All photos by Kelsey Walters Orlando and the surrounding areas have no shortage of things for tourists and locals to explore. In fact, it can be pretty overwhelming when deciding what park to visit, where to dine and what to do in between to maximize your vacation, or staycation. Given its close proximity, Orlando loves to flock to our beaches, and in turn, Volusians spend Read More » Continue reading Come Sail Away: Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters Considering Florida’s reputation as a tourist trap, you don’t often think of the state’s agricultural business when you cite the state’s popular attractions and money-makers. Sure, we obviously have our citrus industry as a cash cow, and you-pick blueberry season is increasingly popular in the spring. I bet you don’t conjure up sprawling vineyards when you imagine Floridian agriculture, Read More » Continue reading Ripe for the Picking: Spring Garden Vineyard
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters You may recall earlier this year, our family visited Wild Florida, just south of Orlando. We had an amazing time there and were thrilled when we were invited back to try out the wildlife park’s newest experience, the VIP Safari Tour. Wild Florida offers the chance to not only see native Florida wildlife, but exotic creatures as well, in Read More » Continue reading Wild Florida: A New Ride on the Wild Side
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters, photos of the Dolphin Encounter provided by Marineland Recently, Scott decided to surprise Avery and I with a fun day out. All he told us was to grab our towels and get in the car. Before we knew it, we were at Marineland, a classic beachside attraction in St. Augustine right on the border with Palm Coast. I didn’t Read More » Continue reading Dolphin Days: Marineland
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 Read More » Continue reading Slither into Summer: The Reptile Discovery Center
Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters Living in a peninsula like Florida, we are surrounded by water and ocean life, but it’s rare that we get to see the animals beneath the waves face-to-face. The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota combines adventure with education to provide the opportunity to meet hundreds of marine species from in and around our coastal communities. Mote Marine Read More » Continue reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea
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 Read More » 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 Read More » Continue reading Botanically Speaking
Photos by Kelsey and Scott Walters Crystal River Archaeological State Park Given Florida’s rich history, it’s likely that just about everywhere you explore has a bit of a past. Dating back to prehistoric times, much of the land we live, work and play on today was once a site of significance to Native Americans. Ancient middens dot the state’s landscape, with the most notable local Read More » Continue reading History Right Beneath Your Feet
Photos by Kelsey and Scott Walters Kanapaha Botanical Gardens – Gainesville, Florida Back in 1513 when explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon (yes, the same namesake of Ponce Inlet and De Leon Springs), stumbled across our southern state in his search for the elusive Fountain of Youth, he was overwhelmed with the land’ s budding tropical beauty. When he laid claim to the territory for Spain Read More » Continue reading Summer in Bloom
