| Lauren Tjaden's Blog Archive |
 |
| Back to Lauren Tjaden's Page |
|
| Holiday Seashore Celebrations in Northwest Florida |
|
 |
|
| November 23, 2009 |
Is your skin turning gray from lack of sun? Has it been months since your toes have seen a pair of sandals? Is your mood going south?
How about you going south instead? Winter means it’s time to ditch your jacket in the nearest snowdrift and hurry to the Sunshine State for the holidays. There’s a ship-load of seashore celebrations where you can celebrate the season – and the weather – including these Northwest Florida offerings:
- The Season Lights Up at 6 p.m.... more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fort Lauderdale Beach Volleyball |
|
 |
|
| November 21, 2009 |
So are you tough enough? Or are you going to let the warning on the website scare you? After all, it sounds a bit brutal, stating clearly that you might even need a long sleeve T-shirt to brave the elements if the temperatures dip below 80 degrees.
I don’t think anyone’s going to be frightened from the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sandcastles 101 |
|
 |
|
| November 13, 2009 |
I’m afraid that me giving instructions on how to build a better sandcastle is a little like a dog giving instructions on how to fly: Neither of us is qualified for the job.
While I adore the beach and have spent countless hours lounging on the sand, hiking over it and even drizzling it through my fingers, the sad fact is that my sandcastles lack spine. Since they tend to collapse into a formless mass of muck, I had resigned myself to merely admiring others’ sculptures – until I found these tips.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville Beach |
|
| November 11, 2009 |
|
You’ve heard about the right mix, the right stuff, the right move, the right start and certainly the right wing, but I’ll bet my beach towel you’ve never heard about the right whale – at least, not before right now.
The ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Horse Surfing |
|
 |
|
| November 09, 2009 |
I have to admit, it sounds really weird, and I’m dying to try it.
I’m talking about horse surfing, one of the wacky, wonderful offerings of ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sea and Sky Spectacular at Jax Beach |
|
 |
|
| November 05, 2009 |
I’m not sure about must-see TV, but I can sure recognize a must-see flying festival by the seashore. This one couldn’t be more attention-grabbing if it bit me in the ankle.
The ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Turkey Burn Adventure Race in Sorrento |
|
 |
|
| November 01, 2009 |
You’ve heard that saying slow and steady wins the race. Hardly.
In the sport of adventure racing, it’s more like, fast, fit, cunning and smart wins the race, unless you get really unlucky.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| King of the Peak Surf Contest at Cocoa Beach |
|
 |
|
| October 30, 2009 |
Inquiring minds want to know.
Which super-surfer is going to end up crowned as the king of the peak? And who is just going to end up with a hearty slice of humble-pie and a nose full of saltwater?
I’m always searching for an excuse to grab my beach towel and splash on over to ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Celebrate Florida Camping Month on the Beach at Huguenot Memorial Park |
|
 |
|
| October 28, 2009 |
If you’ve got a yen to slip on your high heels or a tux, you can forget about Huguenot Park. It’s not a place you go to hit the latest nightclubs or ride roller coasters, or to buy cotton candy, either.
It’s a place where you go to escape, where the surf rolls against the shore, where the sand is white and clean and you can see the stars at night.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fat Tire Fall Foliage Fun at Santos |
|
 |
|
| October 25, 2009 |
It feels like a celebration.
Fall in Florida. It means it’s time to throw open the windows at night and let the cool air rush inside; time to bike and hike and get outside; time to marvel at the hues of autumn.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| St. Pete Beach’s TradeWinds “Give Thanks and Give Back” Thanksgiving Thriller |
|
 |
|
| October 23, 2009 |
It’s a thin line to walk.
Making sure you’re not breaking the bank is important, but it’s also important to take some time to enjoy life, to stop and smell the sea breeze, to take that special beach trip with the kids and watch them build sand castles or to rekindle the romance with your spouse. And what about giving back, giving to folks who have fallen on hard times? That’s important, too – but how do you balance that into this already difficult equation?
... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Richard Petty NASCAR VIP Program |
|
 |
|
| October 19, 2009 |
You could be BFF (best friends forever) with Richard Petty.
Well, maybe not best friends, but you can hang out with him at Daytona International Speedway (in ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Blackwater Bicycle Festival |
|
 |
|
| October 08, 2009 |
There’s frost on the pumpkin!
Well, not really, since we’re talking about the Sunshine State. Here, October isn’t the start of a shivery season where you need to be thinking about where your long underwear is stashed. Here, October means blue skies and weather that’s just right for enjoying the outdoors.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Free Concerts and Dancing Under the Stars at Hollywood Beach |
|
| October 06, 2009 |
|
| Imagine this: The surf laps at the shore, rhythmic and hypnotic. Even by moonlight, the Atlantic Ocean is beautiful, bits of light reflecting across its dark waves. A band plays, and you’re dancing to its music, swaying by the beach under a smattering of stars, thinking it couldn’t get much better than this.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Polk City World Cup Paintball |
|
 |
|
| October 02, 2009 |
Paintball.
Just the word brings back the memories. Of paintballs raining around me while I sweated inside my layers of clothes.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Key West World Championship Powerboat Racing |
|
 |
|
| September 30, 2009 |
The Super Boat Racing site bills itself as “boat racing of the rich and famous” but I think another description is apt, too: insane.
Check out what will be happening at the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Southern Florida November Events Roundup |
|
 |
|
| September 30, 2009 |
The Sunshine State is about as boring as a barrel of baboons. In other words, it's full of excitement and activity!
Just look at Southern Florida! The area -- from ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| College Football Chomp-down: Gators and Bulldogs in Jax |
|
 |
|
| September 28, 2009 |
I predict those poor puppies are going to be having nightmares about their spooky encounter with some Gators a long time after Halloween passes.
I’m talking about the upcoming college football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the exceedingly brilliant, 2008 National Champions, our own University of ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Delray Beach World Tour and Champions Tour Tennis |
|
| September 25, 2009 |
|
I just watched a YouTube clip titled “John McEnroe goes ballistic at the umpire.” It provided a vivid (and amusing) reminder of why the hugely talented tennis star was famous for his equally huge temper.
He’s baaaa-ck!
McEnroe will be marching onto the court next February with fellow tennis icons at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mickey Mouse Hang Gliding |
|
 |
|
| September 21, 2009 |
This is some Mickey Mouse hang gliding, for sure!
My husband snapped these Sunshine State soaring shots yesterday from a light sport aircraft over Groveland. He’s towing up a hang glider in one. Look closely; you can see it in his mirror.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The 2009 Florida Freewheeler's Horrible Hundred |
|
 |
|
| September 19, 2009 |
It’s only horrible if you miss it.
Well, that’s what they say, anyhow. Personally, while I was flooded with a sense of accomplishment after finishing the ride, the way my legs, rear end and back felt was, well, for lack of a better word, horrible.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Daytona Beach's Biketoberfest |
|
 |
|
| September 15, 2009 |
To say it’s a large party is like saying Mt. Everest might be a challenge to climb – a vast understatement.
Take a glimpse at the details and you’ll being to see understand what I’m talking about.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival |
|
 |
|
| September 13, 2009 |
Arghh!
I love pirates. Not real ones, of course. Just ones that give me a good excuse to visit one of my favorite beaches.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SkyFest at Daytona Beach |
|
 |
|
| September 11, 2009 |
I had to look at the word twice. Pyrotechnics. That means fire, doesn’t it? So how does that tie into an airshow?
You can see for yourself if you soar over to ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Key Largo Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest |
|
 |
|
| September 09, 2009 |
Can you imagine what you’d think if you didn’t know about the event? If you were SCUBA diving and came across a bunch of divers carving Jack-O-Lanterns under the waves? The sight just might inspire you to silently flap your flippers and glide to a saner section of the sea – hopefully, before one of the nuts with dive-knife in hand spotted you.
Consider yourself forewarned, because Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort in ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Coral Restoration Foundation Workshop |
|
 |
|
| September 01, 2009 |
| Sometimes they are soft and leathery; sometimes they are stony. They have names that describe their vast array of shapes: sea fans, sea pansies, anemones, and even bubblegums and mushrooms. I’m talking about corals, the odd, amazing, often beautiful animals that form Florida’s barrier reef, the most extensive living coral reef system in North America.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Celebrating the Sunset |
|
 |
|
| August 28, 2009 |
| Bands, fireworks and street performers are some of the typical offerings you’ll find at sunset celebrations, from Key West to ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Waiting on a Wave in Jacksonville Beach |
|
 |
|
| August 21, 2009 |
| They might look as if they know what they’re doing, but I guarantee these surfers would sink like stones offshore. Sure, he’s waxing up his board and she’s scoping out the ocean like she’s studying it. But trust me.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Can the Hawks Take the Heat? |
|
| August 17, 2009 |
|
Can the Hawks take the Heat, or will they get their wings clipped when the court starts to cook?
That’s a question you can see answered in person when the Atlanta Hawks play the Miami Heat Oct.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sisters of the Sea Surf Classic |
|
 |
|
| August 12, 2009 |
The facts, laid bare, are more interesting than anything I could invent:
• It’s a surf contest.
• It’s at a rockin’ beach.
• It’s just for females (though admittedly, the guys seem to consider it a worthwhile spectator sport).... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pensacola Pier Sunset |
|
 |
|
| August 08, 2009 |
Is it worth a thousand words?
I thought this picture met that standard and more, so I’m going to push back from my keyboard and let this beauty of a sunset taken from Pensacola Pier take center stage.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| National Marina Day at Camachee Cove |
|
 |
|
| August 06, 2009 |
It’s mind boggling. I mean, what exactly happens in a “blindfolded dingy race"? Or a “homemade sailboat race"?
You can find out if you attend the 2nd Annual National Marina Day at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| St. Augustine Pier Party |
|
 |
|
| August 04, 2009 |
Who doesn’t love a party? And who doesn’t love the beach? Now let’s take it even further. Ponder the sad soul who doesn’t like the Mecca that is created with the sum of these two greats: a party on the beach.
Okay, I admit, not all of you may be in the mood for a family-friendly romp at beautiful St.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Yee-haw! Pro Rodeo Action by St. Augustine |
|
| August 02, 2009 |
|
Getting bucked off by a horse is about as much fun as a root canal, but it beats the heck out of getting bucked off a bull.
See, when a horse dumps you, he’ll probably be intent on getting out of Dodge. You may be stranded miles from home (I speak from unfortunate experience), but the horse isn’t going to try to trample you or attack you.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The USTA Summer Smash Regional Tennis Championships |
|
| July 29, 2009 |
|
Love means nothing at all.
Don’t worry, I’m hardly heartbroken. I’m just making a bad pun about how tennis is scored in an attempt to come up with an amusing start for this blog about The Summer Smash Regional Championships.... more |
|
|
|
|
| The Perfect Beach |
|
 |
|
| July 27, 2009 |
It’s the wrong question.
I’m referring to the one that asks which of Florida’s beaches is the best.
I can almost hear the protests now.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Daytona Beach Dream Cruise |
|
 |
|
| July 23, 2009 |
This is just the excuse I’ve been looking for.
I’ve been yearning to don a bikini and take my new convertible for a spin on the sands of ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Magic Basketblog and More |
|
| July 21, 2009 |
|
The words in the title – the Flying Elbow—are what caught my eye.
It turned out to be a blog in the Orlando Sentinel that covers wrestling (a subject I admit I know as much about, as say, the virtues of wearing sunglasses to bed). However, the wrestling blog was just one of many I found in the Orlando Sentinel covering everything from Florida sports and fitness to the space program.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| My Space Shuttle Launch Hobby |
|
 |
|
| July 17, 2009 |
Witnessing a space shuttle launch always leaves me shaking my head and gasping at the incredible heat and white fire; at the sheer power; at the audacity of the men and women with the courage to ride what is unquestionably the coolest craft in our corner of the galaxy.
It’s hard to beat the beach for watching a launch, since you can spend the time before and after it hiking by the surf, playing Frisbee or volleyball, surfing or just lounging in the sand – but my friends and I have made watching shuttle launches from unusual places into something of a hobby. Check out the photo that my friend Dustin took from a tandem hang glider at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Beach Blast Triathlon and Duathlon |
|
 |
|
| July 15, 2009 |
If you baked a cake made of salt and straw, you’d hardly be surprised if it didn’t leave your taste buds singing for joy. Likewise, if your diet is rich in potato chips and French fries and you spend an abundance of time lounging on the couch, you shouldn’t be surprised if your health suffers.
That’s why I’m a big fan of events that promote exercise.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Free Bicycle Tours in Islamorada |
|
 |
|
| July 13, 2009 |
Pedaling into a family-friendly adventure in the beautiful Florida Keys sounds good, right? However, imagine if that adventure was free. That would be as awesome as ice cream in July.
Get prepared to smile, because the freewheeling fun that I’m talking about will cost you nada.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| My Fabulous Fourth |
|
 |
|
| July 05, 2009 |
| Last night, belly full of BBQ and cornbread from our family dinner, I was spinning along the back roads in my beautiful new convertible. The top was down, and I could see the vast sky, the moon and the fireworks and towering clouds highlighted by them. The night air, rich with pine and firecracker smoke, felt cool against my shoulders.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ballooning: What a Blast! |
|
 |
|
| July 03, 2009 |
Can you say magic?
That’s the only way to describe my balloon flight last week. Check out these photos I snapped and ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Coke Zero 400 on the Fourth |
|
 |
|
| July 02, 2009 |
| I couldn’t have been more shocked if a squirrel trotted up and sang the Star Spangled Banner when I heard that tickets are still available for ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| July 4 at the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix |
|
 |
|
| July 01, 2009 |
Dig out your suntan lotion and prepare to get some sand between your toes!
The fourth of July weekend in Sarasota promises to be a blast, since the sun-kissed city will be celebrating the Silver anniversary of the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ‘Tri if you Dare’ Kids Triathlon |
|
| June 22, 2009 |
|
| The truth of the old saying that says if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything becomes abundantly clear to me whenever I have the flu. The better I feel, the more I enjoy myself, accomplish, and can give to other people. Likewise, I feel one of the biggest gifts you can give your children is teaching them to eat right and that exercise is fun, because you are, in essence, giving them the gift of health.... more |
|
|
|
|
| Florida Balloon Festival |
|
| June 18, 2009 |
|
| “Beagle Maximus” is one unusual pup. He weighs a healthy 522 pounds, is more than 119 feet long, and with his height of 82 feet it is no exaggeration to say he towers over the average Snoopy. And if that weren’t outstanding enough, he can fly.... more |
|
|
|
|
| 67 Days of Smiles |
|
 |
|
| June 18, 2009 |
| 67 days is a pretty long time – and, if it’s raining or the wind is howling or you have to spend each morning scrubbing the driveway with a toothbrush, it seems like forever. Conversely, if you were with a loved one in sunny ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Submerged Songfest |
|
| June 16, 2009 |
|
It’s quirky, it’s fun and it’s weirder than a biker in a tutu.
I’m referring to the silver anniversary of the annual activity known as the ... more |
|
|
|
|
| The Orlando Watersports Complex |
|
| June 13, 2009 |
|
“Dad,” the young boy said, his face knotted in a serious expression, “This is the best place I’ve ever been in my life.”
He was talking about the family-friendly ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Florida’s Freshwater Frontier |
|
 |
|
| June 07, 2009 |
It smelled like trouble.
Sixty high-energy hang-glider pilots and their helpers from places around the globe—like Russia, Australia, Columbia and more – had gathered at the Florida Ridge for the Rob Kells Memorial Competition, and it was too windy to fly – not for one day, but for three. If the adventure-loving pilots got bored, who could guess what they’d do to amuse themselves?
Thankfully, the Sunshine State’s freshwater frontier came through in spades.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Trouble in “Turtle-City” |
|
 |
|
| May 28, 2009 |
| Little loggerhead turtles are born with powerful instincts to crawl towards the brightest light they see. Traditionally, the brightest light has been the ocean – but nowadays, car lights on highways near the beach often confuse the little fellows. Sadly, sometimes they end up on the road instead of gliding into the waves, and their population is considered endangered.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bonita Springs Boat Eco-Tour |
|
 |
|
| May 25, 2009 |
“Look!” said Scott, pointing as the backs of three dolphins arched out of the Gulf, mere yards from us.
“That’s so cool,” said Linda, “Don’t you think?” I nodded and settled deeper into the seat of the sleek boat, enjoying the breeze, scented with salt water and sunscreen.
Seven of my buddies and I had headed out to ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bikers, Bass and Boats |
|
 |
|
| May 22, 2009 |
I admit, the title sounds unlikely. After all, though bass and boats can reasonably be paired up, what could bikers possible have in common with them?
The answer, my adventure-seeking pals, is there’s an abundance of all of them at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tickets for the Daytona 500 |
|
 |
|
| May 22, 2009 |
You’ve heard the old saying about the early bird getting the worm. Only in this case, instead of creepy crawlers, the reward will be seats at the 52nd annual Daytona 500, NASCAR’s legendary, season-opening, Sprint Cup series race.
Pretty much beats the heck out of worms, if you ask me.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wild, Wonderful Fisheating Creek |
|
 |
|
| May 20, 2009 |
“How big do you think that ‘gator is?” Paul asked, pointing at the prehistoric-looking creature sunning itself on the shore. “Six feet?”
“Maybe seven,” I said. “Quit rocking the canoe, okay?”
It was all part of the wild, wonderful action at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Queen for a Day at the Colony |
|
 |
|
| May 20, 2009 |
It was the kind of assignment that could have me on my knees begging for more work.
My job – if you want to call it that – was to visit ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Share Some Sunshine! |
|
 |
|
| May 12, 2009 |
Sharing your dessert is super, and sharing your happiness is swell, but sharing your sunshine is even better; it’s as sweet as a springtime strawberry.
I’m talking about reconnecting with the people you care about in our own Sunshine State – something that’s good for you and good for Florida’s economy, too. You can send your friends and family from around the globe a cool video invitation to visit you in Florida by going to ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Muscle Car Mania in Punta Gorda |
|
| May 11, 2009 |
|
| Some folks collect stamps, others collect books and still others, mailboxes. Some even hoard cats. Luckily for car lovers, Rick Treworgy’s passion is the pumped-up ponies of the past known as muscle cars -- Pontiac GTOs, Chevy Corvettes, Camaros and more.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| An Ally for Athletes: The National Training Center |
|
 |
|
| May 04, 2009 |
The runners headed towards the finish, thundering down the track at a speed a thoroughbred would envy.
“Run through it,” the coach screamed. “Don’t quit before the cones!”
The women pushed, drove and completed their training race, so spent that they flung themselves to the ground and gasped for breath afterward.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Teach Me Tennis? |
|
 |
|
| May 01, 2009 |
I had a grand time buying my new tennis duds, a tidy, collared white shirt, a black ‘skort’ – a blend between shorts and a skirt – and even some blindingly white shoes. Unfortunately, it may be all downhill from here.
I’m a competent water skier, a natural at SCUBA and can ride a horse and hang glide better than most – but the average 5-year-old could best me at ball sports.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stingray Bay at Jacksonville Zoo |
|
 |
|
| April 27, 2009 |
I’ve never touched a stingray. At least, not on purpose.
Once, my foot brushed against a ray by accident while I was wading in the Indian River, but he had as little enthusiasm for our meeting as I did, and we parted ways without injury -- to either of us.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Three That are Free |
|
 |
|
| April 23, 2009 |
With the economy, no one could blame you for scratching your vacation. Times are tight in many households.
Sure, you could use a break, from work, from the grind.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Beach-Party Baseball |
|
 |
|
| April 21, 2009 |
“Celebrate on the sand,
Cool beverage in hand,
And cheer on the Rays,
As they make winning plays.”
Okay, it’s not exactly Hemmingway. But you might forgive me for my hideous ditty when I tell you that the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show and Music Festival |
|
| April 17, 2009 |
|
Want a can’t-miss recipe for family fun? Try this event on for size. The ingredients are the world’s most beautiful beaches, live music and several hundred fancy horses, sprinkled with abundant sunshine and a touch of laughter.
I’m talking about the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In Honor of Astronauts |
|
| April 13, 2009 |
|
What would it be like to be tethered to a spacecraft, trying to repair things or run tests? What would it be like to be blasted – literally – into outer space?
I’ve watched shuttle launches. They’re blinding. The earth shakes.... more |
|
|
|
|
| Too-Cool Cocoa Beach |
|
 |
|
| April 09, 2009 |
| I was relaxing at home, catching up on dusting, looking forward to snuggling with my kitty in front of the tube when the call came. Our friends were headed towards ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tennis Tournament Time |
|
| April 03, 2009 |
|
I think my mother envisioned me clad in a tidy, white outfit trotting out to various country clubs for competitions when she signed me up for tennis lessons as a child. Was I any good?
Um, suffice to say I was a disappointment. My coach probably had a party when I gave up lessons, and besides, white has always been a bad color for me.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SkyVenture in Orlando |
|
 |
|
| March 23, 2009 |
| Have you ever had an itch to know what it feels like to skydive; to have the wind tug at your cheeks as you plummet through the air; to know what it feels like to turn, speed up or slow down at will by arching your back, shrugging your shoulders or moving your arms or legs? If you’re like many people, free-falling sounds great … except for that part where you have to fly a couple of miles into the air and leap out of a plane. That can be a deal-breaker. Then there’s the landing to fret about.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Surfs Up for Spring Break |
|
 |
|
| March 19, 2009 |
| Spring break and the beach go together like hot apple pie and ice cream - perfectly. The reasons are simple as an earthworm’s brainwaves. The feel of sugar-white sand between your toes, the hypnotic rhythm of the surf lapping the shore, the perfume of the rich air, heavy with salt, and the sights – bright towels, bikini-clad bodies and the vast, endless ocean – combine in a way that’s hard to beat.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| WASP at Fantasy of Flight |
|
 |
|
| March 18, 2009 |
As a woman pilot, I am in a minority. While many people – both men and women – have supported me strongly, I have also sometimes had to battle the perception that women aren’t tough enough, smart enough or strong enough to cope when the pressure is on, when the turbulence is crazy, when the decisions are hard and have to come fast.
So, I have always been a fan of WASP– Women's Airforce Service Pilots.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spring Break Fat Tire Fun |
|
 |
|
| March 17, 2009 |
Think outside the beach!
Spring break brings to mind sun, sand and beaches, and by all accounts, Florida has them in spades. But how about celebrating your break from the books this year with a different cup of excitement, one featuring fast, bumpy, adrenalin-filled fun?
I’m talking about the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The LandShark Spring Surfari |
|
 |
|
| March 16, 2009 |
| You’ve seen surfers on TV and in movies. They are cooler than iced tea in June, bronzed, muscled hunks or bikini clad babes riding the waves, crouched over their boards. The waves often curl over their heads as they race along, at one with nature, before they emerge from the spray, victorious.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Freefalling Foursomes Fight it Out in Florida |
|
 |
|
| March 14, 2009 |
| You couldn’t find more adrenalin flowing if you jumped off of the Trump Tower in a squirrel suit. I’m talking about the FSL (Formation Skydiving) Shamrock Showdown 2009, an International Skydiving Competition that will be held March 20-22 at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Marvelous in March: The Florida Manatee |
|
 |
|
| March 12, 2009 |
| Okay. I admit it. The folks up north, clad in long underwear, toting snow shovels and bags of salt would giggle to hear me say that the Florida weather - forecast to be a bone-chilling 73 degrees today - is still on the cool side.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Almost Paradise: Hang Gliding Over the Gulf |
|
 |
|
| March 09, 2009 |
This was my friend Scot’s post on Facebook a few days ago: “Scot had some fun hang gliding flights yesterday over the Gulf; saw lots of dolphins and some Loggerhead turtles which would cover the flight deck of my boat.” How cool is that?
... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dare-Devil Skydivers in Lake Wales |
|
 |
|
| March 08, 2009 |
| Now here’s a fun fact. Human beings actually exist who believe that regular old skydiving is a tad dull, so they spice it up with a practice called ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spring (Training) has Sprung |
|
| March 06, 2009 |
|
| Prepare to don some sunscreen, nosh on a hotdog and cheer. Spring training has sprung, which means it’s the season to be jolly for baseball fans. For small change you can thrill to the excitement of major league baseball.... more |
|
|
|
|
| Senior Soaring Championship at Seminole Lake Gliderport |
|
 |
|
| March 05, 2009 |
Fifty-five contestants will be climbing into their motor-less, sleek planes next week, to be towed into the skies of central Florida, over the swamps, lush pastures and orange groves. They’ll each rack up hundreds of miles of flying, using only the abundant thermal lift that Florida is famous for, to glide around the Senior Soaring Championship's challenging courses.
The contest will be held out at ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Florida Ice |
|
 |
|
| February 24, 2009 |
I used to ice skate when I was a kid, and I even performed in an ice show. Don’t get too impressed – while my sister Suzanne starred in a solo routine, I was the letter “E” in the alphabet. Check out my old photo!
Though my skills aren’t much to brag about, I still love to skate – and there’s a perfect place to enjoy on-the-ice fun in Florida: ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Florida Horse Park Fun |
|
 |
|
| February 23, 2009 |
| You can hear their hooves beating against the ground before you see them. It’s a team of four horses, harnessed to a carriage, thundering across the field. They throw up clods of dirt and grass; lunge through water as deep as their hocks; squeeze through trees, fences and gates with inches to spare, all at breakneck speeds.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Soaring the Florida Sky |
|
 |
|
| February 20, 2009 |
I soared above Lake County, so high the cars and building shrunk to little toys. The thermals were rich with the scent of oranges; and the world became a slow, quiet, surreal-ly beautiful thing, full of puffy white clouds and hawks that treated me like kin.
Guess what? You can fly without a motor, too, thanks to tandem hang gliding.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Professional Sports Schedules |
|
 |
|
| February 17, 2009 |
I’ve been getting more questions about sports schedules than there are flies on a hog, so here’s a rundown on the action so you can make sure to catch the kind of fun you're after on your trip to Florida.
Major League Baseball
Each season consists of 162 games (or 163 in the event of a tie breaker) which generally begins on the first Sunday in April and ends on the first Sunday in October, with the playoffs played in October and sometimes in early November.
Baseball Spring Training runs from late February to early April.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Catch Some (Tampa Bay) Rays |
|
| February 15, 2009 |
|
Bats for baseball? Want to catch some affordable family fun – or just catch some Rays?
Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands Community are gearing up to welcome the American League Champions, the ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spring Break Fat Tire Festival |
|
 |
|
| February 12, 2009 |
Fat. The word itself is a squat little thing, unlikely to win you friends. A fat lip is hardly a joyous thing, whether caused by bee sting or a blow.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spring Training |
|
| February 10, 2009 |
|
I’ve mentioned what fun it is to schedule a vacation around a theme, such as SCUBA diving, hang gliding or surfing. How about one scheduled around spring training, which typically runs from late Feb. to early April?
You’ll have lots of teams and locations to choose from, since 289 games (!) will be played in 15 Florida locations during this year's ... more |
|
|
|
|
| BMX Blowout in Charlotte |
|
 |
|
| February 06, 2009 |
| The bikes tumbled out of the start together. Almost instantly, the earthen track rose into a steep hump in front of them. The swarm launched off of it almost as one, soaring over a gaping depression before touching down on a second hill.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Theme is the Thing |
|
 |
|
| February 02, 2009 |
On my very first vacation with my husband, I discovered a fundamental truth about myself: I would rather scrub the driveway – with a toothbrush—than do nothing. If you want to make me unhappy, plant me on a beach and tell me I must lie on it for any length of time.
That’s when I came up the idea of the adventure-themed- vacation.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hunting the Red-tail Hawk |
|
 |
|
| January 29, 2009 |
“Get going snakes!” I yelled, scraping my toe though a bramble. “Go on rats!” When my friend Terry invited me to hunt his Red-tailed Hawk with him, I didn’t understand my role in the venture was to traipse through overgrown fields, laden with stickers, fallen limbs and deep grass, trying to scare up vermin.
Terry suckered me into helping by allowing me to hold the magnificent creature named Red.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| An Ounce of Understanding |
|
 |
|
| January 27, 2009 |
Having what I call “try” is an admirable attribute. "Try" is the quality that inspires you to climb back on the horse or surfboard after a tumble; the quality responsible for resolving to study harder after failing a test; the quality to grit your teeth and bear down instead of crawling away in defeat.
What I have discovered, though, is that try alone is not enough to ensure success, whether taking a math quiz, flying a hang glider or writing an essay.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bowl by the Bay |
|
| January 25, 2009 |
|
Only those wintering on Pluto don’t know that on Feb. 1 the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are headed for Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium.
The football fever in ... more |
|
|
|
|
| Ride-Roll-Run Relay |
|
 |
|
| January 22, 2009 |
| Whether you're raring to run, hot to trot or ready to pedal, remember to pencil in Jan. 31 on your adventure calendar; it's the third Annual ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The National Team Roping League Finals |
|
| January 20, 2009 |
|
The National Team Roping League Finals – the largest annual roping competition held east of the Mississippi – will be held Jan. 29-Feb. 3 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.... more |
|
|
|
|
| Ocala Equine Extravaganza |
|
 |
|
| January 15, 2009 |
I like to start my blogs with a sentence that will catch the your attention.
How about this? I know where you can take the family for some (almost) free fascinating fun this winter. Yeah, I thought that would work.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bye-bye to the Boredom Blues |
|
 |
|
| January 08, 2009 |
Due to my low threshold for boredom, I have been accused – unjustly, of course – of having the attention span of a goldfish -- an immature goldfish. It’s not that I don’t enjoy relaxing on the beach. I love it.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| New Year's Reflections |
|
 |
|
| January 01, 2009 |
| Normally, my writing is lighthearted, my words often tongue-in-cheek. This is for the exceptionally good reason that no matter how earnest I feel, when I try to sound like Hemingway -- or just halfway serious -- my writing often reeks like long dead fish.
Even the title of this, New Year’s Reflections, is heavy-handed for me.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Three Thousand Pound Puppy Dogs |
|
 |
|
| December 25, 2008 |
Baby, it’s cold outside! The temperature is only going to reach the mid-sixties today. That's not exactly a blizzard, but it’s chilly for a thin-blooded Floridian like me.
This brings up the subject of manatees.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Every Man's Fantasy |
|
 |
|
| December 18, 2008 |
| It’s every man’s fantasy.
I’m talking about taking to the track in an IndyCar or a NASCAR race car. Ladies, give this holiday gift to the guy in your life, and you will earn enough brownie points to open a fudge factory.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Playing with Paragliders |
|
 |
|
| December 11, 2008 |
Half a mile above my head, the paraglider floats peacefully, moving so slowly it looks painted in the sky. My old hang gliding buddy, Alex, is piloting the engineless, parachute-like wing. The blue and white water of ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Flipping Over Punta Gorda |
|
 |
|
| November 27, 2008 |
| I just don’t understand how it’s possible.
Anyone who has watched gymnasts vaulting, performing on the uneven bars, the balance beam, or floor exercise knows the way they jump, dance, twist, turn and perform acrobatics is crazy.
All I can figure is gymnasts were born with springs in their feet and hands, or maybe rubber instead of regular bones.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shake It Up! |
|
 |
|
| November 20, 2008 |
| I was in a rut was so deep that you could have trapped a semi in it. In the mornings I’d ride my horse, and in the afternoons I’d fly my hang glider. No, I’m not joking about the rut.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Laid-Back Fun in the Florida Keys |
|
 |
|
| November 13, 2008 |
| “A coconut palm rustles its fronds against my balcony. I sigh and inhale the soft, humid balm of the air. It is rich with the perfume of salt and seaweed.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gators Open Their Jaws for a Bulldog Snack |
|
| October 29, 2008 |
|
Chomp, chomp! I can almost hear the sweet sound of the University of Florida Gators making a light snack of the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Okay, this is pretty big smack-talk I’m throwing out there, but the Gators are 6-1 so far this season.... more |
|
|
|
|
| A Dip with the Dolphins |
|
 |
|
| October 23, 2008 |
I just returned from a fabulous “Flipper” adventure in the Florida Keys. I actually got to frolic with some of the famous dolphin’s offspring at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon when I participated in a “deep water dolphin encounter.”
Did I like it? Check out these pictures and see what you think.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hoo-Rays! |
|
| October 20, 2008 |
|
Last night's game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the defending champions, the Boston Red Sox, was the most exciting, nail-biting sporting event I’ve ever seen (Check out the details on ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bosom Buddies Biking |
|
 |
|
| October 09, 2008 |
| My friend Kim was was not too concerned when she discovered a lump in her breast, because, in her words, everyone knows 21 year olds don’t get breast cancer.
Unfortunately – though Kim did not smoke or drink and didn’t carry an extra ounce of fat, besides the fact that she was barely old enough to vote -- she was wrong. She did have breast cancer.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hogs on Main Street |
|
 |
|
| October 02, 2008 |
| I’ve got to see if I can find my black-leather-halter-top. I think I have some black leather chaps, too, that I got for riding horses. If I pair them up with some orange shorts, I’ll look perfect.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| What a Blast! The Space Shuttle Launch |
|
 |
|
| September 24, 2008 |
| I would love to travel into space and be able to gaze at the miraculous, beautiful blue marble of our Earth. However, the hours before launch might not be quite as peachy.
Anyone who has watched a shuttle launch knows its power is incredibly fierce.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fun for Football Fanatics: FSU Seminoles vs Colorado Buffalos |
|
 |
|
| September 17, 2008 |
I predict the University of Colorado’s Buffalos will be mooing for mercy when they face the Florida State University Seminoles at the upcoming 2008 River City Showdown. If you are tempted by the idea of a seriously good time you should boogie down to Florida to watch the football game on Saturday, September 27 at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville.
If you’d like to stay close to the action but not so close to the crowds, you should consider nearby Amelia Island (45 minutes from the stadium).... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| St. Augustine Adventure |
|
 |
|
| September 10, 2008 |
| I began last Saturday crouched behind a bunker with teenage boys firing at me, while my husband Paul yelled things like “Advance! Be brave!” No, I had not just been whisked away to a war zone, but only to ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gators v. 'Canes in the Swamp! |
|
 |
|
| September 02, 2008 |
| Gators will be swarming in the Swamp soon, and I can promise you it’s a spectacle you don’t want to miss. You heard that right, the Florida Gators – the fifth-ranked football team that represents the University of Florida – will be playing the University of Miami’s Hurricanes at "The Swamp," as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville is nicknamed. The game is this coming Saturday, Sept.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fun Runs at The Villages |
|
 |
|
| August 27, 2008 |
| Ladies and gentlemen, lace up your tennis shoes! The Villages’ recreation department is offering a series of three 5K races beginning in September and ending early 2009.
These races, sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation, are open to the young as well as the young at heart. If you’re 15 or older, whether you’re a resident of The Villages or call someplace else home, you’re welcome to join in the fun at Lake Sumter Landing.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stomp Those Grapes! |
|
 |
|
| August 18, 2008 |
| “Maybe wearing white shorts wasn’t the most brilliant idea you ever had,” Paul said.
He had a point. Wearing a white shirt wasn’t a great idea, either.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Is it Safe? |
|
 |
|
| August 11, 2008 |
| I am surprised that doctors are not required to stamp the bottom of newborns with the warning that parenthood may be a lot harder than you thought it would be, just so new moms and dads don’t sue them. Companies feel compelled to instruct you that you should not eat the little plastic thing that comes in your bottle of aspirin. The Styrofoam cup holding your coffee warns that its contents may be hot.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Diving a Dream |
|
 |
|
| August 04, 2008 |
| Some people have bigger hills to climb than others. My hills– my challenges– look like mosquito bites compared to Matthew Johnston’s.
Matt is a quadriplegic, permanently hooked to a respirator.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hola from Pensacola! |
|
 |
|
| July 28, 2008 |
| I just visited the Pensacola area, a sun-bathed, nature-lover’s paradise that features white sand beaches where you can indulge in almost any water related activity. There is so much to do in the area that listing all of the possibilities is out of the question, but I’ll list some of my favorites.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Final Flugtag Update |
|
| July 25, 2008 |
|
If you are one of the zillions of people who have been breathlessly reading my blog you will know that my friend Bobby Bailey designed a glider to fly in the Red Bull Flugtag held last weekend in Tampa. I had to post about it one more time because his glider won!
The team he designed it for, the Tampa Baywatch, took home top honors with a final distance of 109 feet. It would have flown further if Bobby was piloting it but it still trounced the others --the second place winner only snagged 32 feet.... more |
|
|
|
|
| Awesome Adventures Unlimited |
|
 |
|
| July 10, 2008 |
| I had never been in front of the camera before I started as the Adventure Expert for VISIT FLORIDA. I still wince at some of my efforts, but as the year has rolled by I’ve gotten more relaxed about it. I can occasionally even sleep the night before a shoot -- which just goes to show you should never let down your guard.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fearless Flugtag Flyers Update |
|
 |
|
| July 10, 2008 |
| Check out the aluminum skeleton in the picture! My friend Bobby made this thing. It's going to be sporting wings and flying high –or maybe flying low, or maybe just plummeting into the ocean – in less than a week. Not only that, it will have changed into some exotic creature like a seal or a reindeer or maybe even a giant Oompa Loompa.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Like to Bike? |
|
 |
|
| July 07, 2008 |
| Sure, maybe the first thing you’re thinking about Sunday morning is lazing in bed. The most strenuous activity on your mind might be lifting a pudding-filled pastry.
Da-da-da-duh! Adventure Woman is here to save you! (Are you grateful? Good.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Whole Lot of Bull |
|
 |
|
| July 01, 2008 |
| Ever been to a rodeo? The bronc riding is no sport for sissies, but it looks like knitting compared with bull riding.
Getting bucked off a horse is about as fun as a root canal, but after you’ve parted company with him, Mr. Horse doesn’t want to hurt you.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Flying Angels |
|
 |
|
| June 26, 2008 |
| Flying an airplane upside down or spinning it can be a quick way to demolish it, and that goes for the pilot, as well. Nevertheless, I understand how a pilot could get addicted to extreme attitudes in an aircraft.
One of my most incredible memories is of the day I rocketed into the sky with Nancy Lynn in her fabulous Extra 500 stunt plane.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lobsters Beware! |
|
 |
|
| June 18, 2008 |
| Lobsters Beware! The time has almost arrived for Lobster Mini Season again, when no rock, reef, or ledge is safe for a crustacean. The hotels of Key West and the rest of south Florida will fill, the waters will swell with boats, and for 2 days, you will be fair game for the divers that want nothing more than to grab you up and eat you.
Yup, if you’re a lobster, the news isn’t good.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fearless Flugtag Flyers Flock to Florida |
|
 |
|
| June 13, 2008 |
| Bobby’s face wore a look as rapt as if he had just been introduced to Angelina Jolie. Only his gaze wasn’t directed towards a beautiful woman, but instead, towards a pile of aluminum tubing scattered across the floor of his hangar.
“What’s this?” I asked, gesturing at the pile.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Marvelous Miami Adventures |
|
 |
|
| May 23, 2008 |
If you’re planning to be in the Miami area, I’ve put together a list of possible things to do. It includes not only famous, well-known attractions and adventures, but also a few that are off-the-beaten-path.
- Paddle into paradise at ... more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Awesome Orlando Adventures |
|
 |
|
| May 23, 2008 |
For those of you planning a trip to the Orlando area, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite adventures for you to consider. This list is by no means complete – but it will keep you occupied for at least the first week!
- Delight to dolphins. ... more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hooray for Horses |
|
 |
|
| May 23, 2008 |
| Florida and horses go together like puppies and cuddling. The state’s year-round moderate climate, mineral-rich water and soil, coupled with its exceptional facilities and power-house support industries make it the perfect place for breeding, training, racing, horse shows, polo, rodeos and almost every other kind of equine activity.
In fact, with over 900 farms contained within its boundaries, Ocala/Marion County boasts more horses and ponies than any other county in the nation (according to the United States Department of Agriculture census).... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Daredevil Divers |
|
 |
|
| May 20, 2008 |
| “30 feet is about twice as high as the roof of our house! What was it like?” I asked.
“Scary as all-get-out,” Paul said. “It took all the courage I had.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Turtle Trouble |
|
 |
|
| May 14, 2008 |
| The air is rich with the perfume of salt on this warm Florida evening. A smattering of stars adorns the sky. Waves play a rhythmic, peaceful song against the beach.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Diving Delight |
|
 |
|
| May 07, 2008 |
The colors are what surprised me the most.
Whenever I have gazed into the ocean-- even when the water was clear, or only tinted with a wisp of turquoise-- the creatures and terrain that my eyes could pick out under the waves looked muddied. I would have told you the fish and rocks and coral were a fuzzy brown, grey or muted green.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Ultimate Adventure |
|
 |
|
| May 01, 2008 |
| I had been warned that when it happened, the ground would tremble. I had been told that the roar of the explosion would consume the sounds of the waves rhythmically slapping the sand, the cries of the gulls, and the chatter of the children playing. I knew the flame jolting out of the bottom of the rocket would look molten hot and far more intense than any television could convey.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Skydiving with the Gladiator |
|
 |
|
| April 12, 2008 |
I never intended to be in the situation I found myself in last Sunday, perched on the edge of a plane’s open door at 2 miles above the earth, clipped to a strapping Italian man nicknamed “the Gladiator.”
I blame it on Linda, my boisterous, beautiful buddy. She has long, dark hair that swings close to her waist and a generous mouth that never lacks for a witty, smart comment.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Disc-Connected Canines |
|
 |
|
| April 12, 2008 |
| Leapin’ Lassies! You’re invited to the canine social event of the year. The Mandarin High School in Jacksonville is going to host the high flying action on May 31st, when some of the world’s most talented canine Frisbee teams leap to the challenge at the 13th annual Florida State Canine Frisbee Championships.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Action Overdose |
|
 |
|
| April 11, 2008 |
| About a week ago I began hoping for a rainy day, but fate was offering up nothing but perfect weather. Our refrigerator was empty except for a couple of bottles of water and a hunk of moldy cheese, litters of dust bunnies had taken up residence in our home, and I had about as much energy as a rock.
I’ve been having way too much fun.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Giddyup, Iron Girl |
|
 |
|
| March 27, 2008 |
| It seems when I hear people talk about fitness what is most often emphasized is lifting, puffing and sweating your way into a hot bod. Well, hey, what gal wouldn’t want to look fabulous in a teensy-weensie bikini?
Nevertheless, I think we sometimes get so focused on appearance that we forget the real benefit of exercise; that is, to be healthy and to be able to participate in activities or sports that we want to. If you don’t feel good it’s hard to spring out of bed in the morning and want to celebrate another day of your life – and if you’re not healthy, it’s hard to feel good.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| It’s Raining Skydivers! |
|
 |
|
| March 14, 2008 |
| Okay, it won’t really be raining skydivers in Deland this weekend. It’s just going to seem like it. (I guess I didn’t need to tell you that.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Super Softball |
|
 |
|
| March 06, 2008 |
| Here’s your chance to soak up the sun and watch some of the best women softball players in the world battle it out. The University of Southern Florida’s Under Armour Invitational and Showcase are rapidly arriving. These division/softball tournaments are the largest held east of the Mississippi River.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rollin’ with the Biker Babes |
|
 |
|
| March 02, 2008 |
| We were cleaning out the closet when Paul found it.
“What’s this?” he asked, dangling a handkerchief-size piece of cloth in front of me. I recognized it instantly.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Batter Up! |
|
 |
|
| February 26, 2008 |
| Forget that ice storm battering your windows. Picture this, instead.
You’ve stripped down to a short sleeve shirt.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fun if by Land, More if by Sea |
|
 |
|
| February 25, 2008 |
| We glided across the water in our gleaming vessel, barely rippling the lake’s surface. The motor was running, but my impression was of silence. I snuggled deeper into my comfortable seat and checked out the sights.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Weenie on a Wakeboard |
|
 |
|
| February 18, 2008 |
I floated in the lake and chewed on the insides on my mouth while I waited. “How do you stand up?” I asked for the umpteenth time, maneuvering the disobedient wakeboard strapped to my feet.
Paul yelled an answer from the back of the boat.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cool Classic Cars Coming |
|
 |
|
| February 12, 2008 |
Imagine it’s 1908. The automobile has barely been around for a decade, and driving one at all is thought to be radical. This unproven bit of technology may well leave you stranded, and most people -- sensible people -- believe that horses are a far more trustworthy means of everyday transportation.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Countdown to the Daytona 500 |
|
 |
|
| February 06, 2008 |
In the Richard Petty Driving Experience, I got to pilot a NASCAR-style racecar around the Daytona International Speedway. I reached 146 mph -- wild stuff, for me.
I couldn’t sleep that night.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Crocs and Gators and Airboats, Oh My! |
|
 |
|
| February 03, 2008 |
| Some primitive part of my brain that recognized danger reacted. I screamed and flew backwards, tripping over my own legs and nearly ending up on my backside. Emile might have screamed, too, but it’s hard to be certain since my voice drowned out all other noises in the western hemisphere.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Two Almost-Anywhere Air Adventures |
|
 |
|
| January 28, 2008 |
| If you’re planning a trip to the Keys, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale or almost anywhere in Florida, here are two ideas for air adventures.
If you’re going to be close to the ocean – which you probably will be, since Florida boasts 1,197 statute miles of coastline, 2,276 statute miles of tidal shoreline, and 663 miles of beaches -- it’s a good betyou’ll also be close to a parasailing operation.
If you’re not used to being up in the air, except maybe when you’re safely encapsulated in a 747, parasailing may sound as radical as eating grasshoppers for breakfast.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Swimming with the Manatees |
|
 |
|
| January 21, 2008 |
| I been lucky enough to have lots of wonderful adventures, but swimming with the manatees is near the top of my list. Citrus County, located on Florida’s west coast, is the only place in the world where you can have an experience like this. I have been out with Cap’n Mike’s ... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Make it Count |
|
 |
|
| January 19, 2008 |
| “Ouch,” I said, sitting in my office. “That hurts!”
Paul responded from the living room. “What hurts?”
“Oh, just this comment somebody called Jake sent in to the website.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Dangerous Game |
|
 |
|
| January 12, 2008 |
| I had no idea how dangerous the new game I was about to play was. After all, lots of people play it, even people that one could most politely refer to as geezers. Certainly, I should have been up to the challenge.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Are You Ready to Be Petty? |
|
 |
|
| January 07, 2008 |
| My stomach pushed its way into my throat as the man helped me with my neck brace. “Here’s your HANS device,” he said. “I just need to clip it to your helmet.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Horse Shows in the Sun |
|
 |
|
| December 30, 2007 |
| It’s nearly that time of year again. If you’re smart, you’ll nab the chance to watch some of the country’s best equine athletes and riders compete over awe-inspiring fences at Horse Shows in the Sun. The 2008 “HITS” Florida show series runs out of the 450 acre Post Time Farm in Ocala.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Flying Without a Motor |
|
 |
|
| December 18, 2007 |
We were soaring high, high enough that the cars on Highway 33 looked like mere toys, high enough to see as many as 20 lakes at once, scattered across the countryside like jewels that had been dropped from the heavens, high enough the billowing clouds looked close enough to touch. The air was sharp and cool, but the sun spread across the plastic window above our heads and lent us some warmth. The white, blade-thin wings of our little plane cut through the sky silently.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Living to See Dinner at Lake Louisa Park |
|
 |
|
| December 10, 2007 |
“You’d probably be okay,” Wylie said, indicating the windsurfing equipment next to the shore.
Right, I thought. My eyes involuntarily darted to the whitecaps on Lake Louisa.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Trolling the Depths |
|
 |
|
| December 10, 2007 |
The sun became a fiery ball, bleeding pink into the clouds as it dipped closer to the horizon. Our boat glided silently across the tranquil lake. The evening was as relaxing as a double martini, and far healthier.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Horrible Hundred |
|
 |
|
| December 01, 2007 |
My back ached, but its whimpering was mild compared to the screams coming from my calves and butt. I blinked away the sweat that threatened to blind me, and concentrated on pedaling my bike up Sugarloaf Mountain. Why I – an older, decidedly recreational bike rider – had decided that entering the 37 mile section of the “... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's me! |
|
 |
|
| November 12, 2007 |
This morning had that crisp feel that makes you throw open the windows and doors and invite the fresh air inside. I could see the bass striking the surface of the glassy lake behind our house – and they’re hungry enough even a hacker like me can catch them – but we decided to go hang gliding instead of fishing.
After a quick dip in the pool, my husband Paul and I drove to Quest, the small airport south of Groveland that we fly out of, only ten minutes away.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Horses, mallets and golf carts |
|
 |
|
| November 01, 2007 |
I woke to another perfect day. Paul and I scrambled to get in a bicycle ride this morning. The nearby town of Clermont has a trail that winds around Lake Minneola; it links up with other trails and you can take it for literally forty miles.... more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
