Heathrow is a small town in Seminole County. It’s a popular suburb of Orlando, and often ranks well on lists of the best places to live in Florida. The population of Heathrow is 6,987 according to the most recent 2019 U.S. census. The zip code for Heathrow, Florida is 32746. Quality of Life People enjoy … Read more
Mount Dora is a quaint little town in Central Florida’s Lake County. It’s part of the Orlando-Kissimmee metro area, about an hour away from Orlando and its major theme parks. Mount Dora has approximately 15,000 residents, according to the 2019 Census population estimate. Lake Dora Mount Dora sits on the northeast corner of beautiful Lake … Read more
When people imagine moving to Florida for their retirement, a question looms. Where is the place to retire in Florida? Well, it depends. As we age, and especially after we retire, we look for different things in a place to live. Access to good medical care, ease of transportation and lack of traffic and retiree-friendly … Read more
Where is Boyd Hill Preserve? The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located south of Saint Petersburg. It borders the shores of Lake Maggiore. There are two entrances to the park. The North entrance includes a historical Pioneer Settlement Area and will be the site of the Tomalin Campground, which will provide urban camping inside the … Read more
Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg is a hidden gem. Many agree it’s one of the best things to do in Tampa Bay. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy Florida’s nature without having to spend any money, or drive very far. The park spans 400 acres in the heart of Pinellas County. There’s an extensive … Read more
For RVing, Florida is one of the most popular destinations in the world. People travel from all over to escape cold winters, relax on beautiful beaches, camp in the Florida Keys and explore Florida’s beautiful nature. If you stay in a hotel, or rent a house or condo, you’ll be comfortably insulated from the killer … Read more
Florida is a bird lover’s paradise. Birders visit Florida from around the world for a chance to experience the Great Birding Trail, and to spot rare species. But, for folks living in Florida, birds can cause headaches, and massive property damage. Recently, we’ve had a problem with birds. For the past several months, our condo … Read more
Is there good surfing in Florida? Florida can have excellent surf, but only during specific conditions. Sadly, Florida’s marine geography is not well suited for good, consistent waves. Florida’s surf conditions are exceptionally location-specific. Because of many different factors, wind, wave and swell conditions don’t affect the coastline consistently. Certain spots on Florida’s east coast … Read more
Is Florida a good place to live? Yes, and no. It’s got many good selling points: Low taxes Year-round warm weather Beautiful beaches Incredible nature Endless attractions New people move to Florida every day. They come from around the U.S., Canada, and countries around the world. When they get here, many new Florida residents learn … Read more
Congratulations on getting engaged! Now that you’ve said, “Yes!” to your one-and-only, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to get married. Maybe you’ve already started dreaming about all of the fantastic places you can say, “I do,” and if you’re reading this post, then a Florida wedding on the beach has probably … Read more
My Favorite Online Sailing Documentaries This page will feature the best sailing documentaries I’ve found over the years. If you think I should add something, please let me know! I’ll try to keep this page updated, as a helpful resource. This page is dedicated to sailing documentaries. I have another page dedicated to the best … Read more
Sailors always want be on the water. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible; especially today. Sailing books, movies and stories help us waterlovers survive until our next adventure. I made this list of resources I’ve found over the years. I hope you enjoy them! Please tell me if you think I should add something. I appreciate … Read more
Ichetucknee Springs State Park Ichetucknee Springs State Park is an oasis. It has something for everyone: Tubing on a natural lazy river Paddling: Canoe and Kayaking One of the clearest rivers in Florida Fantastic snorkeling Scuba diving, and cave diving Beautiful nature Hiking trails Diverse wildlife Grills, BBQ and picnic facilities Two on-site restaurants with … Read more
Florida has a famously old population. Many regions are jokingly referred to as “Heaven’s waiting room” because it is where people go to spend their last years before death. Demographic trends can make it appear as if Florida has a steady influx of new residents. Many reports have optimistically touted the expiration of State and … Read more
Florida is home to three important National Forests, as well as several State Forests. Each of these sites are important for a variety of reasons. Florida’s forests, wildlife and natural environments are under constant assault. Over-development, pollution and encorachment all pose grave, constant threats. Wild, natural forest areas help preserve sensitive ecosystems and provide valuable … Read more
Sanibel Island is one of my favorite places in all of Florida. I love it because it strikes a perfect balance between so many great things. Nature, conservation and respectful human enjoyment. Laid back, but sophisticated Luxurious, but accessible I especially love the bike paths which connect every part of the island. I could see … Read more
Florida Anchoring Laws Florida anchoring rules have been a toxic, contentious issue for years. In this article we’ll look at the guidelines, rules and relevant issues facing Florida cruisers. Plus, for anyone who’s interested, we’ll take a look at some notable Florida anchoring issues and legal cases from the past. Florida Anchoring Rules: What Do … Read more
Food for Hurricanes Living in Florida means dealing with hurricanes. Anyone who’s ever been through one knows that planning for hurricane food can be a major stress point. Stocking up at the last minute doesn’t work, so it’s best to plan ahead. Preparing Before the Storm This USDA Food Safety article has great advice. Some … Read more
2022 Update: Thanks to everyone who shared solutions and suggestions! I’ll highlight a few here: Something like these flexible bladders might be a great solution to avoid problems with melted ice water in coolers, and food contamination. I haven’t tried this yet, so I’m not sure how they’ll hold up to freezing. But, they look promising. … Read more