I just got back from a vacation up North, at my dad’s house on the shores of the Shenandoah River. It was relaxing and good for my stress level. Also, the weather was phenomenal. It was in the mid 70s the entire time. I forgot how mild June is up that way.

However hot it is here in Florida, I’m still happy to live here all year around. Now that school is out, there is SO MUCH for us to do all within an easy driving distance. Yesterday, my daughter and I went to the beach for the morning. We got in the car and within 15 minutes were were comfortably ensconced on Honeymoon Island, surrounded by white sand and starling blue water.

We have season passes to Busch Gardens over in Tampa, because it’s too close to not have season passes. We also like to go a few times a year to SeaWorld over in Orlando. It only takes an hour or so to get there and they have such reasonable day pass and season pass prices for Florida residents. You can even get passes that let you into all of the Busch parks.

In fact, right now they have one of the best amusement park deals you can find in all of Florida. You buy a ticket for one park and get into another for free. For example, buy a ticket to SeaWorld and get a free ticket to Aquatica or Busch Gardens. I know you are probably looking at your budget this summer the same way I am looking at mine – getting the biggest bang for your buck. That’s why this kind of deal is just right for this summer.

I went in May to Sea World with some of the biology students at the high school. It was before Manta had officially opened and I was disappointed on the way over, because I was upset I would be missing out on riding such an exciting new attraction. I was thrilled when we got there and found out the Manta was on a “soft open”, which means that they were running the ride off and on all through the day. We happened to wander over when the line was shorter than usual and we got to ride. It was flat out incredible.

Back when I lived in Morgantown, WV I stumbled upon the Forks of the Cheat Winery. I had been out picking wild blackberries with my mother, who was in town for the summer from Florida. We decided to go to the winery and pick up some local wine and the owner, Jerry, asked what we had been out and about doing, since we were all smudged and rumpled from being out in the wild berry patches.

When I told him we had been picking berries all morning and still did not have enough for a pie, he took us up the hill and showed us the Vineyard’s lovely cultivated blackberry patches. In the end, he and I had made an agreement that I could come out and pick berries anytime I wanted and all I needed to do in return was leave half the berries in the vineyard’s freezer.

That was an amazing summer, filled with amazing blackberry pies and blackberry ice cream. I remember, in particular, hosting a blackberry ice cream party at my apartment for a bunch of my friends.

Anyway, today as my dad and my daughter and I were driving back across the state from my grandmother’s house to my dad’s place on the Shenandoah, we made a little side trip to the Vineyard. A few years ago my dad stopped and bought some of their Bad Cat and Airmail Jones (both sweet whites). He wanted some more and I wanted to pick up a bottle of their Niagara. She tasted it that day when we had been out picking berries and tells me often that it reminds her exactly of the grapes that used to grown in front of her childhood home.

Of course, I ended up with two bottles for myself – Reisling (my favorite) and a bottle of their Schwarzer Bär, which they categorize as an off-dry white. Both were outstanding.

The Forks of the Cheat Winery has changed a lot, but the wine is just as great as I remember. Now the grounds have terraced gardens and areas to sit and look out over the mountains. Apparently they have a lot of food and wine events there now. No wonder, it’s one of the most lovely places in the area.

Now, the challenge will be to get all of the bottles safely back to Florida in my suitcase, because the winery is unable to ship to Florida.

I have been thinking lately that my daughter and I dine out too often for my budget. We eat at places that are reasonable and I’m not breaking the bank, but I had a food epiphany today.

My dad took me to a little place in Charles Town, WV today called John’s. It’s right up the road from the old Rainbow Room bar, where Patsy Cline used to perform. It’s unassuming to look at and advertises country cooking, but it is anything but. The menu is expansive and everything on it is high quality and absolutely amazing.

My epiphany is basically this – I have no business dining out at all unless the food I am paying for is at least as good as the food at John’s, and that is not something you are going to find all that often in the price range of John’s. Therefore, I really have no business spending my money of food that is only mediocre when I am really rather a good cook on my own.

John’s is no particular style. It’s just skillfully prepared food at about the same prices you might expect to pay at any given chain steakhouse. I had an almond crusted chicken tonight that actually had me scraping the pan-drippings off my platter. The crab cakes and breaded shrimp were better than any seafood I have had in all my years of living in Florida. My daughter had vegetable soup that was more like a stew and a meal unto itself. I could go on and on, because I shamelessly sampled from everyone’s meals to make sure I had a taste of everything. I kid you not, if you are within 50 miles of this place you need to take the time to give it a try.

I’m looking for a good link now, but they must not have a website. So, here is the information:

John’s My Pappy’s Place
U.S.340S (south of Charles Town)
Rippon, WV 25441
Map
304-725-4348

Even though the newest thrill ride at Sea World Orlando does not officially open to the public until May 22, I got to ride it today! Manta is on soft opening. That means they are up and running, but testing various aspects of the ride, like line timing and such.

I went to Sea World as a chaperone with some of the kids from my high school. It was mostly Biology and Marine Science students and this particular trip had an overload of people volunteer to chaperone initially. I’m not sure what happened, but about a week ago they ended up with too few chaperones. I was not even going to ask to go, but I’m thrilled it worked out. I’m not sure I will ever have another opportunity to go to Sea World for free. ?

Anyway, I’m sure you are much more interested to hear about Manta. It is amazing. I am a roller coaster fan and have never really played on anything quite like this. Besides that jolting second loop, the ride is smooth, freeing, and made me laugh with pure glee the entire time. I rode Manta with a couple of other teachers, one of which was dead set against going when we got to the park that morning. I think she just experienced so much enthusiasm throughout the course of the morning that she got all caught up and in the end she was the most excited person in our group.

I know Sea World is not known primarily for the thrill rides, but I think they made a brilliant move when they brought this one on board. It’s worth the entire price of admission. Well, that and those super cute puffins.

When I was growing up in the Washington, DC suburbs I equated Florida with vacations. Now that I live here, I still equate it with vacations. I am well aware that I live directly in the midst of one of the most amazing places in the world that anyone could come to relax and enjoy life. And even though the day to day grind of work and parenting keeps me from being on a perpetual vacation, I try to enjoy this little paradise every weekend.

Amazingly, one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world is just about an hour from my house – Kissimmee. My daughter and I make the Disney parks a part of our time together as often as I can manage. It’s not the time or the distance that keep us from going more often. It’s the cost. The theme parks can get expensive.

Right now there is an exciting contest going on that means anyone can enjoy Kissimmee without having to shell out the cash. When you enter the Kissimmee Freedom Sweepstakes, you could win one of three weekend getaways (3 days/2 nights) for two people or one of two weeklong vacations for four people. Those vacations include airfare, car rental, theme park tickets, golf vouchers, and dining certificates. No matter if you live right here in Florida or across the nation, this is a worry-free prize package.

Go ahead and enter. You can do so by using your mobile device, by visiting the Kissimmee Freedom website, or by collecting game cards when you visit a participating Kissimmee destination.

I just thought of yet another thing I love about Facebook. Now that I have caught back up with so many of my old high school and college friends, I have more invitations for travel than I can fulfill in the next five years, at least. I have places to stay in Hawaii, Seattle, New York City, L.A., San Francisco, Vail, and dozens of other cities.

A group of friends is talking about getting together in Vegas, where several of my old high school friends now live. Of course, if too many of us gather there we won’t be able to stay in homes, but will have to book some Las Vegas hotels to fit the whole gang. Nothing wrong with that, since rates there are generally more reasonable than many other locations.

I was also surprised at how many of us made our ways down here to Florida. I did not list any of the Florida cities I could visit, because many of them would only be day trips for me.

Sometimes I for get that I live in a fairly sprawling area that includes three good-sized cities and more beachfront mileage than you can shake a stick at – [providing you are in the mood to shake a stick. The Tampa Bay area is not just Tampa. It’s also St. Petersburg and Clearwater and a whole host of smaller towns that are actually a lot like marble cake the way they entwine with the big three.

So, when I am looking for something to do with friends, I am often taken aback by my own habit of staying so close to home. So much is available with what amounts to a pretty short drive, over bridges and around the Bay, as well as up and down the Gulf coast. We tend to forget Tarpon Springs and Westgate, Kenneth City and Citrus Park, and the other tens upon tens of little Bay area towns and regions that offer restaurants and clubs and festival pretty much every weekend.

I need to motivate my friends to take the challenge to do something in a different city every weekend. I can hardly wait to see what we discover.

It’s time once again to explore some of the fun things to do right here in Florida. And for those of use who live in the state, there is nary a reason to leave home. Our vacations are right here.

While a vacation in Kissimmee very well may mean fun trips to family theme parks, some world class golfing, and dining in restaurants helmed by famous chefs like Emeril. However, you have to round out the pricey side of your vacation with the plethora of fun, free things Kissimmee has to offer.

Yes, I said free.

You don’t always have to have a pocketful of money to have a memorable time in Florida. You can meander along the brick-lined streets of Old Town and discover shops, vintage car shows, and amusement park rides – not to mention the free concerts. There are parks and other venues for viewing Florida’s exciting wildlife. Hanging out at Downtown Disney is free and for us that always means spending some time at the outdoor section of the Legoland Store.

One of my favorite low-cost options for fun here in Florida is going to see Spring Training games. Both the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves train in Osceola County.

Whether you’re headed to Kissimmee to take advantage of al the free or nearly-free attractions, or if you’ve been budgeting all year so you can spend freely in the theme parks and dinner theaters, there is always something to do. And, right now you can enter the Kissimmee Freedom Sweepstakes.

Since the best things in life are free (in my opinion) Kissimmee is giving away three (3) weekend getaways (3 days/2 nights) for two (2); and two (2) weeklong vacations for four (4). Those getaways include airfare and a rental car. Drawings will be held on or around 4/15/09 and 5/21/09. Can you think of a better way to threat yoru family to some amazing fun in these unsure economic times? I can’t.

One of the best things about living here in Florida is the nearly-daily opportunity to experiences some of the best our earth has to offer. I’m just a few miles from white-sand beaches. Fruit and flowers grow here all year. Twice this month I have visited an inlet on the Tampa Bay where quite literally hundreds of manatees were gathered to enjoy the warm waters. And, I can park my car on the sand, prop open my doors and watch dolphins playing in the surf.

Ah, dolphins. My sister has always had an affinity for them. She moved to Florida about four years before I did and one of the first things she did was locate a handful of dolphin rehabilitation centers where she could donate funds and be involved in supporting research, like programs that allow sick and disabled children to swim with dolphins as a form of physical therapy.

Once I moved to Florida and was able to see dolphins all round me near the Gulf beaches, I was won over as well. I started looking around at how many programs there are here in Florida dedicated to dolphins. They range from rescue and observational study to more interactive programs like the one at Sea World.

Because my daughter is so young and patience is not one of her more finely tuned personality traits just yet, I prefer a setting like Sea World where we’re guaranteed an interactive experience filled with a chance to learn everything our brains can retain about the dolphins. Plus, there is no way that by looking at dolphins in the wild I would have ever been able to see them playing with bubble rings. You have GOT to take a look at the dolphin bubbles video that Sea World has on their dolphin blog that shows their dolphins playing under water with bubble rings. If you cannot imagine what I am talking about, imagine a time when you have watched someone blow a smoke ring and apply that to air bubbles. It’s almost unbelievable – but, of course, you can see it yourself and seeing is indeed believing.

When the Superbowl comes to Tampa, there are always a ton of exciting events going on all around the Bay area. It’s festive, invigorating even. The last time we hosted the Superbowl, I regretted not spending more time down in Ybor City and in around the hot parties and all of the hot spots where celebrities were spotted night after night.

However, that was a few years back. I’m past my partying days and more concerned with finding fun family activities to do with my daughter this weekend. I have had it in my head all week to go over to Apollo Beach tomorrow. Another cold snap hit town and that means another good time to go over to the Manatee Viewing Center.

I mentioned my plan to one of my friends last night and she asked to come along. The more, the merrier. I mentioned the plans to another friend this afternoon and she reminded me that the traffic in Tampa is horrific right now. This weekend is just going to be insane with the additional people in town for the game and the parties. An awful lot of out-of-towers are clogging up the roads in rental cars. It’s not pretty.

Unfortunately, the quickest route to Apollo Beach is across the causeway and through Tampa. Apollo Beach is just a little south of Tampa. And while it is just across the Bay from me as the “crow flies”, I’m no bird and need to use a bridge. Someone suggested heading south, taking the Skyway and coming back up the other side of the Bay. Yikes, I hate taking the Skyway – it sways!

So, right now I am in flux. I need to call the friend going with us and see if she has any input. The thing is, she rarely does.

It pains me to think of missing this opportunity. The next time I have my daughter for a weekend is two weeks away and I cannot know now if it will be chilly enough to attract the manatees.

*sigh*

This is the time of year for manatee viewing in Florida. Of course, you can always go to places like Homosassa Spring Park to see manatees that have been injured in the wild and live there all year long, but for the most part the best time to see manatees is when the waters get cold and the gentle mammals move to find warmer water.

I was just talking the other day with one of the biology teachers about a fieldtrip she wants to take to Apollo Beach and today I saw an article in the paper about the same spot. With all of the cold weather we have been getting in Florida, the manatees are gathering more than ever in places like Tampa Electric Co.’s Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach.

There are reports of as many as 50 manatees gathering in the warmer waters of the Big Bend Power Station this week. The viewing center is located at the west end of Big Bend Road in Apollo Beach, which is on the east side of the Tampa Bay, south of Tampa and pretty much parallel with St. Petersburg.

We also generally have a family of manatees that come to the lagoon in Tarpon Springs each winter. I have not been up there yet this year to see if they have come to visit again. I’ve also spotted them while standing on the pier of the Safety Harbor Spa in Safety Harbor, FL. Those would be easier drives for me, but the situation in Apollo Breach has the benefit of pretty much ensuring that you will see of the many manatees that are there to enjoy the warm waters generated by the power plant.

So, we never did see snow in Florida the other night, but it was sure cold enough. Those of you up north probably think I’m grousing for nothing. I know you’ve seen colder weather by far, but when you get used to the weather in Florida, a morning when its 35 degrees will really throw you for a loop.

For one, most people in Florida don’t really own clothing appropriate for very cold weather. I saw kids at school yesterday who showed up in t-shirts and shorts, because they assumed the day would warm up into the 70, like it generally does this time of year. Those poor kids were miserable when we ended up sitting outside on the bleachers for over an hour while the police swept the school after the bomb threat that was made over the weekend. I think I felt the worst for the girl I saw who was wearing a skirt and sandals.

My wardrobe isn’t much better. I realized this morning I only have three pairs of long pants to wear to work. The rest of my pants are Capri length.

We’ve got a hard freeze warning over a good portion of the state for tonight. I live along the west coast, so my immediate area is a small region that will probably only see frost. Our strawberry farmers over near Dover are on full alert, though. A hard freeze is never good for our berry crop.

The tourists I saw over at the beach on Sunday were shocked at the weather. People come to Florida all year for vacations, but in the winter they are especially looking forward to a warm paradise that will allow them to escape the cold at home. We surely aren’t enjoying beach weather right now! If you’re going to enjoy water sports here this week, bring a wetsuit.

Some friends of mine recently did something very brave and adventurous. They sold their big house, both of their cars, and most of their belongings. They both quit their jobs. Then, they bought a Winnebago and set off for a minimum two-year adventure all across the United States.

They are not much older than I am, so they are nowhere near ready to retire. They just decided to enjoy their time together and the county we live in while they are still young and healthy and full of energy. What faith it took, I imagine, to quit their jobs, pull up roots, and just take off driving.

I admire them both for doing it and I am thoroughly engrossed in every update I receive from them detailing their latest stops, the things they have seen, and the people they have met. I suppose I am living vicariously through them right now.

They’ve both learned an awful lot about the upkeep of their new home, how to find the Winnebago Parts they need to keep things running smooth, and pretty much the best R.V. sites all over the nation.

For anyone who thinks living in a Winnebago would feel restrictive, let me tell you right now how wrong you are. I’ve been on board with my friends on several occasions and I’m amazed at how well the space is used. Inside feels like a little apartment on wheels. They even have satellite internet hooked up so they can stay connected with people no matter where they are.

Recently, I helped my dad photo catalog his collection of Roy Rogers memorabilia. Actually, I took the pictures some time ago, but I recently can across them again and re-started the project. My dad has been a fan of Roy Rogers since his childhood and all his life he collected little bits of this and that to remind him of the days he would spend a Saturday afternoon at the movie theater watching his cowboy hero.

Back in 1985 or 1986 my family took a two-week trip out to the west coast. We spent time driving around and seeing the Petrified Forest National Park, the Painted Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Hoover Dam, and lots of other amazing attractions. We also took time out to visit the he Roy Rogers – Dale Evans Museum in Victorville, CA. The trip to the museum is one of my clearest memories of our vacation.

In 2003, the he Roy Rogers – Dale Evans Museum picked up and moved to Branson, Missouri. I have heard that while the museum retained much of its homey, personal feel, it also benefitted from the move. Now it is surrounded by hundreds of other exciting shows and attractions. I’ve been anxious to see the new museum and want to plan a trip out to see it, and the rest of Branson. My dad’s sister and wife and mother go often, so I would love to have them along as unofficial tour guides.

This is actually one of the better times of the year to visit Branson. Christmastime and the coming New Year celebration have inspired all sorts of charming light displays and special events. In particular, the packages at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel are about as festive as you can get. They have already hosted special theme packages for Thanksgiving and Christmas (“It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Santa’s Coming to Town” were their themes – how cute!), the New Years’ Eve package is still to come.

I just keep thinking how fitting it is that the Roy Rogers Museum is part of Branson now.

It was about 80 degrees here yesterday afternoon. My daughter and I were out in short sleeves and Capri pants, riding around with the windows down in the car. In fact, at one point I even turned on the air conditioner.

Winters in Florida are one of the main reasons I moved here and why I will stay here. However, I keep hearing about all that snow up north and out in the Midwest. My friends are all complaining about it, saying they have had enough of it. Me, though, I miss that smell of ozone in the air, the look of fresh snow, the cozy way it feels when you are snowed into your home. All I can think about is trying to plan a quick trip up north sometime in the remaining time I have off of school.

When I look at the events being planned this winter in Branson, Missouri I get a tear of longing in my eye. They have an annual ice carving event, a polar plunge, and the ongoing live shows that have made the city infamous. Plus, I cannot say enough that I want to get back out there now that the Roy Rogers Museum has relocated there from Victorville, California.

Both the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing have something they call their Winter Escape Package. That sounds exactly like what I need. I want to get out of the sun and right into the traditional chill of winter. The entire concept speaks to me more than any of the ads I have ever seen for Florida tourism. Winter is when we get the blues and that’s why we need an “escape”. I assume the folks in Branson are thinking about the miles of entertainment they offer when they suggest Branson as the perfect escape. I’m thinking about the chilly weather, though.