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| Asked by Ilona Rónay-Csordás on April 29, 2008 |
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Q: A few years ago I saw a film on NatGeo on Florida. There was a small river with quick flow shown in the film where visitors could swim through a reach of a few miles sitting in rubber tyres - as an adventure trip. Now, we plan to travel to Florida but I cannot identify the place where this river can be found. Perhaps you can help us, thanks a lot.
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A: Hi Ilona, I'll try and offer a suggestion although I didn't see the TV program you mention. Quite a few rivers in Florida offer tubing excursions. My favorite centers on the Rainbow River near Dunnellon. Rainbow Springs, Florida's second-largest artesian spring, provides about 500 million gallons of water every day into the Rainbow River. The temperature averages around 70 degrees, making it quite refreshing. The river and Dunnellon region is really beautiful, with wide and narrow stretches featuring oaks laden with Spanish moss and other great scenery. You can rent tubes at Rainbow Springs State Park Campground, Marion County's KP Hole Park and other places. I bet that if you take this tubing trip, you won't be disappointed.
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| Asked by karolita on April 22, 2008 |
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Q: I am the leader of a youth group in Borward County. Every year we plan an outdoor expedition in one of Florida State parks. This year we will be visiting Mike Roess Gold Branch Park. We will be there for 3 days and the park does not seem too exciting. Is there anything in that area that you could recommend we visit (we are on a budget!). We plan to visit St. Augustine on our way back home.
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A: Hello Karolita. I've yet to experience this park personally but I've spoken to those who have and they've said good things about it. I understand the park provides a group camping area, hiking and equestrian trails, canoe rentals and good fishing opportunities. You and the kids will probably see wildlife this time of year along the nature trails and a three-mile stretch of the Florida Trail. It seems like those are lots of good choices in addition to camping fun. By all means visit St. Augustine, one of my favorite cities. Besides the history, the downtown shops and trendy restaurants represent a great respite after a day amid nature and the outdoors.
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| Asked by Liz Prokosch on April 13, 2008 |
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Q: Would you consider a visit to our school May 6, 2008?
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A: Hi Liz. Per our phone chat today, I'll be in the Florida Keys during that time. Get in touch in August when school reconvenes and I'll be glad to visit your school and class in South Tampa.
Doug
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| Asked by Tonya on April 13, 2008 |
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Q: I will be staying at Fort Myers for a week on April 26th. I am looking for a nice glass bottom boat tour for my family of three. I am willing to drive say 90 minutes. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Tonya
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A: Hi Tonya. I'm not aware of glass-bottom tours in the area. I do know about the Princess tour boats which offer a variety of cruises, so you might try contacting them at www.naplesprincesscruises.com. Naples is about a 20-minute drive south of Fort Myers ... along the way you might enjoy visiting Bonita Springs where I used to vacation every summer for two weeks. That entire area between Fort Myers and Naples is great for beach-going, boating and shelling.
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| Asked by Gail from Titusville on April 08, 2008 |
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Q: Hi, We are renting a beach house on Anna Maria Island this summer, and we were wondering if there is any good snorkeling nearby. Thanks!
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A: Gail ... I'm envious, AMI is a first-rate destination. Check with the dive shops and inquire about the wreck of the Regina, also known as the Sugar Barge. She lies in about 20 feet of water and measures 300 feet from bow to stern. You'll see lots of tropical fish and other species hanging around the Sugar Barge. Here's to good viz!
Doug
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| Asked by Linda on April 07, 2008 |
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Q: I saw several trees in northern Fl that had flowering bushes around them They were in several colors. Can you tell me what these bushes were and if they can be growen in Wi. We were through there the first week of April 2008 Some one thought they might be boghenvelia but were not sure.
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A: Hello Linda. I'm not sure what you saw as Florida serves as home to many flowering plants and bushes. It's indeed possible that what you saw were bougainvillea plants because though normally a greenish vine, they can also reveal papery brooms in winter and spring called bracts. Colors can be white, yellow, lavender, red, purple and other shades. However, bougainvillea (named after a French navigator) are native to the tropics and I doubt if they'd survive in a northern climate.
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| Asked by Angela Ferrington on April 02, 2008 |
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Q: Hi Doug, I was wondering if you could send some pictures of flamingos to our third grade class. We are working on bird projects and need some good pictures of flamingos. I figured since you are an outdoor expert, you may have some you could send. If so, could you mail them to Harrisonburg Elementary School, P.O. Box710, Harrisonburg, LA 71340. We would greatly appreciate your generosity. Thank you.
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A: It's great that your class shows interest in flamingos, Angela. Interestingly, the location I've seen more flamingos than any other is -- Flamingo, the southernmost Everglades National Park outpost at the southern tip of Florida's mainland. The big pink birds often parade around in groups of just a few and up to huge flocks, wading the mud flats in search of small crabs, shrimps and fish. You can't get very close or they'll fly off. I'm sorry to say that I don't have any digital images of flamingos, but I bet if you get in touch with one of our theme parks such as Busch Gardens or Disney World they'll provide some for your class.
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| Asked by moira on March 26, 2008 |
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Q: Hi Doug,
I was wondering if you could recommend an orange grove we could visit when we vacation in Hernando (Citrus County) in April. It is the one thing my husband wants to do for sure when he visits Florida for the first time. A
Also we are looking for a good beach near that area to visit and swim with our 15 month old daughter.
Thanks!
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A: Good evening, Moira. Citrus County is a great choice to visit ... I especially love the Homosassa area -- if you get a chance, drive to Crystal River to State Road 19 and go south to the Homosassa Springs State Park. It's really worth seeing, along with Weeki Wachee Springs. Obviously Citrus County contains orange groves, but I don't know where the public is allowed to view them any closer to the road. I'd suggest you get in touch with Mary Craven, a friend of mine and the Manager of Tourism for the Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau, at 352-628-9305 or email mary.craven@visitcitrus.com. She can give you specifics on this as well as good beach suggestions -- tell her I referred you.
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| Asked by David on March 25, 2008 |
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Q: We were planning a vacation to FL. and we were wondering what are the laws on using a Metal Detector on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island
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A: Hi David. I love metal detecting as well. Due to constantly changing laws and local interpretations, allow me to beg out of answering the question directly. I'd hate to advise you one way or the other and find out that's no longer the case. I do know that most public beaches in Florida allow metal detecting. Having said that, many private properties do not. My suggestion: Bring your metal detector. If the beach around or near your hotel doesn't allow it, you should be able to find other areas simply by looking for others using detectors at various beaches. I recently found a really nice man's diamond ring set in 14K gold while detecting a beach near Panama City, so I wish you good luck as well. And remember: Always leave an area in the same condition you find it, including filling in all holes you dig.
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| Asked by Steve Betchkal on March 14, 2008 |
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Q: I want to camp on Dry Tortugas National Park, but can't fly with isobutane fuel. Where can I purchase backpacking stove fuel in the Keys? Any camping supply chains? Thanks!
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A: Hey there, Steve. You'll find a KMart in Key West, the usual jumping-off point for those heading to the Tortugas by boat. Those stores typically carry camping supplies. You might also check the smaller malls off N. Roosevelt Boulevard, which runs north-south through Key West. This is a good time of year to camp DTNP, with the breezes keeping things a bit cooler and lots of good fishing and bird watching.
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| Asked by norm c on March 05, 2008 |
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Q: what and where are nature activies (e.g. birding) are there is mid November?
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A: November finds our weather mild and cool at times, and nature adjusts accordingly. A lot of birds have migrated from northern regions to Florida by this time, so I'd suggest a tour of Everglades National Park's Dry Tortugas. Many sea birds will be viewable, including royal terns, egrets, herons and white pelicans.
Visit any of the Wildlife Management Areas in November (in non-hunting WMAs) for a good chance of seeing deer, as this is the rut season when many does and bucks are moving about. For more info on the Dry Tortugas or Florida's many WMAs and parks, visit VisitFlorida.com.
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| Asked by Lisa M on February 22, 2008 |
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Q: Where are the best places to see manatees upclose?
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A: Hello Lisa. My favorite location is Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which is on State Road 19 at the southern part of Homosassa (about two miles north of Tampa). They not only do feedings with a park officer, they have underwater viewing as well. Manatees are also commonly seen in canals in the Florida Keys and around Charlotte Harbor on Florida's southwest coast. While it's tempting for visitors to try and feed manatees, it's best to keep a distance and allow them to move about on their own. For details regarding Homosassa's park, go to floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm.
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| Asked by Jim B on February 16, 2008 |
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Q: Can you provide a listing of all the nature preserves in Southern and Central Florida. which are your facorites?
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A: Good morning, Jim. I could research and list them all but it would be easier for you to simply go to www.VisitFlorida.com to note all the parks and preserves because it includes lots of information on each. My favorites include the Key Deer Refuge in the Florida Keys, Shark Valley in Everglades National Park, the Fred Babcock/Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area in Charlotte County, preserves east and west of Lake Okeechobee, and the Hillsborough River State Park just northeast of Tampa. Enjoy your outings and sightings.
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| Asked by Linda on February 10, 2008 |
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Q: We are comtemplating a visit to Florida in March from UK but are not interested in golf, lazing on beaches or Disney. We prefer interesting sights, history and walks. Are there such things in Florida?
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A: Hi Linda. While we're rightly famous for beaches, Disney and golf courses galore, you will NOT be disappointed with the quantity and quality of other things to do. My top suggestions would include an airboat ride amid Everglades National Park (head west from Miami 10-15 miles on US 41/Tamiami Trail), hiking the Cross Florida Greenway Trails off I-75 in Ocala (www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/cfgtrails.htm), and visiting the extremely historical and picturesque city of St. Augustine (www.Getaway4Florida.com). Of course I could write hundreds of pages on so many other great places to visit, but a perfect source that lets you whittle down choices is www.VisitFlorida.com. Enjoy your trip -- March is really nice timing because the weather's gorgeous.
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| Asked by Paula Goldman on January 29, 2008 |
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Q: Hi!
Where do you recommend snorkeling out of Key West? We'll be there in March, along with half the country. Any particular charter groups you like? Thanks so much.
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A: Thanks for your email inquiry. I've done some diving off Islamorada in the Upper Keys but not in the Lower Keys or Key West, so I can't give you an educated answer. I'd suggest going to http://visitflorida.com/Key_West+diving to see what's available. Good luck.
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