Paris1972-Versailles2003

Let me stay in nostalgia lane shall we ! I am remembering my fav places in my dear Florida USA, a State I lived for 18 yrs of my life, graduated from university, got married, has my best pro job experiences there, and my 3 boys were born, Let me tell you a bit more about Orlando ,Orange county, Florida , bringing back many memorable moments in my life that should be in my blog, Hope you enjoy the post and do come visit , a very popular place indeed,

One anecdote for credit when credit is due, my last girlfriend before marrying my Frenchie was met at Nichols’s Alley (now closed) at 70 West Amelia avenue, Orlando while she was going to the University of Central Florida but was a native of Daytona Beach, ok, done deal was not to be.

Orlando attracts about 75 million tourists a year and is the second largest hotel city in the USA, The City of Orlando is nicknamed “the City Beautiful”, and its symbol is the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, commonly referred to as simply the “Lake Eola fountain” at Lake Eola Park, Together with the University of Central Florida, the seventh-largest university in the United States by capacity, Within its urban area, there are more than 100 lakes, the largest being Apopka, Eustis, Griffin, Harney, Harris, Jesup, Monroe, Sand Lake, Conway, and Tohopekaliga, Some of the best neighborhoods and suburbs ,me think are Downtown Orlando ,Winter Park, Celebration, Lake Buena Vista (disney), Winter Garden, and Altamonte Springs.

The area is very well serve by the Orlando International Airport which have used, and from where my Frenchie came to marry me in 1990! Another major factor in Orlando’s growth occurred in 1962, when the new Orlando Jetport, the precursor of the present-day Orlando International Airport, was built from a portion of the McCoy Air Force Base. By 1970, four major airlines (Delta Air Lines, National Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and Southern Airways;(flew on the first 3 all gone now except Delta) were providing scheduled flights. McCoy Air Force Base officially closed in 1975, and most of it is now part of the airport. The airport still retains the former Air Force Base airport code (MCO).

A bit of history I like on Orlando

Prior to being known by its current name, Orlando was once known as Jernigan. This name originates from the first European permanent settlers, Issac and Aaron Jernigan, cattlemen who moved from the state of Georgia , and chose the name after the protagonist in the Shakespeare play As You Like It. Prior to the arrival of Europeans in 1536, Orlando was populated by Native Americans including the Creeks. Few archaeological sites exist today except for the ruins of Fort Gatlin on Lake Gatlin south of Orlando. This fort was built in 1838 by the American army during the wars against the Seminoles, but was abandoned after the end of the Third Seminole War, Most pioneers did not arrive until after hostilities in 1850.

And the things to see oh my my loaded in Orlando !

Along the I-4 expressway, you reach the Orlando magical area, what can I say,,,The Walt Disney World resort is the area’s largest attraction with its many facets such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney Springs. The Walt Disney World Resort is located about 30 km from Orlando, actually by the Lake Buena Vista city area but commonly call Orlando. Perhaps the most critical event for Orlando’s economy occurred in 1965 when Walt Disney announced plans to build Walt Disney World. The vacation resort opened in October 1971.

Others like  Universal Studios, is a multi-faceted resort comprising Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk.,  SeaWorld is a large park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters like Mako, Manta, and Kraken. The property also comprises more than one park, alongside Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove. Fun Spot Orlando is a more typical amusement parks with big thrills in a small space with roller coasters like White Lightning and Freedom Flyer. Orlando is also home to I-Drive 360 on International Drive home to The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando, Madame Tussauds, and Sealife Aquarium. Also, WonderWorks an amusement park for the mind ,and Ripley ‘s Believe it or Not ! Memories forever!!!!

Some of the shopping centers or malls that we frequented while living there were the The Florida Mall is the largest mall in Orlando and one of the largest single-story malls in the USA . There are over 250 stores, seven anchor department stores, and the Florida Mall Hotel & Conference Center Tower. Orlando Fashion Square is located on East Colonial Drive, near Downtown Orlando. Orlando International Premium Outlets is an outdoor outlet mall with over 180 stores. Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is a strip mall style open-air outlet center, that is located 2 miles from Walt Disney World near US-192, Orlando Premium Outlet mall, 4951 International Drive,now call Orlando Vineland, and the Pointe in I-drive.

We had many many nights out to eat , and many have closed after so many years but the most memorable one , and still open was at TGIFridays I-Drive, This one will post the webpage : https://locations.tgifridays.com/fl/orlando/8955-international-dr.html

The Orlando Tourist office on things to do : https://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/

The city of Orlando on transports : https://www.orlando.gov/Parking-Transportation

The Florida State tourist board on Orlando things to do : https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central/orlando/

There you go folks, even if pictures are few as in those days were not important the memories lingered forever, This is my youthful life in the Sunshine State of Florida and Orlando was a big part of it. Family came and we still went at even in my last visit in 2009 to visit my cousin who now lives there, Hope you enjoy the post and have the opportunity to visit this marvel city of Orlando, Florida.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Again on my nostalgic mode, just glance at some old pictures and gave me the idea to do this post on Tampa dear to me. I have several posts on my dear Florida , but needed to do justice on Tampa. I will try to bring it to life in my blog for memories’s sake. Hope you enjoy it as I.

The quick anecdote in my road warrior youthful ways of Florida, came to Tampa as my university played soccer/football vs Univ of Tampa and USF=Univ of South Florida and came to know the city well. So well one of my longest running girlfriend was met at USF she been from PA=Pennsylvania. In later years, came to take my family with my Frenchie to see Busch Garden and other parks, restaurants, and sights and eventually with my boys. One sight closer to home was Ybor City and the Columbia restaurant.  Nowdays, 3 cousins live in Tampa so the memories continue strong. 

Let me tell you a bit on the history of the city of Tampa, the county seat of Hillsborough on the west coast of the State of Florida. It is located about 300 km from Miami, on Tampa Bay. It was discovered in the early 16C by the Spaniards, the town was founded around Fort Brooke. The conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez was the first European to discovered the Tampa region in April 1528. The following year, another Spaniard, Hernando de Soto, rescued the members of the Narvaez expedition. In the 18C, the region of Tampa saw the installation of Cuban fishermen, in the current district of Hyde Park. When Great Britain acquired Florida in 1763, in the treaty of Paris (Spain, GB, Cuba) ,the bay was baptized Hillsborough Bay (which is the name of the river). After a second period of Spanish domination, the Territory of Florida integrated the United States in 1821,finally becoming the 27th State in March 3,1845.

Tampa was a major center of cigar production, when Vicente Martinez Ybor relocated his tobacco factories from Key West to Tampa in 1886 (after coming from Cuba to Key West). Tobacco was imported from Cuba and processed by Cuban and Spanish workers. At its peak, Ybor City had nearly 12,000 tabaqueros (cigar workers) in 200 factories ! There are still a couple left in Ybor City (name after Vicente) , The Ybor City district has many historic buildings, including two former cigar factories, the El Pasaje Hotel, the Ritz Theater and the Ferlita Bakery, which now houses the Ybor City State Museum. It was the center of Cuban revolutionary actions for independence from Spain. The Cuban revolutionary party founded by independence hero José Marti.

In 1891, Henry B. Plant had the Tampa Bay Hotel built in the then fashionable Moorish style. 400 meters long and with more than 500 rooms, it was equipped with electric lighting and the city’s first elevator. The building is a testament to the tourist boom in Florida in the last years of the 19C. Three years after its closure in 1930, its premises were taken over by the University of Tampa (which I played soccer against them) In 1956 the University of South Florida was created (which I played soccer against them and had my girlfriend from PA,,,see above). 

The wonderful road I-4 reach the Tampa area from Orlando and Daytona Beach areas, I remember fondly visiting Busch Gardens (a zoo and beer park owned by Budweiser), Ybor City , where you will find the oldest Spanish restaurant in the USA ,est, 1905. Columbia our home away from home wherever they were in Florida, several location now.  Also Shells restaurant home of show business,  and shopping at Channelside, Hyde Park Village, Westshore Plaza,and Ybor City own stores. Also, the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, etc ; nice memories here. I ,stayed in nice hotels like the Grand Hyatt, Marriotts, Intercontinental, Embassy Suites, and Holiday Inn Busch Gardens locations.

The memories of going to Tampa Stadium at 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway are huge this stadium was called Houlihan’s Stadium from 1996-1998 known also as the Big Sombrero (hat), then demolished to built the  Raymond James Stadium. The new Raymond James stadium webpage : https://raymondjamesstadium.com/

And for the historical incline like me info on the old Tampa Stadium where I came to see the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) football/soccer team with leyends like Rodney Marsh,  etc!! : http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/TampaBayBucs/oldindex.htm

I have an old picture from the later name Steinbreinner stadium for the spring training of the New York Yankees baseball team, my team since birth, their webpage :  https://www.gmsfield.com/spring-training

The city of Tampa on thing to do/see :https://www.tampa.gov/info/things-to-do

The Tampa Bay Area tourist office: https://www.visittampabay.com/

There you go folks, a short but very memorable post to have on Tampa in my blog for us. Hopefully, it will help your planning too visiting a wonderful part of my dear Florida. I lived last there 18 yrs in Central and South Florida before coming for good to France!  A lovely life only cut short for losses to dear mom and wife. Enjoy the post as I doing it for you , them ,and me.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Ok here I am again in nostalgia lane, memories never to be forgotten and need to be in my blog of course. Hopefully, they will help others enjoy the wonderful Sunshine State of Florida as I.  I look at my many posts on Florida and lack one on a special town found me a couple pics ,and gave me the idea to do this post on Cape Coral, dear to me. I will bring it to life in my blog for memories’s sake. Hope you enjoy it as I.

To start off , let me tell you that many years ago my parents purchase two lots of land here in order to one build our houses, one for them and one for me! However, after many visits and the town not getting up to speed as it is a new town, really; our hopes dimmed. Then, it was the decision to move to France and that did it my parents sold their lots upon arriving in France, and the rest is history. Until a couple of cousins decided to moved to Cape Coral, and now live there, having visited them last in 2009.

The city of Cape Coral is in Lee County. The town contains one of the largest canal networks in the world (640 km) on the edge of which many houses are built which have direct access to these canals via a pontoon, Most of these canals are navigable and allow access to the Gulf of Mexico. Cape Coral is a large peninsula and is bordered by the Caloosahatchee River.  The town’s origins can be traced back to 1957 when developers Leonard and Jack Rosen purchased 270 square kilometers of land in Lee County. The development of the city began in 1958: canals were dug, streets cobbled, houses and businesses built. The first homes were completed in May 1958 on Riverside Drive and Flamingo Drive. 

I am doing the post as found couple pictures from the bridge crossing into the Cape Coral Gulf side, The Cape Coral Bridge spans the Caloosahatchee River connecting McGregor and Cape Coral. It is made up of two parallel fixed spans, each 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long. The original span opened for traffic on March 14, 1964, with one lane in each direction. The Cape Coral Bridge was the only link between Fort Myers and Cape Coral until 1997, when the Midpoint Memorial Bridge opened just north of the Cape Coral Bridge on the Caloosahatchee River now allows Colonial Boulevard to extend, connecting to Veterans Parkway on the other side of the river.

You can reach it from the I-4 to the I-75 south or the Tamiami Trail I-75 all the way to Cape Coral  , When visiting we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at the entrance to the city nice property, as well as the Casa Loma Motel  (see pic my dear late wife Martine) (now the Oyo hotel complex).  Shopping best is by the Coralwood Shopping Center or the Miromar Outlet mall other land side of the I-75 highway.

The city of Cape Coral on things to do /see: https://www.capecoral.gov/department/parks_and_recreationhome/beaches.php

The Lee County gouv webpage on the Cape Coral bridge: https://www.leegov.com/dot/tolls/lw_facilities/cc

There you go folks, a short but very memorable post to have on Cape Coral in my blog for us. Hopefully, it will help your planning too visiting a wonderful part of my dear Florida. I lived 18 yrs in Central and South Florida before coming for good to France !!!  A lovely life only cut short for losses to dear mom and wife. Enjoy the post as I doing it for you , them, and me.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Now let me take you way back, back back, for a time I was not even blogging but collecting travel postcards (for info had over 4K from 76 countries). I was living in Ormond by the Sea, Florida and took a ride to see Marineland in Saint Augustine and the dolphins. It was a youthful wonderful experience and at least found an oldie picture of it that took me to write this post. Hope you enjoy it as I remembering nice memories!

I like to continue in memory lane and bring back this wonderful experience to remember forever. Let me tell you about this wonderful aquarium which should be a fantastic one two combination of Marineland and St Augustine. Hope you enjoy as I and thanks again for reading me over the years! If you search my blog you will see several posts on Florida.  

Marineland is one of Florida’s oldest amusement parks and bills itself as the world’s first oceanarium. In particular, it allows the public to swim with the dolphins. The circular oceanarium held 400,000 gallons of water circulated at 3,000 gallons per minute. This oceanarium was also 12 feet ( about 4 meters) deep and 80 feet (about 24 meters) across. with some rocks laid in on the sandy bottom. The rectangular oceanarium nicknamed “the rec tank” by staff, held 450,000 gallons (1.7 millions liters) of water circulated at 2,500 gallons ( 9450 liters) a minute.  Other exhibits complemented the shows including “Wonders of the Sea” allowing a close up of marine specimens in aquariums, an electric eel demonstrations, a penguin and flamingo displays. Just east of the circular oceanarium was another tank that originally held fresh water dolphins, manatees then was used for a shark nursery for a while then was set up as fresh water spring in the 1980s. In between shows visitors could walk freely around the oceanariums and sometimes even play catch with a friendly dolphin on the top deck. Marineland  operated a reverse osmosis water plant converting salt water to fresh water.

However, during the renovations the original 1938 Circular Oceanarium (400,000 US gallons (1,500,000 l; 330,000 imp gal)) and Rectangular Oceanarium (450,000 US gallons (1,700,000 l; 370,000 imp gal)) along with the 1952 stadium and tanks were demolished as they were well beyond repair. The old Marineland lab was also demolished. Large new tanks which contain close to 485,000 gallons of water were constructed as part of a new structure built where Whitney Park once stood. This would become the centerpiece of the new Marineland. This state of the art facility includes modern buildings, pumping station, equipment and a small museum featuring artifacts of Marineland of old. Where the original oceanariums once stood became a parking area. The old main entrance, walkway and gift shop were preserved being the only original structures left on the east side of ocean road  A1A. Areas along the old main entrance walkway were repurposed with holding tanks for sharks and rehabbed sea turtles standing in the area where the Flamingo Pond once existed. Fresh water for Marineland now arrives from an expansion of the new city of Palm Coast (godparents of my oldest son lived there before going back to Portugal)  utility system. A new water line was installed along A1A due to development in the area. The age of the original Dolphin Show at Marineland ended as the park transformed, reopened as a hands-on educational and environmental facility as the Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Guests can now interact directly with the dolphins in the new facility as well see other marine life. 

Even if a bit long would like to tell in this post the history of Marineland for old times’s sake.

The Marineland project was first conceived by W. Douglas Burden, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, Sherman Pratt, and Ilia Tolstoy (grandson of Tolstoy) as an oceanarium that could be used for marine life films. A site south of St. Augustine on the Atlantic seaboard was chosen, which became known as the town of Marineland. Originally, the 81 km2 land was granted to the London lawyer Levett Blackborne in 1767. Grandson of the Mayor of London Sir Richard Levett, he never came to settle on these Florida lands which he entrusted to John Graham, a Georgian Loyalist who fled during the American Revolution. Subsequently, the area of ​​the current Marineland was divided into smaller plots. After solving the problem of capturing sea animals, Marine Studios opened on June 23, 1938 (the name Marineland was later adopted) with dolphins as its main attraction.

The fact that the project was developed by Leo Tolstoy’s grandson brought writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, John Dos Passos and Ernest Hemingway to the local Moby Dick’s Bar. Marineland’s facilities were used for the filming of films like The Curious Creature from Black Lake in 1954 and Revenge of the Creature in 1955. In the 1960s, the park became the busiest in Florida.  Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971 created significant competition and led to a decline in attendance, However, Sea World’s entry into the Florida market eventually had a very negative impact on Marineland from the late 1970s through 2009.

In 2003, (the year me /us left Florida for France) buildings west of the A1A highway were demolished and only the original structures remained along the Atlantic coast. The following year, Marineland was completely closed for renovation, until March 4, 2006. During the works, the circular Oceanarium and the rectangular Oceanarium were destroyed. Part of the park passed into the hands of Flagler County to become the River to the Sea Preserve. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney donated 12,000 square meters of land in 1974 and the University of Florida opened Whitney Marine Laboratory next to Marineland. This allows you to study marine mammals. In 2008 the Dolphin Conservation Center was built. In 2011, the park was purchased by the Georgia Aquarium . In 2019 the park was sold once again to Dolphin Discovery who currently operates the park.

The official Marineland  Dolphin Adventure : https://marineland.net/

The St Augustine tourist office on Marineland : https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/marineland

There you go folks, one of the original Florida amusement parks indeed and a wonderful experience with now great memories for me. Marineland was up the alley and visited several times in my youthful days of the Sunshine State of Florida. Hope you enjoy the post and do visit , a wonderful marine life experience for all.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!