Floridian Getaways 2008 - (Page 14) experts AUTHENTIC FLORIDA Ask the Expert LUCY BEEBE TOBIAS VISIT FLORIDA’S Authentic Florida Expert Lucy Beebe Tobias is a freelance writer, photographer and artist living in Ocala. Her book, 50 Great Walks in Florida, was published in February by University Press of Florida. She is now VISIT FLORIDA’s online Authentic Florida Expert, one of 10 Florida web personalities on the site. At VISITFLORIDA.com, read stories on authentic Florida travel, see videos and comment on Lucy’s blog postings. You can also send her a question. Here, a few reader questions submitted online that we hope will inspire some travel ideas of your own. Find Lucy on VISITFLORIDA.com EMERALD COAST CITIES Eileen writes: We hope to spend a week in the Pensacola and Panama City area. What should we be seeking to see? Lucy responds: Let’s start with Pensacola. Visit Historic Pensacola Village in downtown Pensacola, then walk to the neighboring Seville Square. Several historic houses facing the square have lovely restaurants with seating both inside and outside on the porches. After lunch, walk to nearby T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum. Originally built in the early 1900s as a City Hall, it is a wonderful, dynamic building, and the inside is full of collections. If your toes itch for sand, try Big Lagoon State Park or Fort Pickens National Park. Both are close to Pensacola. Between Pensacola and Panama City, there are miles of beach. My personal favorite spot is Grayton Beach State Park. Take the walk among (not on) sand dunes dotted with twisted trees that look like huge bonsai plants, sculpted by wind and weather. Then top the last rise and walk along the beach for the last half. Do take a detour off U.S. Route 98, at Grayton Beach, onto what is called Scenic Route 30A. This 12-mile stretch of road runs right along the Gulf of Mexico. Like to bike and hike? There is a hike and bike trail on this route. By car, foot or bike, you will go through the New Urbanism towns of Seaside, Watercolor and Rosemary Beach, all planned to be walkable communities. All have the beach right across the street. NATIVE PALM TREES Scott writes: Did palm trees always grow in Florida? INDIAN ROCKS BEACH Candi writes: I was wondering if you could recommend any “must-see’s” or “must-do’s” for the Indian Rocks Beach area? Lucy responds: Yes and no. Many of the palm trees growing in Florida are not natives – they were imported from China, Cuba and elsewhere – but some, a mere 12 out of about 2,700 varieties in the world, are natives. A famous native is the Florida royal palm, which can grow to 80 feet tall. They are often seen lining the streets of older Florida towns. There is the Sabal palmetto or cabbage palm, which is designated the Florida State Tree. We know Native Americans in Florida were making rope and mats from palm tree fibers, so they’ve been around for a long time. To see a list of native palms, go to www.plantapalm.com, the Central Florida Palm & Cycad Society. Lucy responds: You’ve picked a great place for “must-see’s and do’s.” Visit the shore birds at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores. Watch a sunset at Pier 60 Park in Clearwater Beach. Spend a morning at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, located in the same cultural complex as the Gulf Coast Museum of Art and Heritage Village. Learn about Florida marine life at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater Beach. You are close to Dunedin and Caladesi Island State Park. If you like biking, the Pinellas Trail goes from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. When you are in Dunedin, the trail cuts right through the center of town. GRANDSON A MAZE FAN Lisa writes: My grandson (5 years old) is coming to visit in April and he wants nothing more than to visit a maze. AUTHENTIC O-TOWN Jeanie writes: We will be visiting the Orlando area, and would like to see authentic Florida there. The Dorr House in Historic Pensacola Village. Lucy responds: My recommendation — start with Harry P. Leu Gardens (www.leugardens.org). And check out the Sunday Farmer’s Market at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. Take a short drive north on Interstate 4 to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. Lucy responds: Mazes are puzzles to be solved! Family-friendly mazes have low hedges so adults can always see children. The publicity for the 15th annual EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival (to June 1) says it has a DogGone Maze. Farther south, in Sarasota, Selby Gardens has a children’s area with a large maze. The last time I was there, several children had done the maze and were standing there laughing at their parents, who were inside. Fun! Another kind of maze is a floor maze. One example is the brick floor maze at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach. 14 Floridians.VISITFLORIDA.com http://VISITFLORIDA.com http://VISITFLORIDA.com http://www.plantapalm.com http://www.leugardens.org http://Floridians.VISITFLORIDA.com
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