The Florida Explorer

Ah yes, Dave Barry. He is a humorist that wrote columns for the Miami Harold for many years and is still pumping out hilarious books and articles into his 70s. His humor fits well in Florida, which is probably why he chose Florida as his home long ago.

Carl Hiaasen is the OG pioneering author of the genre I like to call “Florida Weird.” Because there is no other way to describe it. If you live in Florida and read his tales of off-the-wall, ridiculous, turd-fondling characters (fiction and non-fiction) doing insane things, you will find yourself nodding along because, well…yup, that sure sounds like Florida.

Every year cardholders for Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust get free access to a selection of free museums on the first full weekend of every month. Just provide your credit or debit card along with a photo ID. Let’s take a look.

In one of those hidden chapters in Florida history that you won’t find in the brochure, in 1565, the Spanish hunted down and slaughtered 242 French citizens on our Florida soil.

I was amazed to learn that Florida, my lovely aquatic home, which was submerged as recently as 3 million years ago (give or take a million) used to be home to BIG BEASTS!

I am happy to say I already have my first night of Busch Garden’s Summer Nights under my belt for the summer! I went on the evening of June 1, a Sunday, with my family and with the hopes that the park wouldn’t be terribly busy. Honestly, it wasn’t that bad.

Here is a neat little Weeki Wachee promo video from 1961 to help kick off your FL weekend! As always, don’t be complacent. GET OUT THERE! [continue reading…]

I first moved to Florida in October of 2007. Here are some of my reflections of living here for the past 11 years. [continue reading…]

Buy a BG fun card get Adventure Island free. Limited time only. Here are the details. [continue reading…]

Soon, Busch Gardens will be home to the world’s steepest and fastest hybrid roller coaster.

The case for why Florida should opt for an Orlando-Tampa Hyperloop instead of a train. [continue reading…]

Well…the small, loyal band of The Florida Explorer regulars may have noticed that the blog has been pretty inactive for about a year. [continue reading…]

Something I like to do is go to these little minor league baseball games. I find they are much more enjoyable than going to see the Rays or Marlins. I don’t have to pay for parking (or deal with the headache of parking), tickets are cheap and all the seats are good.

Back in 2016 me and the fam attended the annual Egypt Shrine Circus–the first time I’ve ever attended the event so I had no idea what to expect.

Colt Creek State Park is one of Florida’s newer state parks, being established in 2007 as the state’s 160th state park. It is located in Polk County, in Central Florida and is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.

Gatorland bills itself as the alligator capital of the world. With 110 acres, 2,000+ alligators and a myriad of other animals and shows, including an alligator wrangling show, they are probably right about their claim.

The Fun Lan is Tampa’s last old school drive-in theater and is my favorite place to catch a movie.

I’ve been to Caladesi Island a number of times now and love it each time. Caladesi Island was originally part of a larger barrier island on the Gulf Coast, but after being pummeled by hurricanes enough times, particularly in 1921 when a hurricane pass was created, cutting the barrier islands apart.

Homosassa Springs is another classic Florida day trip–one that should be near the top of your list. It has been popular since the early 1900s when passing trains would stop to let passengers take a look at the blue spring filled with exotic Florida fish and manatees.