Friday, May 27, 2011

9 Reasons for a Get A Way


The Dog Day's of Summer will be on us soon!
How about a Get-a-way

1. Getaways are cheaper than vacations, both because they are shorter (less nights)
2. You can go on several getaways a year, instead of one or two longer vacations.
3. Getaways expose you to fun, beautiful, and interesting destinations in your own backyard that you never knew about.
4. You can spend much less time getting ready for your getaway.
5. Gas is cheaper than flying
6. There is less pressure to relax on a getaway.
7. Getaways are easier on kids.
8. You may end up someplace you’d go back to.
9. Because you are spending less money on airfare and lodging, you can concentrate on what really matters: food and entertainment.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Coke Zero Fans Reserve Your Rooms Now!



Welcome race fans!

Enjoy the fireworks on and off the track as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series comes to Daytona to celebrate the Independence Holiday Weekend. The West Volusia County region is just minutes from Daytona International Speedway, the beaches and Central Florida attractions. First up on Friday, July 1, the young guns of the Nationwide Series will face off against Sprint Cup Series drivers in the Subway Jalapeno 250 race. Then Saturday evening, Sprint Cup Series drivers will hit the asphalt again for the Coke Zero 400 race. Four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride will ignite the track during Saturday's pre-race concert. And after the race, fans will not want to miss the magnificent fireworks display!


Play all Day and Enjoy the Tranquil St. John’s River at Night.





Thursday, May 19, 2011

20 Facts about Florida



1. Greater Miami is the only metropolitan area in the United States whose borders encompass two national parks. You can hike through pristine Everglades National Park or ride on glass-bottom boats across Biscayne National Park.


2. Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America.

3. The name Punta Gorda, which means, "fat point" when translated from Spanish. The moniker was given to the city because a broad part of the land in Punta Gorda juts into Charlotte Harbor. The harbor itself is somewhat unique, as it is the point where the Peace River meets the ocean.

4. Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the United States.

5. New England Congregationalists who sought to bring their style of liberal arts education to the state founded Rollins College, the oldest college in Florida, in Winter Park in 1885.

6. Cape Canaveral is America's launch pad for space flights.

7. Florida is not the southernmost state in the United States. Hawaii is farther south.

8. A museum in Sanibel owns 2 million shells and claims to be the world's only museum devoted solely to mollusks.

9. The Benwood, on French Reef in the Florida Keys, is known as one of the most dived shipwrecks in the world.

10. Safety Harbor is the home of the historic Espiritu Santo Springs. Given this name in 1539 by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. He was searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth. The natural springs have attracted attention worldwide for their curative powers.

11. Niceville is home to the famous Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival celebrated the third weekend in October.

12. The United States city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita is Clearwater.

13. Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.

14. Young aviator Tony Jannus made history on January 1, 1914 when he flew the world's first scheduled passenger service airline flight from St. Petersburg's downtown yacht basin to Tampa.
15. Dr. John Gorrie of Apalachicola invented mechanical refrigeration in 1851.

16. Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green invented the first suntan cream in 1944. He accomplished this development by cooking cocoa butter in a granite coffee pot on his wife's stove.
17. Neil Smith and his brother of Montverde developed the first Snapper riding lawn mower.

18. Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States.

19. The Saint John's River is one of the few rivers that flows north instead of south.

20. The largest lake in Florida is Lake Okeechobee.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fishing Report



Fishing Report from Fishin.com

I have been fishing for peacock bass in south Florida. They are spawning now and are pretty easy to catch. If you know the secret. You have to set the hook just before they hit your bait. This is not as hard as it sounds because they are in shallow water and you can see them. Just throw a white buck tail or road runner or something like that and they will hit it over and over again if you are persistent till you catch it. So catch it and throw it back so it can spawn. The bass in Central Florida area lakes and rivers are biting good with some days great yesterday and today 8 hrs. of fishing we caught a total of 80 bass up to 8 lbs. We caught the fish on buzz tails,sink-o's,suspending minnows, frogs, and on little tails of the buzz tail. They wanted to catch bass on a fly rod so I rigged up just the tail of a buzz tail and the bass went crazy, we also caught some pan fish.

For more info call (407)645-5462

Good Fishing.

Capt. Dana Price

923 Beard Ave.

Winter Park, Fl. 32789

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Victoria Hills Golf Club



Located in historic DeLand, Victoria Hills lies in harmony with rolling hills and pine hammocks more reminiscent of the Carolinas than Florida. Towering oaks and native Floridian pines welcome golfers to this resplendent course, complete with unique, natural challenges carved out of the contours of the land.Ron Garl designed the 18-hole, par-72 course without compromising the beauty of its surroundings. Ranked in the Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S. by Golf World Magazine, the 11th Best Public Golf Course in Florida by Golf Magazine and rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest. The Victoria Hills Clubhouse offers a full restaurant and bar, full-service pro shop, practice facility and a short game area.Seven day advance reservation required for tee times.300 Spalding Way, DeLand, FL 32724386.738.6000 http://www.victoriahillsgolf.com/

Monday, May 9, 2011

Looking for somthing to do this weekend?



Daytona Shrimp Festival debuts May 14, 2011!

Come on down to Manatee Island (Downtown) for a day of GREAT food and live bands. Festivities begin at 11am and end at 10pm. General admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 years old and younger are FREE! Daytona Shrimp Festival is a family- friendly event located at 325 North Beach Street in Beautiful Downtown Daytona Beach. The all- day event will feature awesome live music, dozens of varieties of shrimp dishes and festival faire, and lots of family fun and entertainment! For more information or to inquire about sponsorship and vendor opportunities, email daytonashrimpfestival@gmail.com

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Facts about the St. John's River



The St. Johns River is an ancient intracoastal lagoon system. As sea levels dropped, barrier islands became an obstacle that prevented water from flowing east to the ocean. The water collected in the flat valley and slowly meandered northward, forming the St. Johns River.*The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida — 310 miles. It is one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north.
*The square mileage of the St. Johns River’s drainage basin in 8,840.
*The river gets its tea color from tannins, a natural color caused by decaying plant material.
*The land area that drains into a water body is called a drainage basin, “watershed.” The *St. Johns River is divided into three drainage basins.
*Because the river flows north, the upper basin is the area to the south that forms its marshy headwaters in Indian River and Brevard counties. The middle basin is the area in central Florida where the river widens, forming lakes Harney, Jesup, Monroe and George. The lower basin is the area in northeast Florida from Putnam County to the river’s mouth in Duval County, where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
*The width of the river varies. It is a flat marsh at its headwaters and averages about two miles in width between Palatka and Jacksonville. It widens to form large lakes in central Florida.
The total drop of the river from its source in marshes south of Melbourne to its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville is less than 30 feet, or about one inch per mile, making it one of the “laziest” rivers in the world.
*Because the river flows slowly, it is difficult for the river current to flush pollutants.
Major pollution sources include discharges from wastewater treatment plants and stormwater runoff from urban and agricultural areas. This runoff carries pesticides, fertilizers and other pollutants into canals, ditches and streams that lead to the river. River pollution is concentrated around urban areas.
*Salt water enters the river at its mouth in Jacksonville. In periods of low water, tides may cause a reverse flow as far south as Lake Monroe — 161 miles upstream from the river’s mouth.
Major tributaries, or smaller streams and rivers that flow into the St. Johns River, include the Wekiva River, the Econlockhatchee River and the Ocklawaha River.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Get to know Florida's Black Bears



Black bears are North America’s most familiar and common bears. They typically live in forests and are excellent tree climbers, but are also found in mountains and swamps. Despite their name, black bears can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even (very rarely) white. Black bears are very opportunistic eaters. Most of their diet consists of grasses, roots, berries, and insects. They will also eat fish and mammals—including carrion—and easily develop a taste for human foods and garbage. Bears who become habituated to human food at campsites, cabins, or rural homes can become dangerous and are often killed—thus the frequent reminder: Please don’t feed the bears!

Solitary animals, black bears roam large territories, though they do not protect them from other bears. Males might wander a 15- to 80-square-mile (39- to 207-square-kilometer) home range.
When winter arrives, black bears spend the season dormant in their dens, feeding on body fat they have built up by eating ravenously all summer and fall. They make their dens in caves, burrows, brush piles, or other sheltered spots—sometimes even in tree holes high above the ground. Black bears den for various lengths of time governed by the diverse climates in which they live, from Canada to northern Mexico.

Female black bears give birth to two or three blind, helpless cubs in mid-winter and nurse them in the den until spring, when all emerge in search of food. The cubs will stay with their very protective mother for about two years.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Blackwater Inn & Williams Landing



Blackwater Inn picturesque setting overlooking the beautiful St. Johns River combined with a lavish salad bar and tasty fresh seafood, or USDA Choice beef will make your visit a culinary experience. To complete your visit, we invite you to relax in the casual atmosphere of "William Landing" atop Blackwater Inn. Fun, Food & Spirits will greet you as you enjoy the balmy breezes and panoramic view. Before and after dinner or for a lighter fare, you can be assured of a pleasurable occasion.

Right Accross the River from Astor Bridge Marina & Motel