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Small Town Appeal

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Small Town Appeal

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February 21st, 2012
Overnight in Fernandina Beach's Blue Heron Inn
by Susan Friedman
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Breakfast on the terrace at Blue Heron Inn
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My stay at the serene Blue Heron Inn on a recent road trip to Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island was sated with intimate coziness.

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Tags: Amelia Island | Amelia Island Trolleys | Blue Heron Inn | Fernandina Beach

January 3rd, 2012
See a 20th Century Masterpiece at the Clewiston Inn
by Susan Friedman
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Clewiston Inn, home to the Everglades Lounge
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Returning from a Sarasota getaway, I decided to travel a road other than Alligator Alley.  State Route 80/U.S 27 meant a trip through sugar cane country and a chance to stop at the Clewiston Inn.

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Tags: Clewiston Inn | Everglades Lounge | J. Clinton Shepherd | Lake Okeechobee | State Route 80/U.S. 27 | Sugarland Highway

November 9th, 2011
It's Hot! Stand Up Paddleboarding in New Smyrna Beach
by Susan Friedman
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A lesson with Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach
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A weekend getaway to New Smyrna Beach, about 50 miles east of Orlando, proved that small town friendliness is no joke. I met passionate people who love their town and all it has to offer, including Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP).

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Tags: Canaveral National Seashore | New Smyrna | New Smyrna Beach | Paddleboard NSB | Stand Up Paddle Board | SUP | Yolo

December 14th, 2010
Escape to Pine Island in December
by Susan Friedman
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Tropic Star
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I woke to a chilly misty rain over Charlotte Harbor. Old man winter Florida-style had officially reared his head.

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Tags: Bokeelia Tarpon Inn | Cabbage Key | Charlotte Harbor | islands | Pine Island | Tropic Star | Useppa

May 26th, 2010
Chillin' in Delray Beach
by Susan Friedman
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Chillounge Night
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What fun! The Great Lawn adjacent to the Old School Square in Delray Beach was home to the “Chillounge Night” for one magical evening. Dotting the lawn were lounge-y outdoor furnishings—cozy orbs and fab couches—plus cocktail bars ...

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Tags: Chillounge Night | Delray Beach | Great Lawn | Old School Square | Pineapple Grove

May 10th, 2010
Village of Gulfstream Park has Arrived
by Susan Friedman
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III Forks Legends Room
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I recall heading to the legendary Gulfstream Park Racetrack in Hallandale on more than one occasion in recent years—not so much to play the ponies—but to enjoy bands in the outdoor setting.  With “Saturday in the Park” wafting through the air, the place always seemed sleepy and retro. That’s hardly the case anymore. The new Village of Gulfstream Park is a lively destination worth a visit (or two, or three ...). 

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Tags: Hallandale | III Forks | Prime Steakhouse | Village of Gulfstream Park

May 4th, 2010
Southern Charm in Central Florida
by Vicky Hodges
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Jersey's Creamery
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Photo by: Vicky Hodges

Nothing beats driving through the heart of Central Florida, shaded from the harsh afternoon sun in tunnels of Spanish moss dripping off canopies of massive ancient oaks.  This week I found myself on a relaxing road trip through Micanopy, McIntosh and Cross Creek--three ridiculously quaint little villages just south of Gainesville that simply ooze Southern charm and historic cracker style.

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Tags: Central Florida | Cross Creek | food | Gainesville | ice cream | McIntosh | Micanopy | road trip

April 7th, 2010
Get in the Grove Groove
by Shawn Bean
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harveys grove
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These days, the Sunshine State is having a love affair with Key lime pies and blueberry wine, guava sake and mango margaritas, pomegranate mojitos and strawberry shortcake (after all, we are smack dab in the middle of Florida's strawberry season). Why happened to the orange's A-list status? Can't we give this bright orb a mother-peelin' break?

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Tags: florida orange | food | fruit | Rockledge | tastes

January 11th, 2010
Donut Heaven
by Patricia Letakis
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On a recent early morning road trip in North Florida I found myself driving along a stretch of Gulf coast in Panama City Beach when hunger pains set in. Like a mirage in front of me, a funky food stand with glaring lights appeared in the hazy dawn. The big blue-and-white sign read: Thomas' Homemade Donuts (850.234.8039). I thought I died and went to heaven.

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Tags: food | Northwest | Panama City Beach

November 20th, 2009
A Foxy Course
by Patricia Letakis
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While in North Florida for the Taste of the Beach food and wine festival earlier this month, I had the urge to play some golf. Locals suggested Shalimar Pointe (emeraldcoastgolftrail.com), which turned out to be a friendly course that the regulars couldn't stop boasting about-and a fox and troop of frisky fox squirrels call home.

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