People visit Southwest Florida (SWFL) for many reasons including enjoying the beaches, freeloading off relatives with spare bedrooms and experiencing the area's nature attractions. This part of Florida offers a nice selection of nature preserves that are untainted by commercial interests. Most of them are educational and fun places to learn and experience the unique species … [Read more...]
Marriott Singer Island – a great place for a Florida getaway
Looking for a Florida getaway? The Marriott Singer Island, Florida is a recently renovated, all-suite beachfront resort perfect for families - kids through grandparents - weddings and girlfriend getaways. It's basically the Easy Button to get to with its close proximity to Palm Beach International Airport and Interstate 95. Blonde recently visited to do reconnaissance for … [Read more...]
Florida Manatees and the Plantation on Crystal River
Florida manatees and the Plantation on Crystal River For several years we have nursed a fervid desire to swim with Florida manatees and stay at the Plantation on Crystal River. But we didn't do a thing about it. Then Blonde decided she might move away from Florida and Brunette was preparing to put on her snow bird wings and fly off to Pennsylvania for the … [Read more...]
The Ringling Circus Museum, Villa and Art Gallery in Sarasota, Florida
The Ringling Circus Museum, Villa and Art Gallery If anyone tried to convince two (unnamed) life-long clown haters that they would love the The Ringling Circus Museum, Villa and Art Gallery those two (unnamed) sisters wouldn't have believed it. Wrong again - although "they" didn't really change their opinions of clowns very much (although the video of one doing his make-up … [Read more...]
Our visit to Dry Tortugas National Park
A brief history of Dry Tortugas National Park Dry Tortugas National Park helps the reputation of poor misunderstood Ponce de Leon. His name is firmly linked to the erroneous myth, apparently started by a Spanish court chronicler wanting to make him seem foolish, that he was in search of a "Fountain of Youth". He gets mocked for failing to find what he never sought and fails … [Read more...]
Rookery Bay Reserve in Southwest Florida
For the last 6 months Blonde and Brunette have been talking about taking one of Rookery Bay's educational boat trips. And we did, when it was 90 degrees and one day before the trips end until November. Rookery Bay Reserve is a very cool research center between Naples and Marco Island in Southwest Florida. Their mission statement is: "... to provide a basis for … [Read more...]
Quiet, beautiful Marco Island, Florida
Where is Marco Island and what's it like? Marco Island is as far southwest as you can go in Florida without plunking into the Everglades. It's a beautiful island with a massive network of canals and a laid back vibe. The Ten Thousand Islands , small mangrove islands full of all types of native (and a few invasive) species, lie close to the beaches of Marco Island. Marco … [Read more...]
Breaking news: There is a heaven and a hell! ( Boston and Marco Island)
This what it looked like on February 9th outside Blonde's home in Boston. Blonde thought the driving ban in Massachusetts had been lifted so maybe she'd go survey the damage. Well, OK, maybe it's a good day for a bike ride. Well, you go can always go shopping in Boston. OK, maybe a walk in the park would be fun. Defeated, Blonde … [Read more...]
Places we love: Naples, Florida
Reformed Florida-basher (and now resident) Blonde and lifelong Florida-booster, Brunette, knew Naples would be featured in one of our "Places We've Loved" posts the moment we began to slobber into our bowls of smooth, creamy gelato from Barbatella's. Naples is the Kate Middleton of Florida: well-bred but not pretentious, pretty, smart and fun. Marco Island is Pippa but with … [Read more...]
TTD in Florida
When we travel Brunette is often afflicted by Temporary Travel Deafness (TTD). Hers is caused by flying. The air pressure changes appear to extract the sense from her ears which leads to many humorous exchanges. Our classic favorite is from a flight to Athens. The cart for meal service was coming down the aisle and Blonde heard the flight attendants ask each passenger "chicken … [Read more...]