Florida - some interesting facts

On January 10, 1861, before the start of the American Civil War, Florida declared its secession from the Union; ten days later, the state became a founding member of the Confederate States of America. The war ended in 1865.

On June 25, 1868, Florida's congressional representation was restored. After Reconstruction, white Democrats succeeded in regaining power in the state legislature. In 1885 they created a new constitution, followed by statutes through 1889 that effectively disfranchised most blacks and many poor whites over the next several years.

Provisions included poll taxes, literacy tests, and residency requirements. Disfranchisement for most African Americans in the state persisted until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s gained federal legislation to protect their suffrage.

1. Florida WildLife Centre estimates there are some 1.25 million alligators in the wild in Florida.
2. The Everglades is the only place you can see Alligators and Crocodiles living in the same habitat.
3. Once a year, thousands of Floridians stand at the state line and toss dead fish into Alabama. It's the annual Mullet Toss hosted by Flora-Bama Beach Bar in Pensacola. It's just "a silly excuse for a huge beach party."
4. The names of some of the approach procedures that all aircraft follow into their arrival at Orlando International Airport are named CWRLD ONE, COSTR ONE, PIGLT ONE, MINEE TWO and GOOFY FIVE. Any pilot that flies into there can confirm this.
5. Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where it was first developed.
6. Flamingos get their pink color from the shrimp they eat. The more shrimp they eat the deeper pink they become.
7. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a cable-stayed concrete bridge. Opened in 1987 the bridge coasts through the clouds at 190 feet above water. Its bright yellow support cables spread from the two center pillars. The structure gives drivers unobstructed view of the water during the 4.1 mile trip over Tampa Bay.
8. World's first scheduled passenger service airline flight went from St. Petersburg's downtown yacht basin to Tampa.
9. The first suntan cream was made in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1944, by pharmacist Benjamin Green.
10. Florida's capital, Tallahassee, was the only southern capital east of the Mississippi that stayed in southern hands for the whole Civil War.
11. How many square miles does Disney World cover? At last count, 47 square miles -- wow!

It's a Bug's Life....!

You expect bugs and creepy crawlies in hot places and Florida is no different and they can be a real pest. But you just have to admire nature. Mankind continues to dig, burrow, bury and cover large parts of the land, but nature always manages to find a way of fighting back. Small ants and snakes can be easily dealt with - it's the red ants and termites that can do the damage. Stand in a red ant's nest and the first thing you feel is a sort of "water running down your leg" sensation. This is quickly replaced with numbing itching and the realisation that several hundred red ants have attached themselves to your leg and are intent on doing some serious burrowing and laying of poison. Water to brush them off, vinegar to stem the pain and a quick trip to the local doctor or hospital for some medical treatment are called for.

Mankind fights back with innovative poisons, potions and other bizarre treatments. Pest control is a growth business - allow the ants and termites a foot, and they'll take a yard. Give them your yard (back graden) and they'll take your home...!

There are some 40 licenced pest control firms in this area alone - one group is called Truly Nolan and they appear all over Florida in their natty VW Beetles dressed up in Mouse details. A seriously clever way of advertising your business. And when the VW Beetles and SEATs fail to deliver, they bring on the Izusu heavy lorries with serious looking tanks of poison.

One firm we had doing our lawn control employed the services of a native red indian who would hunker down outside the house at night to find out where the blighters lived. Often talking to them would move them on, failing that a scorched earth policy of poison and fire would suffice. I kid you not about the talking bit.... and he even showed us once how termites "watch" what building is going on and then move in on the exposed wooden frames.

So, Mankind 0 - Bugs 1....

The Sunset at Manasota Key

We decided to take a trip down to the beach at Manasota Key this evening to watch the sunset. Even after all these years of watching sunsets, I still find it fascinating and marvel at the changes in colour and hue of the sea, the beach, the palm trees and the sky. There are obviously still just as many others who enjoy this spectacle too. The beach was busy, even at 7:45pm, it is still hot and there were plenty of people enjoying the last rays of sunshine and even some having a swim.

We walked along the beach for half a mile or so and turned back to watch and capture the sunset. As we walked along, we passed many areas of the beach which have been taped off to protect the turtle hatching areas. I am always amazed and pleasantly surprised how good my fellow humans are at avoiding disturbing the hatching zones. Sort of restores your faith in humanity...!

Manasota Key is a busy little area with several shops, restaurants and bars, and numerous boat hire centres and is popular as a vacation centre.

The Lock and Key is one of several good restaurants in the area and you can sit outside and dine whilst watching the sunset.

Meet the Buzzards....

The local birds are very strange. This morning we witnessed some 14 buzzards riding high on the thermal layers before swooping in low to rest on the banks of the lake opposite the house. It was interesting to watch the other birds, two herons, a pigeon and some ducks rather quietly slip away further down the water's edge.

I'm reminded of one heron that used to regularly fly into the back yard (garden) and hunt for fish in the lake. One morning I watched as the bird move very very slowly towards the submerged fish.

Some fifteen minutes into this process a dark shadow crossed the lake and down swopped an eagle, just inches above the water, grabbed the fish and soared up into the sky and off into the distance. You just have to imagine the look of surprise on the heron's face - if it had been human you'd say it was saying "What the b***** hell....!" as it watched its meal disappearing into the sky.

Boca Grande - The Beach

Up early this morning to get to Boca Grande before it gets too hot. Even at 8:30 am the sand can feel like walking on a hot griddle. Boca Grande is made of a series of small islands just off Cape Haze, about 5 miles from us. The islands, which are deemed a wildlife park and managed by the Boca Grande Management Board, are reached by a toll bridge ($4) and then a series of smaller bridges across the blue Gulf waters that form Gasparilla Sound.

Boca Grande is a dream location with many of the homes built on or close to the beaches, offering superb views out across the Gulf or towards Port Charlotte harbour and Punta Gorda. Many properties start at $1 million, although the recent finanical gloom has reduced some prices. If you can't stump up the dosh for a super cool pad here, try renting one - immaculate, well-maintained and worth the likely $1000 plus per week rent....!

The area is awash with golf carts and not just because of the several golf courses here - the locals use them in preference to cars and trucks. There are times when it can resemble the 60's hit TV show "The Prisoner" and even "The Stepford Wives". The latter view is not meant to be derogatory but you need to spend some time here to appreciate the comment. Neat, clean and tidy, grass all cut at prescribed height and heaven help anyone who steps out of line.

The beach is virtually deserted - most sane people have either already done their early morning beach-combing or wll venture out later in the day as it cools. Not the Brits...! You can spot them a mile off. Lobster-red from too much sun, all oiled up, chairs, sun shades and cool boxes at the ready, territory marked out and the patriarch standing guard over "their plot". Funny that, as there is about 100 square yards per person available on the beach!

The beach we usually use is at just up from the town centre and has an old lighthouse as a backdrop and is in the centre of the island chain. This is also just south of the location where the record-beating hammerhead shark was caught, but don't let that put you off..!

Well-cared for beaches are cleaned and combed daily, the sand is usually like fine talcum powder but over the past couple of years broken shell debris has also found its way on the beach. The local chamber of commerce has recently had the beaches built up to halt the erosion and also to help the young turtle community, especially at breeding time.

Boca Grande has some quaint roads and tracks, many of which are covered by large banyan trees. Old buildings have been painstakingly restored and used either as shops, homes or the local school. Hotels are unobtrusive - even the one used by both the former Presidents Bush and families. Indeed, George Dubbya even used one of the local restaurants.

Boca Grande was once an important rail hub as a deep and rich vein of phosphate was uncovered in Arcadia some 30 miles away. This was shipped to the southern part of the island which has one of the deepest harbours in the Gulf of Mexico and is near to easily navigable rivers.

The main road through Boca Grande leads eventually to the town centre. There are many restaurants, coffee bars and other shops. Two good restaurants are The Temptations and The Loose Caboose , which specialises in homemade ice creams. The latter was actually the rail station in years gone by as a great trade was made from the rich and famous of New York who would journey down the east coast of America through Massachusetts, North & South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in their expensive private Pullman rail coaches to enjoy the local beauty and surroundings. Sadly the railway no longer comes to the island, although the bridges across the water can still be seen. I feel there's an opportunity being lost here...!

Wildlife abounds here and not just in the sea. The islands are home to all sorts of birds - eagles, flamingoes, and herons. Other wildlife includes turtles, and giant iguanas, well pretty big ones anyway. They appear to be running rampant at present and often try to hitch lifts off the islands underneath cars and in the backs of trucks!

A glorious place, superb beaches, lots to see and do - kyaking, canoeing, fishing and sight-seeing, good food and drink and well worth the toll fee. Just try a couple of hours at a time.

Englewood - Classic Car Cruisin' Evening

Just north of Port Charlotte is quaint but sprawling Englewood. In the centre of the area is what is interestingly called "Old historic Dearborn Street". In fairness, some 150 years ago this was a bustling road and harbour as settlers made their way to the area. Buchan's Landing, the small wooden dock, can still be seen at the end of the road as it protrudes into the Gulf.

Over recent years, the local chamber of commerce has tried to bring new life into the area and has encouraged small businesses bringing traditional trade to the area. Very difficult when they have to compete with the likes of stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot and other large restaurant chains like Red Lobster, Taco Bell etc. However, in the past two years, the road has become home to some very nice shops and restaurants and there is even a small theatre. Sadly the old petrol (gas) station has yet to be reclaimed but as you walk past these buildings you can imagine what life was like in years gone by.

On the first Saturday of every month, the road hosts "Classic Car Cruizin' " and many car enthusiasts bring their pride and joy along for the public to see and talk about. It also brings in much needed trade for the local businesses. Cars and trucks include Model T Fords, Chevvies, Pontiac's, Hudsons and many more. On our trip this evening, we even saw some John Deere tractors all smartly turned out in their distinct green and yellow liveries.

Having viewed the cars, listedn to the music from the 40's 50's and 60's, we settled down to a small tappas at the Wine & Tappas Bottle Shop - a delightful bar that serves thirst-quenching white wines and super seafood tappas.

A lovely evening....

Water babe

It's 7:45 in the morning and we all take to the pool for an early morning dip before breakfast whilst my mother catches some sun.


I cannot describe how good it feels to be able to simply step into a pool just outside your bedroom. The water is warm and the sun is already creating a real heat in the lanai. Most pools can be heated either by electric heater or solar power but at this time of the year, it's not needed.


A planned 15 minute dip can quickly become an hour or more in the relaxing and cooling water. In the video clip Rebecca demonstrates some of her swim moves!