Great Summer Reading on Florida’s Oceans

What better to read and learn about during summer than Florida’s Oceans!

This young adult book features the astonishing abundance of marine life found in Florida’s offshore waters. More than 1,000 species of saltwater fish have been identified. Add to that number the invertebrates, algae, grasses, seaweeds, plankton, and all of the other creatures that call the ocean home, and you’ll discover an amazing world of life surrounding you in Florida’s oceans.

Get it now at Amazon!

About the Author

A native Floridian, Peggy Lantz is former editor of the Florida Native Plant Society’s magazine, The Palmetto, and the Florida Audubon Society’s magazine, The Florida Naturalist. She co-authored The Young Naturalist’s Guide to Florida with Wendy Hale. Ms. Lantz lives in Woodsmere in west Orange County, Florida, the community settled by her grandfather in 1914. Wendy Hale worked as a park ranger for Canaveral National Seashore before joining the Florida Audubon Society as an environmental educator. She moved from Florida to Wales several years ago.

Beach snapshots – Two women headed for the water with a surfboard, Key Biscayne

Credit:  State Archives of Florida, Ozzie Sweet, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/82983

Beach snapshots – Cocoa Beach, Florida

Credit: James Gaines, State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/131877

Beach snapshots

Credit: Some rights reserved by jeffgolden!

Beach snapshots – Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Credit: State Archives of Florida (Holland, Karl E., 1919-1993.), Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/95273

Beach Snapshots, People on the beach – Daytona Beach, Florida

Credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/2252

Pinterest Boards We Love, Florida Summer

This week’s theme for “Pinterest Boards We Love” is Florida Summer

http://pinterest.com/amybogue1/florida-summer/ by Amy Bogue

http://pinterest.com/grrcupcake/it-s-always-summer-in-florida/ by Shauna E

http://pinterest.com/kathibess/celebrate-summer/ by Chef Kathi

http://pinterest.com/suzwillis/best-of-sarasota-summer-fun/ by Suzanne Willis

 

Pinterest Boards We Love, The Beach

This week’s theme for “Pinterest Boards We Love” is The Beach

http://pinterest.com/ldj1287/beach/ by Linda Jimenez

http://pinterest.com/kathie2/the-beach/ by Kathie Tallas

http://pinterest.com/brent12/beaches/ by Jennie B. Jacobs

http://pinterest.com/kayceejoanne/beaches/ by Kaycee Dillon

http://pinterest.com/margastaal/at-the-beach/ by Marga Staal

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Being a west coast girl, I was a little shocked not to see the sunset at Cocoa Beach. But, the sunrise on Cocoa is awesome!

We were right by the pier on Cocoa, another first for me. Walking under the pier was a little like being in a movie, and it was a fun experience. We never made it on the actual pier, but I’d like to go back someday to try it. It seems to offer food, drink, and live music. Another fun sight is the surfers. Their dedication to their sport is really admirable, especially when you see how high some of those waves are. And they all look so strong!

As for the local area, we hit Ron Jon’s of course and sampled the Backwoods Grill and I Dream of Yogurt. It was neat to drive around and see Patrick Air Force Base, if only from the road. That area of Florida is different from the smaller and less developed beach areas that the suncoast of Florida offers. You really will feel like you are in a beach town like you see in those old movies. Or perhaps it will have that Jersey shore feel you’ve been looking for.

On the way to Cocoa Beach, we stopped at Dixie Crossroads and sampled some fried mullet and other seafood. This a great family experience, especially the fritters with powdered sugar. You might want to make sure you also take this route!

Those that frequent only one coast of Florida really miss out. Both coasts are so different that you need both to get a true Florida experience. I’ll remind myself of that next time I think it might be too far to drive over there.

Guest blog: News About Driving on Outer Banks beaches

The National Park Service is initiating an ORV (off-road vehicle) plan for Outer Banks (NC) beaches. This new regulation will go into effect on February 15, 2012. Some things you need to know before you go:

• An ORV permit will be required from now on.
• Every vehicle must have an ORV permit. No piggybacking off someone
• else’s permit.
• You must not exceed the speed limit, which is 15mph, unless otherwise posted.
• There are two types of permits issues: ($50) weekly and ($120) annually. Note: No day rate but there is limited access on Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches.
• The permits may be obtained at NPS offices during normal business hours, seven days a week, (but not prior to 2/15/12) at :

1. Bodie Island at the north end of the Coquina Beach parking lot (8101 NC 12 Highway, Nags Head, NC);
2. Hatteras Island by the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Center (46368 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC);
3. Ocracoke Island by the NPS visitor center (40 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke, NC).

You must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration. You will be required to fill out a form, pay the money, and watch a brief educational video.

The permit must be prominently displayed on your vehicle while engaging in off-road driving. Maps are available that show designated ORV areas at the permit offices and OB visitor centers, as well as on their website, www.nps.gov/caha

For more information, call 252-473-2111 or visit the park website at: www.nps.gov/caha.

Terrance Zepke, author of Coastal North Carolina and Lighthouses of the Carolinas
Guest Blogger