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Tag: Florida on a Tankful

  • Snorkeling in the Florida Aquifer at Devil’s Den

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    WILLISTON, Fla. — Welcome to Devil’s Den in Williston, Florida. 

    It’s less of a den and more of what’s called a karst- an exposed spring filled with 72 degree water.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Devil’s Den spring exposed betwee 115,000 and 126,000 years ago

    •  Animal bones on spring floor helped date collapse– mastadons, saber-tooth cats and giant Jefferson sloths

    •  Once a local swimming hole, now open for snorkeling and scuba training with 50,000 visitors a year — from around the world

    • Wet suits, snorkel gear available for rent; weekedays are less busy


    “Everything you see and here at one time was soft limerock and it took millions of years to erode away, and eventually sometime between 115 and 126,000 years ago, the roof caved in and exposed the Florida aquifer,” said Don Standridge, one of the Den’s caretakers.

    The animals fell in and could not escape.

    Their fossils helped date when the top rocks collapsed, exposing the spring.

    “Mastodons, saber tooth cats, giant Jefferson ground sloth,” Standridge said. “They took that off the bottom.”

    But for Standridge, Devil’s Den was just a local swimming hole.
     
    “And would have a blast. We were able to jump from the top. None of this was here—no ladder, stairs,” said Standridge.

    A tight stairwell to the spring is a newer edition.

    “But we would actually build fires over on that ledge, and you’d swim till you got cold and you’d get up by the fire and warm up and then go swimming again,” said Standridge.

    Beneath that ledge, about 50 feet down, is the spring, sending up 72-degree water.

    “It comes through nice and slow and goes right back into the aquifer,” said Standridge.

    The spring draws an international crowd of about 50,000 people every year.

    “The advent of social media getting the word out about this place is insane,” he said.

    Standridge added that the Devil’s Den owner will not develop the land, nor sell bottled spring water.

    “He’s a conservationist. He wanted people to be able to see it and enjoy it,” said Standridge.

    And in 2026, they are creating a museum for the finds from this prehistoric spring to add to the experience at Devil’s Den.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Let’s Plant It teaches customers about plant parenthood in Brevard County

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    VIERA, Fla. — Some 200 million Americans own at least one houseplant. That is 66% of the population, according to Statista.

    What You Need To Know

    • Let’s Plant It is a retail location where visitors come in and learn the proper way to pot, plant and maintain houseplants

    • Visitors can walk in, pick a pot, a plant and put it together themselves using a shovel and dirt and then decorate it with accessories

    • The store offers a wide variety of plant species from which to choose

    • There are two locations, including Viera and Melbourne


    Many people call themselves “plant parents,” a term that first surfaced from the millennial generation in 2010 often referring to their plants as children or pets.

    Laura Cage jokes about being the biggest “pot dealer” in Brevard County, referring to the number of potted plants she sells each month.

    “I love plants,” Cage said.

    She has turned a passion for potted plants into a place where anyone can come get their hands dirty.

    Guests can walk in without a reservation and go to work planting their favorite houseplant.

    “We do get a lot of first-time plant parents that come in. They want to get into plants, but they’re a little bit afraid,” Cage said. “So, they’re not sure. And this is a great place to get started.”

    Let’s Plant It has everything someone would need to build the perfect houseplant. 

    There are several stations where guests stand and scoop potting soil into pots they choose, along with accessories such as shells and rocks to bring accent to the final creation.

    Cage created the concept not only for her love of plants but also realizing that many people don’t know how to pot plants properly and keep them alive.

    “They all get to pick out their plants and pots and decorations. But in the end, everybody has created something that is unique to them,” Cage said.

    The plant lover tries to handpick as many plant species as possible that she sells in her shop. Cage visits nurseries across Central Florida looking for one-of-a-kind plants that will intrigue store guests to grow.

    One of her top sellers is the Swiss cheese plant known as Monstera deliciosa.

    “I think they like the uniqueness of the holes in them,” Cage said.

    The popular shop even has a candle bar for those who want to create something that smells good and needs no water.

    The shop is open to all ages.

    There are two locations, one in Melbourne and the other in the shops at the Avenue of Viera.

    For more, visit Let’s Plant It.”

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    Randy Rauch

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  • The No. 1 rule at Garage of Art Chaos: Try to lose control

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    LARGO, Fla. — It’s a unique way to blow off steam, and walk away with a piece of art.

    It’s the Garage of Art Chaos.

    Anna Tellme, a lawyer turned educator turned creator, opened the space this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Garage of Art Chaos 

    • 2648 McMullen Booth Rd., Largo

    • Number one rule: Lose control, be like a kid

    • Sessions last about an hour, and you leave with your painting covered for transportation


    And it’s a tricked-out garage, black-light lit, with all matter of tools for art — but no brushes. Tools like slingshots, spinning canvas holders, tennis rackets and a basketball hoop.

    “And it looks like — kind of like me, you know, like a dark space with some splashes of bright color,” said Tellme. “Our rule No. 1 is try to lose control and try to feel as a kid. Because we control too much in our lives.”

    Letting go here starts with adding protection: two layers of clothing protection from head to toe and then, little paint balloons are waiting for you.

    Then it’s time to paint.

    Throw darts at the canvas, swing a tennis racket at it, or slam them into a basketball hoop — all the while taking your canvas along to catch the flying paint. Under the black lights, the fluorescent colors explode.

    “After 15 minutes spending here, they getting crazy,” said Tellme. “I can hear how they scream, how they laugh.”

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Tour the wild waters of Terra Ceia Bay with Captain D of Day Trippin Boat Tours

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    TERRA CEIA BAY, Fla. — There are places you can’t get to in Florida unless you’ve got a boat and a fantastic sense of navigation. 

    At the opening of Tampa Bay, in sight of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Captain D of Day Trippin Boat Tours takes visitors through the mangroves, onto sandbars and into Terra Ceia Bay, along with husband and fellow Captain Ricky Gullet.

    The commercial anglers are using their deep knowledge of these waters to wow visitors, like by navigating the old mosquito control ditches inside Rattlesnake Key.

    “This like our own little area over here,” Gullett said.

    And throughout the trip, there are opportunities to put names and facts to birds and marine mammals.

    “It’s such an amazing thing to share the beauty of what we have out here,” said Dea Gullet, who helps operate the charter as Captain D. “You have civilization just a stone’s throw away, but you also have untouched, beautiful, pristine land.”

    The couple’s hope is to build up love and wonder for these wild places that might help to keep them that way.

    “It’s awesome. I mean, it’s beautiful here,” said Gullett.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomes a new president, new world and meerkats

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is undergoing a $37 million upgrade that will bring new life to the 66-year-old theme park.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jeff Davis is the new president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, arriving in February from SeaWorld San Antonio

    • A $37 million investment at the 66-year-old theme park helped create a new world, new costumes and a new habitat

    • New world Wild Oasis is set to open in spring as a kid-centric immersive rain forest experience

    • A new colony of 20 meerkats will get a new and expanded habitat near Africa


    The funds helped create a new world called Wild Oasis, set to open this spring. The kid-centric immersive rain forest experience will replace Jungala.

    For guests who frequent the park, you will also notice new costumes matching the tropical birds who will live in the new world.

    Near the edge of Africa, a new and expanded meerkat habitat is under construction for a colony of 20 animals that are currently quarantining in the park.

    Adult guests are also getting a new bar at the entrance of the park.

    This comes all in part, thanks to Busch Gardens’ new president, Jeff Davis.

    Davis arrived from Sea World San Antonio in February, eager to do his part to ensure the park runs for another 66 years.

    “There’s, you know, park presidents before me. Park presidents are gonna come after me,” said Davis. “It’s just my time to help the park grow and be successful, and it’s an honor to be part of that.”

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Dig into Florida’s past and find ancient artifacts at Big Dig Florida

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — Looking for evidence of ancient cultures isn’t something exclusive to remote spots in faraway lands.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits The Big Dig Florida

    • Current dig site in Dade City, south of Buddy Lake

    • Artifacts from 3,000 to 8,000 years ago

    • Different sifting, searching options for day of discovery


    You can do it right here in Florida.

    Just south of Buddy Lake in Pasco County, the ground is releasing evidence of people living here thousands of years ago.

    Rob Jones of Big Dig Florida is looking for it.

    And you are invited.

    “What we are really after are the tools used by ancient Native Americans — arrowheads, projectile points and tool that they used to skin hides,” said Jones.

    Jones started looking for artifacts in Florida as a teen — turning a hobby into his profession this year.

    The first artifact Jones found was at 19 in a Gainesville backyard while studying at the University of Florida.

    “So this area here, this is an 80-acre block. We have about 50-55 acres that are dry that we can dig on,” said Jones.

    Nearby sites made this area attractive to Jones.

    So he leased the land and started moving it to find artifacts.

    “And come to find out it’s absolutely rich with them,” said Jones.

    Jones teaches visitors about ancient Florida at his different sifting stations.

    “And so this area was under water for millions of years, millions of years ago,” said Jones.

    That’s how ancient people found and used fossilized coral for tools and weapons.

    “Anywhere between 700, 800-years-old all the way up to about 11,500-years-old,” said Jones.

    Jones hopes activities like this will make people excited about history — the ancient history of the Sunshine State.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Dade City’s Joy-Lan Drive-in celebrates 75 years

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — The sun has gone down in Dade City.

    What You Need To Know

    • Joy-Lan Drive-in celebrates 75 years

    • It is located at 16414 U.S.-301, Dade City
    • Joy-Lan Drive-in is open Wednesday through Sunday
    • There is a Sunday swap shop from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.


    And light is leaving the sky.

    Just in time for Joy-Lan Drive-in to fire up its first feature of the night. This mainstay of Dade City is celebrating 75 years of waiting for the dark.

    “So I started my first job in the box office,” said Chip Sawyer, who had to get promoted to popcorn, and now heads the company running the drive-in 15 years later.

    Drive-in movies may have peaked in the mid-20th century, but they still maintain a presence in the Tampa Bay area.

    And they got a shot of popularity during the pandemic, as a naturally distanced group event.

    Joy-Lan Drive-in is located on U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City. (Spectrum News)

    All of this is the legacy of Sawyer’s grandfather, Harold Spears.

    “He was a stern boss, but he was still a grandfather,” said Sawyer. “I could always see him kind of look at me, kind of a bit proud so that was fun.”

    Spears started there in the 1950s and stayed until he passed away in 2017.

    In that time, some things have changed.

    “Everybody thinks it’s the crazy silver film reel. But now we’re in the 21st century. Now we get digital files,” said Aiden Kender, who runs the projection room.

    Satellite downloads come to a server, and Kender loads them into the projection machine.

    And if the movies are pre-digital age, they show in what looks like a zip drive.

    “The whole movie’s right in there,” said Kender.

    Joy-Lan Drive-in is located on U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City. (Spectrum News)

    Technical advances keep the retro attraction up and running.

    And a grandfather’s lessons keep customers coming back.

    “He knew what was right and what was wrong as far as drive-ins and how to treat people,” said Sawyer. “And how to treat customers. We still use a lot of that philosophy today.”

    It’s a philosophy Sawyer believes will have customers coming in for another 75 years.

    Joy-Lan Drive-in is located on U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City.

    It shows first-run movies and family classics Wednesday through Saturday nights. And first thing Sunday morning, there is a swap shop from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Florida On A Tankful visits Sarasota Jungle Gardens

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — Amber the Scarlett McCaw likes almonds so much, she’ll roller skate across a table to get them from human pal Alan Gillespie.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida On A Tankful visits Sarasota Jungle Gardens

    • It’s located 3701 Bayshore Road, Sarasota

    • It’s open daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., but closed Thanksgiving and Christmas


    Gillespie is a Broadway actor turned head of entertainment at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
    His mission is to add more fun to animal education.

    “This is all enrichment for them,” said Gillespie of the birds in their bird show. “It switches up their days and they feed off the energy of the crowds here. They love performing.”

    Opened in 1939, the roadside stop in Sarasota is quintessential “Old Florida.”

    They are practically handing out core childhood memories courtesy of their animal ambassador experiences — kids holding year-old alligators with their gator mouths taped shut.

    “I met a family, four generations they’ve been coming here,” said Gillespie.

    One sight the park is famous for — their free roaming flamingos turning their head sideways for a nibble.

    “So we’ve had a flock here since the early 1940s. It’s one of the main things people come here year after year to get to hand-feed flamingos,” said Gillespie.

    These animals rode out the storms of 2024 in safety — away from the destruction they brought to the park.

    Despite the Gardens closing for 80 days to repair between October and December, Gillespie only expressed gratitude.

    His fellow performers are thriving.

    And together they have a part in this Florida story.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Busch Gardens’ new Wild Oasis realm features animals, a splash pad and more

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Get ready to experience another part of the wild world at Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wild Oasis slated for Spring opening in former Jungala space 

    • South American rain forest ecosystem with more than 200 new animals

    • Enchanted Falls Splash Pad, Habitat Hideaway viewing area and interactive Tree Top Drop in construction

    • Rope tunnels and mazes through Wild Oasis with four stories of viewing

    After years of being closed, the world of Jungala is now being reimagined as a South American ecosystem called Wild Oasis with animals, a splash pad, canopy walk and a drop tower.

    “We are really excited to welcome capybara, giant anteaters, squirrel monkeys and a variety of exotic birds to Habitat Hideaway,” said Zoological Curator Kayla Wendzell.

    The new animals will live in Wild Oasis, the former Treehouse Trails.

    The new kid-friendly realm is set to open in the spring of 2025.

    Creators say this new world compliments the park’s current offerings.

    “We were already, sort of telling stories of rainforests of Africa and Asia in the park,” said Wild Oasis creative lead Nick Pelisek. “And so this was a great opportunity to introduce a whole new ecosystem.”

    And considering Florida’s ecosystem — there’s also a splash pad in this rainforest.

    The old Jungala drop tower is coming down for a deluxe, 35-foot-tall new drop tower.

    “As part of the ride experience, we are adding digital screens to either side so riders can enjoy a movie-like experience while on the ride,” said Wild Oasis Project Manager Tony Perry. “There’s surround sound, and we’ve also got lasers on this ride, which is super fun.”

     

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Power station uses bay water to cool machinery; warmer waters attract manatees

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    APOLLO BEACH, Fla. — The water in front of the Big Bend Power Station is full of manatees right now amid the colder weather in the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits the free Manatee Viewing Center 

    • The location is 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach

    • It’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 – April 15


    “I estimate pretty close to a thousand,” said Lauren Gomez, a staff member at the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach.

    The Big Bend Power Station takes in water to cool their machinery. It comes out still clean, but warmer.

    And as Gomez explains, it’s just what manatees need when water temperatures dip below 68 degrees.

    “And manatees, while they might look really fat, if you will, they’re one of the two marine mammals that actually lack blubber,” said Gomez. “The other one being the sea otter.”

    Up close, the slow-moving sea cows might look like floating potatoes, or rocks.

    It’s easy to see some of the manatees have scars from boat engines.

    Displays in the Education Building show how manatees are identified by their scars and what they might look like out of the water.

    The nearby tidal walk shows an idea of manatee habitat.

    “So we’ve got red mangroves, white mangroves and black mangroves,” said Gomez.

    It also reveals the other animals that inhabit it like birds.

    It’s part of the great Florida Birding trail.

    The mothers are teaching their offspring how to survive the winters in Tampa Bay in a canal that is a state and federally designation manatee sanctuary.

    The Manatee Viewing Center is open from Nov. 1 to April 15. And it’s free.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Former pet monkeys get a new lease on life in the trees of Primate Paradise

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    OSTEEN, Fla. — In a trend on social media, people are showing off the pet monkeys they own, often to generate revenue for their animals.

    What You Need To Know

    • Primate Paradise is a safe space in Osteen where monkeys that were once pets get a new lease on life

    • The primates live on a 20-acre property where they live in the trees in an open-air habitat

    • Fifteen capuchin monkeys currently live at the nonprofit sanctuary

    • Andy and Mary Wasko have been rescuing the primates from pet owners who can no longer care for them since 1993

    Experts say owning a primate may not be a good idea for most people.

    A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

    Owners are often forced to give up their monkeys because they can no longer take care of the animals.

    That is where Andy and Mary Wasko come in, caring for animals at their sanctuary in Osteen.

    The couple has dedicated their lives to animals that people can no longer care for.

    The Waskos tend to open their nonprofit to guests who are thinking about getting a pet monkey, with the hopes of talking them out of their plan.

    “They get to feed Miley. She is a favorite, usually, because she usually likes to lay her head in your hand,” Mary said.

    A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

    The couple of 50 years created Primate Paradise in 1993. 

    The property is in Volusia County, offering 20 lush acres near a lake, surrounded by tall trees that make a home for 15 capuchin monkeys. 

    The animals get to live up in the trees in a large open-air habitat as opposed to being locked up in cages by their former owners.

    “They don’t want to live in small cages. They don’t want to be dressed up or wear a diaper. And as a result, they start giving their owners trouble,” Mary explained.

    The couple says capuchin monkeys sometimes turn on their owners, often with aggression, and the owners don’t know what to do and usually want to get rid of the animals.

    A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

    When someone drops off their pet to the couple, it is often heartbreaking for the owner having to surrender a primate they can no longer take care of.

    “It’s difficult for the owner and it is hard for us to see that, but it’s the best decision for the monkey,” Andy said.  

    When a new monkey comes to the sanctuary, they can’t just release it into this open-air habitat. 

    It first needs to go into lockdown, where it will learn the social skills of being a wild monkey.

    “Capuchins locked up their entire life don’t know how to interact with other monkeys and slowly need to be introduced to their treetop freedom,” he said.

    “These monkeys have a lot of needs that their owners are totally unaware of.”

    A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

    During this time of year, they are busy keeping the primates warm during Florida’s cold weather spells.

    Huts located around the property have heaters that kick on anytime the temperature drops below 60 degrees.

    “Rain does not bother them. Heat does not bother them. Hurricanes don’t bother them. The cold bothers them,” Andy said.

    Primate Paradise is a nonprofit, and there is no charge to visit and even feed their monkeys.

    They prefer people that visit have a serious interest in wildlife or someone who is thinking about getting a monkey as a pet, where they will teach them the challenges of raising such an animal.

    You can reach Primate Paradise by calling 407-321-7217.

    A refuge for rescued monkeys at Primate Paradise in Osteen, Fl. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

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    Randy Rauch

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  • Florida Orange Groves Winery makes 43 varieties

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    SOUTH PASADENA, Fla. — It’s a winery on the way to the beach, right in Pinellas County, with wine slushy machines.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits Florida Orange Groves Winery
    • It is located at 1500 Pasadena Ave. S. in South Pasadena
    • Florida Orange Groves Winery features tours, tastings and weekend charcuterie boards


    The Florida Orange Groves Winery is located in South Pasadena.

    And Lance Shook is the third generation in his family to make fruit wine there — 43 varieties — like the Hurricane Class 5, a tropical white sangria.

    “It’s a blend of pineapple, watermelon, passionfruit, key lime and mango — it’s our bestseller,” said Shook.

    The production facility behind the retail area and lounge holds massive stainless-steel vats with wine being filtered and prepped for bottling.

    And don’t forget — fruit wine slushies.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Giraffe Ranch in Dade City offers guests a unique wildlife experience

    Giraffe Ranch in Dade City offers guests a unique wildlife experience

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — Know a giraffe lover? Heads up!

    The safaris at the Giraffe Ranch in Dade City could make you a hero.

    What You Need To Know

    • Giraffe Ranch gives guests the opportunity to get close to meerkats, zebras, ostriches, deer and antelope as well as giraffes

    • The working ranch and preserve is in Dade City

    • The “safari” stops give guests a chance to learn about the animals, and in some cases, feed them

    • More Florida on a Tankful adventures


    The working ranch and preserve boasts animals from around the world.

    The menagerie “meet and greet” begins the moment you arrive with otters who vocalize and poke their hands out of their enclosure.

    Guests fall in love.

    “They want to feed them. They sign up for a feeding,” said guide Chris Landry.

    Each stop on the safari is a learning opportunity.

    And guide Landry has all the intel.

    “We have zebras, ostriches, deer, antelope,” he said.

    Landry started at the ranch as an intern.

    Eight years later, he’s the manager.

    “I always want to go into the animal field. I didn’t think I was going to get this close,” he said.

    “This close” is a giraffe lowering its neck and ducking into the safari truck to nuzzle while scanning the truck for leaves.

    Landry introduces us to his animal pal — the giraffes Kai and his roommate Everdale.

    And around the corner is Phil the giraffe and his family.

    “So Phil has one daughter so far. She’s about a year-and-a-half,” said Landry. “Georgetta is his mate- she’s due to give birth any day. Now the baby is going to be about 6 feet tall and weigh about 150 pounds.”

    Georgetta will be pregnant for more than a year.

    That’s different from the nearby meerkats — it’s 11 weeks for them.

    Plus, only the dominant female gets to have babies.

    The group, called a mob, is matriarchal.

    Feeding the animals inside their enclosure is one of the animal experiences offered at the ranch.

    The food was red grapes.

    Landry explains how to make sure the animals stay comfortable. (You let them come to you. You don’t reach out and grab or try to pick anyone up. You try to remain low key and gentle. You don’t jump around.)

    They are gentle and come to you. They know you have the grapes. They are very orderly.

    Seeing all this, one could understand why Landry has remained at the ranch for so long.

    “Well, it’s different every day. You have animals giving birth. Animals growing,” said Landry.

    It’s life unfolding — but better because it’s with animals.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Drive around in style in a Slingshot in Cocoa Beach

    Drive around in style in a Slingshot in Cocoa Beach

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    COCOA BEACH, Fla. — Some have described it as a one-of-a-kind mode of transportation.

    The Slingshot is a vehicle that has been touted as part motorcycle and part car.

    What You Need To Know

    • Slingshots are three-wheeled vehicles that are both two and four seaters

    • Space Coast Slingshots offer guided and self-guided tours

    • Only a driver’s license is needed to operate one


    In most states, the slingshot is considered an “autocycle.”

    Brad Champion is the owner of Space Coast Slingshots in Cocoa Beach and says they are fun to drive.

    “Drive up and down the coast, and just feel the wind, take in the sun and enjoy the beach,” said Champion.

    Its appearance is futuristic looking and has an open-aired feel while operating.

    “It’s a really cool look, a unique style,” said Champion. “They are fun, they’re fast.”

    Champion believes in the Polaris Slingshot so much that in 2020, he started providing tours for guests in Central Florida. 

    “We’ve got people coming from Orlando to do staycations. They come out on date nights, which is one of our more popular items,” he said.

    Guests can ride in a group tour or simply take out a Slingshot with friends and family.

    Enthusiasts will discover Slingshots are built around simplicity.

    Anyone 21 or older with a valid license can drive.

    The company has three locations, including Cocoa Beach, Orlando and St. Augustine.

    One of Champion’s favorite stops on a Slingshot tour is at Port Canaveral.

    “So, these platforms are used to land some of the SpaceX and Falcon 9 rockets. They float them out,” he said, pointing out into the port. “It’s a really cool and unique thing to see in the area and it’s just a short drive from where you pick up the Slingshot.”

    Guests can rent the vehicles in Cocoa Beach inside the Hilton Hotel located on Atlantic Avenue.

    Half rentals start at $159, that includes tax with full day, and overnight rentals are also available.

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    Randy Rauch

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  • Penny Lane Museum offers look at Beatlemania

    Penny Lane Museum offers look at Beatlemania

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — Bealtemania brought Penny Lane to Dunedin.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits the Penny Lane Beatles Museum
    • It’s located at 730 Broadway, second floor, in Dunedin
    • Hours are Thursday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; admission is free


    We’re talking about the Penny Lane Beatles Museum. And bringing it all to visitors for free is Curator and Docent Harlan Brown.

    Brown is a musician — a drummer — so prepare for him to know how many drummers the Beatles worked with until Ringo Starr came along.

    “I thought I knew a lot about the Beatles when I started to work here,” said Brown.

    He was mistaken.

    Visitors love talking about all things Beatles and how their lives touched — if only for a few moments.

    That’s about how long a fringe jacket was with its original owner, John Lennon.

    “He used to catch in the door of his car, probably the Rolls Royce,” Brown said, smiling.

    So, he left it with family. Most people ask to not only touch it, but wear it as well.

    Same goes for John’s Lennon’s long johns.

    Lennon left them in Denmark with wife Yoko Ono’s ex.

    Now you may smell moth balls when standing here, but it’s not John’s drawers. It’s Beatles merch — everyone wanted a piece of Beatlemania.

    There are moth balls with The Beatles on them.

    “People used them to sell everything, even though they weren’t affiliated with the Beatles organization in many ways,” said Brown.

    It’s all part of our cultural zeitgeist.

    And Harlan Brown is glad to help people remember.

    “And that’s really what the museum is all about is keeping the idea of the Beatles,” said Brown. “And it’s about having fun in it and being entertained by how really amazing they were.”

    Look for the Museum to move to Ybor City in the Fall of 2025 and expand with a few more thousand square feet.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Penny Lane Museum offers look at Beatlemania

    Penny Lane Museum offers look at Beatlemania

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — Bealtemania brought Penny Lane to Dunedin.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits the Penny Lane Beatles Museum
    • It’s located at 730 Broadway, second floor, in Dunedin
    • Hours are Thursday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; admission is free


    We’re talking about the Penny Lane Beatles Museum. And bringing it all to visitors for free is Curator and Docent Harlan Brown.

    Brown is a musician — a drummer — so prepare for him to know how many drummers the Beatles worked with until Ringo Starr came along.

    “I thought I knew a lot about the Beatles when I started to work here,” said Brown.

    He was mistaken.

    Visitors love talking about all things Beatles and how their lives touched — if only for a few moments.

    That’s about how long a fringe jacket was with its original owner, John Lennon.

    “He used to catch in the door of his car, probably the Rolls Royce,” Brown said, smiling.

    So, he left it with family. Most people ask to not only touch it, but wear it as well.

    Same goes for John’s Lennon’s long johns.

    Lennon left them in Denmark with wife Yoko Ono’s ex.

    Now you may smell moth balls when standing here, but it’s not John’s drawers. It’s Beatles merch — everyone wanted a piece of Beatlemania.

    There are moth balls with The Beatles on them.

    “People used them to sell everything, even though they weren’t affiliated with the Beatles organization in many ways,” said Brown.

    It’s all part of our cultural zeitgeist.

    And Harlan Brown is glad to help people remember.

    “And that’s really what the museum is all about is keeping the idea of the Beatles,” said Brown. “And it’s about having fun in it and being entertained by how really amazing they were.”

    Look for the Museum to move to Ybor City in the Fall of 2025 and expand with a few more thousand square feet.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Enjoying video games of old in Pinellas Park

    Enjoying video games of old in Pinellas Park

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — There’s a place that keeps holy old school video games, whether from an at-home gaming system or an arcade favorite.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits Unlimited Video Games

    • It’s located at 6901 U.S. Hwy. 301 N., Pinellas Park

    • Vintage cabinet games, home gaming system games are part of the fun

    • Repair shop fixes everything, from Game Cubes to motherboards


    You’ll probably find them all, along with your misspent youth, at Unlimited Video Games in Pinellas Park.

    Gregg Lonkey and his business partner are keeping retro gaming alive, literally.

    “We don’t have these anymore. A lot of people grew up in places like this. Or they used to play with their dad,” said Lonkey.

    It’s a return to a simpler kid time and simpler kid pleasures.

    “They had less worries,” Lonkey said. “And you could just curl up with a Mountain Dew and some Doritos in your bean bag chair and spend all day sitting there doing this.”

    It’s a little trip to a make-believe world to make the real one a little better!

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • View a time machine up close at the DeLorean Motor Company in Orlando

    View a time machine up close at the DeLorean Motor Company in Orlando

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Very few cars portrayed in films have had a bigger impact that the DeLorean. 

    The DeLorean made its public debut in 1981, with close to 9,000 of the futuristic cars produced.

    What You Need To Know

    • General Manager of DMC Florida Robert Gadocha said the car captured the public’s attention from the start, but the movie franchise took it to another level

    • The Orlando facility is one of three locations in the country that still deals, sells and maintains the one-of-a-kind vehicles

    • The company has over 40 classic DeLoreans on hand, all of which are in pristine condition

    • The tour is free, and you can call 407-203-2300 to reserve a time

    General Manager of DMC Florida Robert Gadocha said the car captured the public’s attention from the start, but the movie franchise took it to another level.

    “Well, the love for it stems from the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy. Everyone that sees the car loves the car,” said Gadocha.

    The Orlando facility is one of three locations in the country that still deals, sells and maintains the one-of-a-kind vehicles.

    The company has more than 40 classic DeLoreans on hand, all of which are in pristine condition.

    “We get people in the shop that bring their children, 5 to 10 years old, dressed like Marty. They love the car and everything about it,” said Gadocha.

    Guests can request a tour of the shop to see — depending on the day — how the famous stainless-steel exterior is polished, engines being worked on, and visit a showroom that includes a completed time machine, like the one featured in the Back to the Future movies.

    “Yes, we welcome guests here. We give them a quick tour and show them what we do inside and out,” said DMC owner Tony Lerardi.

    They also provide historical videos so guests can learn about the car’s unique history, beyond the films, including the car’s famous inventor John DeLorean.

    James O’Brien visited DMC one day and decided to purchase a DeLorean and convert it into a time machine.

    “When I was 6, and I first saw the film, for me, that was the car. So, I ended up building a time machine from scratch,” said O’Brien.

    He said he had no idea when he started building the time machine, but he watched videos, consulted with DMC and sought advice from the DeLorean Club of Florida, an organization that has more than 200 DeLorean loving owners around the state.

    DeLorean Club members meet several times a year with usually a stop in Orlando.

    The British-born time machine owner said the biggest problem he has when driving the vehicle around Central Florida is people forcing him off the road to stop and take pictures.

    “There’s about 5,000 DeLoreans left in the world. So, when people see them, they love the car. They love the movie franchise, and people want to take videos and pictures,” O’Brien said.

    He now plans to rent out his classic time machine equipped with every working gadget, including a flux capacitor for time travel.

    Reservations are required to tour the DeLorean Motor Company in Orlando. The tour is free, and you can call 1-407-203-2300 to reserve a time.

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    Randy Rauch

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  • 1910 shooting retold in Everglades outlaw boat tour

    1910 shooting retold in Everglades outlaw boat tour

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    CHOKOLOSKEE, Fla. — The Bloody Watson Tour recounts the outlaws of the Everglades at the turn of the 20th Century.

    The meet-up point is right out of the Historic Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bloody Watson Tour

    • Meetup at Historic Smallwood story in Chokoloskee 

    • 10 mile trek up the Chatham River to ruins of Edgar Watson homestead

    • Local and a locally trained guides traverse island dotted waters


    Load up for a 10-mile boat ride into Everglades National Park for a look at the ruins of Edgar Watson’s home and farm.

    Edgar Watson was an outlaw laying low in the Everglades, growing sugar cane.

    Trouble ensued when laborers began to disappear on pay day.

    Locals attributed the disappearances to the “Watson Payday.”

    You can step where Watson worked processing sugar cane.

    And find out about the shootout at the Historic Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee.

    Fun point—you may be loading up and disembarking at the very spot Watson met his demise.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Making memories and presents: Sand Dollar Painting

    Making memories and presents: Sand Dollar Painting

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    ANNA MARIA, Fla. —  Brandi Ennis and Sundi Goddard are tight.

    “We started out teaching together several years ago, about 15 years ago, and we’ve been best friends ever since,” said Ennis.

    They are best friends who now live in separate states.

    Goddard moved to Florida from Oklahoma.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida on a Tankful visits Shiny Fish Emporium

    • It’s located at 306 Pine Avenue in Anna Maria

    • $20, materials provided

    “This is our second time to come,” said Ennis.

    And the Shiny Fish Emporium is now a designated stop on their annual reunion tour.

    “It’s a really magical dream come true that people light up, that they come back every year,” said owner Rebecca Preston. “It’s like a little treasure.”

    Preston opened Shiny Fish Emporium in the city of Anna Maria about 15 years ago.

    The store has a popular resort wear section and the line of European mice on vacation hit in the toy section.

    But the painting, it’s the heart of their operation.

    And it gives BFFs like Ennis and Goddard a chance to fill their own hearts with laughs and love.

    “We get to walk away with a cool memento, and I still have my sand dollar I painted a couple of years ago,” said Ennis.

    The keepsakes continue, as does their friendship.

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    Virginia Johnson

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