Recent Stories
Visitors learn Florida history at De Soto
BRADENTON, Fla. – Hundreds of men wearing armor and bearing swords and shields stepped onto the beach of what is now Bradenton, Fla., almost 500 years ago. On May 30, 1539, the conquistador Hernando De Soto arrived in La Florida, a land rumored to hold riches and treasure for theRead More…
Safari airboat ride reveals Glades’ beauty
After my first trip down Calle Ocho and 17 long miles of construction and traffic on a one-way road in the middle of nowhere, I finally arrived at Everglades Safari Park. I was very tempted to just pull over at the first giant sign I saw for “airboat rides” but,Read More…
Ceramic exhibit highlights Biscayne theme
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — As I was walking out of the art exhibit at Biscayne National Park, I heard a voice. “Isn’t that neat stuff?” Laurie Householder, a park volunteer sitting behind the information desk at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, said from across the room to me. She was stillRead More…
Looters damage wrecks on Biscayne floor
Editor’s note: Click here to read our writer’s blog post about her use of social media in the preparation of this story. HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Centuries ago, many Spanish ships passed through Florida’s harsh and shallow waters delivering gold, copper, silver and other cargo. But not all of them madeRead More…
Facebook aids reporting about looting
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — When I began thinking of ideas for my two final stories in Travel Writing, I must admit I had a little trouble. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about, what park I wanted to visit or what route I wanted to take. But, it allRead More…
Kayaker gains respect for bay’s beauty
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — I pulled into the small parking lot at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center on a sunny afternoon here and the first thought I had was that I had to be lost. It seemed, for lack of better phrasing, to be in the middle of nowhere. It didn’tRead More…
Nation’s first wildlife refuge at Pelican Island
SEBASTIAN, Fla. — Looking out from the 18-foot observation tower, visitors can get a clear view of the 5,375 acres that make up the nation’s first national wildlife refuge –Pelican Island. It sits on the Indian River Lagoon, east of A1A near Sebastian. The water is a greenish blue andRead More…
Park’s unique plants, trees enrich visits
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.—-When thinking of a desert, a flat, sandy, hot terrain comes to mind — one spotted with scarce cacti, rattlesnakes and lizards and maybe even a few camels. Though this may be the case for deserts around the world (except for the camel part), Southern California’s Joshua TreeRead More…
Deserted isolation: Both blessing and curse
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — When concrete, nightlife and fast-paced days are what you’re used to, the remote and relaxed atmosphere that defines Joshua Tree National Park and Twentynine Palms, Calif., may come as a bit of a culture shock. What’s more, if you’re used to skyscrapers and, well, pollution, theRead More…
Crime in parks? Mostly minor, officials say
Crime in the national parks? “There is some crime. But, fortunately, there is not much violent or serious crime in the nation’s parks, preserves, and historical sites,” Bill Line, communications officer for the National Capital region, stated. The National Park Service does face challenges in the areas of environmental crimes,Read More…
Unusual Joshua tree often surprises visitors
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – It reminds me of a makeup brush. If you’ve ever seen the L’Oreal brand Telescopic Explosion mascara, you’ll notice it is distinct, unusual and unlike other mascaras in the industry. The brush on this particular product is in the shape of a ball instead of theRead More…
Camping offers full desert experience
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — With so many trails to hike and unusual sights to see, one day in Joshua Tree National Park is not nearly enough. Throughout the vast 794,000-acre park, there are nine different campgrounds, giving visitors the opportunity to get the full California desert experience. “I thought itRead More…