Jim Abbott – Page 9 –

The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel on the Florida Southern College campus was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Lakeland stops that beat the heat

May 12, 2019 at 4:01 a.m.

A few of my friends are trying to be optimistic about it, but there's no doubt that hotter summer weather is just around the corner. If you're not tubing along...

Patrons browse the many booths at the Webster Flea Market in Sumter County.

Collectibles and more at Webster Flea Market Florida

May 12, 2019 at 4:01 a.m.

The last time I went to the Webster Flea Market, a bargain-hunter's heaven in rural Sumter County, I was just a youngster. My uncle, my parents and I watched a...

People from across the world come to ride on the glass bottom boats at Silver Springs near Ocala.

Changes coming to Silver Springs

May 12, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

I'm pretty sure I just made my first trip to Silver Springs, the iconic old-school tourist attraction in Ocala. I know that my parents used to take me along to...

Keys road-trip never grows old

May 12, 2019 at 4:00 a.m.

There is a finite number of destinations in the Sunshine State, a fact that is becoming apparent to me after more than three years of writing a column about Florida...

Barefoot Beach Preserve Park in Bonita Springs is 342 acres of natural land, one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast. 8,200 feet of beach and sand dunes support the growth of sea oats, providing nesting sites for sea turtles during the summer months. The park also maintains a tropical coastal hammock of sabal palm, gumbo-limbo and sea grape trees among many others. The site is also home to the protected gopher tortoise. The park includes nature trails, estuary waters for canoe tours and a long stretch of natural beach. -- collergov.net It has been named as one of the best beaches in the nation on Stephen 'Dr. Beach' Leatherman's survey of United States beaches.

From past to parties, Florida beaches are nearby

May 12, 2019 at 3:59 a.m.

All that's really required for a day at the beach is a stretch of sand and surf, but there's enough of those raw materials in Florida to enjoy an experience...

Fernandina Beach: Big on shrimp

May 12, 2019 at 3:57 a.m.

Regular readers of this column know that my travels are often motivated by food. Whether it's the roadside barbecue of B.C.'s General Store in Yalaha, a fried grouper sandwich with...

Banjo music will be in the air at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.

Bok Tower: From bells to banjo

May 12, 2019 at 3:56 a.m.

Anyone who has visited lovely Bok Tower Gardens, one of Florida's enduring, old-school tourist attractions in Lake Wales, is familiar with the soundtrack: Bells. Bok Tower's famous carillon — a...

As an eastbound motorist crosses the Apalachicola River, an hour goes by in an instant.

Florida Panhandle driving offers landscape treat

May 12, 2019 at 3:56 a.m.

In last week's column, I framed my trip to the lovely Gulf Coast destination of Anna Maria Island with an uncharacteristically unpleasant tale of traffic gridlock in downtown Tampa. So,...

The Anna Maria City Pier features fishing, a lovely waterfront view and dining on Anna Maria Island.

Sun, surf, stress-free: Anna Maria

May 12, 2019 at 3:56 a.m.

No matter what anyone might tell you: Getting there isn't always half the fun. On a recent day-trip from the Orlando area to Anna Maria Island, the commute wasn't even...

It's possible to go eye-to-eye with pelicans on a visit to Cedar Key.

A bird’s-eye view of Cedar Key

May 12, 2019 at 3:55 a.m.

A remarkable bird is the pelican; his beak can hold more than his belly can. Standing two feet away from a gorgeous brown pelican perched on a piling on the...

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