Florida Spectacular

Send us your Florida questions! The Everglades is a series of connected ecosystems that runs from right by Sea World's front door south to the Florida Keys. Today, Cathy and Rick talk about some unique Everglades experiences, lodging, and roads. They end with a top five "must do" when you visit Everglades National Park or the surrounding Everglades.  Places we mentioned: Rod & G...

Send us your Florida questions! Every year, people make resolutions for the new year. In this episode, Rick and Cathy talk about resolutions for Florida — and how you can help protect the state's natural beauty, waters, and wild places as you travel (and even if you don't!) Links we mentioned: Cathy's quest to remove single-use plastics from her home, RV and office Blue Highways Ala...

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy turned 50 this month, and it made her think about all the things she still wants to do in Florida, so this week she and Rick reviewed some (mostly) South Florida bucket list items. Take a listen, and watch for our Florida panhandle bucket list in 2023! Here's what's on our bucket lists: Rick: Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas Cathy: Coral Spawning in...

Send us your Florida questions! Christmas in Florida hits different, but that doesn't mean you can't find a spectacular winter event. Cathy and Rick talk about some only-in-Florida Christmas and holiday experiences. Links we mentioned Snowcat Ridge Margaret Tolbert Iche Nippy Day Nights of Lights About Christmas, Florida (an Orange County park ) Orlando Wetlands Park Fred the Tree Earnes...

Send us your Florida questions! Did you know Florida has dry air caves you can explore, even if you don't have any experience spelunking? This week, Rick and Cathy explore Florida caves – virtually, of course. They also talk about underwater caves, and while they both strongly advise against attempting to explore underwater caves, the show notes contain a link to a great video, Water's J...

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about iconic Florida restaurants, past and present, and others that are just plain fun . This episode focuses mostly on Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area, but look for a future episode about the best restaurants in South Florida, the panhandle, the Keys, and other parts of the Sunshine State! Links we mentioned Bubble Room Sci-Fi Dine In The...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby talk about their favorite beaches (and why they love them) and what makes Florida beaches unique. Among their favorite beaches mentioned were: Little Talbot Island State Park Egmont Key State Park Fort De Soto Park St. George Island Have a favorite Florida beach? Let 'em know! Also mentioned were: Old Florida Facebook gro...

Send us your Florida questions! We welcome Rick Kilby as The Florida Spectacular's new co-host, and he and Cathy talk about the first two Thanksgivings celebrated in North America, which – spoiler alert – both happened in Florida. Learn the short history of the French Huguenot Floridians who celebrated the first Thanksgiving on North American soil – in 1564. The second Thanksgiving, celebrate...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy sits down with Davida Breier and talks about her novel, "Sinkhole," growing up as a GenX in Florida, and how she came to write this particular delicious book. Davida Breier's Fun Stuff Reader's Guide for Sinkholereaders-guide.pdf Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter , and keep up with Cathy's tra...

Send us your Florida questions! Welcome to fall in Florida! Cathy and Jon talk about how real Floridians know fall has arrived, the best reason to travel to the Keys in September, and what the season looks like in different parts of the state. Links we mentioned On This Day: 1933 gas prices in Key West   Hidden Gem: King Seafood, Marathon Holderness Family's Fall Expectations vs. Realty Want...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon debunk famous Florida history myths, stepping on all the cherished legends they learned in grade school.  Some myths we discussed Fountain of Youth Gasparilla Myth First Thanksgiving History that isn't fake Discover Florida Tours – ( Sacred Lands ) The Seminole Tribe of Florida's origin Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida S...

Send us your Florida questions! In January, Cathy decided she'd get rid of single-use plastic in her home, RV, and at the newspaper she and her husband own – all by Dec. 31. Her travels through the best parts of Florida motivated this decision, because everywhere she went, she saw plastic litter.  She and Jon talk about the Florida road trip that cemented that decision, what she's doing...

Send us your Florida questions! Today Jon and Cathy talk about hurricanes in the panhandle, UFOs in the Florida panhandle, and hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail through Eglin Air Force Base. Hiking through Eglin Carnivorous pitcher plants at Apalachicola National Forest Wewahitchka Ulee's Gold DeFuniak Springs Wewa RV Park Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newslet...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy and Jon talk about the Clermont area of Florida, including Lake Louisa State Park, Citrus Tower, and a few other places of note in the area, including the Presidents Hall of Fame. Links we mentioned Lake Louisa State Park Citrus Tower Presidents Hall of Fame at Atlas Obscura or on Facebook , or on Florida Traveler Clermont Brewing Company Want more F...

Send us your Florida questions! In this episode of The Florida Spectacular, Jon and Cathy talk about the best beaches in Florida (well, some of them), beach renourishment, and each of their favorite beaches. They also mention a secret sidewalk in Pass-a-Grille, Mike Huckabee, and the not-so-great history on Egmont Key (that not that many people know.) Fort De Soto Park   Caladesi Island State Park...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon talk about a pair of water shoes Cathy's worn for 21 years as she paddled, snorkeled, waded, swam, and hiked through Florida. (Her Teva protons have seen more of Florida than most Floridians.) They also talk about other essential Florida gear, places they use them, and read a letter from a fan. Links we mention Gator "harassing&quo...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, The Florida Spectacular takes you to Cedar Key, a tiny island along Florida's Nature Coast. Jon and Cathy talk about the island's award-winning clam chowder, the tragic history of nearby Rosewood, and the legendary headless horseman of neighboring Seahorse Key.  Links we mentioned Cedar Key Events Cedar Key Seafood Festival Tony's Clam Chow...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon take a meandering look at what Florida's tourism board call each section of coastline. Some of the names make sense, others are a little weird, but at the end of the podcast, we'd all learned something. Links we mentioned: • (Warning: Wikipedia link ahead, but these are largely accurate) List of what people call different parts of...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile welcome back celebrated Florida springs expert and author Rick Kilby. Rick, Orlando-based author ad graphic designer, wrote Florida's Healing Waters: Gilded Age Mineral Springs, Seaside Resorts, and Health Spas, which received the silver medal for Florida nonfiction from the Florida Book Awards and the Florida Histor...

Send us your Florida questions! This week hosts Jon Kile and Cathy Salustri talk about their favorite summer experiences – and how they don't "beat" the Florida heat, but instead embrace it. Love Florida but don't love the heat? This is the podcast for you.  Links we mentioned:  Utilikilt Reef-safe sunscreen Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter , a...

Send us your Florida questions! Today hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile talk about the magic of Florida springs, their favorite springs, and why bottled water is, indeed, the Devil. With almost 1000 springs in Florida, they didn't talk about them all, but today's episode is a great start. Links we mentioned Nestle protests about pumping water out of the Santa Fe River Tampa Bay Times edi...

Send us your Florida questions! This week on The Florida Spectacular, hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile talk about northeast Florida, including St. Augustine's African American Trail , Lincolnville , Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area (and great oceanside campground) in Flagler Beach, Anastasia State Park, Faver-Dykes State Park,  Washington Oaks Gardens , and the St. Augustine Alligator Far...

Send us your Florida questions! This week we welcome Ryan Worthington, a Master Naturalist who celebrates Florida road trips on Instagram ( @the_Florida_Excursionist ). He gives a wonderful tour at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Park. Jon, Cathy and Ryan talk about the Cross Creek and Gainesville area, and, as per usual, the conversation heads off for parts unknown, much like a decent Flo...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Jon’s on safari and Cathy interviews Bruce Hunt, author of “ Visiting Small Town Florida ” (and 10 other Florida travel and dining books.)  Bruce is a rare bird – a native Floridian – who also has some Florida photos you’ll want to see. Here’s how to connect with him: Bruce's website Bruce's occasional blog Bruce on Twitter Bruce's photogra...

Send us your Florida questions! Meet Dr. Jaret Daniels, the curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History's McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity and Professor of Entomology at the University of Florida. That’s right, a butterfly expert. He talks to Cathy and Jon about how why some milkweed makes monarchs want to have sex – and whether or not that’s a bad thing, where to see the...