Florida Spectacular (Cathy Salustri & Rick Kilby)
Explore every episode of Florida Spectacular
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Feb 2022 | Episode 51: Foodie Florida | 00:48:10 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week The Florida Spectacular talks to food historian Andy Huse. Cathy and Andy talk about Florida restaurants, Florida cocktails, and Florida desserts. Huse, who's written three books with the University Press of Florida, lives in Tampa. He's the archivist and special collections librarian at the University of South Florida, but his fascination is Florida: writing, speaking, and cooking Florida. He's written a history of the Columbia Restaurant and a "thirsty" history of Tampa. His latest book (with coauthors Barbara Cruz and Jeff Houck) is called "The Cuban Sandwich: A History in Layers", due to be published by the University Press of Florida in September 2022. Links we mentioned: Tampa: Impressions of an Emigrant (by Andy Huse) Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 15 Feb 2022 | Episode 52: Walt Disney World | 00:26:51 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week The Florida Spectacular welcomes Stephanie Shuster, CEO and owner of "WDW Magazine." Stephanie and Cathy talk about a different part of Florida: the Walt Disney World Resort. They chat, of course, about Disney and why they both enjoy it, but also about the landscaping, natural plants, and acres of preserved land on the Walt Disney World Resort property. More about Stephanie: As CEO and Owner of WDW Magazine, Stephanie Shuster leads a team that connects thousands of Disney fans to the Most Magical Place on Earth from wherever they are, in a role that combines her expert knowledge of Disney parks, and talent for developing operational strategies, and passion for travel. Find more Disney online with the WDW Magazine Blog and the Dad's Guide to WDW. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 21 Feb 2022 | Episode 53: Skunk Ape researcher David Shealy and author Brad Bertelli | 00:33:00 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy Salustri chats with David Shealy, the mastermind behind the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee, and noted Skunk Ape author Brad Bertelli. Follow Brad on Twitter, or join his Florida Keys history Facebook group, and pick up a copy of his book, "The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files". After you're done, you may want to follow the Southernmost Skunk Ape Society on Twitter, too. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | Episode 54: Cuban immigrants to Florida before Mariel | 00:30:21 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week The Florida Spectacular welcomes David Powell, author of "Ninety Miles and a Lifetime Away: Memories of Early Cuban Exiles." David worked as a reporter for 10 years in New York, Miami, and Tallahassee, and then practiced law for 30 years. He and Cathy talk about the first two waves of Cuban immigrants, how they impacted Florida, and the stories of Cuban who came to Florida in the first years after Castro came to power in Cuba. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 15 Mar 2022 | Episode 55: Florida Keys History | 00:34:28 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week The Florida Spectacular welcomes Florida Keys historian Brad Bertelli. Brad's penned several books about Florida and the Florida Keys, most recently the (mostly) fictionalized "The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files." Cathy and Brad talk about Brad's new (and wildly popular) Facebook group, Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, keys people have never heard of, and how Dildo Key got its name. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | Episode 56: Literary St. Petersburg | 00:44:02 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week :The Florida Spectacular" welcomes a new co-host, Jon Kile. Jon's a Florida-based writer who loves Worldle but hates Wordle, loves to camp with his family in and out of the state, and posts tales of his adventures at dontmakemeturnthisvanaround.com. Cathy and Jon talk with Maureen McDole about the upcoming SunLit literary festival (produced by Keep St. Pete Lit) the antiquarian book fair, and the St. Petersburg area's cultural and fishing mashup. Links we mentioned: SunLit Festival (April 1-3, 2022) SunLit on Facebook Florida Antiquarian Book (April 1-3, 2022) Keep St. Pete Lit on Facebook and Instagram Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 05 Apr 2022 | Episode 57: DeSantis vs. Disney | 00:51:06 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, "The Florida Spectacular" hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile talk about Disney, Reedy Creek, and Ron DeSantis – as well as the PeopleMover, Disney prices, and why there are no mosquitoes at Walt Disney World. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | Episode 58: Florida's Adventure Coast (Brooksville and Weeki Wachee) | 00:41:21 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, your hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile talk to John Athanason, who spent almost two decades doing marketing for the world's most famous mermaids – the Weeki Wachee mermaids! Last year, he started working with Florida's Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, and he joins the podcast ready to talk about the best places along Florida's Adventure Coast (think Brooksville and Weeki Wachee) – including some you've probably never hear of, much less visited. Links we mentioned: Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 19 Apr 2022 | Episode 59: Tampa journalism | 00:40:30 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon talk to Ben Montgomery about Axios Local, journalism, and why the City of Tampa should set aside one day a year where it's legal to camp in any of its parks. It's kind of a wild podcast, so buckle up and tune in. Ben Montgomery is a journalist and author of four nonfiction books, and he writes a local newsletter for Axios. Twitter: @gangrey. Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 26 Apr 2022 | Episode 60: Everglades City | 00:36:13 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon talk about Everglades City, Chokoloskee, and the Tamiami Trail. They also help out a listener looking for travel advice crossing the state from Englewood to the Hard Rock in Hollywood. Send us your Florida road trip questions. Links we mentioned: Camping at Lake Okeechobee (Okeechobee County and Army Corps of Engineers) Lucky Cole photography and Lucky Cole's on Loop Road. Joannie's Blue Crab Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 03 May 2022 | Episode 61: Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach | 00:39:53 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon talk about Florida's "Southern" beach: Amelia Island. They also talk about the history and beauty of Fort Clinch, the War of Jenkins Ear, and why you should stop for boiled peanuts on every road trip. More about the War of Jenkins Ear and Cathy's (notably less academic) article about the War of Jenkin's Ear. Amelia Island Museum of History Fort Clinch history author Frank A. Ofeldt III at Friends of Fort Clinch State Park Fort Clinch books by Frank A. Ofeldt Jon's article about his son and boiled peanuts Cathy's article about a road trip through Fernandina Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 10 May 2022 | Episode 62: Supermarkets | 00:42:08 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy and Jon talk about Florida supermarkets, grocery stores, which – shocker – include more than simply Publix. Join them on the podcast that went a little sideways and veered into the history of Winn-Dixie, Hitchcocks, and the Aldi Aisle of Shame. Links we mentioned: History of Hitchcock's (and a link we found after the show) Aldi Quarter Keepers, Aisle of Shame, and Facebook group Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 17 May 2022 | Episode 63: Flamingo Magazine's Jamie Rich and the Jacksonville Beaches | 00:51:04 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week The Florida Spectacular welcomes back Jamie Rich, the founder, publisher, and editor of Flamingo Magazine. They talk about the newest issue – on newsstands now! – as well as Jamie's favorite parts of the Jacksonville beaches. Have a Florida question – travel-related or otherwise? Drop us a line. Links we mentioned: If you visit the beaches: Safe Harbor Seafood Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 24 May 2022 | Episode 64: Florida Butterflies | 00:43:53 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Meet Dr. Jaret Daniels, the curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History's McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity and Professor of Entomology at the University of Florida. That’s right, a butterfly expert. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 31 May 2022 | Episode 65: Small Town Florida You Need to See | 00:37:55 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Jon’s on safari and Cathy interviews Bruce Hunt, author of “Visiting Small Town Florida” (and 10 other Florida travel and dining books.) Bruce is a rare bird – a native Floridian – who also has some Florida photos you’ll want to see. Here’s how to connect with him: Links we mentioned: Florida Oysters and why we can’t get them right now Perfect Cup in Matlacha Steamers in Cedar Key Big Deck in Cedar Key Island Hotel Cedar Key Ice Plant St. Augustine Preserved St. Augustine Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 08 Jun 2022 | Episode 66: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings & Gainesville | 00:48:21 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week we welcome Ryan Worthington, a Master Naturalist who celebrates Florida road trips on Instagram (@the_Florida_Excursionist). He gives a wonderful tour at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Park. Jon, Cathy and Ryan talk about the Cross Creek and Gainesville area, and, as per usual, the conversation heads off for parts unknown, much like a decent Florida road trip. Listen in to their conversation about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ struggles and triumphs, how to camp at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Park, and where in Florida you can hike to a now-shuttered segregated state park. Ryan has some travel spots for hikers, and of course, there’s plenty of Florida history packed in the episode, too. Places and links we mentioned: Hiking in Seminole State Forest, Jennings State Forest – and at Boneyard Beach. We also talked about camping in and hiking at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park and nearby (now closed) Magnolia Lake State Park Hidden in Plain Sight (Ghosts of Segregation) Have a Florida travel question? Send ‘em to us via email. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 22 Jun 2022 | Episode 67: St. Augustine, Flager Beach, and Florida Camping in a (Smaller) RV | 00:49:43 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week on The Florida Spectacular, hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile talk about northeast Florida, including St. Augustine's African American Trail, Lincolnville, Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area (and great oceanside campground) in Flagler Beach, Anastasia State Park, Faver-Dykes State Park, Washington Oaks Gardens, and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 07 Jul 2022 | Episode 68: Florida Springs and Why Bottled Water is the Devil | 00:43:03 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Today hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile talk about the magic of Florida springs, their favorite springs, and why bottled water is, indeed, the Devil. With almost 1000 springs in Florida, they didn't talk about them all, but today's episode is a great start. Links we mentioned Nestle protests about pumping water out of the Santa Fe River Tampa Bay Times editorial on savin Florida springs Florida's first magnitude springs & Florida Forever Water's Journey: Video of SCUBA divers in the Floridan Aquifer Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 13 Jul 2022 | Episode 69: Summertime in Florida (Embrace the Heat) | 00:55:11 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week hosts Jon Kile and Cathy Salustri talk about their favorite summer experiences – and how they don't "beat" the Florida heat, but instead embrace it. Love Florida but don't love the heat? This is the podcast for you. Links we mentioned: Reef-safe sunscreen Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 20 Jul 2022 | Episode 70: Florida Springs with Rick Kilby (and Bottled Water Still Sucks) | 00:44:47 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, hosts Cathy Salustri and Jon Kile welcome back celebrated Florida springs expert and author Rick Kilby. Rick, Orlando-based author ad graphic designer, wrote Florida's Healing Waters: Gilded Age Mineral Springs, Seaside Resorts, and Health Spas, which received the silver medal for Florida nonfiction from the Florida Book Awards and the Florida Historical Society’s Stetson Kennedy Award. "Mirage" by Cynthia Barnett Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 27 Jul 2022 | Episode 71: Gone Coastal (Florida Coasts All Have Names, and It's Weird) | 00:57:53 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon take a meandering look at what Florida's tourism board call each section of coastline. Some of the names make sense, others are a little weird, but at the end of the podcast, we'd all learned something. Links we mentioned: • (Warning: Wikipedia link ahead, but these are largely accurate) List of what people call different parts of the Florida coastline • The oldest operating hotel in Florida, nestled on the beaches of the no-longer-called-this Surf Coast. • A road Jon thinks is the prettiest road that was much longer than he thought along the Nature Coast • A nude beach (sort of; take your chances and keep your coverup close!) on Florida's Space Coast • Sebastian Inlet State Park and the McLarty Treasure Museum Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 03 Aug 2022 | Episode 72: Cedar Key, Rosewood, and Florida's Headless Horseman | 00:40:58 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, The Florida Spectacular takes you to Cedar Key, a tiny island along Florida's Nature Coast. Jon and Cathy talk about the island's award-winning clam chowder, the tragic history of nearby Rosewood, and the legendary headless horseman of neighboring Seahorse Key. Links we mentioned Cedar Key Events Tony's Clam Chowder (Hey, it beats New England chowder at contests – and he also has a restaurant on Cedar Key) The only motel on Cedar Key, the Cedar Inn Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 10 Aug 2022 | Episode 73: Tevas, Travel and Florida | 00:40:07 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon talk about a pair of water shoes Cathy's worn for 21 years as she paddled, snorkeled, waded, swam, and hiked through Florida. (Her Teva protons have seen more of Florida than most Floridians.) They also talk about other essential Florida gear, places they use them, and read a letter from a fan. Links we mention Gator "harassing" paddler at Silver Springs Cathy's post about her Teva Protons Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 17 Aug 2022 | Episode 74: Our favorite beaches | 00:36:05 | |
Send us your Florida questions! In this episode of The Florida Spectacular, Jon and Cathy talk about the best beaches in Florida (well, some of them), beach renourishment, and each of their favorite beaches. They also mention a secret sidewalk in Pass-a-Grille, Mike Huckabee, and the not-so-great history on Egmont Key (that not that many people know.) The concentration camp on Egmont Key Mike Huckabee and beach renourishment Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 24 Aug 2022 | Episode 75: Lake Louisa, Clermont, and a Presidents Hall of Fame | 00:41:52 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy and Jon talk about the Clermont area of Florida, including Lake Louisa State Park, Citrus Tower, and a few other places of note in the area, including the Presidents Hall of Fame. Links we mentioned Presidents Hall of Fame at Atlas Obscura or on Facebook, or on Florida Traveler Clermont Brewing Company Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 31 Aug 2022 | Episode 76: You Have to Go North to Get South - Florida's Panhandle | 00:45:27 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Today Jon and Cathy talk about hurricanes in the panhandle, UFOs in the Florida panhandle, and hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail through Eglin Air Force Base. Carnivorous pitcher plants at Apalachicola National Forest Wewa RV Park Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 07 Sep 2022 | Episode 77: Save Florida - Don't Recycle and Ditch Single-Use Plastics | 00:52:01 | |
Send us your Florida questions! In January, Cathy decided she'd get rid of single-use plastic in her home, RV, and at the newspaper she and her husband own – all by Dec. 31. Her travels through the best parts of Florida motivated this decision, because everywhere she went, she saw plastic litter. Find your city's water quality report Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 14 Sep 2022 | Episode 78: Wrong Florida History (Rumors, Urban Legends, and Fake Pirates) | 00:45:12 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon debunk famous Florida history myths, stepping on all the cherished legends they learned in grade school. Some myths we discussed History that isn't fake Discover Florida Tours – (Sacred Lands) The Seminole Tribe of Florida's origin Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 22 Sep 2022 | Episode 79: Yes, Our Seasons Change, Part I: Fall in Florida | 00:35:55 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Welcome to fall in Florida! Cathy and Jon talk about how real Floridians know fall has arrived, the best reason to travel to the Keys in September, and what the season looks like in different parts of the state. Links we mentioned On This Day: 1933 gas prices in Key West Hidden Gem: King Seafood, Marathon Holderness Family's Fall Expectations vs. Realty Follow Jon's road trip adventures at Don't Make Me Turn This Van Around. Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 12 Oct 2022 | Special Episode: "Sinkhole", Gen X in Florida, and Davida Breier | 00:27:38 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy sits down with Davida Breier and talks about her novel, "Sinkhole," growing up as a GenX in Florida, and how she came to write this particular delicious book. Reader's Guide for Sinkholereaders-guide.pdf Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 16 Nov 2022 | Episode 80: Why You Should Celebrate Thanksgiving in St. Augustine | 00:48:56 | |
Send us your Florida questions! We welcome Rick Kilby as The Florida Spectacular's new co-host, and he and Cathy talk about the first two Thanksgivings celebrated in North America, which – spoiler alert – both happened in Florida. Learn the short history of the French Huguenot Floridians who celebrated the first Thanksgiving on North American soil – in 1564. The second Thanksgiving, celebrated by the Spanish in 1565, takes us to St. Augustine, where there's plenty to discover outside the Spanish Quarter. Links we mentioned: Lightner Museum Ax Handle Saturday Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 23 Nov 2022 | Episode 81: Florida - Find Your Beach | 01:03:23 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby talk about their favorite beaches (and why they love them) and what makes Florida beaches unique. Cathy's favorite waterfront restaurant Rick's favorite waterfront restaurant Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridspectacular.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 30 Nov 2022 | Episode 82: Vintage & Iconic Central Florida Restaurants | 00:52:39 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about iconic Florida restaurants, past and present, and others that are just plain fun. This episode focuses mostly on Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area, but look for a future episode about the best restaurants in South Florida, the panhandle, the Keys, and other parts of the Sunshine State! Links we mentioned Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar at Disney Springs Fun with taxidermy Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 08 Dec 2022 | Episode 83: Explore Florida Caves | 00:46:36 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Did you know Florida has dry air caves you can explore, even if you don't have any experience spelunking? This week, Rick and Cathy explore Florida caves – virtually, of course. They also talk about underwater caves, and while they both strongly advise against attempting to explore underwater caves, the show notes contain a link to a great video, Water's Journey. Sharkansas Women's Prison Massacre Water's Journey with Wes Skiles Florida Museum (with a cave exhibit!) Bill Belleville blog about Florida water. More from Bill. Eric Hutchinson cave map drawing
Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 14 Dec 2022 | Episode 84: Christmas Celebrations in Florida | 00:52:11 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Christmas in Florida hits different, but that doesn't mean you can't find a spectacular winter event. Cathy and Rick talk about some only-in-Florida Christmas and holiday experiences. Links we mentioned About Christmas, Florida (an Orange County park) Fred the Tree Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 21 Dec 2022 | Episode 85: Florida Bucket List - What's on Yours? | 00:44:08 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Cathy turned 50 this month, and it made her think about all the things she still wants to do in Florida, so this week she and Rick reviewed some (mostly) South Florida bucket list items. Take a listen, and watch for our Florida panhandle bucket list in 2023! Here's what's on our bucket lists: Rick: Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas Cathy: Coral Spawning in the Florida Keys Rick: Airboat ride in the Everglades Cathy: Milky Way in the Everglades and Big Cypress Rick: Art Basel Cathy: Hobe Sound & Blowing Rocks Rick: Fairchild Botanical Garden Cathy: Juniper Springs in Ocala National Park Rick: Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Cathy: See the ghost orchid Already in the bucket Links We Mentioned Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Fern Hammock Springs (or look here) What's a sand boil, anyway? (you're gonna have to scroll!) Spring Boils Trail at Silver Glen Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 28 Dec 2022 | Episode 86: Sustainable Florida: New Year's Resolutions for the Sunshine State | 00:55:58 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Every year, people make resolutions for the new year. In this episode, Rick and Cathy talk about resolutions for Florida — and how you can help protect the state's natural beauty, waters, and wild places as you travel (and even if you don't!) Links we mentioned: Cathy's quest to remove single-use plastics from her home, RV and office Blue Highways Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Sweetwater Wetlands Park in Gainesville Lyonia Preserve in Volusia County Mark Walters' entertaining and well-written Florida Scrub Jay: Field Notes on a Vanishing Bird The hotel where the Beatles stayed on Miami Beach – and its recent demolition Coalition of Immokalee Workers Oceana Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 05 Jan 2023 | Episode 87: How to visit the Florida Everglades | 00:36:56 | |
Send us your Florida questions! The Everglades is a series of connected ecosystems that runs from right by Sea World's front door south to the Florida Keys. Today, Cathy and Rick talk about some unique Everglades experiences, lodging, and roads. They end with a top five "must do" when you visit Everglades National Park or the surrounding Everglades. Places we mentioned: Camping in Everglades National Park Camping & Cabins in the Everglades on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation Nike Missile Site Carl Hiaasen Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 11 Jan 2023 | Episode 88: Hidden Orlando, Discover Lake Eola | 00:39:47 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Think Orlando is mostly Disney, I-Drive, and theme parks? Think again! In this episode, Rick and Cathy explore the heart of Orlando. They have must-see museums, walkable cultural areas, and places to eat. Planning a trip to Orlando? Don't miss this episode! Spend the Day in Orlando Brunch Tamales in the Hourglass Social District or Daybreak Diner or Zaza's Cuban Comfort Food Museums Art & History Museums Maitland Sports Catch a UCF game or Orlando City SC Theater: Dr. Phillips Center Dinner: East End Market (Try Domu) Sleep at The Wellborn Try the shrimp tacos at World of Beer Thornton Park District (eating and farmer's markets!) Menello Museum of American Art Orange County Regional History Center's One Orlando Collection Orlando Museum of Art scandal (best of luck, guys!) Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 18 Jan 2023 | Episode 89: Explore Hidden St. Pete | 00:42:06 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Downtown St. Pete has exploded with growth, people, and food – but that's not what we're talking about this week. Instead, Rick and Cathy talk about places in St. Pete not in the downtown area that most tourists never see. Take a listen, and get started planning your next road trip to explore Hidden St. Pete! Things to Do Sunken Gardens Places to Eat El Cap Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 25 Jan 2023 | Episode 90: Native Wildflowers | 00:38:07 | |
Send us your Florida questions! A special guest this week as Stacey Matrazzo, Executive Director for the Florida Wildflower Foundation joined the show. She is the co-author of Native Plants for Florida Gardens, which she wrote with botanist/restoration ecologist Nancy Bissett. noblenativegardens on Instagram Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative (order Florida wildflower seeds!) Green Isle Gardens in Groveland Find great colorful native plants (like tropical sage) at a Florida Association of Native Nurseries retailer (plantrealflorida.org) Find resources on how to select, grow and maintain native plants at flawildflowers.org Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 01 Feb 2023 | Episode 91: How to do Gainesville - what to do, see and eat! | 00:35:02 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy and Rick take a virtual road trip to Gainesville, talking about their favorite things to do, eat, and see when they're in town. They also delve into the history of Waldo/Archer Road (SR 24) that runs from Yulee to Cedar Key, how to stay in an on-campus hotel at UF, and where you can find an elevator with an honest-to-god elevator operator. Links we mentioned See & Do: History & Nature Haile Homestead Homes (and its talking walls) Florida Museum and the Butterfly Rainforest Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park Gargoyles on UF Campus Harn Museum of Art (check out the Vickers Collection) 4th Avenue Food Park (check for live music schedules) See & Do: Fests Eat & Drink Satchel's Pizza and Satch Squared Dragonfly (Sushi/Asian) Sleep Reitz-Union hotel on campus at UF Sweetwater Inn Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 09 Feb 2023 | Episode 92: Visit Winter Garden: Bougie and Back to Nature | 00:35:13 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick take a road trip to Winter Garden, which has a definite back-to-nature-meets-bougie vibe that only a Florida city can have (and we mean bougie in the best possible way!) Take a listen, then grab your keys and go explore Winter Garden on your own! Eat Plant Street Market Food Hall (including Crooked Can Brewery!) See Trailer City (next to the "marina")
Central Florida Railroad Museum Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Trail Ocoee Parking Lot Bluegrass Jam West Orange Trail (Read Rick's article) Nehrling Gardens Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 15 Feb 2023 | Episode 93: Top Five Places To Find Unusual Florida History | 00:40:19 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about some off-the-beaten-path places in Florida that have not-often-discussed historical significance. Here's their Top 5 places to visit where you can soak in some unusual Florida history.
Links we mentioned Cedar Key Historical Society Museum Micanopy Historical Society Museum Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park Wood & Swink General Store and Post Office Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 23 Feb 2023 | Episode 94: June 18, 1964: The Civil Rights Movement Starts in Florida | 00:28:48 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Meet Bernadette Reeves, who, as a teenager in Lincolnville, marched for civil rights. Today, she gives tours and talks about the civil rights movement – and how what happened in St. Augustine led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act. Links & Places we mentioned More about taking a civil rights tour with Ms. B. Rick's post about the Civil Rights movement in Florida and the Quadracentennial Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 01 Mar 2023 | Episode 95: Angola, Maroons, and Florida's Underground Railroad | 00:41:58 | |
Send us your Florida questions! The Angola settlement along the Manatee River lasted for roughly 50 years. Uzi Baram, a professor at New College of Florida, speaks about the enslaved people who escaped to Spanish Florida in search of freedom. They settled near the Manatee River. Here's some of what we know of their stories. Want to know more? Visit Reflections of Manatee, Bishop Museum, and watch this video with Uzi. Links We Mentioned De Soto National Memorial Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 08 Mar 2023 | Episode 96: These Are a Few of Our Favorite (Florida) Springs | 00:48:17 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Florida adventurer, springs advocate, and all-around good guy Ryan Worthington joins Rick and Cathy once again to talk about Florida's springs. The trio talks about challenges facing Florida Springs, how to enjoy the springs without doing any harm, and, of course, a few of their favorite springs. Find Ryan on Instagram, and check out his podcast, The Florida Madcaps. Has Our Love of Springs Become a Fatal Attraction? Springs We Mentioned Seminole State Forest Springs (state site to get the code to gain access and a post from Rick about these springs) Wall Springs Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 15 Mar 2023 | Episode 97: Explore Winter Park - Casa Feliz, Turkish Food, and Mr. Rogers | 00:34:59 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Rick and Cathy take a trip to Winter Park, talking about their favorite places, things you should do (and eat!) while you're there, and why, despite all the changes, Winter Park's still a special Florida place. Links we mentioned Eat Stay Alfond Inn Casa Feliz El Cortez Apartments Read what Cathy and Rick have written about Winter Park. Barnie's (and the historic courtyard) Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 24 Mar 2023 | Episode 98: Florida Fallacies - Mythbusting Florida | 00:32:43 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Rick and Cathy explore a few "truths" about Florida, from the Seminole Tribe's origins to the real story about Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. Things we mentioned Florida: The forgotten colonies during the American Revolution What does it mean to be a cracker? Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 29 Mar 2023 | Episode 99: Florida's Water Playgrounds | 00:34:37 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, The Florida Spectacular welcomes CJ Oliverio, who talks about Florida springs, how to enjoy them, and which ones are his favorites. Cathy and Rick also celebrate the 101st episode and talk about why it's ill-advised to scuba dive with gators. CJ Oliverio is the CEO and founder of Play Hard Florida Adventures, a team of tour guides who offer adventures across the state. His business has a mission to support Florida environmental nonprofits. Links we mentioned The State of Water art exhibit Itchetucknee River Florida's Most Wasteful Crop Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 05 Apr 2023 | Episode 100: The Insider's Guide to Gulfport, Florida | 00:30:05 | |
Send us your Florida questions! In anticipation of the Floridiana Festival on Gulfport, Rick and Cathy talk about Gulfport: What to do, where to eat, and how to enjoy the small city by the sea. Links we mentioned Outside Culture & Live Music Shop & Eat Gulfport Brewery (try Disston Lager!) Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 12 Apr 2023 | Episode 101: Crackers, Ca'dZan, and Casitas: Touring Historic Florida Homes | 00:41:45 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Rick have Florida architecture on their mind. Specifically, different historic homes. From the simple cracker cottages of Florida's first EuroAmericans to the grandeur of Ca'dZan, spend some time taking a virtual road trip across Florida, to the state's most iconic homes. Links we mentioned Ybor City Casitas Pioneer Villages Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 19 Apr 2023 | Episode 102: The Real Florida Keys: A Local's Guide to Food and Things to Do | 00:34:35 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week "The Florida Spectacular" welcomes back Keys historian Brad Bertelli. Brad talks about some little-known Keys history (including a deserted island), but then he talks about where the locals eat in the Florida Keys. To wrap it all up, he talks about some of what he thinks are the most special places in the Keys (hint: get in or on the water!) Visit Indian Key (rent a kayak at Robbies if you don't have one of your own) Square Grouper (Brad says try the peanut butter dessert Try the conch salad at Geiger Key Marina Keys Fisheries in Key Largo MM100 El Siboney on Stock Island All Florida state parks here are amazing, but Brad suggests Dagny Johnson, and Windley Key; Cathy loves Bahia Honda and Long Key. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 26 Apr 2023 | Episode 103: Taxidermied Gators, Orange Bird, and Florida Kitsch | 00:46:08 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy welcome Melanie Lentz-Janney, of Authentic Florida fame, to the podcast. They spend the episode talking about some of their favorite Florida kitsch, the difference between Florida collectibles and Disneyana, and their favorite Florida roadside attractions. Links we mentioned Presidents Hall of Fame (Clermont) Boyett's Citrus Attraction (and Authentic Florida's day trip there) Signup link for Authentic Florida newsletter or follow Authentic Florida on Facebook Tupperware Museum Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 03 May 2023 | Episode 104: Insider Ocala: Glass Bottom Boats, Six-Gun Territory, and Harriet Beecher Stowe | 00:44:07 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Join Cathy and Rick as they venture through Ocala, making virtual stops at their favorite restaurants, natural areas, and roadside attractions. Links We Mentioned Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott's "Welcome to Florida" podcast Florida Trust for Historic Preservation/ Preservation on Main Street Harriet Beecher Stowe's Palmetto Leaves The Ma Barker House (Florida's first dumb criminals—who, of course, were not from Florida) Sonny's BBQ started in Gainesville Sun Plaza Motel Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 11 May 2023 | Episode 105: Great Reasons to Visit Lake County | 00:40:07 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, inspired by Cathy's recent travels to central Florida, Rick and Cathy talk about places they love in Lake County, some of the more surprising aspects of Lake County history, and why, even in the middle of The Villages, you can find hidden scraps of natural Florida. Helpful Links and Links We Mentioned Visit Lake County travel website Authentic Florida's Things to Do in Clermont Citrus Tower (also has a Facebook page) Howey Mansion Official and RIck's blog about it Fenney Springs at The Villages Annie Oakley in Lake County Drifter's Riverfront Restaurant Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 25 May 2023 | Episode 106: Mount Dora Secrets: Waterskiing elephants, Antiques, and the Apocalypse | 00:28:55 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Looking for a great weekend getaway, or something new to do in Central Florida? Rick and Cathy have some great places to see, things to do, and restaurants to try in Mount Dora. The small city's famous not only for its antiques; the downtown painted itself pink for a movie (which starred a waterskiing elephant and some fantastic Hollywood talent). Links We Mentioned Things to Do Mount Dora special events calendar Antiques Places to Eat 1921 Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | Episode 108: Your Guide to Invasive Creatures of Florida: Pythons, Australian Pines, and Wild Hogs | 00:34:47 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Pythons. Iguanas. Brazilian peppers. Florida's overflowing with tales of exotic invasives threatening paradise. But... not all exotic invasives are created equal. Meet the python hunters of the 'Glades Curious how python hunting works? The last half of this video has a simulated capture that almost went sideways. Combating Invasive Species in Florida Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 31 May 2023 | Episode 107: How to Do the Florida Keys: Key Deer, Turtles and a Special Guest | 00:46:26 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Rick and Cathy welcome Elizabeth Herryman Lasley, host of Keys Traveler podcast, as they talk about the things that make the Florida Keys special. (Find the Florida Keys podcast at the official Florida Keys website (they also have a newsletter, just in case you can't get enough of the Florida Keys.) Links We Mentioned Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | Episode 108: Take a Florida B-Movie Road Trip | 00:43:27 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Florida's home to some truly horrible B movies. B movies so bad, they're amazing. Rick and Cathy take a road trip around the state, using some of the best of the worst films made in Florida as a guide. St. Cloud: 2,000 Maniacs Right next door to tourist-swollen Kissimmee, you'll find St. Cloud, where this delightfully bad film was made in 15 days. Stop by St. Cloud, an area with some fascinating history, and don't forget to eat at The Catfish Place. Green Cove Springs: ZAAT Take one mad scientist, a catfish, and a human, and what do you get? ZAAT. Filmed in Green Cove Springs, a small town on the St. Johns River. Marianna Florida: Sharkansas Women's Prison's Massacre Don't be fooled by the name — This film is all Florida. Check out the scenes filmed at the caves at Florida Caverns State Park. A Jim Wynorski classic. Everglades City: Devil Fish (Monster Shark) A visit to Everglades City isn't complete without an airboat ride and a look inside the lobby at the Everglades Rod & Gun Club. Check out Joannie's Blue Crab down the street. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 21 Jun 2023 | Episode 109: Just What Is The Florida Spectacular? | 00:53:51 | |
Send us your Florida questions! After more than 100 episodes, Rick and Cathy talk about what the podcast is — and what it isn't. Links We Think You'll Like Facebook page for Rick’s books Florida nostalgia Facebook page The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, by Michael Grunwald Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 28 Jun 2023 | Episode 110: What's on your Florida bookshelf? | 00:53:42 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick discuss their beloved Florida books — along with some they can do without. No matter what you love to read, there's something on this list for every Florida-phile. Books We Suggest Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer The Mango Opera by Tom Corcoran The Travis McGee Series by John D. MacDonald Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth by Kristen Arnett Sinkhole, by Davida Breier Florida by Lauren Groff (check out this podcast with her as a guest) The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files by Brad Bertelli Hoot by Carl Hiaasen Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Sunshine State by Sarah Gerard Lay That Trumpet In Our Hands Susan Carol McCarthy Islands of Cedars by Shana Smith Lost in the Everglades by Lucy Salamanca (Also: Lost in the Everglad Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 05 Jul 2023 | Episode 111: Florida's Best Websites | 00:46:17 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Whether you want to know about Florida travel, history, gardening, or food, Rick and Cathy have a short list of websites you should bookmark and use to make life in Florida even better. Links We Mentioned Florida: A History in Pictures Just for fun, or if you're in the Santa Fe area Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 12 Jul 2023 | Episode 112: Craig Pittman and pythons invade the podcast! | 00:45:53 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, fellow Florida-phile Craig Pittman joins Rick and Cathy to talk about Florida's most current "it" exotic invasive: the Burmese python. As usual, the podcast slithers all over the place, so expect some talk about frogs and iguanas, too. More about Craig Craig Pittman is a native Floridian, an author, podcaster and an award-winning reporter. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him "the most destructive force on campus." Check out Craig's podcast (after you listen to ours, of course!) — especially his podcast about pythons and python hunting! Links we mentioned Some writing on the "Ladies of the 'Glades" More about whether the python hunt works Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | Episode 113: Staying Cool in the Florida Summer: Where To Go and What To Do | 00:57:37 | |
Send us your Florida questions! With unprecedented temps scorching the country, Florida may not seem like the place where you can stay cool in the summertime, but Cathy and Rick share how they stay cool, where they go, and what they do that make summertime in Florida delightful. Links We Mentioned North Florida Apalachicola Chocolate & Coffee Company Boss Oyster — closed Kelly Park at Rock Springs Northeast Florida Flagler College Tour (formerly Ponce de Leon Hotel, built and owned by Henry Flagler) Springs Park (Green Cove Springs) Central Florida Orange County Regional History Center Disney Springs Boathouse (eat!) Drawn to Life (watch!) House of Blues (art! blues! food!) Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 26 Jul 2023 | Episode 114: You Have To Go North To Get South: Is Florida Part of the South? | 00:36:22 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Ever heard the phrase, "you have to go north to get South"? That's not untrue. People often ask whether Florida is part of the South. The short answer: It's complicated. Yes... and no. Rick and Cathy talk about why that is, what they love about the South, and why it's such a complicated answer. Our Favorite Southern Towns in Florida Two-Egg Cross Creek Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 02 Aug 2023 | Episode 115: Back to School: Florida Schools, Claude Kirk, and Ron DeSantis | 00:40:53 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Florida education's making national news. This week, Cathy and Rick take a walk down memory lane to their own first days of school. They also talk about Florida school integration — which happened not that long ago — and how that created a ripple effect that still impacts where elementary school students attend school. Links we mentioned Florida school choice A fantastic history teacher from a Florida public school (read the comments under his obituary) Why Governor Ron DeSantis is a modern-day Claude Kirk (no, seriously) Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 09 Aug 2023 | Episode 116: It's Getting Hot Out Here: How To Help Cool Florida | 00:40:09 | |
Send us your Florida questions! There's no denying Florida's dealing with its hottest summer in... well, as long as we've measured such things. It's tempting to feel like individuals cannot make a difference, but that's not the case. This week's episode goes over simple things everyone can do to help cool Florida — and the planet. Links we mentioned Diane Roberts' brilliant opinion piece from the Florida Phoenix Map of Wakulla cave system (largest on the planet) Proposed 16-pump gas station above aforementioned cave system fails Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 31 Aug 2023 | Episode 117: Florida Films: Steve Martin, Cocoon, and Silent Films | 00:40:05 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Rick and Cathy welcome Joy Wallace Dickinson to talk about Florida's film history. From the silent film era, to the definitive film on aging gracefully (Cocoon), to more modern films, this episode's a walk down Florida's celluloid history. Find Joy’s old Florida mystery, Secrets of the Flamingo Cafe, on Amazon. Links We Mentioned Dave Barry's Big Trouble Why you can't watch Cocoon anywhere. Jacksonville’s Norman Studios 1948’s Key Largo (mostly not filmed in Florida) Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 07 Sep 2023 | Episode 118: Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, and Florida Man Music: Music From the Sunshine State | 00:37:08 | |
Send us your Florida questions! With Jimmy Buffett's death still sending waves of sadness through his immense fan community, Rick and Cathy turn to talk of Florida's music scene. Although Buffett wasn't a native Floridian, he spent his fair share of time in the Sunshine State — but he's far from the only great musician to make beautiful music in Florida. Join them as they talk about Tom Petty, Gamble Rogers, and other storied Florida musicians. Links We Mentioned Southern Accents by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from the Runnin' Down A Dream documentary. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 13 Sep 2023 | Episode 119: Bird is the Word: Flamingo Flamboyances, Scrub Jays, and Birdwatching in the Sunshine State | 00:48:55 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Bird is the word on today's episode of The Florida Spectacular! Hurricane Idalia brought more than storm surge to Florida — for the first time in a long time, flamingos stroll along our beaches. Although many people (including Cathy!) didn't realize this, flamingos are, indeed, Florida natives — or so says the FWC. Photo credit Beth Forys, for The Gabber Newspaper. Places to Bird in Florida Archbold Biological Station, Ding Darling, Disney Wilderness Preserve, Everglades National Park, Fort De Soto (Pinellas County on Tampa Bay), Lyonia Preserve, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Oscar Scherer State Park, Payne's Prairie Preserve State Park, Sweetwater Wetlands Park Links We Mentioned Atlas Obscura: "The Centuries-Old Mystery of How Florida Got Its Flamingos" Birdwatcher, or you want to be? Check out the Great Florida Birding Trail. Learning the Birds by Susan Fox Rogers Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 27 Sep 2023 | Episode 120: Who is Florida Man? | 00:42:10 | |
Send us your Florida questions! "The rules are different here." Florida attracts all kinds, but often not the right types of people. Links We Mentioned Governor Claude Kirk Governor Sidney Catts The biggest con man in Florida: Gregor MacGregor Jean Jacques LeMoyne (more plates here) Murph the Surf Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 04 Oct 2023 | Episode 121: Taking Back Florida Man: Men Who Made Florida Spectacular | 00:40:00 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week Rick and Cathy talk about Florida Man — but not the weird ones; the men who make Florida spectacular. From Abiaka to Lawton Chiles, they celebrate these wonderful men. (And yes, there's at least one in the works about great Florida women, too.) Links We Mentioned Governor Bob Graham and his Workdays Governor Lawton Chiles and Walkin Lawton [VIDEO] — trail named for Chiles Nat Reed (and his book, Travels on the Green Highway) Guy Bradley and Officer Down Memorial Page and the Guy Bradley Trail Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 11 Oct 2023 | Episode 122: Creature from the Black Lagoon, Mermaids, and Florida Springs | 00:44:54 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Quick, name a B-movie made in Florida. Did you say Creature from the Black Lagoon? Cathy and Rick talk about the history of one of Florida's most enduring movies and the areas where Universal filmed it, its little-known connection to Citizen Kane, and why The Little Mermaid and Creature from the Black Lagoon tell essentially the same story. Links We Mentioned Creature from the Black Lagoon The Legend of Mami Wata Rick’s blog "Remembering Marineland” Rick’s blog about Marine Studios Rick’s blog about underwater starlet Ginger Stanley Hallowell Newspaper article about Ricou Browning The Creature Returns to Florida Check out classic horror films showing on Turner Classic Movies all month. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | Episode 123: Florida Scary - Real Things To Fear in the Sunshine State | 00:31:40 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Forget ghosts and ghouls, this week Rick and Cathy talk about Florida things that should scare you — like baby gators (a protective mom is near), coyotes (hide your cats!), and killer manatee (OK, that one isn't a thing.) Links We Mentioned Rick's post on Reptile World in St. Cloud Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 25 Oct 2023 | Episode 124: Scares in the Sunshine: Robert the Doll, Ghost Tours, and Haunted Florida | 00:59:42 | |
Send us your Florida questions! For the final podcast of October, Rick and Cathy tell ghost stories and a few "wait, was that a ghost?" stories. Join the fun and let yourself get scared (or not so scared!) with the Florida Spectacular podcast this week! Links We Mentioned Robert the Doll by David Sloan Robert the Doll Key West Ghost Tour of Fort Martello Hernando Historical Museum Ghost Tour May-Stringer House in Brooksville Imagination Skyway podcast about Disney's Haunted Mansion Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 01 Nov 2023 | Episode 125: Pee-wee Herman, Panther Puppetry, and the Big Potato | 00:40:18 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week's episode welcomes Floridian David Jordan, a puppet master (not his real title, but we love to use that phrase) who wrangled the puppets on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Hear him talk about his puppetry with efforts to save the whooping crane and the Florida panther, his work with the Henson family, and his Central Florida charity, the Big Potato. Links We Mentioned Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 08 Nov 2023 | Episode 126: Beach, Please: Beach Renourishment is Evil, Rick's Imaginary House on the Sand, and Favorite Beaches | 00:49:16 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about the evils of beach renourishment — not only why it's a no-win situation, but how great Florida beaches could look without renourishment. It's a controversial take — especially for beach property owners. Links We Mentioned Anna Maria Island public beach Army Corps will not renourish Pinellas Beaches Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 16 Nov 2023 | Episode 127: Thanksgiving, Florida Ledger Art, and Comic Books | 00:48:05 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy calls BS on Turkey Day and scholar Jeremy Carnes helps us understand the connection between art created by American Indians imprisoned at Fort Marion and the art produced by contemporary indigenous people. The trio also offers their perspective on how they attempt to respectfully observe the fourth Thursday in November. Ever heard of Ledger art? Links We Mentioned Ledger Art and Comics: The Talk Away from Home exhibit about Indian boarding schools Betty Mae Tiger Jumper (a legendary storyteller) Highwater Press (comics) Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki (Seminole Tribe of Florida museum) nativelands.ca (Who lived where you lived before colonization?) Red Planet (Now ATCG) books and Comics The origin story for America's Indian Boarding Schools begins in St. Augustine Ledger drawings produced by American Indians who were prisoners at Fort Marion Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 22 Nov 2023 | Episode 128: Two Thanksgivings and No Pilgrims: Florida's First Thanksgivings | 00:44:38 | |
Send us your Florida questions! If you thought the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the present-day United States in Plymouth, well, you've been lied to. Cathy and Rick talk about the first and second Thanksgivings, both of which happened in Florida, and why the 16th-century French Huguenot Thanksgiving — celebrated in what is now Jacksonville — may be the only of the first three that didn't celebrate the darkest parts of our national origin story. Links We Mentioned The French first Thanksgiving in North America LeMoyne engravings of French first Thanksgiving Michael Gannon and the "Grinch who stole Thanksgiving" How the Mayflower arrived in a world already scarred by slavery.Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | Episode 129: Tim Dorsey, Serge Storms, and the Florida Book Gift Guide | 00:52:09 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, Florida Spectacular hosts Cathy and Rick celebrate the work of Tim Dorsey. Dorsey created the lovable serial killer Serge Storms, who served vengeance with a side of history... or perhaps history with a side of vengeance. From there, they talk about Florida books for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Links we Mentioned Florida books for every reader Tim Dorsey books in order A History of Florida Through Black Eyes by Marvin Dunn The Burden of Southern History by C. Vann Woodward Souvenirs of the Old South: Northern Tourism and Southern Mythology by Rebecca Cawood McIntyre The Springs of Florida by Doug Stamm The History of Florida by Michael Gannon Gamble Rogers: A Troubadour's Life by Bruce Horovitz Dreams in the New Century by Gary Mormino Healing Waters by Rick Kilby Backroads of Paradise by Cathy Salustri Bookstores Sanford: Maya Books ...and... Gamble Rogers Folk Festival in St. Augustine Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 07 Dec 2023 | Episode 130: Reverse Snowbirding, Hidden Springs in the Florida Keys, and Fairy Grottos | 00:35:20 | |
Send us your Florida questions! This week, the "Florida Spectacular" welcomes back a familiar voice — Brad Bertelli, an early and super-popular guest. Cathy, Rick and Brad talk about where to find hidden springs in the Florida Keys, an old manuscript that mentions a "fairy grotto" by Robbies, and how people are "reverse snowbirding" north of Florida. Links We Mentioned Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 13 Dec 2023 | Episode 131: Once Upon a Time in Florida | 00:36:56 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Jacki Levine joins Rick and Cathy today to talk about Once Upon a Time in Florida, a gorgeous coffee table book celebrating 50 years of essays about Florida. Jacki edited the book, which includes essays from Stetson Kennedy, Michael Gannon, and Rick Kilby. Links We Mentioned Once Upon a Time in Florida (with discount code XM23) for sale Review of Once Upon a Time in Florida Find a talk about the book in your neighborhood. Florida books Jacki gifts to people: Florida's Healing Waters by Rick Kilby The Sound of the Sea and other Cynthia Barnett books Jack Davis' books Florida in Poetry, edited by Jane Anderson Jones and Maurice O'Sullivan Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 20 Dec 2023 | Episode 132: Sanford, Arcadia, and the Disney Wilderness Preserve: Florida Places to Visit in 2024 | 00:49:44 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about places they want to visit–or revisit—in 2024. Below, find guides to two not-often-visited places in Florida. Visit Sanford December's St. Lucia Festival Celery Soup—a folk life play Hollerbach's German Restaurant Pico Hotel (similar to the Tampa Bay Hotel, now University of Tampa) Folk Artist Alyne Harris at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Visit Arcadia, Sebring, and Lake Placid Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park Other Links We Mentioned Florida Memory — State Archives of Florida Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 27 Dec 2023 | Episode 133: Mermaids, Manatee, and Many, Many Paddling Trips | 00:42:23 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about Florida places they want to visit in 2024. Unsurprisingly, many of the trips involve kayaking. Quick Travel Guide to St. Augustine Quick Travel Guide to West Volusia Heritage Corridor Quick Guide to Paddling Ocala National Forest Paddling the Wekiva River Area Paddle Weeki Wachee Springs & the Chassahowitzka Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 04 Jan 2024 | 🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 1: Florida State Parks We Love in the Upper Keys | 00:36:16 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Florida does an amazing job with state parks, and perhaps this is best showcased in the Florida Keys. In the inaugural episode, take a tour of some of Brad and Cathy's favorite state parks in the Upper Keys.
• Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park for hiking and the chance of seeing the endangered woodrat. • Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park for the hiking and the history (they have ranger-led tours) • Indian Key State Park for the history, solitude, lack of mosquitoes, and snorkeling. Paddle out to the island (which has no facilities). Snorkel the patch reef and grass flats by the island. • Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park for ranger-led tours, history, and the chance to see one of the last virgin West Indian hardwood hammocks.
Key Largo woodrat (but is it a rat?) Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 18 Jan 2024 | 🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 2: The Most Beautiful Drive in America, State Road 4A | 00:39:21 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Flying into Key West is super-convenient, but people who fly into Key West miss one of the best parts of the Florida Keys: The Overseas Highway, which connects mainland Florida with the Florida Keys. The road didn't always look the way it does today, however. Brad and Cathy explain it all. Florida Keys Extras No Name Pub on No Name Key used to be a brothel The Pineapple Express? Yup, pineapples in the Florida Keys! The Seven-Mile Bridge in True Lies A pictorial trip across the Overseas Highway Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 03 Jan 2024 | Episode 134: Into the Woods: Swamp Hikes, Snakes, and Stories | 00:43:20 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Take a hike in the swamp! Cathy and Rick talk about hiking in Florida swamps, venomous snakes, and other things you might find as you experience Florida's wilderness. Also, Cathy talks about the time she got lost in the swamp and almost stepped on a venomous snake. Pictured is the juvenile cottonmouth from Cathy's hike in Big Cypress. No, it's not a Magic Eye; look closely and you'll see him. Or her. Cathy didn't want to check. Links We Mentioned Ranger-led tours at Big Cypress Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 10 Jan 2024 | Episode 135: Florida Trails: Hiking Shoes, Stepping on Snakes, and Sloughs | 00:38:02 | |
Send us your Florida questions! A reader question about hiking shoes leads to a discussion about best places to hike in Florida. The Florida Madcaps' Chelsea Stevens joins to talk about hiking and water shoes, that time she stepped on a copperhead, and her favorite hikes. Links We Mentioned FloridaHikes.com What are shoe gaiters and do you want them? Hikes in Central Florida Chelsea's favorite Central Florida hike: Charles Bronson State Forest Chelsea's favorite hike in Florida: Torreya State Park (and the nearby Apalachicola Bluffs) The Yearling Trail with Jody Spring and Long Cemetery Rick's favorite Central Florida hike: Lyonia Preserve Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 01 Feb 2024 | 🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 3: Bahia Honda and Long Key State Park | 00:33:21 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Brad and Cathy take a deep dive into two of the best Florida State Parks in the Florida Keys: Bahia Honda and Long Key. Links We Mentioned Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail app for exploring the Florida Keys. Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 15 Feb 2024 | 🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 4: Land Sharks, Pirates, and Newspapers | 00:33:53 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Did the Florida Keys have pirates? Brad and Cathy debate. Brad unearthed an 1829 Keys newspaper and talks about an article warning of land sharks and advertising a house for rent for $20 a month in Key West. They also chat about the San Carlos, the Key West Firehouse Museum, and Carysfort Reef. Links We Mentioned Carysfort Reef National Marine Sanctuary The U.S.S. Schooner Alligator and Alligator Key Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | Episode 136: Where to See Manatee in Florida | 00:38:07 | |
Send us your Florida questions! It's January! It's cold! It's the best time to see manatee! Where can you see them? Links We Mentioned Is it a manatee or a mermaid? The year almost 800 manatee died Where to See Manatee Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 24 Jan 2024 | Episode 137: Hidden Sarasota, Things to Do You Might Not Know About | 00:38:36 | |
Send us your Florida questions! If you want to explore Sarasota, Rick and Cathy have plenty of favorites. Places to Eat Yoder's of Pinecraft and The Gabber Newspaper's feature on Yoder's Outdoors and Nature Experiences Mote Marine Aquarium (kayaking and the February Farm to Fillet) Venice Beach and Shark's Teeth Roadside Attraction: Sarasota Jungle Gardens Sarasota School of Architecture Shopping: St. Armand's Circle Links We Mentioned Orchid scandal at Selby and Craig Pittman's The Scent of Scandal about that scandal Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 29 Feb 2024 | 🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 5: Snorkeling the Florida Keys | 00:27:04 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Looking for places to snorkel in the Florida Keys? Brad's the expert. He explains not only how snorkeling ignited his interest in Florida Keys and Monroe County history, but where anyone can snorkel in the Florida Keys. Brad's Florida Keys snorkeling spots Key West Marine Park (you can walk/swim to this one) Links We Mentioned At Robbie's: Sundance Watersports often goes to Alligator Light reef Your guide to reef-friendly sunscreen What does a Caribbean reef shark look like? Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 31 Jan 2024 | Episode 138: Fort Mose, Black History Matters, and Florida's Underground Railroad | 00:37:51 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Today's guest, Charles Ellis, who serves as the Fort Mose Historical Society president, talks about the reconstruction of the Fort, what’s happening in February, and Florida's place on the Underground Railroad. Links We Mentioned Support Fort Mose and Black History in Florida How To Be an Anti-Racist Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 08 Feb 2024 | Episode 139: Florida Springs, Politics, and the Profanity Manatee | 00:30:12 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Ryan Smart, the executive director of the Florida Springs Council, joins the podcast to talk about threats facing springs, some recent victories for Florida's environment, and how people can support the work that protects Florida springs. Image of the Profanity Manatee courtesy of Florida Springs Council; used with permission. Links We Mentioned Manatee Profanity t-shirt and other merch that supports Florida Springs Council Become a sustaining member Ditch the plastic water bottles for hurricane prep: Get reusable five-gallon glass water jug and USB-powered pump dispenser Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 14 Mar 2024 | 🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 6: The Florida Keys Eco Trail | 00:25:37 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Everyone loves the Florida Keys — but not everyone has discovered the sheer magnificence of the wilder and more natural parts of the island chain. The Florida Keys tourism board wants to change that; they created an an app that lets anyone earn points (and swag) for checking out an eco trail that runs from Key Largo to Key West. Links We Mentioned Florida Keys Eco Experience Pass Slice of Paradise Coral Fragging Experience (Look for "Hands On Experiences) toward the bottom Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 14 Feb 2024 | Episode 140: Explore Cross Creek (A Hidden Campground, Historic Paddle) and What Is Real Florida? | 00:40:49 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings made Cross Creek famous through her writing, and if you want to experience Florida as she did, there's no better place. From free-range venison starters at a Cross Creek restaurant to paddling the same creeks she did, immerse yourself in the world of Cross Creek. Here's how! Links We Mentioned Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park Wood & Swink general store in Evinston Ocean Grill in Vero Beach Cathy Salustri's Writer's Talk at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park (Feb. 24, 2024) Real Florida? The Ocklawaha River Explore More of the Area Exploring Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' homestead Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 21 Feb 2024 | Episode 141: Pirates, Bureaucracy, and Gasparilla | 00:39:26 | |
Send us your Florida questions! People love pirate lore — but what did it mean to be a pirate in Florida? According to Cathy, a lot more bureaucracy than you'd think. Rick and Cathy talk about pirates, real and imagined, and make a few Florida detours along the way. Links We Mentioned Sir Francis Drake and privateer Robert Searle A history of pirates in Florida Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
| 28 Feb 2024 | Episode 142: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Citrus, and Writing in the Woods | 00:35:28 | |
Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick talk about how nature influences their writing, Cathy's camping experience at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, Rick's upcoming keynote at the MKR annual conference, and where to find wild citrus. Links We Mentioned Matheson Museum, with the anniversary exhibit Rick designed Squarehouse Pizza in Gainesville (Formerly Satch Squared, partly owned by Satchel's Pizza) Rawlings Society and annual conference in May Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and its Citizen Support Organization (also called a "friends group") Sour Orange Pie and Sour Orange Margaritas Volunteer at a Florida State Park Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link! | |||
