The same question works for being in Florida, even if you live here.

What would I miss here in Florida if I didn’t experience it?

For me it would be Florida State Parks, all 160 of them around the state.

The oldest state park is Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park dedicated in 1899 and the newest is Weeki Wachee Springs State Park acquired in 2008. Thirty-nine parks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Talk about diversity!

Diversity that includes – Living history museums, white sand beaches more beautiful than any brochure can depict, endangered ecosystems saved from bulldozers – all state parks embrace conservation of natural and cultural history.

It is a concept the Florida Legislature doesn’t understand as they attempted in the past two years, and failed, to place exotic animals and golf courses on these lands. Public outrage beat back these disgraces. If you were one of those who spoke up, thank you.

Meanwhile the rest of us get it. We really get it, especially in these hard economic times when families are looking for fun things to do that are cheap and close to home.

State parks fill the bill. The entrance prices are reasonable. There is a state park near you.

Over 20 million people visit state parks each year and the numbers are rising. Maybe every state legislator should be required to visit at least one state park and talk to people about why they are there. Twice Florida’s state parks have been named the best in the nation. Twice. Says something, doesn’t it? They are great just the way they are.

Every park has a unique signature. At Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park in Tallahassee, walk a forest trail indented with the tread of Indians who used these pathways eight hundred years ago.

In Apalachicola at the Orman House Historic State Park tour his antebellum home built in 1838 and get a taste for the halcyon days in the 19th century when cotton was king.

Orman House in Apalachicola

At Silver River State Park in Ocala (where my dogs love to walk the trails) rent a canoe and float along the Silver River. Look at the lovely shoreline on both sides. A combination of state and local partnerships bought this land and saved the riverbanks from becoming waterfront home frontage.

Canoeists enter the Silver River inside Silver River State Park, Ocala

Like shelling? Go to Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin. The shelling is good here. Birders will be happy too – a high number of ospreys nest at Honeymoon along with a wide variety of shorebirds.

Walking on the trail at Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin

Take a glass-bottom boat tour at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo and see the reef. Get even a closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach is a barrier island with coastal hammock and mangrove forest – home to several endangered plants. Bring a picnic lunch on Sunday afternoon and listen to bluegrass music. Swim, fish and hike the nature trail.

Every state park has a variety of activities and events. Fifty-five parks have campgrounds, 19 have cabins and one has a lodge – overnight accommodations are a good choice for a multi-day vacation.

I’m on a quest to see and experience all 160 state parks. Join me! It is a worthy goal.

If visiting parks is your new thing to do – save money and get an annual park pass – $60 for an individual and $120 for an family – certainly cheaper than going to a tourist attraction for one day.

For help and a bit of fun in the quest, get a Florida State Parks Passport, available at parks for $9.95. All 160 parks are in there with descriptions. Get your Passport stamped for every park you visit.

Did You Know?

My book 50 Great Walks in Florida has 14 chapters that are state parks and with Bonus Points (other places to go) a total of 32 state parks are destinations.

Upcoming

Here are a few upcoming events in May at state parks and all are good reasons to visit parks while the weather is still mild:

May 12 – Secrets of the Salt Marsh, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, Jacksonville. Free event. No reservations necessary. A park ranger leads a hike along the salt marsh starting at 2 p.m.

May 12 – 6-10 p.m. Picnic & Stargazing in the park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound (south of Stuart). Admission: $15 includes picnic dinner. Reservations required, limited to 50 people. Call Patricia Magrogan at (561) 746-7353.

May 13- Mother’s Day Buffet, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Wakulla Springs (southwest of Tallahassee). At the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge. Call for reservations and prices, (850) 421-2000.

Bathing beach with lodge in the background at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

May 13 – 2-4 p.m. Conch Stomp Band plays bluegrass at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach. Concert is free with park admission of $5 per carload. On May 20 from 1-4 p.m. the band “Untold Riches” plays bluegrass. These concerts are outside.

May 17 – Sunset Yoga on the Beach, two hours before sunset at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples. Park entrance fee, $6 per vehicle, applies. Bring a mat or towel, water and wear comfortable clothes for stretching.

May 19 – Low Tide Bike Ride, starting at 2:30 p.m. at Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, to promote physical and healthy lifestyles. Ranger-led event with 3 ½ mile low tide bike ride and bird watch. Bring water, bike, snack, binoculars and sunscreen. Park entrance fees apply. Bike rentals are available at Island Beach Store and Grill inside the park.

May 19- Coffee with the Birds – Silver River State Park in Ocala, starts at 8 a.m. Join an experienced birder for a gentle hike through woodlands. ID birds by sight and sound. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a coffee cup, insect repellent advised. No pets. This is the final bird walk for the season. Begins again in September. Regular park fees apply.

West Indian Manatee at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Naturally, I had to go hang out with manatees for research. Where to go? Manatees like warm water. This time of year wild manatees are out in the Gulf of Mexico because the rivers stay a constant 72 degrees and the Gulf is warmer than that. Come winter cold weather these gentle giants will be back in the rivers that stay relatively warm at 72 degrees.

If you want to be sure and see manatees any time of year one place to go is Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park not far from Crystal River. Four West Indian manatees live here, permanent residents unable to be released into the wild for a variety of reasons. The park offers a number of animal education daily events. There are three manatee education program times: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Manatees have keen ears. The sound of lettuce hitting the water will bring them to the shoreline where visitors sit on bleachers, listening to a park volunteer spin the manatee’s story.

Manatees eating lettuce at the Fish Bowl

Springs bubble up water rippling in lovely shades of gold from reflected sun. The manatees slowly glide towards the lettuce. They are big, gray aquatic mammals looking like underwater blimps. An adult manatee can easily be ten feet long and weigh 1,200 pounds.

The park volunteer said manatees eat 10 percent of their body weight every day. That is a lot of greens. They are herbivores, always hungry, always looking for sea grasses, water plants, all the good stuff.

Manatees move by undulating their tails and sculling with their flippers. It is surprising to learn they are distantly related to elephants. Both have toe nails – elephants on their hooves, manatees on their flippers.

They are ancient animals, part of a group called sirenians. Perhaps a manatee’s gentle ways has helped them survive for millions of years. Yet now manatees are endangered from destruction of their habitats, hunting and a modern invention called boating. Manatees are often scarred and killed by boat propellers.

the clear spring water- on the right is a swimming manatee

Because they are mammals they must surface to breath air, putting them on a collision course with boaters. Plus they are curious and attracted to the sound of propellers. Manatee safe zones and speed limits are only as good as boater’s willingness to co-exist with manatees.

While it is awesome to see manatees gliding through the clear spring water it is even more amazing to descend into the Fish Bowl and watch them from under the water, eating lettuce, moving around each other, just a slight lift of their tail moving them to the next piece of lettuce.

After the park volunteer’s talk, the recommendation is to go to the Fish Bowl, where all the rest of the lettuce is delivered and quickly consumed.

It is pure magic to spend time with manatees. After a first encounter at Homosassa it could be tempting to round everyone up to head for Crystal River and take a snorkeling tour with manatees.

But think about it – the underwater world is their world where they eat, sleep, play and raise families. It is extremely stressful to have it invaded by hordes of swimmers who paid money to get wet and be in a place they don’t belong.

Consider a kayak tour where you can glide by and see manatees without stressing them by swimming alongside. The 21st century is stressful enough for them as it is. Thank you. And Mary Margaret Manatee, a figment of my imagination based on real life, thanks you too.

More About Manatees

A good place to start learning about manatees is the Fact page on Save the Manatee organization.

Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, a great place to see wild manatees in the winter months.

Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa has the Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center with below sea level viewing. Speaking of lettuce, the manatees at the zoo’s manatee hospital eat nine tons of lettuce in a week. And when was the last time you had your greens?

Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa and Sea World in Orlando are the two designated manatee rehabilitation centers in Florida. Sea World has an Animal Rescue Team on call 365 days a year.

Sure, the calendar hasn’t announced spring officially but we know better. It takes will power to hang on and not plant a few vegetables in the ground or a pot before March 15, the recommended start date for spring gardens.

But in the meantime, while you are waiting, go for it. Imagine to your heart’s content. Visit a botanical garden for inspiration. Speaking of inspiration, two gardeners share their garden stories with Saturday Morning Magazine.

First, Kathy Nelson, editor of Florida Gardening, a bi-monthly magazine that is a must-have, must-read for anyone puzzling out the bizarre world of Florida Gardening. Kathy shares how her mom moved to Florida, planted things that were wonderful up North . . .you know what happened next. We’ve been there. But the story unfolds to new blooms and a happy ending.

Then Eric Darden, Epcot’s Horticulture Manager shares his love of upcoming, and very exciting, Epcot International Flower and Garden Show. One of his favorite things is Bambi’s Butterfly Garden. I agree. It is magic to see all the butterflies.

The photos of flowers are all from Epcot’s 2011 Flower and Garden And be sure to check out the partial list of upcoming garden festivals. Yes, it is that time of year. Enjoy the blooming season.

Florida Favorites

In my Florida travels I meet fantastic people who are travel writers, residents, newcomers, guides and entrepreneurs, all are digging into the Florida places they love and finding treasures worth keeping. Here is Kathy Nelson, editor of Florida Gardening magazine

When my mom moved to Florida from Pennsylvania, she had no idea what she was facing in her new garden. She planted tropicals that froze that first winter and temperate plants that couldn’t take the summer heat. She planted all sorts of wonderful new things, but probably took out almost as many as she planted, due to the many “issues” new gardeners often encounter here. So when I followed her south a year later, I already knew that Florida wasn’t exactly a gardener’s paradise.

But it was still a shock to find that I couldn’t keep anything alive in my new yard. Rose bushes died, vegetables were deformed by nematodes, orange trees produced sour fruit and I didn’t know why. When my grass died, I had to admit that when it came to growing things down here, I was a flop.

So I know how newcomers feel when they first try their hand at growing things in our challenging conditions. Many of them give up entirely and hire a lawn service. I got lucky and met Wae Nelson, my future husband. He knew the secrets to successful Florida gardening.

Soon we were growing a wide variety of edibles, including vegetables, herbs and exotic tropical fruits. And we also couldn’t resist the fabulous ornamentals that Florida is famous for – hibiscus, gingers, bromeliads, bougainvillea and flowering trees, just to name a few. Our motto became, “There’s always room for one more plant!” We were having so much fun that we decided to share our passion with as many people as possible by publishing a gardening magazine just for Florida.

From the first issue which came out in the fall of 1995, to the 100^th issue which is due out in April 2012, Florida Gardening has covered just about every subject that could possibly interest gardeners in Florida. And it still the only gardening magazine published exclusively for the Sunshine State. Find out more on www.floridagardening.com or call (321)951-4500 to order a subscription.

And here is Eric Darden, Horticulture Manager for Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 7-May 20, Walt Disney World Resort. I met Eric last year while doing a  story for Florida Gardening on the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival (see the Feb-March 2012 issue).  Eric smiles a lot – he has a great job and shares his enthusiasm for the Festival.

I’ve been involved with the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival from the very beginning.  During the first festival, I was a foreman on the topiary crew and remember sitting on the back of a flatbed truck plugging topiaries right before it opened.  That first festival was about 38 days long; in 2004 it expanded to 52 days, then 60, and now our festival is 75 days long.

Not only has the festival expanded in length and size, the gardens are now more complex.  Our Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden is whimsical and fun, with tiny topiaries of Disney fairies from popular films.  We know our guests enjoy the Disney character topiaries, and it’s fun that we (in horticulture) get some of the glory that belongs to the Disney artists who created these amazing characters like Woody and Buzz from the three “Toy Story” films or Mickey Mouse and Goofy.  This year in our front-entrance topiary display we have Sorcerer Mickey Mouse perched atop a giant floral topiary rock as he “directs” 27 other “Fantasia” topiaries.  There are three ostriches, two hippos, two alligators, two elephants, nine stars, a spiral and eight mushrooms.  It’s going to be quite a scene!

Our guests also love the festival color – we have 30 million blooms across the park’s 260-acre landscape – pansies, petunias, snapdragons in every color imaginable.  Our flower towers are back this year with a vertical show of blooms, and the floral patterns along the lake beds will be a huge “wow.”  So will the 240 floating mini-gardens of impatiens.

Another popular feature of the festival is that there are always great tips to take home: how to improve your home irrigation system, how to build an herb and vegetable garden, and how to have fun outside with your family, whether it’s creating a plant tunnel for the kids or designing a stepping-stone arrangement.  This year we’re also showcasing some really creative potting methods using old wagons, bathtubs and even bed frames.  And you can always go to our Festival Center in Future World to talk to a Disney gardening expert at any time.

One of my favorite things is Bambi’s Butterfly Garden.  On Saturday mornings when it’s still early, you can watch the butterflies emerge and, for about an hour while their wings are drying out, I can take them and let kids hold them on their fingers so parents can get pictures.  That’s pretty neat and, every time I do that, it feels like a really special moment.

UPCOMING

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 7 through May 20, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando

Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival 2012, March 10-11, Ocala

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10th Annual International Orchid Festival, Friday March 9 through Sunday, March 11, Coral Gables

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Spring Garden Festival, March 24-25, Gainesville

Florida Wildflower and Garden Festival, March 24, DeLand

Did you know?

Ch. 15 in my new eco-gardening book Florida Gardens Gone Wild is about classes and festivals around Florida and Chapter 6 gives  garden road trips you can take.

That is the question, even if the gender is she instead of he. We’re talking dogs, out for a stroll in a new place. Along comes another dog. Naturally both are leashed. Before contact is made one dog owner will ask THE QUESTION:

“Is he friendly?”

It is also code for a question unasked: “Is he up to date on his rabies shots?”

Fortunately, the answer is almost always “Yes”.

And so the two dogs can meet and greet, sniff noses, sniff butts, it is a dog thing.

In search of new adventures, Obi, my Welsh corgi adopted from Sunshine Corgi Rescue, and I traveled to Cedar Key for an overnight stay – it is a tough job, researching places to travel with your dog, but we were up for the task.

We had just gotten out of the car at City Park when along comes a miniature poodle and her two owners. Naturally the question was asked. Her owners rolled their eyes and nodded. The poodle, sporting a pink bow, was quivering with excitement – oh, boy, a new dog! Obi was polite but unimpressed. He was more interested in sniffing and marking the nearest palm tree.

City Park beach in Cedar Key, Florida

For those of you who, like me, are single travelers with their dogs, parks are a blessing. Obi can use a tree but humans need a restroom, especially after traveling an hour and a half. I marched Obi into the women’s rest room and got a laugh from a lady who was exiting. Hey, you do what you have to do.

Cedar Key sits at the end of SR 24. Think about this. Gainesville, the nearest city, is 60 miles away. Everything has to be brought here. So it makes sense that many accommodations have kitchens. Bring your own food. We did. That turned out to be a very good move at mealtime as only one restaurant lets dogs sit outside. We opted for our own meals.

Cedar Key loves its canines and many restaurants would like to be pet friendly. The city passed an pet friendly ordinance but state health law, that must be followed too has many hurdles to jump, including economic, and thus it isn’t easy for small family restaurants to comply.

Faraway Inn (very pet friendly) where we stayed has a number of lovely seating areas on the grounds. The full kitchen in our cottage included a four-burner stove, refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffee maker. Our little cottage was so cozy we felt at home right away.

We sat outside near our room and along came Turtle, a tortoiseshell cat that is the Faraway Inn office cat. She wanted to be petted and was perfectly fine with Obi. Walking around Cedar Key you will see that felines are very much part of the scenery along with canines.

Obi in the doorway of our cottage at Faraway Inn, Cedar Key

For a listing of lodging and other places that are pet friendly, see the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce Web site – pet-friendly places have a paw next to the entry. Call to make sure the information is up to date.

Faraway Inn office, Cedar Key

Cedar Key is known for being a laid-back, throwback to a kinder, gentler, less harried time – the relaxed atmosphere, and small area means everyone strolls, especially in the evening as sunset draws near. Sidewalks are few but no matter, walking along the street is accepted. Cars move slowly.

Both locals and visitors walk their dogs. You, as a responsible pet owner, know the drill. Carry poop bags for those events. Cedar Key has stations around with bags.

They are also big into recycling. Every trashcan has a wire enclosure next to it for recyclables like plastic bottles.

At the end of the day, sunsets are spectacular. The Gulf of Mexico is right there at land’s end. Cars line up along the gulf. Walkers stop to wait for “the moment” when sun touches the horizon. At the Faraway Inn where we stayed a whole section of outside seating faces west. Every seat was full as the sun set.

Obi and I walked the beach waiting for the event. A flat rock is the seating choice on the beach but just along the roadway above the beach; look for benches with signs nearby. All the benches face west and are dedicated to locals who liked to come to that spot. This is public seating. We found one bench between two old houses. Perfect.

Here’s a side effect of being in a small, old Florida town – no bright lights. There are few streetlights. When a business closes in the evening, they turn out the lights. No bright neon. No lit up billboards.

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, Cedar Key

I thought Obi and I might do a late night walk to see the stars but we folded after sunset and missed the heavenly show. Next time.

An early Sunday morning walk was delightful – the Gulf was still, the surface a mirror, all around us was the hush of Sunday morning quiet mixed with the tangy smell of Gulf salt air. We passed restored old homes and ancient trees and then turned around to head back to the cottage for breakfast.
A local stopped us and asked “Is he friendly?”
The answer was yes.
He reached down to pet Obi and said: “Of course you are, how could you be anything but friendly.”
It was the nicest compliment Obi had all weekend.

We’ll be back.

When one resides with dogs, Valentine’s Day comes every day. What better place to find unconditional love than the world of the pooch? My husband and I currently share our lives with six canines of various heritages. Penny, Bert, Jazz, Pepper, Willy and Lulu are extremely social and we try to go as many places as possible with them. By doing so, we practice what we preach on our web site, FloridaPets.net, which we started in October, 2001.

Patricia and three of their rescued dogs

We are passionate about traveling with our canine crew and equally excited about sharing with others all the pet friendly information we can find, including where to vacation, play, dine, live, and shop around Florida without having to leave any member of the family home.

I’m frequently asked my most important tip about traveling with dogs. The answer is simple: if your dog poops, you must scoop. More than a few once-pet friendly beaches have recently started saying no to dogs, with canine waste being the most common reason given for the change. We can turn this trend around. There are many types of portable pet waste solutions online; pick a scooper and plenty of bags and keep them handy everywhere you go.

To get started on your own dog friendly adventure, visit Pet Friendly Place to Play where you can find dog parks, beaches, and other outdoor locations organized by city and county. We also have pages for vacation planning, a list of restaurants that offer doggie dining, and more. Browse our information and write us if you need us to research something for you.

Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9-noon, Pups at the Point - dogs welcome on the third Saturday of each month at Spanish Point south of Sarasota. Must be leashed.

The Florida Pets newsletter carries a list of dog parks around Florida (more are being added!) and recently updated their Port Charlotte page, lots of good places to go.

In my book “50 Great Walks in Florida,” a total of 32 walks are all or partly dog-friendly.

Sand hill pine trail at Silver River State Park, Ocala

A fact of life – the first one down the trail sees the wildlife, which promptly vanish now that humans have arrived. People who come along later are left saying “What? Did someone see something? What?”

One early morning we saw something quite wonderful – three white-tailed deer came out of the woods about 50 feet ahead of us.

Here’s what happened next: All three bounded into the air at the same time, legs bent, their white tails flashing straight up. With that leap in unison they looked just like Lipizzaner Stallions. Running for a few steps, they crossed the trail and leaped up into the air again all at the same time. I’m thinking they had secret walkie-talkies tucked somewhere and a director giving dance directions.

My dogs sat down to watch the show. The three deer leaped again in unison and disappeared into the trees. I felt like clapping.

It was a “you had to have been there” moment. You only get those moments by venturing into the trees, walking trails in the woods, hanging out in wildlife habitat.

A walk in Silver River State Park can be found in Chapter 26 “Two Rivers Run Through It” in my guide book “50 Great Walks in Florida.”

gnarled trees at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

There are plenty of opportunities to go where the trees are. Florida has 35 state forests , 151 state parks, 11 national parks, 28 national wildlife refuges and three national forests ( Ocala, Apalachicola and Osceola). Add to this city and county parks, Greenways, plus the Florida Trail and the possibilities get really interesting.

Right now forests are in winter mode. Leafy trees are pretty bare, their naked branches opening up sky vistas not seen before. Some late fall color shows in the leaves fallen to the ground.

Pine cones are scattered everywhere. Pine trees show off green needles against a cloudless blue winter sky. A breeze kicks up. Late fall leaves spiral down to the ground. We walk on a carpet of pine needles and leaves.

Ah, big plus coming up – the cooler weather means no deer flies and no mosquitoes. No bugs? That is a reason to lace up your walking shoes and get going.

One warning – national forests and conservation areas allow hunting in certain areas in winter months, always check their Web sites or phone before you go. I do not advise walking in any area open to hunting.

The dogs and I walk all seasons of the year. It never fails to surprise me that you can get just a short way down a forest trail and the thickness of trees blocks out the city sounds of traffic. So quiet at first then the forest sounds take over.

I’ve come to appreciate that forests are a huge part of this simple statement – everything is connected.

At Silver River State Park, for example, all of the park, and the land on which we walk, is a water recharge area for the Silver River. In Ocala National Forest the “jewels of the Ocala” – Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs and Silver Glen Springs are vital natural resources protected by being part of a national forest.

Canoes at Horseshoe Lake, Marion County

Forests are diverse ecosystems with diverse recreational activities. Walk, bike, use the OHV trail system, go where there are horse trails, take a canoe to the water’s edge and start paddling, swim, camp, scuba dive, snorkel, picnic, bring your paint box and paint a stately oak tree, fish, sit quietly and commune with nature. Pick one or more.

Whew! What a great way to start 2012.

Florida Favorites
In my Florida travels I meet fantastic people who are travel writers, residents, newcomers, guides and entrepreneurs, all are digging into the Florida places they love and finding treasures worth keeping. Here is Joan Landis, a Florida Audubon member who is just starting out her writing career. Her bio is below with an e-mail address to comment on her contribution to this month’s forest theme:

About Joan:

Joan Landis grew up in Texas spending summers fishing in South Padre Island, exploring the seashore and imagining the adventures the sea and world would bring her. Her career in sales brought much travel and new trails to explore. Fishing, Scuba Diving, Hiking and now Birding, Joan has spent her life enjoying nature and learning from it. Joan has experienced a wide variety of wilderness habitats from living in the Florida Keys to the Inside passage of Alaska. While living in Juneau, Alaska she joined the sisterhood of “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” learning skills that led to wonderful adventures and people that will be forever friends. Camping has been one of her passions and over the years, she has taken multi-day trips in the Alaskan back country where there are more bears than people and paddling trips through the 10,000 islands in the Everglades. Along the way discovering, experiencing and meeting some of the most interesting people and places one can only imagine. Joan’s passion for the wilderness and conservation has been a thread throughout her life and now she’s sharing some of her wonderful and life-changing experiences. You can reach Joan at: JCLandis@hotmail.com

A Symphony in the Woods

Tourists swarm like mosquitoes come January in the Everglades. Craving relief, I decided to try the Pineland Trail. As soon as I ducked through the big gate, I knew I’d found my sanctuary.

I was overtaken by the silence of the woods. An old logging road jutted through the forest, barely visible under a thick carpet of pine needles. The brown needles muted my footfalls and provided a dramatic contrast to the riot of green under story and the tops of the slash pines above. Through the open canopy, I could see the sky gathering clouds.

A few steps in, I entered the world of the forest and the outside world disappeared. Seemingly silent at first, I soon became aware of my surroundings and began to hear the woodland sounds. A giant striped dragonfly skimmed right in front of me, its wings softly fluttering as it worked the tall grasses. The sound of its wings was rhythmic. A crunch and rustle got my attention next and I followed the sound to a small squirrel darting across the forest floor. As it raced away, the skittering sound faded and created a backdrop to the cadence of the dragonfly wings.

Each step further into the forest, I heard more of the melody the forest played for me. The raspy sound of leaves moving across a limestone formation introduced another layer to the riff. Studying its ancient fissures, I wondered what might live there now when so long ago this rock was caressed by the Atlantic. Mesmerized, I stepped further into the enchanted forest.

I saw a standing dead tree and the forest symphony grew louder as it played back the cacophony of a ravaging lightning fire that ripped its bark and threw it in chunks to the ground, gnarling its crown. The rattle of wind through a stand of pines that were leaning but not toppled lent percussion to the verse describing Hurricane Wilma’s blustery visit.

The sounds that the forest gave up were its signature opus. The symphony I heard that day had been evolving over eons, with all the changes in the forest both subtle and grand tuning and refining its chorus. No two-day’s songs are ever the same. So the next time you’re looking for a retreat, go out and listen to the sounds of the forest. It will play for you its newest notes.

UPCOMING IN JANUARY

Jan. 13-15 – Eighth annual Southwest Florida Nature Festival
Jan. 13-15 – 35th annual Art Deco Weekend, Miami. Read about taking an Art Deco walk in North Miami Beach in Chapter 44 “The Delight of Deco” in my book “50 Great Walks in Florida” available on my Web site.
Jan. 14 - Edison Day of Discovery 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Florida Gulf Coast University, free, Fort Myers
Jan. 28 – Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa

Coming in SMM in February – Travel with Fido

Did you know? My new book “Florida Gardens Gone Wild” is available on my Web site with an option to contribute $2 towards one of two non-profits – Audubon of Florida and the Ocala Public Library. Go for it!

The moment is now! Lucy Tobias’ 29 years of professional non-fiction writing and publishing experience can give your dream wings to fly.

For a limited time Lucy is offering coaching services for a select few people who want to make their dreams a reality. It’s easy to sign up and start bringing your writing to life. After reviewing your ideas, you and I will plan out your non-fiction book, article or project together. Then we will meet once a month using the internet and mentor you toward writing sucess. You can do it all from home in complete privacy.

Why wait any longer? Click and tell me about your project.

As you end your travels down US 17 in Punta Gorda you may notice some of the 24 beautiful murals scattered throughout the city. Behind each mural is a tale of a person or event that helped shaped the City.

For example, when the Florida Southern Railway was deciding where to end the western rail line, Punta Gorda’s Founder, Isaac Trabue persuaded the Directors to build their southern most terminal in his largely uninhabited town, of Trabue. As an inducement he gave Florida Southern half of his land for construction of a waterfront hotel.

Construction of the Punta Gorda Hotel (Mural 23) began in 1886. It opened in January 1888.

The regal hotel brought with it business and prosperity, although it was only open during the winter.

When tough financial time struck the nation in 1896, the hotel closed, reopening in 1902. The hotel closed for good in 1914 and was sold in 1924 to Barron Collier and Cornelius Vanderbilt. They renamed it the Hotel Charlotte Harbor (Mural 24) and over the next three years invested in a magnificent renovation. A floor was added as Collier’s private apartment along with A glassed-in ballroom. The hallways were narrowed to make space for private baths for each room and a sprinkler system installed. Originally, the hotel sported just 4 baths per floor. The wood structure’s exterior was stuccoed and amenities including a gigantic swimming pool and pavilion were added.

The grand re-opening was celebrated in January 1927. Collier promoted his new enterprise by giving cost-free vacations to sport celebrities and recruited both local and established golfers to foster competitions at the hotel’s 18-hole golf course east of town. In 1930, specially-constructed tennis court was added for tennis phoneme “Big Bill Tilden” and his rivals.

The Great Depression cut short the hotels success.

The Collier heirs sold the hotel to G. Floyd Alford in 1944. Subsequently, Martin Flieschman took over in 1956 and spent a great deal converting it into a health retreat. A “mineral bath” wing and shore side “cabana club” were added. He renamed it Charlotte Harbor Spa.

The hotel met a fiery end on August 14, 1959. The fire was so spectacular that it was visible from more than 25 miles.

The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. The Society depends upon the generosity of the public for funding of projects and encourage you to become a Friend of the PGHMS by visiting us @ http://puntagordamurals.com. Learn more about the murals, the mural process, and much more including an interactive “Walking/ Bicycle Guide.”

- Ron Norsell

Got crabs? The Peace River Seafood Market & Restaurant in Punta Gorda does. Lots of them. Stone crab claws in season along with whole blue crabs that turn from blue to an outrageous shade of orange when they’re steamed.

Waiter Chris Molinet serves a container of blue crabs at Peace River Seafood

Ah, to me a meal in this old cracker house turned restaurant is heaven unfolding. A bucket of steamed blue crabs arrives. Let the serious eating begin.

From the water to your plate, the seafood here is that fresh. After dinner, surrounded by blue crab shells, blissfully full and impressed with a friendly, efficient staff (they keep the crabs coming) – I realized this meal inside an off the beaten path restaurant spoke volumes for the city of Punta Gorda itself – a vibrant, energetic, off the beaten path place that hums with friendly people who care about their community plus, and this is a big plus, Punta Gorda has a full catch of delights from waterfront walks and gallery walks to serious fishing, elegant places to stay and fresh seafood.

Historic Downtown Punta Gorda has this motto: “It’s happening on the Harbor.”

Indeed it is happening on Charlotte Harbor. Devastated by Hurricane Charlie in 2004 that caused $3.2 billion worth of damage in Punta Gorda and Charlotte County, the spirit to rebuild includes the theme of connectivity.

One result: The Punta Gorda Harborwalk is a long walkable/bikable connection. It goes from the west end of Gilchrist Park next to Fishermen’s Village east about 2.3 miles and ends near a medical center.

Punta Gorda Harborwalk

What a great promenade – the Harborwalk has winding wide sidewalks, trees, benches, overlooks. On some parts you can walk your dog, other parts are a no-no. Watch for signs.

Plans are to eventually have a Ring Around the City, about 18 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trains and paths connecting Punta Gorda’s neighborhoods, parks and commercial areas. Super!

While cars whiz by overhead on two bridges (US 41 going north and south) walkers, joggers, and bikers can go under the bridges in style. For those who like a bit of uphill, there are walkways on the bridges. Left your bike at home? Not to fret. There are free canary yellow bicycle loans with three locations on this walkway – Fishermen’s Village, Four Points by Sheraton and Dockmaster’s building at Laishley Park.

Punta Gorda has a free bike loaner program

I stayed at Four Points by Sheraton and literally walked right out the front door, turned left, and there was the bike rack and the Harborwalk. Perfect.

Everyone I passed on my early morning stroll, walkers, joggers and bikers, said “Hello” or “Good morning”. What a great way to start the day. A crabber had a full bucket of crabs. Wading birds worked the shoreline. Dolphins swam in the Harbor.

breakfast at Elena's, Punta Gorda

Later I had breakfast at Elena’s, 615 Cross Street, phone (941) 575-1888, a friendly, family place with funky turquoise and purple booths. Located in the Cross Trails Shopping Center, it came recommended by locals and I can now add my two thumbs up, especially the hash browns.

Punta Gorda is the kind of place where you come across it by accident or design, take a look around, and end up staying for the next 20 years or more.

“I sailed into Charlotte Harbor 20 years ago to see my brother and stayed,” said Charles Peck, a fine artist who turned his talents to murals. He has just finished a mural of the old hotel in downtown Punta Gorda, and has others to his credit.
“We are in a transient society,” Peck said. “These murals create a sense of social continuity.”

Charles Peck, artist, with hotel mural, Punta Gorda

All murals, 22 and counting, have a historic theme and are presented by the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society that has its office at 715 Monaco Drive, Punta Gorda, phone (941) 575-0785.

Cattle Drive down Marion Avenue mural section, Punta Gorda

In a different vein, for a look at wildlife rescue, visit Peace River Wildlife Center at 3400 West Marion Avenue, phone (941) 637-3830, inside Ponce de Leon Park.

With each new find it became obvious that Punta Gorda can’t be seen and experienced in a day or overnight, give yourself several days to soak up the vibes and the smiles.

Note: Many thanks to the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau for coordinating our trip and to the Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside for providing accommodations.

Jennifer Huber, Tourism Public Relations Manger for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau sums it up well:
“There are lots of reasons to be here, very active in the wintertime from November to Easter. People here care about conservation. They care about each other. People have specifically chosen to live here and they bring their values with them.”

Upcoming in Punta Gorda:

Annual Christmas Light Canal Tours, Friday, Dec. 2-Saturday, Dec. 31, call (941) 639-0969.

Annual Peace River Lighted Boat Parade (941) 639-3720, begins at dusk on Sunday, Dec. 11, free. Location: Charlotte Harbor.

Festival of Lights, Fishermen’s Village, through Dec. 31

COMING IN JANUARY SATURDAY MORNING MAGAZINE – “Where the Trees Are . . .”