Vacations to Florida are often filled with white sandy beaches and theme parks. However, a few days spent in Ocala will provide the same adventurous weekend at a fraction of the cost. If you’ve traveled I-75 through Florida, you’ve likely passed Ocala to get to your destination, and maybe you didn’t even realize it. Located [...]
Driving under the moss-covered road to the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm was like entering a romance novel. The dusty dirt road led to a pristine black-and-white barn that starkly contrasted the green oak trees. Small clusters of the prized Gypsy Vanner Horses stood in the pastures, unfazed by the arrival of the new visitors. Gypsy [...]
December Rose & Thorns – A monthly recap of the highs and lows experienced each month. Rose: The Simple Things If I describe my holiday season in one word, it would be - calm. I didn’t rush into any store to pick up a last-minute gift or stress about what to bring to dinner. I [...]
In a frantic search to fill 24 hours in Savannah, Georgia, I came across Wormsloe Historic Site. It’s difficult not to become mesmerized by the endless rows of arched live oaks at the entrance to the property. Outside of wanting to drive under a canopy of trees with spanish moss draping over the branches like [...]
I started planning a fall weekend camping trip at Hanging Rock State Park at the first sign of cooler weather. Located in Stokes County, North Carolina, 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, the mountains slowly rise from the ground the closer you edge toward the state park. Desperately needing a change of scenery, my best friend [...]
Located an hour North of Tampa, Florida, Brooksville isn’t the picturesque touristy beach town that comes to mind when you think of Florida. In fact, it doesn’t have a beach at all. What it lacks in giftshops selling t-shirts and shells, it makes up for in the serene, untouched forest and a deep history dating [...]
Amber Brooke Farm is the ideal place for kids and adults to enjoy life on the farm. As the change in seasons brings more comfortable temperatures, the demand for outdoor activities soars to a seasonal high. It may not be sweater weather quite yet, but that shouldn't stop people from participating in fall activities. Getting [...]
Ybor City is a historical city built on the ambition and dreams of migrant workers who moved to Tampa seeking a better life. Ybor City's residents created an environment to raise their children, establish businesses, and follow their dreams. Today the ironwork balconies, brick-paved streets, and towering marble and granite social clubs continue to tell [...]
Over the course of visiting farms around Florida, a common thread between all types of farming is the reliance on family. Passed through generations, the pride of caring for the land and the product created is undeniable. On a gloomy day, I visited the Dakin Dairy Farm. The sky may have been gray, but the [...]
Kayaking the cold refreshing spring waters of Weeki Wachee is the perfect escape from the crowded Florida beaches during the scorching months of summer. The crystal clear water made it easy to spot schools of fish and the occasional manatee as we paddled along the miles of winding river. Before setting out on an afternoon [...]
