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The memes. "Because Florida" jokes. "Florida Man" stories. Tyler Gillespie was once embarrassed to call Florida home, concocting fantasies he'd been born somewhere else. In The Thing about Florida, Gillespie faces his Florida denial and takes readers on an exuberant search for the state behind the caricatures, cutting through the media storm with curiosity and humor.
Gillespie's journey leads him into unexpected places such as halfway houses, gator pits, rattlesnake rooms, and clothing-optional campgrounds, where he meets eclectic and unconventional Floridians. He interviews storm chasers, Civil War reenactors, cattle ranchers, drag queens, python hunters, and pet smugglers. His conversations delve into serious issues such as addiction, Florida's racist past, and care options for the state's LGBTQ senior citizens.
With perspective and empathy derived from his background as a gay man raised Southern Baptist, Gillespie shows how important it is to understand the diversity and complexity of Florida today. "It's dangerous to meet our fears with fear," he says as he confronts his own as well as the state's monsters--invasive species, hurricanes, environmental destruction. He reminds us that Florida's people and problems are vital parts of the nation's future.
A fresh and engaging voice, Gillespie captivates with a snappy pace, sly wit, and crisp observations. As he weaves his childhood memories and personal experiences alongside the stories of the individuals he encounters, Gillespie reconciles with his home state. He finds Florida's humanity, a beautiful mix of hopes, dreams, and second chances.
Sarasota would not be what it is today without the influence of the Ringling family, particularly John and Mable Ringling and John's brother Charles. Unlike some other entertainers of the era, the Ringling family saw their enterprise as a business and as a way of entertaining the masses through good, clean fun. Three Ringling Circus will focus on the history of this family and will bring to life (and light) their past and present impact on Sarasota's unique artistic, historical and cultural scene, a rarity in Florida, where much of the economy is driven by tourism and the retirement industry.
Join Yvonne Hill and Marguerite Jordan in collaboration with the Lee County Black History Society, Inc. as they recount the history of this beautiful island.
Sanibel, a barrier island on the southwest coast of Florida, was originally inhabited by the Calusa Indians around 1500. In 1513, explorer Ponce DeLeon landed ashore the exotic isle, with its brackish estuaries, plush mangrove jungles, and sandy beaches, opening the door for others who would eventually find their way to the island. Over time, Sanibel was visited by European explorers, slave traders, pirates, and Seminole Indians, all of whom added to its colorful and intriguing history. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the original settlers of modern-day Sanibel arrived on the island. These pioneers were a contrasting group of individuals, comprised of diverse ethic origins and cultures, yet all seemed to share a common goal of using hard work, resourcefulness, and determination to make the island their home. Their efforts and sacrifices greatly contributed to the growth and rich history of Sanibel as we know it today.
The perfect photographic guide to the fantastic birds of Florida.
Stretching from temperate North America through the central highlands and vast Everglades wetlands of the peninsula and beyond to its Caribbean Keys, Florida is a great place to go birding at any time of the year. Roseate Spoonbills and Mangrove Cuckoo add a tropical flavour to its rich avifauna; woodland and scrub specialities include Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Florida Scrub-jay, while birds such as Snail Kites soaring over marshes and Snowy Plovers on the mudflats are high on any birder's wish-list. Vast numbers of migrants such as warblers, vireos, and flycatchers passing through each fall and spring add to the spectacle. This book by biologist and wildlife photographer Kirsten Hines will help you identify more than 300 of Florida's regularly occurring species, including breeding birds, those on passage, and those wintering. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behavior, distribution, habitat, and seasonality. Each photo has been carefully selected to guide identification, and equal prominence is given to male and female birds. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in Florida is also included. Portable yet authoritative and comprehensive, Birds of Florida will help you make the most of the dazzling variety of species to be found in the Sunshine State.
Wading birds, raptors, waterfowl, pelicans, gulls & terns, shorebirds, and songbirds. These are the types of birds Florida birdwatchers can see and learn about in Ken Janes' stunning photobook Florida Birds: A Birdwatcher Discovers the Sunshine State. With all original photography by Janes and informational sections for each bird listed, those interested in the year-long hobby of Florida birdwatching will be able to not only learn key facts from this book but also display it in their homes as a piece of photo art.
Birdwatching and other birding activities are seasonal in most parts of the country but can take place year-round in Florida because of the warmer climate. Janes, a Mainer until winter when he travels to his Florida home, shows northerners and southerners alike what unique aviary life can be found in the Sunshine State. Janes takes a conservationist approach to his work and makes it clear to readers how certain species of birds have been negatively affected by harmful practices and chemicals, like the effect of DDT on Osprey.
Nicole equips you with the knowledge you need to transform 5 minutes a day into a year-round gardening habit. Experience the joy and mindfulness that comes from being more connected to nature and the food you eat.
Discover the freedom of the open road with Lonely Planet's Florida & the South's Best Trips. This trusted travel companion features 30 amazing road trips, from 2-day escapes to 2-week adventures. Trace the iconic Appalachian Trail or explore the roots of the Blues Highway, all with your trusted travel companion. Get to Florida and the South, rent a car, and hit the road!
Inside Lonely Planet's Florida & the South's Best Trips:
Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after
2020's COVID-19 outbreak
Lavish color and gorgeous photography throughout
Itineraries and planning advice to pick the right tailored trips for your needs and interests
Get around easily - easy-to-read, full-color route maps, detailed directions
Insider tips to get around like a local, avoid trouble spots and be safe on the road - local driving rules, parking, toll roads
Essential infoat your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices
Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
Useful features - including Stretch Your Legs, Detours, Link Your Trip
Covers Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and more
The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Florida & the South's Best Trips is perfect for exploring the region via the road and discovering sights that are more accessible by car.
Planning a Florida trip sans a car? Lonely Planet's Florida, our most comprehensive guide to [the state], is perfect for exploring both top sights and lesser-known gems.
About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.
'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times
'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell--and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.