Sunshine State of Mind

This week we catch up on what's opening soon and talk about the ever-evolving Covid situation as we start to inch back to normal.  Also, Shannon checks out a trendy Tampa restaurant, and Andy has a close encounter with a manatee. In this Episode:  Brunch at the Oxford Exchange Manatee encounter from the kayak 2021 midyear update Amazon Purchase of the Week: Kwikset Emergency Keys Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

We're back after an unplanned hiatus!  This week we tell you where we've been, and talk about our trip to the Dali Museum in downtown St. Petersburg to see the "Van Gogh Alive" exhibit. In this Episode:  Our 4-week unplanned hiatus caused by home renovation chaos A trip to the Dali Museum to see the "Van Gogh Alive" exhibit https://thedali.org/exhibit/van-gogh-alive/ https://youtu.be/nCWsPY2nHJY Amazon Purchase of the Week: MOCOLY Women's Cargo Hiking Pants Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

We talk about our week off for Spring Break where we visited Silver Springs State Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Pass-a-Grille Beach, and went out for a deep-sea fishing trip on a party boat out of Clearwater Beach. In this Episode:  New DisneyWorld Florida license plate to be released Drive-in movie theater coming to St. Petersburg https://stpeterising.com/home/2021/3/8/drive-in-movie-theater-is-coming-soon-to-st-pete Spring Break discussion Deep-Sea Party Boat fishing https://queenfleet.com Amazon Purchase of the Week: Kamp-Rite Outdoor Camping Tailgating Folding Director's Chair Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

Florida continues to grow, and this winter will probably send even more people to the Sunshine State.  This week we take a look at, and react to US News & World Report's list of the best Florida cities to move to in 2021. In this Episode:  Happiest Florida Cities https://www.winknews.com/2021/03/08/study-says-cape-coral-is-happiest-city-in-florida/ Best Florida cities to move to in 2021 https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live-in-florida Amazon Purchase of the Week: The Southerner's Cookbook Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

This week we went to Spring Hill for a kayaking trip on the Weeki Wachee River and review the experience on this river famous for its crystal clear water and frequent manatee sightings.  Also, a new theme park is on the way, live music returns to Busch Gardens, and a visit to Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park. In this Episode:  Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/cockroach-bay-preserve-state-park Live music returns to Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival A new Peppa Pig theme park is on the way Kayaking at Weeki Wachee State Park https://weekiwacheekayakrental.com Amazon Purchase of the Week: Feline Greenies Pill Pockets How to support the show  Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

This week we checked out the Second Saturday Art Walk in downtown St. Petersburg, a fun monthly event where you can grab a local beer, check out some local art, meet the artists, all while in an easy-going setting.  There are lots of Art Walks all around Florida for you to check too. In this Episode:  2021 Hurricane names Walt Disney World is turning 50 this year. St. Petersburg Art Walk Discussion https://stpeteartsalliance.org/artwalk List of other Florida Art Walks Amazon Purchase of the Week: Desert Reptile Substrate How to support the show  Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

Hey, our hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers just won the Super Bowl!  We'll talk about that for a few minutes before getting back to our normal Florida discussion.  This week we talk about some little-known gems we've never talked about or even heard of, before. In this Episode:  A few Super Bowl thoughts Little known Florida gems we've never talked about before. https://thefloridatravelgirl.com/things-to-do-in-florida Amazon Purchase of the Week: Miracle-Gro Potting Mix How to support the show  Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

Tampa is hosting the Super Bowl in just a couple of weeks, and the hometown Buccaneers are the first team to ever play in the big game on their home turf.  If you're coming to town, a local, or just somebody who might visit one day, we have a big list of outdoor, Covid friendly, things to do around town. In this Episode:  Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the Super Bowl. List of outdoor things around the Tampa Bay area to do. https://tampabaydatenightguide.com/outdoor-activities-in-tampa-bay-before-summer/ Amazon Purchase of the Week: Fluker's Buffet Blend Aquatic Turtle Food How to support the show  Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

This week we take a look at the year ahead and all the best new Florida attractions we except (and hope) to open in 2021.In this Episode:  2021 Florida Attractions Preview https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/space-220/ Amazon Purchase of the Week: 2021 Pooping Pooches Calendar How to support the show  Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

Happy New Year!  This week we got 2021 started by taking our new kayak on it's maiden voyage through the mangrove forests of Weedon Island Preserve.  A great little nature preserves along the shores of Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg.In this Episode:  Our kayaking trip at Weedon Island Preserve near St. Petersburg.http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org The Top Ten Kayak trips in Florida https://floridakayaker.com/best-kayaking-florida Amazon Purchase of the Week: eBook: Revolutionary Mothers Contact Us!  We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!  Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com How to support the show  Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com Shop at Amazon