February 1st, 2008 in Category: Florida
Silver Springs in Florida - one well known tourist destination
During the hot summer days the many Florida Springs are some of the most attractive places to go. Clear water with constant temperature year round and many recreational possibilities, including scuba diving,snorkeling, canoeing, fishing,swimming and others, are just perfect alternatives to the busy city life.
Silver Springs is a small town in Marion County,North Central Florida, several miles east of Ocala.
Silver Springs on Google maps
The place is headwaters of Silver River - nearly 550 million gallons crystal clear water are being delivered every day.This forms the largest natural artesian spring system in the world. The water purity is 99.8% and temperature is 72 degrees F year round. The water is so clear and transparent that the place became favorite for filming and TV shows’ underwater scenes.
The high visibility makes things look nearby as the bottom might be dozens of feet away from the surface.
The park is open every day from 10am to 5 pm and combines the natural environment with family entertainment of different kinds (glass bottom cruises, concerts, animal shows and others). Admission is 33.99 for adult and includes all the features inside the park.
From the glass bottom boats you can see all underwater habitants and feed them
Have fun and enjoy!
February 1st, 2008 in Category: Florida
It is summer time = vacation time for many of us. Maybe some of us need new ideas, something inexpensive and at the same time exciting?
This post might give you another sight.
Some time ago i was thinking of buying a small inflatable canoe or kayak to explore closely beautiful Florida springs and rivers. At that time I could not find something suitable that I would like from the first glance. But I did not give up the idea and a month ago I searched some online stores and found my past idea “materialized” ;-).
“Coleman 2-Person Inflatable Sit-on-Top Kayak With Paddles”
So I immediately ordered it from WALMART ( it is available online only ), where they had the lowest price of 79.98.
And for less than a hundred dollars (including shipping and two paddles) I got it in a few days.
And of course we ( my wife and me ) tried it right away. The first evaluation is:
- when properly inflated the kayak is very stable in the water
- despite its size of 11 feet, it is relatively light and can be carried and handled inflated by a single person
- easy to clean, wash and deflate after use
- can be folded and put in a bigger bag
- and finally it is very inexpensive water sport -;) - going in the water costs nothing to you
Kayaking in the ocean might be as exiting as it is in the mountain river. Like the other day we went in the water in pretty “breezy” weather and after a while we got company - a couple dolphins just a few dozens feet away.
But the most excited as always were the children on the beach. They all wanted a ride.
On St.Pete Beach
Enjoy open air and open water kayaking!
February 1st, 2008 in Category: Florida
Sunken Gardens - a piece of nature in the heart of the city
When I first visited Sunken Gardens I was really surprised of how a tiny piece of natural beauty could be maintained amidst the large city’s concrete environment. Situated just minutes away from downtown Saint Petersburg on 1825 4th Street N., it is open for the public every day of the week.
The 100 year old garden accommodates more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers from different parts of the world among brooklets and cascading waterfalls.
Huge exotic palm trees
Lush bushes
Every spring here took place the famous “Orchid Festival”‘, well organized with lectures, demonstrations and musical entertainment.
With its peaceful atmosphere Sunken Gardens is an ideal place for some special events as well as educational programs and workshops.
More information can be found at the city’s official website Sunken Gardens
February 1st, 2008 in Category: Florida
The Sunshine City - Saint Petersburg, Florida - an attractive place to live in
We moved to Florida in the early spring of year 2002 and the first destination to check out was Tampa. Since we loved to have beaches nearby and the city of Tampa seemed to have pretty much ocean water around. The next morning after our arrival I bought a detailed map of the city and for my big surprise I did not find beaches almost anywhere on Tampa Bay. So, that was the end of our search for a new place to live in here.
This is how we went on south and stopped in Sarasota - nice and clean city with some of the finest beaches.
During the winter of 2002/2003 while watching the weather forecast on the TV one thing caught my attention. Anytime the temperature showed for Saint Petersburg, which is 40 miles north of Sarasota, was up to several degrees higher than in Sarasota.
Then we decided to take a day or two and visit Saint Petersburg.
…. and we ended up in one one of the most beautiful places in Florida to make it our new home.
Saint Petersburg is situated at the southern part of Pinellas Peninsula, on Florida West Coast.
St.Pete Google map
Surrounded by the waters of Tampa Bay and Gulf of Mexico the city has 244 miles shoreline and intracoastal waterways.
This perfect location also determines the very specific climate conditions - constant breeze cooling down the land summertime and mild winter.
The name Sunshine City comes from one very impressive record in Guinness World Record Book - most consecutive days of sunshine - 768 days that began in 1967.
With its many parks and some of the nicest beaches Saint Petersburg is an ideal place for sport and outdoor recreation.
Some information can be found at the city’s web site St. Pete
Topic to be continued on this blog with facts, information and photos from our home city - Saint Petersburg.
God bless
February 1st, 2008 in Category: Florida
The Reserve at Lake Pointe, Saint Petersburg, Florida - a perfect example how to preserve nature in our living environment
The urban style of life in the cities isolates us from the nature - from forests, birds, animals and flowers - from the source of life, God gave us for healing and recreation.
Yet some places in Florida still manage to protect the nature as much as possible and preserve the vegetation, maintain the landscape and lakes and protect the birds and animals, including huge alligators.
One such beautiful place is the Reserve at Lake Pointe in Saint Petersburg - Florida.
Along the lakes groups of ibises walk around digging the ground in the search of food, ducks take their morning bath enjoying the water, mother ducks teach baby ducks to swim and great herons are hunting around.
The patios are all decorated with blossoming bushes and huge variety of flowers. Pretty bright colored hibiscuses are seen everywhere because they are better adapted to the dry sandy soil.
For a happy family life a healthy natural environment is the best for adults to get easily rid of the stress after work and for the kids to play outside in the nature and grow up strong and healthy!
January 30th, 2008 in Category: Florida
It is a real pleasure to live in Florida and enjoy all the beauty of this subtropical country
- Sunny days all year around,
- warm mild climate,
- fresh breeze
- and the song of many birds.
- Many beaches with very fine white like sugar sand
- and warm clear sea water with a nice turquoise color.
The most beautiful flowers blossoming for many months - like Hibiscus, Plumeria tree, Orchid tree, Oleanders, Gardenias and huge variety of many other flowers.
There are many tropical jungle parks in Florida with rare birds and animals - like huge alligators, pink flamingos.
One of the natural wonders of Florida are Florida’s springs with the purest, crystal clear water and rich exotic flora and fauna - ideal for canoing, boating, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Florida is a real tropical paradise!
