This past October, Lakeland and the surrounding central Florida community was gifted with the new addition of a sprawling park. While this park is free to enter and open to the public, it is unique in that it is a privately developed public park that depends solely on public support. Located on 168 acres of what was once the heart of Lakeland’s developing infrastructure, the … Continue reading Bonnet Springs Park – Lakeland, FL
Photos and Text by Kelsey Walters The holidays are over, winter break has come to an end, and life is returning to normal after the excitement (and chaos) of the season. If you find yourself in a wintertime rut after all the hustle and bustle searching for something to do, I have just the thing. Unlike the rest of the country huddling inside away from … Continue reading Natural Wonder Meets Old Florida at Tallahassee Museum
Photos & Article by: Kelsey Walters While the weather outside may not be frightful this winter here in Florida, it sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee. The Gaylord Palms has long been known for celebrating the holidays in a big way each year, but this year is especially exciting as ICE! makes its big comeback. … Continue reading ICE!, ICE!, Baby: ICE makes its Return to The Gaylord Palms
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
Spooky Season is a big deal in the Walters family. We are dead serious about Halloween and all the creepy fun that comes with it. Florida may not get a traditional fall like they do up north, but we’re no strangers to the fun activities that come with Autumn. While its name may be deceiving, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest is the place to be this … Continue reading Oh, my Gourd – It’s Fall!
Photos and Text by Kelsey Walters On Monday night, August 8, 2022, The Old Spanish Sugar Mill at De Leon Springs State Park made the following announcement on their Facebook page: After 61 years, the Old Spanish Sugar Mill will be closing its screen doors. While it is unfortunate, the state has decided not to renew our contract and move forward with another concession in … Continue reading De Leon Springs Sugar Mill Announces Big Changes
We are currently the proud parents of an extremely inquisitive 4-year-old whose mind runs a mile-a-minute and the questions fly even faster. Like most parents, we do our best to foster Avery’s interests with as many activities and experiences as possible. Her current fixation is outer space, and luckily we have a front row seat here in Florida to the country’s space program. With her … Continue reading Out of this World : Kennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexÂ
Photos by Kelsey Walters Florida is widely known for its ideal climate. Not only do tourists and retirees flock to our state in masses, its perfect ly warm and sunny weather gives way to an enormous range of wildlife. It is also why so many ranches and nature facilities are centered in Florida. Besides our world-famous beaches, the interior of the state is lined with … Continue reading An Elephant You’ll Never Forget: Two Tails RanchÂ
Summer has just begun, but parents everywhere are already looking for ways to keep their kids active and entertained – and more importantly, off the couch and screens. Volusia County and the surrounding Central Florida area offer tons of entertaining options for families with kids and adults of all ages. Here are some of our favorite options, all within about one hour of Volusia County. … Continue reading Keep Kids Busy this Summer with Fun Local Destinations
 It’s the most wonderful time of the year again at Wild Florida! From May 23 – 28, Wild Florida will host Gator Week and offer free Gator Park admission to guests who donate any amount toward our Wild Florida Scholarship Fund for Osceola County students. Additionally, as the founders of National Alligator Day on May 29, Wild Florida will also celebrate this special day at … Continue reading Sixth Annual Gator Week Celebration Returns to Wild Florida
