We generally visit friends at St Pete’s Beach which has a great atmosphere, but last time we were there we took some UK friends to Clearwater.

Clearwater has a wonderful beach, and it’s worth a walk down the long pier to look for dolphins, but our destination on this occasion was The Municipal Marina at Clearwater Beach where we had a date with “The world’s largest speedboat”, the SEASCREAMER.

We were looking forward to an exhilarating ride as the speedboat screamed past Clearwater Beach and pier in the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and we were not disappointed.  Before the boat makes the open waters of the Gulf, of course, it travels at a more sedate pace through Clearwater harbour – sorry, “harbor” – and Pass. During that time, the skipper of the boat gave us an interesting commentary, and we saw several dolphins swimming in the harbour.

Perhaps the most rewarding element of the ride, however, came towards the end as we were coming back into the pass area for what we imagined to be the end of the trip. The skipper located a couple of dolphins, sidled up to them, then turned the boat around and took off at high speed towards the open sea again. The dolphins, never ones to spurn a free ride apparently, joined us and rode the wake of the boat, leaping in and out of the water as they did so, just feet from the back of the boat. Our skipper instructed us to shout and cheer the dolphins to encourage them, but it was not necessary as the squeals of delight from the passengers on the speedboat came quite naturally.

The cruises leave every two hours in the afternoons, and tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children between 4 and 12. I don’t think you can book in advance and tickets are available half an hour before sailings. The company also runs a similar boat at Myrtle Beach according to their website www.SeaScreamer.com We would thoroughly recommend it, and I believe that it is guaranteed that you will see dolphins, or get a second trip free.

I have discovered that whilst there are loads of colourful Disney stamps available on auction sites such as Ebay, or at stamp dealer stores, the official Disney stamp ring-binder type albums to place them in – now several years out of print – are extremely difficult to obtain.  Disney produced annual supplement pages to include all countries that issued their licensed stamps each year, and illustrated the pages with black and white images showing where and how each stamp in a set should be displayed.   Also for some reason there are no up to date thematic Disney stamp guide books published now.  Brookman guide (last & 2nd edition published 1998 is still available sometimes on Ebay, but there won’t be another print run and when stocks have gone sadly that will become scarce.  I was lucky enough to purchase a brand new Domfil Disney Stamp guide with colour illustrations, from an Ebay seller in France.  Stanley Gibbons co. told me they had sold all their supplies and could not get others because, like the Brookman guide, publication ceased at the end of the 1990’s.

Disney still issues stamps and it amazes me that no albums or guides are available now, and collectors buying lots of loose stamps at bargain prices from auction sites, will have difficulty putting stamps into sets without a thematic guide.  The UK’s Stanley Gibbons catalogue or the American equivalent Scott Guide,  will list individual stamps under the relevant country, but it won’t be as easy as having a Disney stamp guide.   Disney also issue commemorative stamps in larger souvenir panels, the albums I have managed to obtain show hundreds to collect, along with the regular postage stamps.    I think it is interesting for children to collect these colourful stamps as it helps to teach geography in a fun way.  There are 26 Classic Disney Fairy Tales  - a Commemorative set displayed on beautifully illustrated A4 size story panels that have a special hardback album cover.

Anyone wanting to create a Disney memory for a young child’s bedroom could easily buy a souvenir panel and/or stamps of a favourite character or film, and frame them to hang on the wall.

I have seen complete collections of albums containing all every one of 1970’s to late 1990’s Disney stamps and souvenir stamps listed on Ebay at buy it now prices of several thousand dollars listed by stamp dealers in the United States.

I was also fascinated in my Internet search to discover websites selling anything and everything Disney.  Take a look at rubylane.com and type Disney in the search box and you too will be amazed at some of the asking prices for antique older Disney toys and dolls.  He highest prices of course are for items in mint condition.  A rare 1930’s Disney Mickey Mouse book is listed at $500.  A Mickey Mouse alarm clock is listed at almost $375.  There are also figurines, framed pictures, watches, jigsaw puzzles, Mickey Mouse Club comics  – the list goes on, page after page. 

We have an animated Mickey Mouse bedside lamp in our villa and I imagine in time, this too, these colourful moving/talking lamps will be extremely sought after.

Next time you visit one of Disney’s theme parks, maybe you will purchase a future Disney ‘heirloom’.

If you are tired and weary, need a little peace and quiet away from the theme parks and “Mickey” why not visit Blue Springs on St Johns river, there is something there for all the family.

Blue Springs is only an hours drive north of  Orlando along the I4 till you see the signs for Orange City take this turn and then keep a close watch for just one small sign that takes you west to the Springs.   We were advised to take swim wear with us, and plenty of sun cream, a picnic is good, although there is a small shop for purchasing drinks and snacks.

There are several areas within the park, bird watching, fishing, walking, swimming or going on a boat trip.  The later is to be highly recommended.   You are accompanied by a very knowledgeable guide who will point out the smallest and largest inhabitants.  On our trip we were lucky to see several Manetee.  The best time for seeing these giants is between November and March.  Alligators are also quite numerous, again the guide will point out the areas where you would most likely see these. 

The spring is a warm,  so swimming is encouraged along with scuba diving into the large opening of the spring, only for those who are qualified.

There is plenty of shade and the whole area is very peaceful.  Picnic tables are dotted around, if you are in need of a quiet sit or eating these are for your use. 

Walking is mainly very easy in the main areas there are board walks and well walked paths, although we were told there were some more challenging routes that could be tried a little of the beaten track.

There is a lot of history attached to the area  which you can read about at your leisure within the park and a visit to the historic Thursby House is a must, learn how the original inhabitants lived. 

I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did.

It is recommended that visitors allow 3.5 to 4hrs to tour the park.

Homosassa Springs is a favourite playground for manatees and a showcase for several of the state’s other endangered animal species, including whooping cranes and key deer.

From the elevated boardwalk there is a great view of the wildlife including cougars, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters.

The Fish Bowl, an underwater observatory in the main 46-ft deep spring, gives an unusual perspective on life in the Homosassa river, while a pontoon boat ride or a tram ride along the Pepper Creek is ideal for wildlife-spotting along the riverbank.

There are a number of educational programs throughout the day giving the opportunity to learn more about Florida’s wildlife:

Manatee Programs:               

An educational program on the West Indian manatees and the park’s manatee rehabilitation program are presented three times daily: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

Wildlife Encounters Program:

An educational program on Florida’s wildlife including Florida snakes, birds of prey, gopher tortoises, turtles and opossums presented twice daily:10.30 am, 2.30pm. 

Alligator & Hippo Program:   

An educational program on American alligators and the park’s Hippopotamus, presented daily at 12.30pm.

The Reptile House is where the native snakes and other reptiles are found, and hands-on experience can be gained at the Children’s Education Centre.

Recreational opportunities include picnicking, nature study, and bird-watching. Special events and workshops are also held throughout the year.

Driving Directions:

HomosassaSpringsWildlifeState Park is located in Homosassa Springs, 75 miles north of Tampa on U.S. 19 and 90 miles northwest of Orlando

Park Admission Fees:

Adults (age 13 and over)                    $9.00 per person.

Children (ages 3 through 12)     $5.00 per person.

Children ages 2 years and under:        No charge

Refreshments:                                 The park has a café & 2 gift shops.

Please Note:

Pets are NOT permitted in the wildlife park with the exception of service animals. Self Service outside kennels are provided free of charge at the VisitorCenter and at the West Entrance.

Dogs are permitted in parking areas and along Pepper Creek Trail on a six foot hand held leash.

The park operates a no-smoking policy within Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.  However, an area is provided outside the West Entrance of the park.

Contact Details:

HomosassaSpringsWildlifeState Park

4150 S. Suncoast Blvd.
Homosassa, Florida34446
Phone: 352-628-5343
Fax: 352-628-4243

Over the years we have only found one effective solution. As soon as we get home, unpack, go through the post and maybe catch up on a little sleep, we just have to logon to Expedia and arrange the next trip! Knowing that there is more Florida sunshine on the horizon helps us cope with the English weather. It really is an addiction. We then break the calendar up into the relevant number of weeks (always sounds better than months) and ‘sleeps’, and start to count down :-) This little family ritual keeps us – mostly – sane.

As the years have gone by we find ourselves needing to do less and less. This is a good thing. We don’t need to rush round every park; we have no quota to reach. The children by and large are happy just to live in the pool – coming from the UK, it is such a rarity for them to have the weather and the facility to do this. If we can get them out of the pool by about 1pm, we can have a light lunch, let them chill in front of the TV for an hour or so and then we can go out to a park (preferably one that we have annual passes for!) in the later afternoon as the parts start to empty and the temperature starts to drop a little.

If we don’t fancy a park then we will do our second favourite thing in Florida – eat! For as long as the dollar stays at almost $2 to £1 then we can justify eating out again and again. I know it sounds both  extravagant and lazy, but there is such value at places like Bob Evans and Perkins that we cannot help ourselves! As long as we point the children towards the healthier options (and finding meals with good servings of fruit and vegetables is getting much easier) then we have few qualms about eating out. We still find it a little weird to find carrots, corn and even broccoli sweetened and glazed with honey, but it is a small price to pay.  

As I write, we have just returned from 2 weeks ‘quality r&r’ at our villa. True to form, we are counting down and – fantastically – we have just 91 sleeps until we return!

And, of course, the shopping!

But there are many more reasons why Central Florida has to be the world’s number one vacation destination.  Here are a few suggestions for golfers, who will find some great courses to test their skills.

Where To Play

There is a huge number of courses - with new ones being planned to add to the variety.  Some of these are for members only, but that still leaves many courses open for public use.

Where To Stay

It is probably true to say that whichever vacation home you choose, you will be close to a golf course.  Check with the owner of your home to see where the nearest course is.

Walt Disney World

Disney has 5 championship courses, including Magnolia, which has hosted the final stages of the PGA Funai Classic.  In addition to the 5 full courses, a sixth option is the 9 hole course at Oak Trail.

Celebration

If 5 courses at Disney is not sufficient, just alongside Walt Disney World is the course at Celebration, designed by the father and son team of Robert Trent Jones senior and junior.  Fabulous surroundings, just minutes from the major attractions.

Mystic Dunes

Barely a mistimed hook away from Disney is Mystic Dunes, adjacent to the popular vacation homes at Indian Ridge and Indian Ridge Oaks.  Created by Gary Koch and rated 4 star by Golf Digest, this course claims to ‘create alternate feelings of elation to frustration, calm and turmoil, and joy with the occasional bouts of fear’.  For those of us who see the par 71 as the impossible dream, the feelings of elation may be limited, but not the enjoyment.

Champions Gate

Champions Gate (created by Greg Norman) boasts 36 holes - and a location convenient for all the other attractions, so its easy for part of the family to spend a day in the attractions whilst the golfer enjoys a relaxing day’s golf (but don’t miss out completely on the fabulous theme parks)

Miniature Golf

As an alternative, and to involve the whole family, there are many miniature golf courses with incredible theming - popular courses can be found alongside the 192 highway, International Drive and the I-4 Interstate.  Whilst slightly less challenging than the full size courses, they are an opportunity for the youngsters to take on (and perhaps beat) the adults!

Recommendation

Whatever your standard, there will be a golf course suitable for you.  Why not take your clubs on vacation - or perhaps hire a set?