CLOCK OUT AND TRAVEL

700-acre reservoir used for boating, canoeing and fishing! If you love to go camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, frisbee golf and/or look for gators, this is the place to go to have fun or relax! This park has something for everyone including your pets to sniff around!  As you enter the park, be sure to ask for any updates on pricing and availability. As of 6/4/2022 the camp sites include a picnic table, fire ring, electricity (30 amps and 14 sites in addition have 50-amp service) and water.  Nice public restrooms with showers, plus a dump station :-) It is first come first serve with the sites. Sites range from 30 feet in length to 60 feet, most between 32-55 feet. Regular rate is $24 per night, 55+ $18 per night and if you are 65+ and a Hillsborough County resident $12 per night.  Pricing includes up to 8 people with 1 RV/Trailer or 2 tents.

  You and your pet can explore the natural wonders at Scott Springs.   2825 SW 24th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471    Stretch your legs on the few winding trails.

Here's a fairly hidden gem near the Tampa suburb of Town and Country- off Double Branch Rd. The park features canoe rentals, a boardwalk and a nature center and garden with plenty of interesting informational displays along it's walking and hiking trails. Our favorite was the trail that led right to the open water of Mobbly Bay and the beautiful view of the water. See the Hillsborough County website for more information at https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/locations/upper-tampa-bay-park

Eureka Springs was a nice surprise!   A park, which was donated to Hillsborough County, Florida in 1967, is a tropical quick getaway for an hour or two just to escape from the city life hustle.   This park is filled with unique beautiful Florida plants. The park is clean with a nice facility to rent for events.    Found between Highway 301 and Sligh Avenue in Eastern Tampa, there is a small fee to enter. A wooden walkway provides a safe and picturesque view of the thick interior swamp.  Take your time and you might glimpse some fine examples of Florida wild life–  anything from squirrels to alligators and butterflies too!    Source:   Hillsborough County Parks Acalypha hispida a.k.a. Chenille Plant Shrimp Plant

  Bring your tent/RV, canoe, fishing pole, horses, pets, and mountain bike!  Great place to have fun with over 40 miles of hiking, horseback and biking trails.  Add caption Alafia State Park is located in Lithia, Florida. Great way to enjoy the outdoors and be one with nature. Alafia State Park is only 30 miles southeast of Tampa, FL on county road 39.

Photograph by Jane Griggs December 13, 2013 A perfect ending to Friday the 13th in Apollo Beach.  Beautiful sunset of Tampa Bay with a faint sighting of Saint Petersburg, FL in the background. Photograph by Jane Griggs December 13, 2013 Apollo Beach has access to the bay and Gulf waters.  Enjoy the Apollo Beach Yacht Club, restaurants such as Circles and the Alpha House.  Circles, where you can enjoy   outside dining with water view.  The "Alpha House" which features Italian food and really good pizza :-) For added fun during the winter months visit the Manatees as they keep warm by the TECO Big Bend Power Plant.

At Indian Shores there is nothing but beautiful sand, water and air. Food and lodging are plentiful along this strip as well. Located between Clearwater and St. Petersburg in Pinellas County.

  Little Manatee River State Park located in Wimauma, FL. Enjoy camping, rent canoes, kayaks and bikes .  Great place to park your RV or Camper and take in the beauty of nature!

Photograph by J.A. Griggs If it was not for my little niece's birthday party, we would not have found this nice little spot in Crystal Beach, Florida. This place is nestled in Palm Harbor. Our location was near Crystal Beach Ave and Pennsylvania Ave.  (No politics here!) Although we missed the sunset, dusk was absolutely beautiful. In the distance you can see Pelican and Honeymoon Island. What a great way to end a long workday for Crystal Beach Residents. I know I would take advantage of it!     Behind park benches and the view of the water, is a nice little park with twisting trees that kids and grown ups alike can enjoy.

Photography by J.A. Griggs   Camping anyone?  Want to "rough" it in the wild?  Lithia Springs Park in Lithia, Florida has over 40 camping spots and 2 bath houses.  If you have an RV, take advantage of the electric and water hook up.   Great camping spots which overlooks the river and experience nature! This park is off the Alafia River, with t he springs for public use. The temperature of the Spring, year round,  is 72 degrees!

This past weekend was a blast at Anna Maria Island, Florida!  :D  This 7 mile stretch of island is a tourist delight!  The island is at the mouth of Tampa Bay just north of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach with a population of around 1800. We toured the island and our first stop was the City Pier, which looked out over the Bay.  You can see in the Distance a lighthouse on Egmont Key as well as Fort Desoto Park in St. Petersburg, FL.  For best viewing of the lighthouse check it out with the “view scope” at the pier. Here at the North City Pier you have the opportunity to fish as well as take a break and enjoy the City Pier restaurant catching a full view of the Skyway Bridge in the distance… You can also take advantage and catch the “FREE” trolley!  Here you can sit back and tour or jump from one beach to the next.  This trolley extends to Coquina Public Beach with several stops in between.   You won’t find a chain o...

Tampa Bay Riverwalk is in downtown Tampa. We started our journey at the midpoint in front of the Tampa Bay Convention Center. Great views of Harbor Island, Tampa General Hospital and the waterway leading to the Hillsborough River or looking out to to the Garrison Channel. If you are staying at the Waterside Marriott Hotel, you can literally walk out their back door and land right on the Riverwalk. If you are staying nearby or attending an event at the Tampa Bay Convention Center take advantage of the venues along the walk and sit back and have some refreshing drinks. How cool is this? You can take the Segway Tours, Streetcar Trolleys, Water Taxi and best of all Jet Ski Rentals!You can also catch up on walking and bicycling tours (bike rentals available too [2019 and now scooter rentals]). A great way to escape the stress of the day! If you like jogging, walking, bicycling or just strolling along to watch the boats the Riverwalk is a great choice.

Little Harbor  (photograph by J.A.Griggs) Clocking out at 5:00pm? Need a little break?  If you live in the Tampa Bay Area, you just might want to check out Little Harbor in Ruskin, Florida. Little Harbor is tucked away from the city of Tampa where you can enjoy a nice dinner or have a relaxing cocktail at the Tiki-bar at Sunset Grill Restaurant and catch the Beautiful Sunset over Tampa Bay. In the distance you can see the city of St. Petersburg, MacDill Air Force Base as well as the skyline of Tampa. If you really want to spoil yourself, take advantage and stay at The Resort Club at Little Harbor.  It is a beautiful resort with lots of amenities.    Enjoy the marina, and  take advantage of Boatworks and rent a watercraft  in the Marina.  My favorite the waverunner :-) ! Little Harbor is located at 611 Destiny Drive, Ruskin, FL 33570

Emerald Coast (photograph by J.A.Griggs)) Driving with two adults and one teenager, the amount of time it takes is roughly 8 hours. Take I-75 to West I-10 cutting South onto Fl 285 following the signs leading to the sweet "Emerald" Coast to Destin. If you are looking for soft, feel good on the feet sandy beaches, beautiful blue waters with a slight surf, then mark this spot top on your list.  Most people think of the Emerald Coast as being Pensacola and Panama City Beach, However Destin is nestled in between Miramar Beach and John Walton Beach. (photograph by J.A.Griggs) Take advantage of the public beaches as well as the beautiful Henderson Beach State Park. Destin, Florida has personality and charm that fits all ages.  There are plenty of restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals too.  Kids always enjoy feeding the alligators at Fudpuckers! (photograph by J.A.Griggs) (photograph by J.A.Griggs) If you decide to go, drop me a line and l...