Too Do- FL!

5 practical things you can do to help Florida’s coast post- BP oilspill

The Gulf Coast’s recovery from the BP oil spill will be a long process, especially since the extent of some of the damage won’t be manifested for years to come. This ecological disaster has brought a new urgency to the need for more ecologically sustainable way of existing. This is especially in the forefront of the minds of those who love Florida’s shores.

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, most of the current BP protestors make little sense to me, and I’m sure there are more practical ways to help the environment here in Florida, and aboard, that are more practical. Here are 5 things everyone can do to assist in the long recovery, and to continue to be a force for ecological good in the years to come.

 

1.Give, then give some more later

I leave that phrase kind of general, because sometimes in America we throw large amount of money at problems when they first happen, then as other things in the world grab our attention, we forget. However, in this instance, it’s all about the long haul. In addition, money might not be the most practical way to help. Giving time, by volunteering with organizations on the front lines of the cleanup is great way to donate. Also, don’t forget about organizations that are rescuing animals from the Gulf. I’m sure they’ll appreciate donations of time and money. In addition, if you reach out to the world through new media, like blogs and social networking, give a voice to this problem, and keep your readers and followers conscious of any needs that might arise.

 

2. Walk it out

Using your car less is just an obvious way to help the situation long-term. The less people depend on oil or gas for most of their transportation, the better. Try consolidating trips so you drive less, look into carpools to get to work and school, walk or use human powered means of transportation if possible; and yes, perhaps even take public transportation if feasible.

 

3. Don’t turn your nose up at “alternative” solutions you hear about

When you are buying a new energy powered item, like a car or appliances, or purchasing items that will affect your consumption of energy, like a roof, don’t turn your nose up at solutions that are labeled alternative or hybrid. There are advances in technology everyday; you might find that these options aren’t just the “greener” ones, but the smarter financial ones in the long run. Besides, if everyone says they want to be less dependent on oil, but don’t by the products that can help accomplish that, companies won’t invest in continuing to put them on the market.

 

4. Be willing to change

We’re probably all a bit more reliant on oil than we think: it’s in a lot of products you probably don’t even realize—everything from crayons to cosmetics. If every person switched from one item they use regularly to a greener option, it would help the environment.

 

5. Act locally, think globally

Always remember that Florida’s shores don’t exist independent of the rest of the world. Floridians who love the beautiful natural environment they live in should be the most vocal about ecological disasters caused by large corporations around the world. Remember the oil spill originated off Louisiana’s coast, but it’s threatening the ecology and economy of Florida’s coast. Don’t be a fair-weather advocate. Stay aware of disasters like the one in the Gulf no matter where they occur, and realize that it affects everyone. 

 

 

References

http://environmental-activism.suite101.com/article.cfm/oil-spill-recovery-how-can-i-help

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/environment/oil_spill_cleanup.html

http://www.greenecoservices.com/16-ways-to-reduce-oil-dependency-save-on-gas/

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/reduce-dependency-oil.html

 

Picture from dreamstime.com

Why most BP oil spill protestors don’t make sense

I don’t understand the surge of “BP protestors”. Maybe I’m just thinking about the whole thing the wrong way, but here is a scenario:

In a beautiful neighborhood there is a lawn care guy who is letting his dog loose everyday when he comes to cut my grass. And every day that dog goes and craps on the lawn of my neighbor, who lives in the poorest, most unattractive house on the block. I’ve heard about it, I’ve seen it, but the guy cuts my grass great, and hey, it’s not my lawn! I look over at the neighbor’s dying yard and shrug because my grass is nice and green. But then one day that dog runs into the middle of my yard and cops-a-squat near my prize-winning rosebush and kills it. The lawn guy’s reaction: “it’s just a little bush”. Now all of a sudden we have a problem. I rant and rave, tell the guy how rude he is, and insist on him paying to clean up the mess, and pay damages for the priceless rosebush. But I go a step future: I’m so mad that I tell everyone not to hire him, and on my word alone I just about put the guy out of business.

In the scenario above, I think the guy shouldn’t cut my lawn anymore; he has shown reckless disregard in controlling his animal, and little respect for my property. I think he probably should be run out of business, and he definitely needs to pay for the rosebush! But here’s the catch: ethically shouldn’t I have stepped in long before this incident, when he was letting his dog disrespect the neighbor’s property? Shouldn’t I have expected that eventually I’d get the same treatment? Since he was there working for me, why didn’t I exercise a bit of that power for the benefit of my neighbor and myself (who wants to live next to a neighbor with a dead lawn that smells funky?) and tell the guy to control his dog?  And how do I really expect him to pay for my damage when I’ve ruined his business? In a way, it’s kind of my fault too—so my new zeal for justice might register a bit hypocritical.

Let me be frank: I think that the BP oil spill off America’s coast is an ecological disaster, the affects of which will be felt for years to come. It saddens and angers me. I worry about the wildlife, environment, and impacted industries like fishing and tourism. I applaud those who long before this BP spill have been tirelessly working on encouraging and creating alternative energy options, and those who have called for tightened reigns on off-shore drilling. And I have always personally been against drilling off Florida’s ecologically delicate coast.

However, the bandwagon folks who are just recently crying foul, and demanding justice from BP are both puzzling, and well, annoying. I recently rolled my eyes at the Central Florida protestors who stood outside a Cocoa Beach BP station, scaring away customers with signs. Really? Not only is the independent owner of that store far removed from the boardrooms where lax decisions allowed this disaster to happen in the first place—but the folks who turned away from BP because of the protestors are just going to go to another station. I mean, they need gas. Is Exxon better than BP somehow? I think not.

One of the protestors carried a sign that read “Stop killing our ocean”. I went from rolling my eyes to sucking my teeth. “Our ocean” isn’t just off “our “state’s shores—it part of a larger global system that has been raped by large industry for years. In the not so distant past Nigeria experienced an oil spill that was much larger than the one in the Gulf Coast. During May of this year Exxon leaked over a million gallons of oil into the waters of Africa over a 7 day period before it was fixed. In fact, Nigerian officials estimate that there have been over 7,000 spills in that country from 1970-2000. (And even those calculations are admittedly incomplete. Environmental organization can’t even estimate how many millions of gallons of oil have been allowed to escape broken pipes). When is that last time that those oil spills made the news? Even though it didn’t happen on our coast, it happened on our planet, and in our ocean. Where was that lady with the sign then? As a tweeter aptly said in less than 140 characters, “We say we care about the world, but really we just care about our bits of it.”

I wonder if those protesters, standing in hot sun so determined to run BP out of business, expected to collapse the company’s income structure but still force them pay out the millions to assist in the long process to fix the problem. Or maybe they think that the semantics of economics don’t apply to this particular situation.

I think people should get their feathers ruffled by this disaster. I think we should change because of it. However, I think there are some practical, and impractical (i.e.- running local gas stations out of business) ways to do so. I’ve thought of a few that I’ll share with you in an upcoming post.

References:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/30/oil-spills-nigeria-niger-delta-shell

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latest-news/africas-oil-spills-are-far-us-media-glare

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/gulf-oil-spill-pales-in-c_n_597934.html

http://www.theroot.com/buzz/nigeria-s-agony-dwarfs-gulf-oil-spill

 

 

Picture from Dreamstime.com and Dreamstime.com

Video: You can go tree zip-lining in Florida? YEAH!

You don’t have to go far to have adventure here in Florida. One thing that I’ve been dying to do ever since I heard about it is tree zip-lining. But I’d have to go to some “exotic” location to do it, like Belize, right? Wrong! Florida has a few zip-lining options; people are having fun in Florida’s treetops everyday! I found this video that’s got me super excited!

 

 

Video's link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypzPfLpBt94&feature=youtube_gdata

Want to go zip-lining? Here are two options for zip-lining in Florida?

http://www.zoomair.us

http://www.floridaecosafaris.com/ZiplineSafaris

Five reasons everyone should support Farmer’s Markets and Open Air Markets

There are tons of reasons people should support farmer’s and open-air markets. Here are just five.

Shopping can be an event!

Farmer’s and open-air markets can allow you to enjoy Florida’s beautiful weather and scenery while shopping. Goodbye sterile shopping aisles—hello palm trees! Plus, many markets provide free entertainment, serve food, alcohol (if you’re an adults), and are pet friendly. Markets aren’t just about fruit—they’re about fun!

Buy that squash—help save the world

When produce, or other items, have to be shipped into a location before you buy it, that transport (by bus, train, airplane—or er, truck) will result in carbon emissions. When you choose to buy locally produced items that take less transport to get to you, you’re actually helping to lower carbon emissions—and thus your carbon footprint. And shrinking your carbon footprint helps the whole planet!

Fresh, fresh, fresh!

Don’t you hate buying produce that’s locked behind saran wrap? Makes you a bit suspicious about what you’re really buying. There is nothing like being able to pick up that apple and turn it around,  see if it looks as delicious from every angle, and give it a sniff. Almost all vendors at farmer’s markets want you to see how fresh their produce is. They usually carry fairly local options that are in season, which means they should be on the top of your shopping list. Fresher fruits and veggies are good for your health!

Support your local economy

Most of the vendors at farmer’s and open-air markets are local. By spending your money with them, your dollars are most likely to circulate back into the local economy, instead of being shipped off to another city where a corporate office is located. So you’re helping your neighbors in your local economy, which in a way helps you. Which brings us to the next point…

Support your personal economy—with flare!

Farmer’s markets, in my experience, tend to be cheaper for some items; plus you can find some unique items; by discovering some of the creative locals that are out to share their wares, you can walk away with some great personal, edible, or decorative items that you can afford on any budget.

 

Check out our list of Farmer's and Open-Air Markets around the state of Florida!

Seven Sensational Florida Festivals

Are you ready to spend the day at a festival with a Florida twist? Then check out these 7 festivals around Florida that peeked our interest! They all occur sometime in April or May. They aren’t in any particular order. Check out the one closest to you!

 

1. Okaloosa: Annual Family Fun Arts Fest May 22nd @ Henderson Beach State Park, 10am-5pm. FREE! Info? Contact Amy at info@okaloosaarts.org #art

2. Isle of 8 Flags Shrimp Festival ENDS 5/2!! Fresh seafood & everything SHRIMP, including ice cream?!? #Free entry http://bit.ly/bbH19h #food

3. Wild Amelia #Nature Festival- May 21-23 Tours, #photography workshops, green business expo, kid area, seminars... http://www.wildamelia.com

4. #Miami - Art of Storytelling International Fest 5/1 10:30-4pm @ Main Library. Storytellers, puppets theatre, more! http://is.gd/b5Ry3

5. New Port Richey- Cotee River Seafood Festival 5/7-9th Seafood, boats, arts! Entry & most activities FREE!http://dld.bz/f98

6. West Palm Beach- Sunfest 4/28 through 5/2 BIG music, art, family events, food, and more. Info: http://www.sunfest.com

7. RT @MountDora 9th Annual "Taste in Mount Dora" on April 25th. => http://www.mountdora.com/ - http://ow.ly/1yOLl

 

As always, you can catch lots more events on our twitter!

10 Events that say "get outdoors"! April/May

This week’s Travel Tuesday is for those who love the outdoors. Here are some highlighted upcoming events from April 20^th to about May 27^th that will allow you to enjoy Florida’s great outdoors! There is a heavy emphasis on events to celebrate Earth Day, which is April 22, 2010. This list is in no particular order; and remember, these are just a few of many outdoor events!

 

1.  Palm Beach- #Earth Day Celebration @ Daggerwing Nature Center April 24th, 10-3pm Ocean storytelling, family fun and more! http://dld.bz/eux

 2. Ocala - Polo in the Park. Every Saturday til May 15th. Play starts at 4 p.m. Admission is $5 at the gate. http://www.flhorsepark.com #events

3. Estero Fl- Earth Day celebrate @ Koreshan State Historic Site April 24th music, food, demonstrators, exhibitors http://short.to/1onmr #earth

4. #Orlando- Early Birds walking tour @ Tibet Butler Preserve- May 1st @ 7:30am FREE! All ages! Binoculars provided! More info? 407-876-6696

5. Pinellas Park #Fla Guided Nature Walks at Ft. DeSoto Park- (web) http://short.to/19q3e (sech.) http://short.to/19phj (727) 893-9185

6. West Palm Beach- Earth Day Fest April 22nd, 10am-5pm, More info? http://www.sfsm.org/events

7. Like #fishing ? Do you know about The Destin Cobia Tournament that is going on now through April 30th? http://bit.ly/aPUbky #outdoors

8. Central #Fla Earth Day celebration in #Orlando April 24th 10am-6pm Free, rain or shine. Family friendly event! http://www.cfearthday.org

9. Spring Hill- Earth Day Celebration 4/24 @ 10am hands-on, activities, presentations and give-away. Where? The park at 16739 Crews Lake Dr.

10. Fort Walton Beach- "New Leash on Life" Dog Walk/Run & Adoptathon- May 1st. Starts @ 8am. LOTS of events. #Charity event! http://is.gd/bbRWS

 

Make sure you also check out our Twitter account for a bunch of other upcoming events!

Key West: a party city in a natural oasis

For our first year anniversary Jay decided to take me on a surprise trip someplace we’ve both wanted to go—Key West! It was our first trip down, and there were some great experiences, and some things we’ll just never do again. Overall the Keys are gorgeous. It’s a Mecca for fishers, foodies, and those who loved to live in a completely laid back setting.

I was immediately struck by the most predominate feature of the area—the beautiful water that is deep blue and just the right temperature. There are slivers of beach just off the road, where one or two families have found a bit of solace for the day. The sapphire colored water is dotted with kayaks that are making their way to one of the many uninhabited islands. Take a second to look, and you’ll find that some of those kayaks made it, and the lucky kayakers have erected tents are swimming, making lunch, fishing, and who know what else, on a small island they have claimed all to themselves for the day.

Beyond the wildlife, the environment is quiet in most areas. The Conchs, as natives of the Keys are called, are overall pretty friendly. They seem to understand that their local economy is based on both fishing and tourism. The inhabitants of The Conch Republic, also known as the Keys, also seem to recognize the fragility of the gift that surrounds them—there are constant reminders to respect the ecosystem. The delicate balance in this aquatic-based environment is, after all, what makes the Keys so special.

Key West is also definitely a place foodies want to visit at least once. There are gourmet restaurants and street food vendors everywhere. It could definitely be a bit intimidating though—because all of the food offerings are not quality, and there is a lot of diversity. Picking the right place to have an exceptional “Keys culinary experience” might be daunting. To find a quality place to eat, I would definitely suggest using Zagat.com, “the local news”—a station full of information for visitors that is in association with tripsmarter.com, or talking to trusted locals. Of course, going for seafood is the best culinary choice. Talk about fresh! However, a word of caution: do ask if the seafood being served is local. We went to a highly rated restaurant suggested by Zagat, and all of the seafood on the menu was not locally caught. However the local catch on the menu was wonderful.

The lodging in Key West was also in tune with nature and the history of the location. Off the main roads there are plenty of Bed and Breakfasts and Inns that, at least from the outside, looked delightful. There were also larger chain hotels, and smaller independent ones. Most of these hotels were laid out in a way that took advantage of their location by providing guests with large windows and lots of outdoor space.

 

Not all the areas of Key West are quiet, though. The downtown/historic district of Key West is a bustling little area. There seems to be an effort to make the area “family friendly” with attractions like the Pirate Museum. At this particular museum external advertisements beckoning visitors inside using lively music, comedic voiceovers, and banners letting parents know that the pirates inside aren’t too scary by telling them to “think Disney”. The small mall also houses one of the most unique toy stores I’ve ever seen. I felt like I was walking into Peter Pan, or Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium. You have to walk through a mini rainforest to even enter the toy store. Once you do, you’ll see that someone’s imagination has run wild in there. The place is decorated in larger than life models of pirate ship, mermaids, and golden dipped statues.

There are also plenty of historic sites for families and history buff to explore, like Truman’s Little White House on Front Street. This house has a rich history, is linked to several US presidents, and is a piece of American History. The local tourism companies try to provide options for smaller children and older adults with offerings of glass bottom boats and trolley rides.

However, all in all, I’d steer clear of suggesting Key West for most families’ vacations and those who just want peace and quite. While the lodgings are nice, if you stay near the historic area there are very few pockets of space that afford quiet solace. The key word is “afford” because lodging in the Keys can get pricey if you’re looking for quality. The price of many on-the-water activities can also get to be a bit steep. For example the adult price of a glass bottom boat ride could easily be about $40, not including a tip. If you’re looking for quiet you can find it, but you’ll probably need to select a hotel away from the downtown area, which gratefully is what Jay did when he picked Coconut Mallory.

Also, because the island is so small, ALL kinds of businesses vying for tourist dollars are pushed into the limited space of the historic downtown area and the pier. So while you’re walking with the kids to see the museums you will pass explicate adult stores (the one near the pirate museum had a life-like dildo in the widow display), bars that will open when the sun goes down with drag queen headlining acts, lots of drinking spots, and probably some things I missed. But the kiddies might also get an eyeful during the day anyway. Besides the many places to drink alcohol just about all day, many of the tourist companies offer excursions that include “all you can drink” beer/ wine/ margaritas/ champagne. This can be great for certain visitors, but it also means you’ll probably see people acting “peculiar” just about all day after they get off their boats.

Now am I deterring people from going to Key West? No way! I had lots of fun! Wonderful snorkeling, fishing, sailing, food, drinks, art—are you kidding! However I’d advise parents to either visit without the kids first, or stay as a whole family some place a stone’s throw, but world away, from Key West, like Marathon Keys. Parents should at least know what they might expose their kids to, and make sure they’re OK with that. I would also suggest staying on another Key, like Isamadora, for those who basically just want some quiet downtime. You can save a little money by staying in one of the lesser known, but just as beautiful, Keys, if you’re not looking for the Key West nightlife.

Will Jay and I go back to Key West? Definitely! And I’ll make sure I remember my passport to visit the Conch Republic—it truly is out of this world.

 

 

See all our pictures from this trip at this facebook album.

Wickham Park: Hidden Natural Florida

Brevard County, Florida

 

Wickham Park is a jewels hidden in plain sight. The park has a few small entrances, none of which have flashing lights, or Smokey the Bear outside beckoning passers-by to stop in for leisurely stroll. However, it’s a beautiful park, loaded with diversity, and lots of activities.

In its over 390 acres, Wickham captures what natural Florida is like. During any given visit you can see other visitors riding by on horseback, or owners with dogs jotting by, or a set of boys chatting it up near the fishing-hole and swimming lake.

The park caters to the both the visitors who like to lounge and those who need to blow off a little energy. There is a swimming lake, just the perfect depth for everyone, from children to adults. There are large areas of grass and shade, perfect for lying out, or a romantic picnic. For the active folks, there are plenty of things to choose from—archery, traditional playgrounds, disc-golf, 2000 feet of hiking/walking trails, bicycling and jogging trails, a 21-station exercise station circuit, pre-set volleyball nets, and lots more. If the friend you bring along happens to be four-legged, you’re sure to love the dog park section.

However Wickham has a few features that makes it stand out from other park choices. There is a large equestrian center, with accompanying horse trails. The park also boosts a senior center with lots of planned indoor and outdoor activities. For the general public, there’s an outdoor theater—the hub for many annual events like Indiafest, Jumbalaya Jam, and Ocktoberfest.

When you entered the park you might notice that there is a Park Ranger station on premise. And you might have wondered if the park was really that large? It’s virtually impossible to do everything the park has to offer in one day. So bring along a tent and spend the night; Wickham has 88 campsites with water, shower rooms, laundry, and electricity—perfect for city folks pretending to rough it (No cable though, sorry!) However, if you really want the outdoors experience, you can choice from one of the 25 overflow sites that are rustic.

For those who enjoy nature, the walking trails are a must. From true hikers, to those who just want a casual stroll, the trails in Wickham cover one than one terrain type, which means different wildlife, tree, and flowers to observe.

How could you possibly sit at home bored, when there so much to do, which anyone could fit into their budget? Wickham is definitely one of the natural jewels in Brevard County. However, no matter where you live, you’re sure to have a beautiful slice of natural Florida near you.

 

Location

Wickham Park

2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne

321-255-4307

web : http://www.brevardparks.com/parks/prksa7.php#Wickham

Treat Your Family to a Visit to Gatorland

by Mark Whichard

One of the most distinctive animals of Florida is the alligator and if you are visiting Orlando, you can get close to these critters, learn more them and have a lot of fun by visiting Gatorland. 

Gatorland is a 110 acre theme park and wildlife preserve. It started out as a small roadside exhibit in 1949 and has grown to a state of the art theme park which proudly calls itself "The alligator capital of the world." Gatorland was founded by the late Owen Godwin and it is still a family-run business today. 

The park of course features alligators but it is also home to other attractions as well including crocodiles, an aviary, a breeding marsh, a petting zoo, a nature walk, educational wildlife programs, a gift shop and the Gator Gully Splash Park. 

Gatorland is not just one of the many theme parks in Orlando rather it is one of the pioneers of tourist attractions in Central Florida. Although it was officially founded in 1949, it really dates back to the 1930s when Godwin's father built an alligator pit in his backyard and his mother sold alligator related trinkets to shoppers from the family's store. After the war the park started in earnest with a 16 acre plot that has grown to the present 110 park. 

There is also some serious science being done at Gatorland in addition to all the fun and entertainment. Gatorland is the only place worldwide where alligators have been artificially inseminated successfully. Captive alligators are normally troubled by disease, infertility and death as embryos, but Gatorland along with the University of Florida have developed new techniques for breeding alligators, incubating eggs and providing the kind of an environment where the alligators can thrive. 

Alligators are not the only attraction here; their larger cousins the crocodiles also have a place of honor in the attraction called "Jungle Crocs of the World." This two-acre display houses one of the world's largest exhibits of giant crocodiles in captivity. The Jungle Crocs' natural design allows the animals to grow more than 20 ft. long and weigh more than a ton. While one can rarely get to see crocodiles in the wild, this unprecedented exhibit features the word's most ferocious predators bursting from the water and chasing their startled prey onto the land. 

In addition to the gators and crocodiles, Gatorland is home to thousands of aquatic birds, birds nesting above the marsh. Alligators protect the nests from natural predators, like raccoons and opossums and Gatorland is one of the few places worldwide where visitors can watch, at close distances, endangered wading birds build nests and feed their young. 

For the past ten years the park has actually become a 110 acre "classroom" with an expanded education program offering classes on crocodilians, wading birds, snakes and Florida swamplands. 

Gatorland is one of the iconic, must-not-miss attractions of Orlando and a visit there makes a great half-day outing for the entire family.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/treat-your-family-to-a-visit-to-gatorland-1255024.html

 

About the Author:
Mark Whichard writes frequently about Orlando Tourism. He is the proprietor of Orlando's Finest Vacation Home and if you are interested in great deals on  Orlando vacation rentals  and rental homes near Disney World, then visit his website:   http://www.Orlandosfinest.com

Cheap Date: Downtown Melbourne

Brevard, Florida

09/09

 

The Historic area of Downtown Melbourne is a wonderful option for a cheap date. The atmosphere is relaxed and ideal for discovering points of interest through a leisurely stroll. Jay and I took advantage of all the local flavors we could—but we were determined to enjoy ourselves on less than $50!

One of the most obvious strategies when going on a cheap date is to find “free” things to enjoy. So when we heard about the Florida Beer Company’s free beer tasting, we knew exactly where we were going first. The company is located in a run-down looking building, and at first we were unsure that we were in the right spot. But for the sake of free beer, we pushed on. At the top of the dark staircase we found a cozy, well-lit tasting room that looked more like a friendly bar. We were quickly greeted by a worker who was eager to tell us all about the company and the process of making beer. We took it all in, along with lots of great samples, without feeling pressured to buy anything. We walked out more educated about beers, and having discovered a new local favorite.

We drove about 5 blocks away into the heart of the historic district. After finding free parking provided by the city we began a long stroll down New Haven Avenue. We quickly began to find historic spots of interest, and would stand and talk about them. It’s so easy to pass by historic land-markers when you’re in a hurry; sometimes if you slow down you’re surprised to find history that directly links to you and your heritage right under your nose. We took the time to admire the architecture of some of the building that had been standing since before the World Wars. Hand-in-hand we darted in and out of local galleries and shops. It was fun just to admire the work of local artist, or the passions of local collectors. At the edge of downtown we found Henegar Center for the Arts, where a local company was putting on a production of Treasure Island at the time. It wasn’t on our agenda for the day, but I couldn’t help but note that the tickets were pretty cheap. At about $25 a person, it could be a reasonably priced night on the town.

By the time we crossed the street, walking on the other side back towards the car in the hot Florida sun had gotten Jay. We slipped into the cool air condition of Meg O’Malley’s, a local Irish pub that’s pretty darn authentic. We decided on an appetizer to split, and enjoyed tall cool drinks while listening to a live folksinger’s performance in the jovial atmosphere.

After a rest we continued on our walk and found only a few steps away from Meg’s a cool-looking spot called Foo Bar that was just setting up for the night. We took a quick look inside, and even met the manager. After figuring Happy Hour was the best time to return, we kept it moving. After taking in a few more shops, and a manatee/ wild-life viewing station in the heart of downtown, I quick changed into something cute for nightlife, and we headed back to the bar.

By the time we got there we could see it was going to be rocking by the night’s end. Alan, the manager, was singing along with 80s hits he had blasting until the DJ arrived later. He took our orders, and made the dangerous signature concoctions for Foo Tea and Pomegranate Punch Any thought that they could have been overpriced was quickly dispelled when these huge, strong drinks were placed in front of us. After a few sips, Jay and I were discussing the genius Peter and Stewie, and how odd it is that Brain speaks but never wears pants but sometimes wore dress coats (Family Guys fans know what I’m talking about). We were singing along with the 80s music, a becoming mesmerized by the fog coming off our icy drinks. Needless to say, they were good drinks.

 

After our cocktails we headed to Matt’s Casbah to put some food on our stomach at one of the swankest restaurants on the strip. The ambiance of the place is cool, and I’d heard about the food. It didn’t take long to get seated near the sushi bar. After flip-flopping between the many choices we decided to get a Spicy Conch and a Bagel Roll. The food was great, and Jay and I had romantic end to a fun, educational, and cheap, date!

CHECK PLEASE! (prices listed include tip if applicable)

Parking   $0

Florida Beer Company Tasting $0

Local Galleries’ Admissions   $0

Meg O’Malley’s $9

Wildlife Viewing    $0

Foo Bar   $23

Matt’s Casbah   $ 16

TOTAL: $48

We did it!

Follow Us On Foot!

Florida Beer Company

2500 South Harbor City Blvd.

 Melbourne, FL 32901

http://www.floridabeer.com

Meg O’Malley’s

812 E. New Haven Avenue

Melbourne, Fl. 32901

http://www.megomalleys.com/

Foo Bar

816 E. New Haven Ave

Melbourne, FL 32901

Phone: 321.728.7179

Matt’s Casbah

801 East New Haven Avenue

Melbourne, Florida 32901

http://www.mattscasbah.com/