Florida is a very flat state. There aren’t a lot of scenic overlooks in Florida, but then The Sunshine State isn’t known for its dramatic scenery either. That’s OK — it’s got fantastic beaches, the world’s best theme parks and often the country’s best weather. Myakka River State Park bills itself as “Where the River […]

The first thing I learned on my airboat ride in Florida’s Myakka River State Park was that alligators hate the cold. I guess that’s why most of them live in Florida. But Florida can get colder than their liking too, and on those chilly days they prefer to stay under water. And February 13th just […]

I love flowers. I love museums. So when I heard that Sarasota’s Ringling Museum of Art having a special four-day exhibit (“Ringling in Bloom”, Feb. 3—6) showcasing 24 floral arrangements inspired by the masterpieces, I was instantly intrigued. The results blew me away — the effect was amazing, as it felt like the art had […]

The blizzard that hit NYC the day after Christmas may have been pretty to look at (see snowy city photos here), but it sure ruined a lot of vacation plans. Amanda Lobell and Neil Roach had planned to take a trip to Arizona, but their flight to Phoenix was canceled and couldn’t be rebooked until […]

I planned my trip to Sarasota, FL, several weeks before the BP oil spill in the Gulf on Mexico. Every time I'd been to Sarasota, it was too cold to enjoy the beach but I figured that it should finally be warm enough on Memorial Day Weekend. Well, now I wasn't worried about the weather […]

This evening I arrived in Sarasota, FL, where I’ll be spending the weekend with my family. On the way in from the airport, I was happy to see my favorite statue, Unconditional Surrender, which is based on the famous 1945 photograph “The Kiss at Times Square”. I’m not quite sure what our plans are for […]