A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-17-03....Florida~The Sunshine State

dansangel

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear, Aquamarine ~

~The "Sunshine State"~

Florida became the 27th state of the Union in 1845.

To me, Florida is the most beautiful and compelling state in the United States. Of course, I'm just a *tad* biased. Although I wasn't born there, I consider myself a Floridian after spending most of my adult life there. After this current (and definitely temporary) leave of absence, I intend to make Florida my home state once again.

The Florida peninsula itself boasts approximately 1200 miles of coastline (source: NOAA). Factoring in the coastal area of all of its islands and keys, this total grows to over 8,000 miles (source: the U.S. DEA). From Jacksonville in the north to Key West at its southernmost tip, Florida is packed with history and rare beauty.

Are you a history buff? Take a trip to St. Augustine. Located in northeast Florida, it is our nation's oldest city. On March 27 1513, Don Juan Ponce de Leon sighted land while sailing towards the "New World" from Spain. He claimed this land for Spain, naming it "La Florida," meaning "Land of Flowers."

In 1564, the French succeeded in establishing a fort on the St. Johns River, threatening the safety of Spain's treasure fleets. In 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived off the coast of Florida. Eleven days after the Feast of St. Augustine (August 28) he founded the city of St. Augustine and set about reclaiming the territory from the French. With the help of a hurricane, he defeated the French, destroyed their fort and fleet and began building the city of St. Augustine.

Today, St. Augustine is a popular tourist spot due to its many museums, its lighthouse and, of course, the oldest house and the oldest schoolhouse in the country. With more than 4 centuries of history to share, St. Augustine is a must-see on any trip to Florida.

Key Deer

The Florida Keys comprise the southernmost portion of the Florida territory. Stretching out over the ocean beginning just south of Homestead, the keys serve as a gateway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. From Key Largo to Key West, all of the keys connected by 113 miles of U.S. Highway 1 boast their own beauty and attractions. Key deer, no larger than a large dog, can be found on Big Pine Key. Swim with tame dolphins off of Islamorada. Or, visit Ernest Hemingway's house in rustic and festive Key West. The sunset viewed from Mallory Dock off of Duval Street is like none other viewed anywhere else in the world.

Florida Everglades

Finally, the Everglades and their own delicate and unique ecosystem is described eloquently by Jeff Ripple as found on the Florida Everglades Website:

"The Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands is a rare and beautiful place. It is one of North America's unsung wild places - a beautiful, rugged, subtropical landscape experienced by a relatively few adventurous souls each year. Many who appreciate the unique qualities of this wilderness will argue that it is a place better kept secret. Perhaps, in my quest for solitude and a deeply personal communion with nature, I might ordinarily agree. But I also feel that it is a resource important not only for its natural heritage and spiritually enriching powers, but for its commercial and recreational values as well."



The peace and serenity in the Everglades is beyond description. Once you venture out, it is difficult to return to civilization. We have a duty to preserve the delicate balance of flora and fauna so that generations to come will benefit from its beauty.

There are many other points of interest in Florida not mentioned here. From the white sands of its pristine beaches to the protected habitats of the Everglades, Florida is definitely one of those places where, once you visit, you may just want to call it "home."

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-15-03 Military Monday 09-16-03 This One's For You T Man

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

God Bless Our Military

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Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.....................nephew ValerieUSA................2 sons Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................activve duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty StarCMC......................brother Atomic Conspiracy...........half-brother Atomic Conspiracy............niece, nephew

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel..................niece dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn...............2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.................son kimmie7...............brother Tiffee4Bob.............boyfriend Explorer89............brother TexKat...........son and stepson

[Billie]

Hi, Russ.

Meg, I echo your sentiments to all of our FReepers and FRiends and loved ones who may be in Isabel's way as she makes her way along the coast. Stay safe!

[Calpernia]

That is a good point. I will make my bleach mixture and spray the rooms this weekend. That should help.

[Billie]

Saying hello to two Finest Ladies. Knew you'd love today's feature, Maggie, and we'd be sure to get some up close and personal info on the sunny state of Florida. :)

[Calpernia]

[FreeTheHostages]

Why, he probably was hoping I'd be eating lunch right around that time and would choke! :-)

ROFL!

[shaggy eel]

,,, how are ya Dansy? I've only been to NYC on the east coast and Dulles airport one time for a couple of hours. I haven't been to any southern States. Florida is on my list though, along with more of the mid west. Things here are busy, so my anchor's down for a while yet.

Hope all is well.

[dutchess]

Hi dansy...sorry I haven't been around today except for one quick hit...Had planned on taking a half a day off today...work thought otherwise...

Alas, I must say adieu again lovely sistahs....must start on John's essay. If all goes well, I'm done in an hour or so (yea right) I'll come back and join the fun! (how's that for optimism???)

[Billie]

Hello to my other lovely sistahs! Sistah Dansy did such a beautiful presentation today on the Sunshine State!

Dutchess, I'm guessing you've been working on John's essay for tomorrow, 'cause I haven't seen you yet today. :)

[Billie]

Hi, welcome to our Finest, and your tagline is so cute!

[deadhead]

Thank you for the tour of Florida. I sure do hope you get to move back there real soon!
I have been to Florida, have visited Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Cocoa Beach, Flagler Beach and St. Augustine. All very beautiful. I love being by the ocean.
When I was in the Keys, my friends son (age 5 at the time) found a beautiful conch shell. He gave it to me and I was so grateful, but thought he should keep it himself. He insisted and many years later it sits in my kitchen.

[Billie]

Hi, Cal - sorry you are catching a cold - this time of the year my allergies usually start acting up, and I sneeze a million times a day, my eyes itch, throat gets scratchy, etc. One of the things I DON'T like about the end of summer and beginning of fall. By October, I'm loving the season. :)

[Billie]

.....two topless bars and they're buiding a Hooters ! :-)

Gosh, that sure makes me want to come visit. LOL!

Hi, JoeSixPack1. :)

[Billie]

I have that beginning of a sore throat feeling. I think I'm getting hay-fever.

Yep, know the feeling. Don't like the feeling. :)

[JoeSixPack1]

Just trying to maintain my badguy image.!

Hi Billie! :-)

[Billie]

That's a really pretty picture you put before us - the bluest water and the whitest sand I've ever seen! So tranquil. Expect any minute to see a Message in a Bottle appear. :)

[Calpernia]

What? Where did my blizzard go???

LadyX! Did you do this? I tried to send a blizzard south and I fear you may have melted it before it reach Florida with your native american chants!

click!

Maggie! That wasn't nice! Keep your pow wow focused on Isabel and let my snow through!

[Billie]

Hi, Julie - loved your post - it's obvious you love Florida, too!

[Calpernia]

You like garlic? Add fresh garlic to your meals. Believe it or not, it really helps with colds.

Click

[Billie]

Hi, Mo - those little umbrella drinks are pretty refreshing and tasty. :)

[Billie]

Oh, what a picture of youth, Julie! LOL! Wolfie's gonna love that one!