disney Wilderness Preserve

Disney Wilderness Preserve

The Disney Wilderness Preserve in Poinciana is a conservation preserve that encompasses around 12,000 acres in an area that sits in a region of developed land. This area was purchased to replace the habitats that

were lost by construction of Walt Disney World.

The 12,000 acres was a former ranch in Osceola County and now it is a untouched beautiful preserve that is owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy. The preserve is now a national model for sustainable development.

Home to more than 1,000 different types of plants and animal the Disney Preserve plays a big part in the ecosystem of the Everglades. The wetlands also play a major role in replenishing the ground water and reclaimed water that the

local community uses for irrigation.

This preserve is an awesome place to bring the family and spend the day and enjoy the beauty that Florida offers it people.