Gasparilla, Tampa, FL

Gasp, A Pirate!

The name Gasparilla comes from legendary pirate Jose Gaspar, the last of the Buccaneers, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th century. Since 1904, the city of Tampa annually re-enacts the historic pirate invasion of the city.

I waiver on going to the event as the crowd estimates are 300-500,000 people. I’m just not convinced I want to dive into that mess. I awake early and the local TV stations have already started their event coverage with interviews and shots of the bay.  They mention that Gasparilla is the 3rd largest parade/event in the US. I have since been unable to find the source of that ranking, but it was enough for me to scramble to make the 1.5-hour drive to the party. […]

Kennedy Space Center, FL

T Minus 10 hours 12 minutes –

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is organized into Mission Zones where attractions and tours are Space Suite Kennedy Space Centergrouped by chronological era. From the dawn of space exploration to current and ongoing missions. I’m in the park just as the gates open and opt to skip ahead in time.

The one thing I really want to do is the Shuttle Launch Experience. Veteran NASA astronauts call the simulation the next best thing to flying aboard the space shuttle.

To ensure I beat the crowds, I dart across the park quickly looking through the Rocket Garden heading over to the Atlantis Discovery Center.

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St Petersburg Supergraphic

A Winters Tale, St. Petersburg, FL

A Winters Tale

Before I begin my Winters Tale, its worth noting I am trying to escaping the cold of Kentucky. However, my first week in Florida offers an unusually long period of temps below freezing.  In such, the initial foray into RV living is not without challenges.  With temps dipping below freezing, the nightly routine is to disconnect water and sanitation hoses. On nights when temp is just above freezing, I don’t sleep soundly. I wake up every couple of hours to run a little water from each of the faucets and flush the toilet. […]

Georgia Supergraphic

Georgia Beaches & Peaches

Barbie Beach –

Trying to find a “Peach” connection in December is a bit of a challenge. I check out Peachtree City in search of a Georgia Peach or just something peachy but am quickly diverted from my peach hunt once I learn of Barbie Beach.

Barbie Beach Sign - Curious CraigI am not far outside of Atlanta and nowhere near the ocean. The Beach is just outside of Peachtree City in Turin, GA. The Beach is a popular attraction for locals and has even been the subject of a Cannes film festival documentary. Barbie Beach intrigues me and is something I’ve got to see.

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