Tag Archives: living legends
Mermaids Are Real (we have proof)!
In the crystal clear waters of Weeki Wachee Springs there reside mermaids, seriously. We wouldn’t make up something like this.As a matter of FACT, the Florida State Park Service is a leader in the preservation of these exotic rare creatures.
We were lucky enough to have the chance to observe their graceful antics in a natural habitat and… CONTINUE READING >>
The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs
Fish, turtles and even a manantee join the spectacular spectacle of the… CONTINUE READING >>
60 Years of Marriage: A Gift My Parents Gave Me
This week our family is celebrating a remarkable event, my parent’s sixtieth wedding anniversary. Only an extraordinary mixture of love, trust, faith, hard work, and — yes — luck could have made this event possible.I’m not going to attempt to analyze the inner workings of how a union can not only survive, but thrive over six decades, I am simply going to offer thanks.
More than gratitude for the care and security that I received, although that too often goes unspoken, I want to particularly express how grateful I am for… CONTINUE READING >>
Cowboyin’ Up in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a city fueled by meat, and Mataderos is the barrio, or neighborhood, that traditionally supplied that fuel.To celebrate that tradition and preserve many of the customs of the gauchos, who we would call cowboys, a huge event known as the Feria de Mataderos is held.
Thousands of people come from miles around to enjoy the food, music, crafts, and particularly the feats of skill demonstrated by the gauchos… CONTINUE READING >>
Seen Any Good Movies Lately?
This is not one of our usual topics, but we’re a little discouraged.We’re huge movie buffs and we’re finding it harder and harder to find movies that appeal to us (perhaps another get-off-my-lawn, curmudgeonly sign of aging?).
Our hope with this post is that we can all share… CONTINUE READING >>
Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of the Galápagos
In this strange land of strange animals, none is more iconic than the Galápagos Giant Tortoise.Growing to over six feet long and eight hundred pounds, these are the biggest tortoises on the planet and one of the largest reptiles.
No Galápagos visit would be complete without seeing some of these mammoth reptiles. We weren’t willing… CONTINUE READING >>
Meet Bigfoot’s Florida Cousin!
Skunk Apes are omnivores, with the ability to climb and make beds out of leafy branches, there are an estimated 7 – 9 of them in the Everglades, they like alligator caves, smell like rotten eggs, and they love lima beans. Skunk Apes lead a nomadic, hunter/gatherer existence, have a good memory and exceptional hearing.We had to find one for ourselves, so we headed deep into the Florida Everglades… CONTINUE READING >>
In Search of Skunk Ape
Your GypsyNesters go deep into the Florida Everglades, miles from any signs of civilization, in search of the elusive Skunk Ape and found some … CONTINUE READING >>
Hey Mr. Spaceman!
For many of us the moon landing in July 1969 holds a prominent place in our memories. The scratchy black & white images are burned indelibly into our minds. We were children of The Space Age. We drank Tang, ate Space Food Sticks, watched The Jetsons and dreamed of Jeannie.This made our visit to The John F. Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast as much a trip down memory lane as an exploration of current… CONTINUE READING >>
A NASA Engineer Talks Neil Armstrong & Early Computers
NASA engineer Roy Whitson was ready, willing and able to answer any questions that we could throw at him! He told us how Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, nearly botched… CONTINUE READING >>
Following the Freedom March in Alabama
It was a difficult few days for us as we were forced to confront thoughts and feelings that we would have much rather avoided. We addressed issues that many of us Americans would like to think have been completely resolved. But it seems to us that turning a blind eye is not the solution.The lesson we learned is that the light of day is best, because as much as this is fairly recent history, we were taken aback by how little we knew about the details. In Birmingham, the details are on display – front and center – and in Montgomery… CONTINUE READING >>
Singin’ the Blues Trail in Mississippi
Travel with your GypsyNesters as we roll down the Mississippi Blues Trail! We discover the legend behind Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the Crossroads, stay at the most unique inn we’ve ever seen – made of original sharecropper shacks, eat tamales – yup, there are tamales in The Delta – and BBQ, take on a Donut Tower, visit a REAL juke joint and the King Biscuit Radio Show and learn how The Blues influenced more modern music… CONTINUE READING >>To Dylan or Not to Dylan?
What are the chances? Driving along and there you see a big sign flashing “BOB DYLAN IN CONCERT.” Since I have never seen him and I might not get another chance, I thought I’d be an idiot not to grab this opportunity. He is, after all, truly a living legend.
Veronica wasn’t overly thrilled since she had seen him several times before (her dad is the quintessential old hippy making the annual Dylan pilgrimage). I tried to think of some provocative ways to sell her on the idea of spending a hundred bucks and a couple hours of her life listening to unintelligible… CONTINUE READING >>
The Big Easy Street Theater
Every visitor with a soul develops a soft spot for New Orleans. The charm, history, music, food and mischief that define The Big Easy make it impossible not to be captivated.As we always do, we began the day at Cafe Du Monde. Megadoses of sugar, grease and caffeine — what more could we need to fuel the day’s explorations? Beignets devoured and coffee swilled, we proceeded to take on the town.
Admittedly, some of the French Quarter’s appeal isn’t as … CONTINUE READING >>
Big Elvis in Vegas, Baby!
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We needed a good Elvis, the best Elvis, the biggest Elvis… that could only be Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon. 400 pounds of Elvis, 3 shows a day… CONTINUE READING >>
Massive Redwoods! “Tree model” David!
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Impossible to show how big the Redwoods are on film? Nope! This… CONTINUE READING >>
Ewok-ing Through the Redwood Forest
Timber! For over one hundred years that dreaded cry filled the forests of the northern California coastal region. Redwoods over three hundred feet high and a thousand years old came crashing to the ground at a frightening pace. Over two million acres of these majestic trees were reduced to a few groves.Thankfully the State of California stepped… CONTINUE READING >>
Woodstock Turns the Big 4-0
Woodstock. The name instantly brings to mind a whole era to any of us who were old enough to listen to music when the concert happened. I didn’t go to Woodstock, I saw the movie — at a drive-in, no less – with my brother pretending to be my uncle / guardian because it was rated R for showing muddy hippy-chick boobs… oh, and maybe that part where Country Joe led the crowd in a chant. I may have been too young to get into an R movie forty years ago but I was old enough to know something big… CONTINUE READING >>
No Bald Eagles
The opportunity to see The Eagles fell into our laps the other day. Veronica, a huge fan who had never seen them live, was chomping at the bit. I, however, was skeptical. Having seen The Eagles in their heyday, during the 1976 Hotel California tour, I didn’t want to spoil that memory.
Sure, the stranger on the ferry… CONTINUE READING >>
