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.

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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

[dansangel]

[dansangel]

Come join us in some Florida Sunshine Fun!

[.45MAN]

Ha! Welcome to Florida! See what I have to put up with, Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida,Florida, All the time.......

[Long Cut]

Florida BUMP!

I've spent the happiest years of my life there. Here's hoping my current assignment to Iceland, by way of Maine, is a limited, if chilly one.

To Mrs. Cut: Hope you're enjoying the sun, Sweetheart. I'll be back as soon as I can, give the baby a hug and a kiss for me!

[dansangel]

Thpthpthpthpthpthp!!!

I *love* you, anyway....

:-)

[dansangel]

Wow, (((((((Long Cut)))))) and (((((Mrs. Cut))))))

Talk about two extremes! Take care and I hope that you and Mrs. Cut will be reunited soon!

[Long Cut]

Thanks, Angel. I've got five more months here to go, and then possibly a two week leave in Florida. Then I have to be a "weekend daddy" for the next few years. I couldn't get an assignment in Florida, So Mrs. Cut decided to maintain our houshold there.

If it becomes too difficult, she'll move to Maine, but we wanted to give our son a stable place to grow up. We love where we live.

We took our honeymoon in the Keys, and we love to take weekends in Daytona.

[dansangel]

I miss FL so much I can't stand it, so I know what you mean. .45MAN and I have been trying to find employment there for the past 6 months with no luck. We left 5 years ago because of the economy - now I wish we had tried to ride it out since it is so difficult to return.

Best of luck to you and your family. It must be so hard on all of you, but it sounds as though you have a plan and a strong commitment to one another, so it will work. May God bless you all abundantly!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Angel.

[Long Cut]

God blessed me the day I met Mrs. Cut. Thanks for the wishes!

Ever spent any time down St. Augustine way? Beautiful beaches, great food and fun, and wholly conservative. My favorite part of Florida is that streetch of A1A along between Jax and Daytona.

Mrs. Cut and I loved driving that stretch, T-roof open, just smelling the sea and soaking up the sun. If there's one place I'd love to retire to, that's it.

Of course, I have yet to explore Florida's Western coast. Has anyone any gouge about what's good out there?

[dansangel]

(((((((Aeronaut)))))))))

Happy Humpday! Have a safe and blessed day.

[Long Cut]

Another good Florida story: about two years ago, Mrs. Cut and myself decided to do something special for the Summer Solstice, so we took an oceanfront room at the Daytona Hilton. We watched the Sun come up over the water, then hopped in the car.

After a wonderful drive, in which we dropped in on friends, and enjoyed the scenery and attractions, we checked into the Key West Hilton, and, drinks in hand, watched the Sunset, again over the water. We spent the weekend there, and brought back many memories of good times in Margaritaville.

The ability to do things like that is one of the things that makes me love Florida so.

[.45MAN]

Well I guess it's not so bad......

[dansangel]

Have been to St. Augustine 2ce - it is definitely beautiful up that way. Clearwater Beach and Tarpon Springs are two of my favorite gulf coast spots. Best Greek Food in the world in Tarpon Springs as this is where the Greek sponge divers and shrimpers have settled.

.45MAN and I lived in Sebastian - population 15,000 - nestled in between Vero Beach and Melbourne on the east coast. 30 minutes north to Cocoa Beach and a little further to Cape Canaveral. A1A is a beautiful ride no matter where you are in FL. In Palm Beach County, it gives you the best views of the oceanfront mansions. Further north, where the beach is protected, you can just pull off the road, walk through the scrub palms and sea grape plants and go swimming.

Sounds like we are both homesick!

Got to get ready for w-o-r-k (ugh!) - will check back in later.

[.45MAN]

Ya, I guess I could stand it......

[dansangel]

The ability to do things like that is one of the things that makes me love Florida so.

What a great story. I've been down the keys three times - it is, by far, the most beautiful ride. From the moment you go over the Card Sound Bridge until you reach Key West, God's work is evident all around.

I'll check back in later as time permits!

[dansangel]

Thank you for the two beautiful reminders of Sebastian.

"Will Work For Florida Residency" - LOL!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Wednesday !!

[.45MAN]

By the way this tranquil picture of the Sebastian inlet is deceiving.
This is the most dangerous inlet in Florida. I have seen boats go down right where that boat is in the picture, the speed of the tide comming in or out is tremendous..

[GailA]

Morning Dansy, DK's uncle is in FL and we went to visit him a couple of years ago. Down near Ft Walton Beach area. Beautiful country.

Coffee's on