Alligators and Crocodiles in the Everglades

Florida is famous for alligators (pictured)—they are almost always referred to as “gators” in the Sunshine State, as in “Look at the size of that gator” on the nightly local news, when an overly curious reptile is found in someone’s backyard swimming pool, or the “Go Gators” cheer from University of Florida fans.

Everybody knows about Florida gators, but did you know that the Florida Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators can be found alongside crocodiles? Not only is Everglades National Park the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles share the same habitat, but it also is the only location in the United States where crocodiles can be found.

There are several biological differences between alligators and crocodiles, but the main difference one would notice is that alligators (and caimans) have a wide "U"-shaped, rounded snout (like a shovel), whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more pointed "V"-shaped noses. In alligators, the upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw and completely overlaps it, making the upper teeth hang out over the lower jaw. A crocodile’s upper and lower jaws are of a similar size, so the some of the upper and lower teeth are visible.

Of course, most people who visit the Everglades don’t want to get too close to either an alligator or a crocodile, so it’s best to take advantage of the zoom lens on your camera or a good set of binoculars to detect the difference.

The Terrace Hotel in Downtown Lakeland

The magnificent Terrace Hotel is a first class hotel situated 45 miles from Tampa Airport. The civic center auditorium is just one mile away from the hotel. Built in 1924, the Terrace has had its charming historic exterior restored, while completely refurbishing the property to luxurious modern standards. Enter The Terrace's newly restored lobby via the Massachusetts Avenue entrance. Guestrooms capture the hotel's original style while providing visitors with modern conveniences. Colors and fabrics are soft, reflecting an open and airy Florida feeling. The stately Terrace Grille extends into the main foyer where guests enjoy leisurely breakfasts, luncheons and dinners. Cocktails are served from the Grille's magnificent bar. Handsomely furnished conference rooms are situated on the Mezzanine level accommodating groups from 55 to 110 for small banquets and meetings. The Terrace Hotel is convenient to dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Lakeland, Florida Hotels.

The One Ocean Resort Hotel and Spa

The One Ocean Resort Hotel and Spa is located along the enclave of Atlantic Beach, Fla. The hotel is located within the Town Center shopping district of Atlantic and Neptune Beaches, which feature numerous boutiques, restaurants and bars. Championship golf is just nine miles away, at TPC Sawgrass. At Azurea, guests experience fine dining in an oceanfront restaurant that showcases contemporary coastal cuisine with European, Caribbean and continental flavors. For recreation, an oceanfront pool with accompanying Cabana Bar and veranda are available, as well as an oceanfront fitness room. Business-friendly amenities include 10,000 square feet of meeting space and wireless Internet access throughout the property. The hotel's 193 airy and bright guestrooms are furnished with Mediterranean-inspired décor and private balconies with chaise lounges. Select rooms feature ocean views, while all accommodations offer refrigerators, complimentary wireless Internet access and cable television with premium movie channels.

Florida Seafood Festival November 6 – 7

Featuring oyster shucking, oyster eating, a parade, seafood cooking contest, and much more, the 46th annual Florida Seafood Festival will be held on November 6 – 7. The Florida Seafood Festival is a two day event annually drawing thousands of visitors to the historic town of Apalachicola in scenic Franklin County, which is approximately 80 miles west of the capital city of Tallahassee.

The Festival is held at the mouth of the Apalachicola river under the shady oaks of Apalachicola's Battery Park. The festival features delicious seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, seafood related events, and live musical entertainment. Some of the notable events include the Blue Crab Races, 5k Redfish Run and the Blessing of the Fleet.

For more information and directions, visit floridaseafoodfestival.com.

Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Hotels

The Sea Club Resort is located on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
One-half mile from Beach Place
One-half mile from Las Olas Boulevard
Two miles from The Galleria
Outdoor pool
Complimentary wireless Internet access is public areas
The Deck restaurant and bar
Laptop-compatible, in-room safes for a fee
Coffeemakers and refrigerators
Cable television

Suwannee River

The inspiration for Florida’s state song, the Suwannee River is a 266 mile long, blackwater river that has its headwaters on the Georgia side of the Okefenokee Swamp and cuts across the Florida panhandle in what is known as the “Big Bend” region of the state before emptying out into the Gulf of Mexico near the town of Suwannee.

The Suwannee River Basin takes up all or most of the following counties in North Florida: Hamilton, Columbia, Suwannee, Gilchrist, Union, Bradford, Alachua, Madison, Lafayette, Dixie and Levy. Because the marshland in this region of Florida doesn’t lead directly to a beach, it is not heavily populated, nor is it heavily touristed, yet it is an important part of the state’s history.

The Suwannee River was made famous by the Stephen Foster song, “Old Folks at Home,” which was written in 1851. The first line of the song makes a reference to “Way down upon the Swanee River…” which was misspelled to fit the melody. Foster himself had never seen the river or even visited Florida, but the song was used to promote tourism in the Sunshine State as its popularity grew.

“Old Folks at Home” has been Florida’s official state song since 1935, but has fallen into disfavor and disuse because of the original lyrics’ romanticized portrayal of slavery-era plantation life. Over time the lyrics have been altered to reflect more modern sensibilities. A new Florida state anthem to be placed alongside the state song, “Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)” was selected as part of a statewide contest in 2008.

Quality Beach Resort on Clearwater Beach

Quality Hotel on The Beach is ideally located directly on the beach overlooking Sand Key Park and Clearwater Pass. With a perfect location, outstanding amenities, and great value, the Clearwater Quality Beach Resort has it all. All of our rooms are freshly renovated (January 2008) and feature new bedding & furniture, granite counter tops, porcelain tile, 32" flat panel HDTV's, complimentary in-room safes, free wireless internet throughout the hotel and so much more. All of our resort rooms come fully equipped with a spacious balcony or patio, convenient microwave & mini-fridge, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Guest Laundry facilities are located on-site for your convenience. Enjoy our spacious beachfront heated pool. Relax with a beverage at Tropix Tiki Bar on the beach. Savor our room service, featuring an International House of Pancakes on-site. The Quality Beach Resort is the perfect destination for your next beach vacation!

Parrot Heads meet in Key West Nov. 5 – 8

Jimmy Buffett fans who would like to make a pilgrimage to his adopted hometown of Key West, FL might want to make plans to visit Key West this weekend, as the 18th annual Meeting of the Minds convention for Parrot Heads takes place this Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 5 – 8. The 2009 convention is themed Floridays, after the title of one Buffet’s best known albums.

Buffett, the singer-songwriter who earned his place in pop music history when the Key West themed “Margaritaville” became a national hit in 1978, occasionally stops by for a surprise visit when the Parrot Heads are in town. Members of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band are scheduled to appear, and the entertainment lineup also includes regional and Parrot Head favorites Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band, Jim Morris & The Big Bamboo Band, the Sunny Jim Band and John Frinzi.

Most convention activities are open only to registered members of Parrot Head clubs, but the public is invited to attend the Margaritaville Street Fest, planned for 1-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, adjacent to Margaritaville at Duval and Fleming streets. Street Fest entertainment is to be provided by Livingston and Mile Marker 24, "trop rockers" PHINS and Jerry Diaz and Hanna's Reef.

Key West Wildlife Center

Nature and bird lovers can explore a new aviary, meet rescued birds and discover a unique haven for wildlife at the Key West Wildlife Center, located at the corner of White Street and Atlantic Boulevard. The not-for-profit facility is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of native and migratory wildlife as well as educating the public.

Visitors to the family-friendly center also can take a nature walk through spacious tree-shaded grounds to view tropical plants and butterflies, feed turtles at a pond where wildlife gathers and learn about the resident rescued birds.

All wild birds living in the aviary -- ranging from a great white heron blind in one eye to an American kestral unable to fly after being struck by a car -- have permanent injuries or disabilities that prohibit their release. Displays tell each inhabitant's story to enable readers to expand their knowledge about wild birds and their protection.

The center also houses an ever-changing population of Key West "gypsy" chickens awaiting relocation to a free-range farm in northern Florida.

For more information, call the Key West Wildlife Center at (305) 292-1008.

ARRGH! Pirates to plunder Key West Nov. 28-Dec. 6

The historic seafaring town of Key West is to become a pirate stronghold Saturday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 6, when "brethren of the coast" and lively wenches invade the island for the 10th annual Pirates in Paradise festival.

Pirates in Paradise offers a packed roster of events for children and adults intrigued by the Florida Keys' seafaring history and culture. Highlights include living history encampments, a plank-walking championship, nautical excursions and pirate sails, buccaneer bashes and much more.

Aspiring seafarers can experience sunset pirate cruises on the "pirate vessel" Schooner Wolf, scheduled to depart Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28-29, from Safe Harbour Marina, 6810 Front St. on Stock Island.

The Wolf's sunset sails and themed excursions depart from Key West's Historic Seaport Wednesday through Sunday, Dec. 2-6. Stretching along the harborfront between Elizabeth and Grinnell streets, the colorful seaport was once the heart of the island's maritime industries. Call (305) 296-9694 for reservations.

Pirates and wenches can demonstrate their daring during the fifth annual National Walk the Plank Championships, set for 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. Entrants in this typically hilarious competition are to plunge into the deep from the Schooner Wolf, moored at the foot of William Street in the Historic Seaport. Plank-walkers are judged on their costumed attire, overall style, pleas for mercy and splash.

The festival schedule also features the Official End of America's Hurricane Season Party Monday, Nov. 30. Featuring the symbolic destruction of hurricane warning flags by National Weather Service meteorologists, the event commemorates the day the National Hurricane Center has designated the end of the 2009 Atlantic basin hurricane season.

Festivities are set for 4:30 p.m. beside the U.S.S. Mohawk Coast Guard Cutter. Now a military museum, the Mohawk is docked at Key West's Truman Waterfront beyond the end of Southard Street.

Prior to the party, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham is to be welcomed to its new home port alongside the Mohawk, with the event celebrated by a maritime holiday party aboard the two vessels.

Pirate aficionados can join buccaneers and wenches at the Fort Taylor Pirate Fest Thieves' Market and Historical Encampment, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 3-6, at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

Costumed pirate re-enactors are to recall the Golden Age of Piracy with living history pirate encampments at the Civil War-era fort. Planned attractions include fight circles, treasure, weapons demonstrations, kids' games, entertainment by pirate bands and strolling minstrels, and vendors offering arts, crafts, period clothing and accessories.

Visitors can access the park and fort past the end of Southard Street beyond Truman Annex. A festival day pass is $6 per adult and $4 per child under age 12 with park admission. Call (305) 292-6713 for more information.
The festival schedule also features land battles between pirates and British forces, maritime and pirate museum exhibits, a walking tour of Old Town Key West and piratical parties galore.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, scallywags are to stage the re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, based on official trial transcripts. Spectators can watch the rowdy re-enactment at Key West's Old City Hall, 511 Greene St. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child.

In addition, several swashbuckling soirees are planned to celebrate the 90th birthday of "Queen of Swing" Norma Miller, a longtime friend of the festival, including a dance featuring Lou Ragland and the legendary Ink Spots.

For more information and a complete Pirates in Paradise schedule, visit www.piratesinparadise.com