It is well known that the Creator has decreed that strawberries are to be grown in California.

What's next? Wine grapes?

and allow me to relieve you of your gross misapprehension.


And FWIW, wine grapes are grown in every state of the union

We've had our differences...but don't be a Cali wine snob. Or a Strawberry snob. No need for any of that.

Can't believe FL is moving in on our strawberries. 🙂

(Massive winter tomato production) and I'll bet there are FLA Strawberries in a grocery store near you, because even Oxnard can't produce ALL the time.

Have been from Mexico or Peru. Not always the case, just these past few months. Maybe it's a winter thing? The strawberries have been from Oxnard. I'm sure the Florida produce is tasty though.

Silly Florida-Mans...

While California strawberries might be excellent, by the time they are shipped east, they are past their prime.

One of the reasons that Publix grocery stores have good produce is the farming in Central Florida. Publix buys directly from some of the farms and ships the produce to their stores on their own trucks. The Plant City strawberries we get here in Tallahassee left the fields usually only a day or two before we pick them up in the stores.

When I was a kid growing up fifteen miles from where Publix started Mom used to buy strawberries at the farm stands along the roads between Bartow and Tampa. Once Publix built a store in Bartow, she bought her strawberries there - their produce managers were better at picking good strawberries and they were not more expensive from the store than they were at the farm stands.

the West Coast. I live about an hour south of there now. But the towns you named are big strawberry towns, but we have many places who grow about 15 miles inland from where I live. My mother-in-law worked Public for many, many years. I think the owners are still Repubs, but it's one grocery store that has always treated it's employees very well. In Florida if you say grocery store, you say Publix!

Just thought I would add a comment. Living on the west coast is better than the east for me.

Outta here.

But, yes, many of the areas in Florida south of the I-4 corridor have great farming communities. Plant City is most noted for strawberries but they are grown all over Florida.

As you say, Publix is owned by Republicans, but they are good to their employees. They have good profit sharing and they like to promote from the ranks so the opportunities are good for advancement. You can tell - the employees are usually very pleasant and don't seem to be burned out.

They are privately held (Their stock doesn't trade on an exchange) but they do indeed treat their employees well.

... I can attest to the fact that the strawberries coming out of this area from December thru mid-March are THE best.

I'll be going to the farm tomorrow.

I'll post a pic of my haul.

That place is incredible, too. Up on a hill overlooking downtown Clermont (that's a joke).

But yeah, I do enjoy stopping by Lakeridge on my drives between South Florida and Gainesville. It's right off the turnpike, so it's very convenient.

watch her beloved Tigers play.

they should consider a trip.

The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg is astonishing.

Then drive from Miami to Key West. One of the most gorgeous drives in the country.

We stopped talking, turned off the radio, and rolled down the windows. Such a wonder.

I still like to walk amongst the gators at Payne's Prairie Preserve, then travel 8 miles to a top university and see whatever you WANT to see. The coasts? Less than 2 hours, east or west. Then there is the Ichetucknee...

and it's all genuinely interesting stuff.

I like seeing the alligators in the Everglades. Durn things act like they own the place!

when it decided to change spots. Right in the middle of the old campus by the auditorium and Century Tower.

around, who ya gonna call -- the Gator Relocator.

Yep. Every once in a while an alligator decides to park its butt in the middle of a major highway and stalls traffic for hours.

I don't know what kind of mind set someone has to be in to do those innertube trips down the St. John's River or the rivers in the southern part of the state.

It would give me pause, I think.

I was at the Loxahatchee Preserve near West Palm Beach some years back. Two very large gators had what might be called "a vigorous dispute" over which one would get a particular fish for dinner. You got the impression that both gators felt quite strongly about the matter.

They are typically ambush but opportunistic predators. They aren't like sharks that might come up from underneath and nibble your bum!

Now...if you are a Pekingese walking along right next to the waters edge of a canal.......

their little dogs onto the backyard clothesline near canals and alligators deciding it was a a kind of shiskabob. The owner comes back outside. The line's still there. No Fluffy.

If you look at Google Earth shots of South Florida, you'll see there are miles and miles of canals that lead from the everglades all the way into the heart of the residential areas.

The gators would come up the canals with regularity. Snagging a dog or a cat is not at all unusual.

That is one of the top gator hunting lakes in North Florida and some very large gators live there.

The skiers would go down and while the boat was circling back to pick them up we could see the gators cruising in the same direction. We were wondering what would happen if the gators got to the skiers before the boat did!

couple of those skiers looked pretty tasty.

sooner or later, will have a gator in it.

You have a gator, had a gator, or will have a gator.

We have a small one in our canal, only about 6 feet.

the grandkids are coming down for a visit!

I think Florida is a great state. I've vacationed there. So, I'm not an authority. LOL. But, every state is so different and unique. I'd love to visit each one. In terms of Florida, there seems to be something for everyone.

The Grand Prix and the beaches!

Cocoa Beach for a few days, then driving down to Miami for a couple of days. Looking forward to exploring the landscape, food and culture.

There seems to be so many great Cuban places it's hard to choose which ones to try. If you have any other tips, please share!

"Ciro's" in Miami (well....almost Perrine, south on US1 from downtown)

Go to The Bayfront complex downtown Miami. Cool

Coconut Grove. VERY cool

Venetian Pool Literally cool!

Play a round of golf at the Biltmore.

Walk the Art Deco District of South Beach.

Eat Conch Chowder in Marathon.

Spend an entire day drinking on Duval Street, Key West

Snorkel at John Pennekamp State Park

Visit Silver Springs

And drive around the Horse Farms of Marion County.

Too many more to list!

How am I going to fit everything in just two days?! I really wish I had more time, there is so much I want to see. South Beach and Bayfront Park were already on my list, plus Crandon Beach in Key Biscayne, and of course Little Havana (going to get our salsa on at Ball and Chain -- really looking forward to that!) I was undecided on Coconut Grove, but will now look into it more -- thanks!

A visit to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is very cool;

For the weather alone Florida is worth it.

And it's hard to beat being able to walk outside in shorts and a T-Shirt the first week of March!

Solar powered pool heater.

Like most houses, we had a pool, and if it was clean, I would go swimming every Jan 1st.

Yup....

I'll hang.

Ex and I had a great time in Miami years ago. Great weather, friendly people...

HATED Bike Week. She stayed indoors the whole time.

I'm not sure why. It's not politics since i would look forward to places like Alabama Montana Kansas etc

I only know Texas, so I'll leave it to Heretic to give similar links for more info on Florida:

Texas Highways - The Official Travel Magazine of Texas

The Handbook of Texas Online | Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
which includes

The Handbook of Tejano History

The Handbook of African American Texas

The Handbook of Texas Music

The Handbook of Houston


Perhaps it would help us be better able to help you if you detailed exactly what it is about our two states you don't like beyond the politics

Or more conservative.

I am just curious if it's possible you could give us some details beyond what little you've stated so far. It's just too vague. Most people around here love details

State pride is cool.

(Go Detroit Tigers! )

just south of the Rouge River.

For a good 18 months it said;

"Go Tigers!
(and take the Lions with you)"

I shit you not.

(Well, maybe the Lions, but not the Tigers.)

Al Kaline, Jim Northrup, the Gator (Gates Brown!), and the incredible Mickey Lolich who while on the mound hid his ball grip behind his beer belly and won the World Series for the Tigers that year.

But, yup! The Lions have never recovered since they let Earl Morrall go. Milt Plum? Bah!

I visit Florida every year - family - and there are places I love. Saw more than a few US kids around today - all here for the weekend of parties

I'm going to stay away from the beaches for the next couple of weeks, though. Thanks for the great pics!

beaches - come to the Emerald Coast stretching from Destin to Pensacola, Florida. Mile upon mile of soft, white sand with blue/green waves purring on the shore - sure a few sharks, but that makes it interesting

Featuring defending champ and #1 ranked golfer in the world, Jordan Spieth.

Innisbrook is just north of Clearwater, within walking distance of my house.

My dad loved it. My mother hated it. I'll leave it for the people who love it.

and have several family members there. Beautiful place but not like it was back in the 60's and 70's. Plant City rocks and I miss the grapefruit, strawberries, avocados and oranges. Not gonna pick on you.

Enjoy.

Woohoo

a gopher is a reptile, when everyone in the country knows that a gopher is a rodent.

Nice post. Sure is more to most states than we normally think about. To me, "Florida" brings to mind Carl Hiaasen, which is probably not fair.

By the way, you ought to pressure Bernie to promise tuition-free swimming lessons to all residents, in lieu of action on climate change.
And ask Hillary for needs-based assistance for low income floaters; yacht owners won't need help.

where it has rained more this season than any time in recorded history! This pale face admits to some world class envy!!

The Summer is the rainy season and it will come down here as well, trust me.

It's kind of dry right now, but everything gets as green as can be come the summertime.

A roundtrip from SEATAC to Miami would cost you less than $500

LOL. That does sound tempting. Spring break is a Florida tradition, right?

And yes, Spring Break is most definitely a Florida Tradition, dating back to the 50's. The movie "Where the Boys Are" was famous for it's representation of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale.

It's all over the state now, though. Clearwater Beach is a big draw as well as Fort Myers Beach, not to mention the gorgeous panhandle beaches.

Being 88 miles from my home helps.

http://waneefestival.com/

in the US!

And I agree. I miss it, and would move back in a heartbeat, but mr liberty is not interested.

I thought Bugs Bunny sawed it off and sent it to South America years ago

Seriously:
K&R. I wouldn't live there, but it's a nice state. Too much humidity for my liking
And... I missed the hate on Florida posts - a good thing I'll admit, for I am tiring of the 'X state (region) sucks' posts we've gotten

Have a nice day/evening

And has Florida reached Trinidad and Tobago yet?

And has Florida reached Trinidad and Tobago yet?

I live in manatee area. Plus we have one of the nation's top rail trails that bicyclists from all over the world come to ride.

There's lots about Florida that drives me crazy (I'm looking at you Gov Voldemort) but spring is the best!

highrises overlooking the beach. They were featured on an episode of House Hunters when they bought it. View to die for. Lovely place.

Is where I think all the crazies are. Bike Week also isn't something I'd brag about.

Personally, I love Florida.

I live in Texas and would move to FL in a heartbeat, but TX is easier to make money in.

I am not pming anybody; I rarely send out PM's.

This is a picture of my inbox:

I haven't responded to you via PM. You should take that as a hint.

Hopefully you will.

What you're talking about, but I hope you have a good night.

I literally have zero clue who you are.

I won't. But stop PMing me.

And I'm not "blacking out"....I think you may be mistaking me with the wrong person or taking this internet a little too seriously. I make a lot of posts on the internet, I am sorry if you're not a memorable one if we have interacted.

If you look, you responded to me in this thread, then told me not to pm you.

If you have an issue with me, there is that whole ignore function.

or to use the ignore function except in those rare instances in which MIRT is in catch-up mode.

You asked upthread, "Is there a problem?"

Yes, apparently.

before sending any more PMs you can't recall.

You can continue to discuss the bike shed while I finish working.

Sending unsolicited and unwanted PMs?

responding to you in a thread is considered a "PM"? When you are the one who responded to my post in the thread.

That is confusing.

Anyway, I guess you are trolling me or something, I will stop responding now and add you to ignore so that I don't try to be rational to a person who is being irrational.

Enjoy your week.

Do you understand that posting a snapshot of your inbox is pointless, but amusing?

Beautiful place Florida.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

concours d'elegance in Amelia Island.
A must for any Porsche fan.
Happening right now, through this weekend.

Indeed
https://www.ameliaconcours.org/

There's nothing wrong with Florida itself. It's awesome here.

The only problem related with Florida is its government. That's the only real negative in living here.

Everything else is perfect.

and speed weeks there?

The months of February, March and April have a shitload going on!

It starts with winter testing, then the 24 hour race, then Speed Weeks ending with the 500. A couple weeks later the Pitchers and Catchers show up, followed by the beginnings of bike week...etc.etc.etc.....

So yeah, it's the whole thing and it did indeed start 60 days ago.

The sound is not replicated anywhere; it's not just the loudness, it is world-filling, enough to drive you to your feet in elation and fear. I still remember the Big-Block era of 200 mph monsters -- Living, organic thunder!

We sat in the next to the last row just in front of the start finish line. To get the top row, the folks would have had to die.
Even 10 or so years ago, they were quite loud.
NASCAR has gotten too commercial for us though, so we gave up the seats.

At least here in SWFL. Nice warm and breezy days with cooler nights with all of the windows wide open.

Love this time of year down here.

I miss it every day

Here's a taste.

Big Shoals - 12 Steps

Will have to check them out!
Posting from Orlando

Along with some other very fine bands at the WMNF Tropical Heatwave.

http://www.tropicalheatwave.org/bands/

I can't make it this year but I've seen a whole bunch a great bands in years past. Lots of fun.

We're visiting with FIL and plan some birding at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve.

Florida has great state parks.

What else is happening in April?

from concerts of all genres at theaters and venues all over the state to small food and ethnic festivals and street fairs happening all the time.

It does slow a bit after Spring Break and Spring Training wrap, but then it starts to gear up for the Tourist season, which lasts all summer.

You'll find plenty to do with a quick google search.

Next week?

perhaps. Sooner or later, but we are quite a while from that being the case.

But thanks for your cheery addition to my thread!!