Here’s a fun little guide to recap a little of what I’ve discovered so far:
A - Alligators
You can't write about Florida without mentioning the state reptile... They are everywhere!
B - Big-Na$$ Bugs
They seemed to be everywhere too!
C - Coastlines
Florida is the state that can boast the second-most coast in the U.S. after Alaska. However does Alaska even count? It's pretty and all, but most of the time it's a little cold for a day at the beach.
D - Dinosaurs
Just kidding. Well, kind of. There may not be live real dinosaurs, but they have the next best thing, Dinosaur Museum in Orlando.
E - Everglades
It doesn't get much more Florida than an airboat ride through the Everglades. A little touristy, maybe, but I should try it once in my life... Maybe one day!
F - Flip-Flops
This must be the requisite footwear that completes any Floridian's outfit. However, I guess I'm prepared to stick out like a sore toe. You know, like when you stub your toe and it hurts really bad, because all you wear are flip-flops. With a motorcycle I'll keep to my protective shoes.
G - Gardens
Florida has about a bazillion gorgeous gardens waiting to be explored. However, I think this is just a beautiful housing complex. 😅
H - Heat/Humidity
It's just a fact of life. The price they pay for the country's most perfect winters are long, often miserable summers. That's why they say Floridians have little respect for the snowbirds who don't earn the nice winters, like they do. They must have never been to Missouri! 🤪
I - Islands
If you've ever dreamed of island life, Florida has lots of islands and keys where that dream is very much alive. Pictured is St. George Island.
J - Jackpot
Can you believe some folks spend hours and more money than they should at these casinos. I'm not much on gambling so I'm not there long.
K - (The) Keys
Everyone loves the wonderful, wild, and wacky Florida Keys. Been there and did that so this trip will not include another trip there.
L - Lightning
I'm told that Florida is the lightning capital of the country. I've witnessed plenty where I live.
M - Museums
Not many people know this, but Florida has many awesome museums. Some of my favorites are The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg (pictured), The Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, and The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, just to name a few.
N - News
Florida's gained a lot of notoriety for its ridiculous news stories. You can probably find a story about the state in any "news of the weird" section on any given day, anywhere.
O - Oranges
Oranges thrive in Florida due to the state's sub-tropical temperatures, abundant rainfall, plenty of sunshine and unique, sandy soil. Florida's distinctive natural conditions are why Florida Oranges tend to be juicier as well as taste and look different from other oranges.
P - Parks
Florida has a very green thumb, great weather and lots of land. So, everywhere you turn there are parks, both large and small. Did you know they have more than 150 state parks? Pictured here is Lakefront Park near Kissimmee.
Q - Quicksand
Just kidding. Florida doesn't have real quicksand. They do, however, have sinkholes, which are even scarier, but do not begin with a Q.
R - Rain
Rain in Florida is very special. It starts out of nowhere in the middle of a sunny day and may only last 15 minutes before the sun is back out again. You either have to carry an umbrella everywhere or just get used to it.
S - Sunsets/Sunrises
It's a well-known fact that Florida has the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises you'll ever see.
T - Theme Parks
Love them or hate them, the many theme parks are part of what makes the state unique. They also bring lots of that other t-word they use for those of us: Tourists.
U - Unique
Let's face it, it's hard to find a U-word. I'm lucky, though, because Florida really is super unique. The residents, history, attractions, and wildlife can't be found anywhere else.
One such thing is "ANCIENT-LOOKING COLUMNS GUARDED BY CARVED" lions mark the entryway into a “lost city” located 40 feet below the surface of the sea, complete with stone roads, soaring gates, and crumbling ruins.
Originally named the Atlantis Memorial Reef, the lost city is part of an underwater cemetery that also acts as an artificial reef, sponsored by the Neptune Society, a cremation company. Located about 3 miles off the coast of Key Biscayne in Miami, the undersea cemetery was designed by Florida artist Kim Brandell and opened in 2007.
V - Vintage
Florida is a great place to look for antiques and vintage items. Antique shopping is very popular here, and you can find unique items across the state. My paradise but not much room to carry it home. 🥺
W - Weeki Wachee
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Florida is the only state with mermaids on its payroll. Weeki Wachee became a state park in recent years so that they wouldn't lose this special piece of our state's history. Cool!
X - X-Rated Art Museum
I've heard about The World Erotic Art Museum in Miami Beach it is said to be all about education, not pornography. You can find works by Rembrandt, Dali and Picasso in this vast collection.
Y - Yankees
Winter is here, which means plenty of us snowbirds from up north (and everyone else who gets sick of shoveling snow) are here in Florida.
Z - Zoos
Maybe there's a better word I could choose for Z, but I sure couldn't think of any. Luckily, Florida has plenty of outstanding wildlife refuges and zoological parks. Pictured is Tampa's Lowry Park.
Whew! There you have it...
Nana
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