tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19689657312788453182024-02-19T23:05:32.651-08:00Everything FloridaParks, nature preserves, historical sites any and all points of interestEric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-4333424041709467312014-11-13T08:46:00.002-08:002014-11-14T06:16:02.707-08:00Pioneer Florida Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">A mile north of Dade City, Florida just off of Highway 301 stands The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZbl4hKfsDHBjtCbPRd3-4h3u0tORhH-aWpcBS0OWHsOxJ4F1cpDGr9GabnJgLrI254sD2_h7ZeKMUMOhfQMPoR85K3C8O5Q7RgJeKx1dGvR2OaQCAEUzbUUgxxX7PmGorwQ4ziBgOypl/s1600/FPM+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZbl4hKfsDHBjtCbPRd3-4h3u0tORhH-aWpcBS0OWHsOxJ4F1cpDGr9GabnJgLrI254sD2_h7ZeKMUMOhfQMPoR85K3C8O5Q7RgJeKx1dGvR2OaQCAEUzbUUgxxX7PmGorwQ4ziBgOypl/s400/FPM+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's origins go back to 1961 when a large donation of antique farm equipment and vehicles was made to the Pasco County Fair Association by a prominent citizen of San Antonio, Florida. Soon after came the formation of the Pioneer Florida Museum Association. The association is dedicated to the preservation of artifacts and buildings from Florida's pioneering years, the 1840s through whenever air conditioning was invented which made the settling of Florida more accessible to those who were not of hardy pioneering stock. </span><br />
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<br />There is a large steel building housing most of the exhibits and what is most probably some of the original vehicles and tools donated back in 1961. </span><br />
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The remainder of the 16 acres is occupied by The village which includes a one room school house, the Overstreet House, the Trilby Depot (complete with train), an old timey church and a working cane syrup mill where demonstrations are held that visitors can witness how cane syrup was made back in the 19th century and even purchase the finished product later at the museum gift shop.</span><br />
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<br />The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village is located at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City, Florida. Dade City itself is about an hours drive north of Tampa on Highway 301. The museum and grounds are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00AM-5:00PM, closing for major holidays. It also hosts special events throughout the year. For more information click the link provided below. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org/" target="_blank">http://www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org/</a>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-14265406224435312262014-11-10T07:19:00.001-08:002014-11-10T07:19:45.972-08:00Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_W8jBpGyIFosS4aIPzYq-axf36oY6b3UCseekUuL1J_F3g1yWRCcy1d6sGCPls0m8YblDVWG9yPKEZMsg6HhG_PqdPtIcatQBh88qO9kK9NqCWD64FmXMkIqMEb7GxHKIDv5eL8aTOOm/s1600/1052-042112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_W8jBpGyIFosS4aIPzYq-axf36oY6b3UCseekUuL1J_F3g1yWRCcy1d6sGCPls0m8YblDVWG9yPKEZMsg6HhG_PqdPtIcatQBh88qO9kK9NqCWD64FmXMkIqMEb7GxHKIDv5eL8aTOOm/s1600/1052-042112.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and her husband bought and moved to the 72 acre property near Cross Creek Florida in 1928. Her first published writings about life in cracker Florida soon caught the attention of Scribner publisher Maxwell Perkins. As he mentored Rawlings she got to know the people and their ways living in the wilderness known as the Big Scrub country. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qExgNaTHkvzlCy5ReG0o-kiUKoyzq534T0ttFpIq0D-uOQ5Tl5WpwQKSyd1RZTH1yDncD8mmMIYNGupsYuoMqLFHQGNBYaEOwlT2sM0aebEOOHzmelQFeHKbURdlFVX_5fWs4TVSR7Ea/s1600/CC+1C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qExgNaTHkvzlCy5ReG0o-kiUKoyzq534T0ttFpIq0D-uOQ5Tl5WpwQKSyd1RZTH1yDncD8mmMIYNGupsYuoMqLFHQGNBYaEOwlT2sM0aebEOOHzmelQFeHKbURdlFVX_5fWs4TVSR7Ea/s1600/CC+1C.jpg" height="158" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Rawlings did most of her writing, including <u>The Yearling </u>and<u> Cross Creek</u>, seated at a round table on her front porch. <u>The Yearling</u>, published in 1939, would win Rawlings the Pulitzer Prize and earn her world wide recognition. <br />Upon her death in 1953 her home and property was bequeathed to the University of Florida where she also had taught creative writing. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHBFPolEEmAnwOtHfneJ_H0GBECLgpHb1Yf2Bdir36RKKSsaGrNud8T0GI11KaF8NfcET644fAtM2YwH3RuEbPQHSRJvBVVFyoKZP26vURa0GNx-Osl9DSxQEr8XU6JeVen9IdO1_4Puq/s1600/1031-042112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHBFPolEEmAnwOtHfneJ_H0GBECLgpHb1Yf2Bdir36RKKSsaGrNud8T0GI11KaF8NfcET644fAtM2YwH3RuEbPQHSRJvBVVFyoKZP26vURa0GNx-Osl9DSxQEr8XU6JeVen9IdO1_4Puq/s1600/1031-042112.jpg" height="174" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWiiPyUq91fvmLfeKnT_EWNZhCAgiUV6nzjNevtQ7XNV94whzyNy33vY3OGbnWoOmDebwDgkN4Hd16iggPW6zf6jwk4-kyWnpQSHNPxHV64UAv8aC-eaVObgjLkMgEu1ryPcyn7fsAmVO/s1600/1036-042112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWiiPyUq91fvmLfeKnT_EWNZhCAgiUV6nzjNevtQ7XNV94whzyNy33vY3OGbnWoOmDebwDgkN4Hd16iggPW6zf6jwk4-kyWnpQSHNPxHV64UAv8aC-eaVObgjLkMgEu1ryPcyn7fsAmVO/s1600/1036-042112.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The home was added to The National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The park is open seven days a week for people who want to hike around and the house for guided tours from Thursday through Sunday. From Tampa and points south take I-75 North most of the way or Highway 301 all of it and turn left on CR 325 heading west about four miles and the park will be on the left. Just a little ways further up CR 325 is The Yearling Restaurant. From what I understand they serve an outstanding key lime pie. Click the provided link below for more info. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/marjoriekinnanrawlings/aboutthepark.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.floridastateparks.org/marjoriekinnanrawlings/aboutthepark.cfm</a></span><br />Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-7256627102408690102014-11-05T07:31:00.001-08:002014-11-05T07:54:38.137-08:00Eureka Springs Regional Park<span style="font-size: large;">Eureka Springs Regional Park, established 1967 on land donated by Albert Greensburg, is described as a hidden gem by the St Petersburg Times, rightfully so considering all the turns and twists in the roads one must take to get there. Located on Eureka Springs Road just down the street from Tampa Executive Airport still called by some Vandenburg Airport. It was developed by Mr Greensburg into a Botanical Garden and kept up by the Hillsborough County Parks system. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a greenhouse surrounded by lush flowering plants and a large butterfly garden down a shell path near a green pool popular with hummingbirds and pollunating insects(the lush plant life, not so much the green pool). Other highlights include a boardwalk that meanders from the pool and back around to the greenhouse, a covered bridge crossing a lily padded stream and a large pavilion available for events. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The park is open 9-5 week days and 8-6 on Saturday and Sunday. Head east on Sligh Ave from Highway 301 and hang a right on Maple Lane which becomes Eureka Springs Road after a couple of miles and the park will be about half a mile or so up on the left after the turnoff for Frontage Road. Or take Frontage Road from Williams Road which connects to Highway 92, or just use google maps. The address is 6400 Eureka Springs Road, Tampa, Florida. More information is available by clicking the link provided below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/facilities/Facility/Details/7934" target="_blank">http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/facilities/Facility/Details/7934</a> </span>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-29648346333268121092014-10-08T10:35:00.000-07:002014-10-08T10:35:21.822-07:00Gamble Plantation Historic State Park<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC_49NR90T2x1spOVeC9ToddduJPx-Qar7JNK3z8UP9Xy_qJ3uKjCC2Lfsgd9G4CsX6fxlsBZwhEzAdR8MQHz7ZQb8mMzjwwFgeWnMJNObhrg_FXx3uMPT5RNof8QQYwRQDMpaOFAhpF4/s1600/8005-032312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC_49NR90T2x1spOVeC9ToddduJPx-Qar7JNK3z8UP9Xy_qJ3uKjCC2Lfsgd9G4CsX6fxlsBZwhEzAdR8MQHz7ZQb8mMzjwwFgeWnMJNObhrg_FXx3uMPT5RNof8QQYwRQDMpaOFAhpF4/s320/8005-032312.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gamble Mansion built 1845-1850</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gamble Plantation is located on 16 acres just off of Highway 301 in Manatee County, Florida. It is the last surviving antebellum mansion in south Florida built by Major Robert Gamble, who came to homestead in Florida shortly after the end of the Seminole War of 1842. From 160 acres originally granted to Major Gamble it grew to 3500 acres and a prosperous sugar mill operation along the banks of the Manatee River until 1864 when the mill was destroyed by Union raiders. Confederate blockade runner Captain Archibald McNeill occupied the home during the war. Former Confederate Secretary of State Judah P Benjamin took refuge there while in flight from Federal authorities after the war until he made his escape to the Bahamas with the aid of Captain McNeill. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JZ5_25x7yRNphwvL3Y4jBnMK7dUVI24AtJ1RBplDbroQmsyHeKYN5lTzn_jGH39Kz2q5yyGbuJ8YiEF9gsZ-_FOO36-EhOeNqj23OjZlnqWPjY3KTOjJPam3_BSDvZFoauydQ4Pualyu/s1600/8036-032312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JZ5_25x7yRNphwvL3Y4jBnMK7dUVI24AtJ1RBplDbroQmsyHeKYN5lTzn_jGH39Kz2q5yyGbuJ8YiEF9gsZ-_FOO36-EhOeNqj23OjZlnqWPjY3KTOjJPam3_BSDvZFoauydQ4Pualyu/s1600/8036-032312.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patten House built 1872</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The land was owned for a time after the war by George Patten who built his own house on the grounds because the mansion was in too poor a condition to live in.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsF-nDhyphenhyphen2wX26cHFMPH6d4l3UUg_SRep7a4B8ksZKCHiB-U6otgmfogJEPhl62-FMys73wyYkIQO6wG23S8KX2YhfYm42_DaEFjeXl5VahsxGsU4Ukvs1GARiclJtcPFzllNconO7Tfie/s1600/8095-032312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsF-nDhyphenhyphen2wX26cHFMPH6d4l3UUg_SRep7a4B8ksZKCHiB-U6otgmfogJEPhl62-FMys73wyYkIQO6wG23S8KX2YhfYm42_DaEFjeXl5VahsxGsU4Ukvs1GARiclJtcPFzllNconO7Tfie/s1600/8095-032312.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">40,000 gallon cistern</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyivjT1Kpg2W9wG4dgVIMHoLvm8luiaQp-BShsrfapi2QxFGEUTwtSxsgfURU5oqejZIEQmMvYCNB1aIr0ylcjsbJLV9AR09OBIMVBMBNOlCsdXFKlGrJqxFRENOIq2JGi0rFu34wACmb6/s1600/8107-032312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyivjT1Kpg2W9wG4dgVIMHoLvm8luiaQp-BShsrfapi2QxFGEUTwtSxsgfURU5oqejZIEQmMvYCNB1aIr0ylcjsbJLV9AR09OBIMVBMBNOlCsdXFKlGrJqxFRENOIq2JGi0rFu34wACmb6/s1600/8107-032312.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed in upstairs bedroom</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In 1923 the Judah P Benjamin chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy started a campaign to raise money to save and restore the badly deteriorating mansion. Restoration was completed in 1927 and a plaque honoring Benjamin was installed in 1937. The mansion was added to The National Register of Historic Places in </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ6Zzeb4NmKbAvRuQL2OPAAH5ng09wt6VCYmELg7lSzZUYPIrC71PL22D8snih0x_TyWRplxY6QaCGDkyrx7gyY2Ie82MINphDce61-tPa7Mpl-cMsQtvfuv_24dwyOwxk-cKKV51E-2r/s1600/8089-032312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ6Zzeb4NmKbAvRuQL2OPAAH5ng09wt6VCYmELg7lSzZUYPIrC71PL22D8snih0x_TyWRplxY6QaCGDkyrx7gyY2Ie82MINphDce61-tPa7Mpl-cMsQtvfuv_24dwyOwxk-cKKV51E-2r/s1600/8089-032312.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen in separate building from mansion</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1970.
The grounds are open to the public Thursday through Monday from 9am until 5pm with guided tours twice daily. It is located at 3708 Patten Ave in Ellenton, Florida. For more information follow the provided link. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation/">http://www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation/</a></span>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-71238555693926384912013-11-15T12:13:00.000-08:002013-11-15T12:15:41.959-08:00Circle B Bar Reserve <br />
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<a href="http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=52&id=6040">http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=52&id=6040</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"></span><br />Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-87599792479516149162011-10-13T07:12:00.000-07:002014-11-05T07:46:50.798-08:00Lettuce Lake Park<span style="color: black;"><b> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Lettuce Lake Park is located at 6920 E Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, Florida. Wedged between the road and the Hillsborough River it is a 240 acre park consisting of wetland, scrub and old growth hardwood. Very accessible to the public paved trails run all through the park making it ideal for jogging, strolling, strolling with strollers and dogs on leashes are allowed. </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><b> <span style="color: #eeeeee;"> A boardwalk runs the perimeter of south shore of the lake with a four tier tower located near the west end of the walk. The lake and park ecosystem supports a great variety of marsh birds, raptors and reptiles plus migratory species depending on the time of year. On weekends the park is teaming with couples with strollers so if one is seeking the solitude offered by nature or to take pictures of the natural denizens it's best to go early. </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Park hours during the spring/summer is from 8am to 730pm seven days a week. There is a two buck admission fee, bring your own food and beverages because there are no concessions. Canoe and kayak rentals are newly available at the park. For more information go to the link provided below.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><a href="http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/regionalsites.cfm?facilitydetailid=524">http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/regionalsites.cfm?facilitydetailid=524</a> </b></span>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-17362775293688790532011-09-01T12:21:00.000-07:002014-11-05T07:47:39.285-08:00University of South Florida Botanical Gardens<div style="color: #f3f3f3;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens is located at the west end of USF campus in Tampa, Florida. Open seven days a week and to the general public, the gardens maintains a wide diversity of exotic plant life and plant environments, everything from western cacti to a lush miniature tropical forest, butterfly garden and orchid room. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The botanical gardens is conveniently located in north Tampa within a short drive of both I-275 and I-75. Take Bruce B Downes Blvd north from Fowler Ave and turn right at the first light(Pine Drive). Turn left through the elbow turn at the weird three way intersection then the entrance to the gardens is on your left. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b> <a href="http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden/">http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden/</a><a href="http://the%20botanical%20gardens%20is%20conveniently%20located%20in%20north%20tampa%20within%20a%20short%20drive%20of%20both%20i-275%20and%20i-75.%20take%20bruce%20b%20downes%20blvd%20north%20from%20fowler%20ave%20and%20turn%20right%20at%20the%20first%20light%28pine%20drive%29.%20turn%20left%20through%20the%20elbow%20turn%20at%20the%20weird%20three%20way%20intersection%20then%20the%20entrance%20to%20the%20gardens%20is%20on%20your%20left.%20/"></a></b></span>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-54300791038332269682011-07-10T06:11:00.000-07:002011-10-13T06:53:12.905-07:00Oaklawn Cemetery, Tampa Florida<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oaklawn Cemetery was founded in 1850, when Tampa was still a small town with a population of approximately 500 people. It is the resting place of veterans of seven wars as well as 17 mayors, one former governor, the town's founding fathers and early entrepreneurs. Also buried here are pirates, gangsters, assorted scalawags and the victims of numerous yellow fever epidemics. </b></span></div><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Here also rests Vincente Martinez Ybor the founder of Ybor City and Tampa's once flourishing cigar industry. The old graveyard is rich with history and stories. </b></span><br />
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<div style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oaklawn Cemetery is located at 606 E Harrison Street on the northern edge of Downtown Tampa. It is open from 8:00am until 6:00pm. For more information follow the provided link.</b></span></div><br />
<div style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tampagov.net/dept_parks_and_recreation/information_resources/cemeteries/files/Oaklawn_Tour.pdf">http://www.tampagov.net/dept_parks_and_recreation/information_resources/cemeteries/files/Oaklawn_Tour.pdf</a> </span></div>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-66870321399725152612011-06-29T08:00:00.000-07:002014-11-05T07:48:39.479-08:00Wekiwa Springs State Park<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wekiwa Springs State Park is located at 1800 Wekiwa Circle in <br />
Apopka, Florida. That's just north of Orlando, take the I-4 exit for State Road 434. Besides the cold spring fed swimming area there is also canoeing and kayaking--rentals for both--on the Wekiwa River, hiking and horse trails (byo horse). There's also a board walk, camping and a snack bar all surrounded by lush</b></span><b> <span style="font-size: large;">vegetation.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Follow the road--or the nature trail if you're feeling hardy--and eventually you'll come to the horse coral and Shadow Lake. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Park entrance fee is six bucks per car load or four bucks if you're by yourself. The park is open from 8am to 5pm for day visitors (don't know if hours are extended in the summer or not) and it's a great place for a cool dip in the springs on a hot day. Here's a link for more information:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/default.cfm">http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/default.cfm</a> </b></span></div>
Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0WekiVa Springs State Park, 1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka, FL 32712-2581, USA28.735345383407989 -81.48054080664064728.691847383407989 -81.542501806640644 28.778843383407988 -81.418579806640651tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-76016491316283136512011-06-22T17:16:00.000-07:002011-06-29T08:20:37.084-07:00Upper Tampa Bay Park<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU5CW0_yAaW-eiMeG1lot_z-s9ax7sOYkSIeWqOyrWF7q6Z4pFDjS4_dKIGi5mjnnPISQvO5GqFv1fLPR_Gqdnp1gP2OkSqrxDE0sSM3x7_ZHGsrTzIiqsW7o6yh4VHOrA3IBUBhZU4Jx/s1600/desktop0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU5CW0_yAaW-eiMeG1lot_z-s9ax7sOYkSIeWqOyrWF7q6Z4pFDjS4_dKIGi5mjnnPISQvO5GqFv1fLPR_Gqdnp1gP2OkSqrxDE0sSM3x7_ZHGsrTzIiqsW7o6yh4VHOrA3IBUBhZU4Jx/s320/desktop0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Upper Tampa Bay Park is located at 8001 Double Branch Road just off of West Hillsborough Ave in Tampa, Florida. Over 2000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and estuaries open to the public from 8am to 6pm seven days a week except for Christmas Day. Entrance fee is only two bucks. Visitors can hike, picnic, camp, fish, use the boat ramp to launch their own or rent canoes or kayaks on site. Go early if you plan on birding--sun gets high and hot quickly--and be aware some of the trails are shelled so not so easy to move stealthily through the forest primeval.</b></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEnKdmyFAz4Vum5qHtqE5R-9Q4C0Lo3_Q8UErpA7z266EaUadixTywNO0yi7IHIxiT61KQHGQ7rTP0CNIRZQrRrKX2Us-nIi0VDntid6B8u_CNop17BhUa7oETNQduDD6Qm62MrZmaUtU/s1600/UpperTBPark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEnKdmyFAz4Vum5qHtqE5R-9Q4C0Lo3_Q8UErpA7z266EaUadixTywNO0yi7IHIxiT61KQHGQ7rTP0CNIRZQrRrKX2Us-nIi0VDntid6B8u_CNop17BhUa7oETNQduDD6Qm62MrZmaUtU/s320/UpperTBPark.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
Even so it's worth the price of admission and worth visiting. A great variety of birds--including raptors--nest there. There are pine wood flats, hardwood hammocks, brackish wetlands and the islands of Upper Tampa Bay.<br />
For more information go to the Hillsborough County Parks web page.</b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/regionalsites.cfm?facilitydetailid=526&selparks=-1&selcategory=-1&zipcode=&First=11&Last=15">http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/regionalsites.cfm?facilitydetailid=526&selparks=-1&selcategory=-1&zipcode=&First=11&Last=15</a></b></span>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com08001 Double Branch Rd, Tampa, FL 33635, USA28.014673 -82.633839000000023-8.6894555000000047 -142.39946400000002 64.7188015 -22.868214000000023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-5960535689870296232011-06-12T06:08:00.000-07:002011-06-29T08:06:54.492-07:00The Florida Railroad Museum<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn73WGQO5AF0FIrjAxHzfuwaism9LkfiFZCqRqUHnNVDvo4NDK92_cvFiUuq1-vlMeMPBEiWM_gJOCaCVsfySlwurtRMp-A8yMiynXLYyT5Nd3E_CEFJ30c5V5OXdtcodBk_ykMZ9MhR_b/s1600/FlaTrainMus6610-BS-Fin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn73WGQO5AF0FIrjAxHzfuwaism9LkfiFZCqRqUHnNVDvo4NDK92_cvFiUuq1-vlMeMPBEiWM_gJOCaCVsfySlwurtRMp-A8yMiynXLYyT5Nd3E_CEFJ30c5V5OXdtcodBk_ykMZ9MhR_b/s320/FlaTrainMus6610-BS-Fin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">The Florida Railroad Museum, also known as Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, is one of six railroad museums located in the state of Florida. Located just off Highway 301 and just outside of the town of Parrish it features vintage locomotives, freight, passenger cars and several little red cabooses.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtL4NMk0WqWcHeHP0i4lB-i7tAV3fy99hoO5lYvNT5ti1wGG0ARSy1Y6elOvefj2o79iWep91l74M9A6aw6muPz0gmqVPUuMJus2QFwLgmnx8OK5U3C-zIJ8DO2b-O6kS7rPALMq9_syP/s1600/FRRM-BS3FIN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtL4NMk0WqWcHeHP0i4lB-i7tAV3fy99hoO5lYvNT5ti1wGG0ARSy1Y6elOvefj2o79iWep91l74M9A6aw6muPz0gmqVPUuMJus2QFwLgmnx8OK5U3C-zIJ8DO2b-O6kS7rPALMq9_syP/s320/FRRM-BS3FIN.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0ypVfThVb2dYr7tEuWJorW7v0lQJM0dUxsn_oJHou5xnfkwRNWt8Ca9pJ9y-JomZI3lgwjJdKmJvQ5PxJqTHGNnlHAjAi98qr5lS1RCDNgcFOHMl-lw7_GK5U8gyMJpN8qONrSUS60Lt/s1600/FRRM-BS4FIN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0ypVfThVb2dYr7tEuWJorW7v0lQJM0dUxsn_oJHou5xnfkwRNWt8Ca9pJ9y-JomZI3lgwjJdKmJvQ5PxJqTHGNnlHAjAi98qr5lS1RCDNgcFOHMl-lw7_GK5U8gyMJpN8qONrSUS60Lt/s320/FRRM-BS4FIN.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Visitors can also enjoy a ride on a working train accompanied by a lecture in an open air car as they move down the tracks. It is a scenic trip through the lush green Florida landscape. At the far end of the line are several locomotives and cars in various states of restoration. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzR1jOHNqwePQSA1ZHCqt2ktiTUizAgsp6laeqWYZNe0z5-Ai3qdJcM1wjBS-7Ky5M0e_f3c-P6CdEcm1FdTiRXCbPZy8EKvQpgC-Bf6-z0i_PX4DyVVEIoGbBcCz3t5ajB-4ARkljkq5/s1600/FRRMblogpic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzR1jOHNqwePQSA1ZHCqt2ktiTUizAgsp6laeqWYZNe0z5-Ai3qdJcM1wjBS-7Ky5M0e_f3c-P6CdEcm1FdTiRXCbPZy8EKvQpgC-Bf6-z0i_PX4DyVVEIoGbBcCz3t5ajB-4ARkljkq5/s320/FRRMblogpic3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">The museum is open on weekends. Trains leave twice daily and a seat is a modest fourteen bucks--way less than admission to "mouse land"--kids 3-11 for $10 and little boogers three years and younger ride free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The FRRM is only a 45 minute drive south of Tampa. Take scenic Highway 301 and the museum is on the left on 83rd Street just before Parrish. Or take I-75 if you're in a hurry and get off at exit 229 and take 97th Street East (Moccasin Wallow Road) which becomes County Road 683, turn right on Highway 301 and the museum is just a short stretch down the road from there. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Follow the link for more information. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.frrm.org/index1.php">http://www.frrm.org/index1.php</a></span>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0The Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd Street E,Parrish, Florida27.589741769060037 -82.42440745449221127.496232769060036 -82.667100954492213 27.683250769060038 -82.18171395449221tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-58886966018424147722011-06-11T05:44:00.000-07:002011-06-29T08:07:49.786-07:00Ballast Point Park <span style="font-size: large;"> Ballast Point Park, best known for the Ballast Point fishing pier, is located just off Interbay Boulevard in the neighborhood of Ballast Point in Tampa, Florida. Popular with fisher folk--the pier seems to be open around the clock--joggers and picnickers or people looking for a scenic place to just relax. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KLeJeujw-33WvwXZfCYgD3DI5d5J-qztfA7vSXxFORinTn2bi0iQN6k6QeeVmjFEmhPNG6jbT7sh0_LdNU_BuSLPoKKQ8AfN1fC3Ax5ZM_7OzlNNflD8h8bvXENjlymXBq1AunTOzpPl/s1600/Ballast+Point+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KLeJeujw-33WvwXZfCYgD3DI5d5J-qztfA7vSXxFORinTn2bi0iQN6k6QeeVmjFEmhPNG6jbT7sh0_LdNU_BuSLPoKKQ8AfN1fC3Ax5ZM_7OzlNNflD8h8bvXENjlymXBq1AunTOzpPl/s320/Ballast+Point+One.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Downtown Tampa can be seen just across the Hillsborough Bay from the pier. There is also a boat launch and concessions (A Taste Of Boston). Besides people with a love for the water and fishing the park is also popular with many species of marsh birds and waterfowl.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNuVOMUS-3s3ZxbZ-Y27DqgHXJUliw2WBqJ8e6CF4Pp1Ae5q2Ue1WhUI7UeXAhxiU6C-Cq1yF7SkN6DXO1y7rTzZdgg16FH4IwoE-Q2RM8x2sMCzy8JpyQqbH5xw1duX8bHfGd9SzhZkt/s1600/Ballast+Point+TwoB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNuVOMUS-3s3ZxbZ-Y27DqgHXJUliw2WBqJ8e6CF4Pp1Ae5q2Ue1WhUI7UeXAhxiU6C-Cq1yF7SkN6DXO1y7rTzZdgg16FH4IwoE-Q2RM8x2sMCzy8JpyQqbH5xw1duX8bHfGd9SzhZkt/s320/Ballast+Point+TwoB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> To reach the park follow Bayshore Boulevard--in record books for the longest unbroken stretch of sidewalk--north as it runs along side the bay until it connects with Interbay Boulvard and the park is on the left. Parking is free but the lot fills quickly. There is also a playground and incorporated into the park is old Jules Verne Park, dedicated to the writer who's novel <u>From the Earth to the Moon</u> features Tampa. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For more information follow the provided link. </span><br />
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<div style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tampagov.net/parks_search_webapp/ParkDetail.aspx?nbr=7">http://www.tampagov.net/parks_search_webapp/ParkDetail.aspx?n</a><a href="http://www.tampagov.net/parks_search_webapp/ParkDetail.aspx?nbr=7">r=7</a></span></div>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com0Ballast Point, Tampa, FL, USA27.88953315720363 -82.4828042518066727.87481865720363 -82.490425751806669 27.90424765720363 -82.47518275180667tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968965731278845318.post-19579587944924917182011-06-07T09:05:00.000-07:002011-06-29T08:13:24.267-07:00Weedon Island Preserve<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg_rXYzl2DjOCynmsrOI8fg4lRDyz1zqor-My6jure4WphssXjMek0E4qlkiwrZDcXDlZdXTA7tX0_htku5yOI-Z7RJCnAQ8XReCl7gNqsJxNZ4FMaRIpGjdLNDm4f0m0NLyRkdk6Lq1-/s1600/Weeden+Island+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg_rXYzl2DjOCynmsrOI8fg4lRDyz1zqor-My6jure4WphssXjMek0E4qlkiwrZDcXDlZdXTA7tX0_htku5yOI-Z7RJCnAQ8XReCl7gNqsJxNZ4FMaRIpGjdLNDm4f0m0NLyRkdk6Lq1-/s320/Weeden+Island+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Weedon Island Preserve is a 3700 acre nature preserve located on the western shore of Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. Several miles of trails wind their way through scrub and along marshes and boardwalks through wetland areas and out to the water. It is home for several species of marsh birds and raptors. </span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT3dXcYkzM4buYLsnYiD2JWpH1MLCAjBxRvd7q21Ejk5kCDTQHr6qj0aEK0j89Bhpk7vQroasY5X8Z9GF7pF8dEMDP9a8H99tPDi9tJFxEe69YFO21o9mfr8yggXuzKq6KzsozAFsdmSQ/s1600/Weedon+Island+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT3dXcYkzM4buYLsnYiD2JWpH1MLCAjBxRvd7q21Ejk5kCDTQHr6qj0aEK0j89Bhpk7vQroasY5X8Z9GF7pF8dEMDP9a8H99tPDi9tJFxEe69YFO21o9mfr8yggXuzKq6KzsozAFsdmSQ/s320/Weedon+Island+C.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">There is also a visitor/cultural center but once away from that it's all undeveloped ecosystem so dress for rough going and bring your own water and food. </span></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhq5gDmcbgw6Rfl_ryk60JDuUALE2Otc5i6l4_nWRIWLcecHYge8rbeComYnW_t4ZT8Z8nYT94p0SbyPRx-QKEQKaz7LzCw8UwDiQIjWyuWMdy9mCEaKLpT8A63c4zQKUdVthGMrXubxp/s1600/Weedon+Island+D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhq5gDmcbgw6Rfl_ryk60JDuUALE2Otc5i6l4_nWRIWLcecHYge8rbeComYnW_t4ZT8Z8nYT94p0SbyPRx-QKEQKaz7LzCw8UwDiQIjWyuWMdy9mCEaKLpT8A63c4zQKUdVthGMrXubxp/s320/Weedon+Island+D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<div style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>To get there from Tampa or <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">any points east take I-275 west and once the Howard Franklin Bridge is crossed exit at 4th Street North and head south. Turn left on Gandy Blvd then right on San Martin Blvd NE (watch out that you don't end up on the Gandy Bridge because the next turn around isn't until you get back to Tampa). The preserve is open 7am until just </span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">before sunset 365 days a year. Follow the link for more info.</span></b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/">http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/</a></span><br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=86fae282-9797-48ab-bc13-5f05995e8f6e" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Eric Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618485166024886456noreply@blogger.com01800 Weedon Dr NE, St Petersburg, FL 33702, USA27.846246 -82.60918300000003-8.9006789999999967 -142.37480800000003 64.593171 -22.84355800000003