Budd Schulberg once quipped about Florida, " It's a melting pot, a frontier, a place to improve your health or your luck". First sighted and explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, this 450 mile long peninsula extends into the warm, clear waters that surrond the southeastern U.S. Florida is home to St Augustine settled in 1565 , and it remains America's oldest European settlement still in operation.
Because of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Florida came under British rule. Then Spain took back the land they once controlled, only to give it to the U.S in 1821. This tourism magnet is known worldwide as the land of sunshine, perfect beaches, orange groves, Disney World, Universal studios, NASA and the Cape Canaveral Kenndy Space Center,
In Addition , Florida is the most popular retirement destination on the planet and contains the electric city of Miami, Key West and the Florida Keys, the Everglades and so much more. If you search for Ponce de Leon's legendary Fountain of Youth, Florida should be your destination of choice.
Situated on the Gulf Coast of the state, the area North of Tampa and St Petersburg is a world away from the theme parks of the Orlando area, although by road it is only about two hours. The resort areas clustered along US Highway 19 between Tampa and Hudson about 35 miles to the north are relatively quiet and most have easy access to beach locations on the Gulf of Mexico. Where the sand is clean, the water shallow and warm for most of the year.
A major proportion of the residents of these communities are retirees. In the spring, from late January onwards the population is swelled by the arrival of the Major League Baseball teams for there Spring training, start of the season is late March - early April. They come here and to Arizona because the cities in which they play their games such as Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Toronto etc. can still be snowbound or at least very very cold at that time of year.
Wether you are looking for a relaxing week by the pool or canoeing down the Weekiwachee river with the manatee's we have some thing for every ones taste's.
Here are some links to attractions in our local area:
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens, which takes you on an African Safari adventure with world-class roller coasters, great shows, and a menagerie of African animals, is like an amusement park and zoo rolled into one. Rhino Rally safari drive, river rides, Montu inverted coaster, Kumba steel multi-element coaster, Gwazi double wooden coaster, and colorful musical shows are just some of the many attractions to enjoy.
Florida Aquarium
Discover over 1,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the World! "Explore A Shore" is a 2.2 acre, fun filled, watery experience for kids.
Lowry Park Zoo
Lowry Park Zoo features more
than 1,500 animals in natural habitats. Feed stingrays and
exotic birds. See Florida Manatee. Enjoy petting zoo animals.
A carousel to ride and water fountains to play in. Daily shows.
Pasco County
