It’s no secret that our family is composed of some hardcore animal lovers. We have a small wolf pack of dogs in our home, and Avery (and maybe me, too) wants to bring home just about any animal she meets. We spend our summers raising tadpoles, hatching butterfly cocoons and catching frogs and every bug under the Florida sun. We visit animal sanctuaries and experiences … Continue reading Rooting for Fall @ Rooterville Animal Sanctuary
Photos by Kelsey Walters Growing up, I may have had a slight obsession with mermaids. Ariel was my spirit animal and I wanted nothing more than to live under the sea. It’s no secret that my love for the merfolk lives on today, and I am absolutely thrilled that my infatuation has been passed down to my daughter, Avery. Newly 4 years old, mermaids aren’t … Continue reading Make a Splash @ Weeki Wachee Springs State ParkÂ
Photos by Scott and Kelsey Walters Summer is here and for a lot of us, that means more time outdoors, enjoying the beach, springs and waterways while we soak up the sun. Living in a coastal community, it’s easy to forget about Florida’s other non-oceanic ecosystems and the abundance of wildlife we are surrounded with on a daily basis. The Reptile Discovery Center in DeLand … Continue reading Slither into Summer: The Reptile Discovery Center
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters When you picture a Floridian landscape, what do you think of? Perhaps sandy beaches, sprawling flatlands…maybe some wooded forests? Rolling hills and tumbling waterfalls probably didn’t come to mind, right? In Williston, just south of Gainesville, you’ll fi nd just that. Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is a gardener ’s dream project over 100 years in the making. Cedar … Continue reading Chasing Waterfalls at Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters McKee Botanical Gardens – Vero Beach We’ve been very fortunate this past winter in Florida to have mild weather with just a few dips into the colder temperatures but no hard freezes. Because of this, crops and plants everywhere are thriving and even blooming a little earlier than normal. Thanks to our sunny days and comfortable temperatures, anything outside … Continue reading Botanically Speaking
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters Florida is home to a number of wild creatures. Although animals like alligators, bobcats and the elusive Florida panther may be plentiful in our state, they can be a challenge to spot in the wild (and from a safe vantage point). Wild Florida – Kenansville, FL Wild Florida offers the chance to see not only native Florida wildlife, but … Continue reading The Wild Side of Florida
Photos by Kelsey Walters When the beginning of the year rolls around, you probably aren’t thinking about a trip to one of Florida’s many natural springs, of which there are over 700. The chilly water is a great way to cool off in the sweltering summer, but not exactly a winter warm up. There is, however, one group spending their winter vacation in the cool … Continue reading Florida’s Winter Tourists: Manatees
I’ve spent my entire life as an animal lover. I’m raising our daughter, Avery, to be just as caring and loving towards animals as well. Our evenings and weekends are often spent outdoors looking for critters to study and learn from, catching toads and raising caterpillars. When we heard about a place offering a chance to meet some animals that we have only seen from … Continue reading Epic Encounter – Amazing Animals in St. Cloud, FL
Photos by Kelsey and Scott Walters Lukas Nursery and Butterfly Encounter Coming out of quarantine and heading straight into hurricane season can make Florida feel like a real downer these days. As Floridians take it all into stride, it’s nice to know that it’s not all gloom and doom. It’s also peak butterfly season! Butterflies like it hot, so our state offers the perfect weather … Continue reading Flutter By
Juniper Springs Recreation Area All photos by Kelsey Walters It’s a new year, and that’s supposed to mean new you, right? Whatever you’re trying to renew this year, this decade in fact – even if it’s just your sense of adventure, Florida has plenty to offer. Now proud owners of a rambunctious toddler very fond of her newfound skills of running, jumping and climbing, my … Continue reading Into the Woods
