Exploring Tampa Florida... and Beyond Ty Whitman

We've got a lot of ground to cover today! We're gonna expand on last month's talk about observation towers in the Tampa area, and answer the question, "were they wrong about their stated heights". We're gonna share some absolutely incredible facts about alligators. We're gonna have a conversation about population growth in the Tampa area with "everyone moving here". Then, we are going to review three, popular biking and hiking trails: The Upper Tampa Bay Trail, The Ream Wilson Trail, and the Oldsmar Trail.

Many people may have heard of the Manatee Viewing Center, but today we are going to talk about The Florida Conservation and Technology Center, a new co-op between Tampa Electric, The Florida Aquarium, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the University of Florida, which includes the Manatee Viewing Center.  They are doing a lot of awesome things there.  It's fun! It's educational. They've got some great hiking trails.  They've got an awesome observation tower… and it's all free!  Also included... No winter in Tampa; Where's the beef; Everyone needs a woman like this; Tampa Bay's best observation towers; Parking HERE would be nice, and Am I trespassing again?

Today we are going to have some fun in the St. Petersburg area.  We will go hiking and kayaking at Weedon Island Preserve.  We will visit Sunken Gardens and compare it with the Florida Botanical Garden.  We will investigate some St. Pete Beach history by visiting the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum and the  St. Petersburg Museum of History.  We will have an awesome pizza on the pier at Spa Beach Bistro.  We will be refused entry to both The Museum of Fine Arts and the Salvador Dali Museum, but we will  bounce back quickly and check out the many awesome amenities at Vinoy Park and Elva Rouse Park. 

Today we are bringing Luke Rorech on the show to talk about St. Petersburg.  Luke is a realtor who was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area, and whose office is located in St. Petersburg. We’re gonna talk about what makes it such a special place to live, and the best neighborhoods to buy in.  We’re gonna talk about some of the best places to stay on vacation, as well as some attractions you can’t miss.  We are even gonna talk about some of the best, little-known dives. Whether you are a vacationer, a local, or someone considering buying here, this episode will have something for you to love.

The title pretty much says it all.  Today we are going to briefly talk about some things going on in my life since the last episode. Then we will discuss adventures at the Brooker Creek Preserve, Florida Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, and a glorious evening walking down Clearwater Beach. Also included: I think they REALLY mean "no dogs", the impossible tour to follow, I need a destination, don't eat the fruit, overdressed, "You're sick? Get away from me! ...400 miles away!", and embrace the tourist in you.

I've lived in the Tampa Bay area for a year now and I think it's an awesome place. I'm really happy that I moved here. However, just as anywhere does, it has it's flaws. Although they may not be a deal breaker for me, they definitely could be for someone else. So, in the interest of giving anyone thinking about moving here a well rounded opinion, today we are going to cover my top eleven reasons why someone should NOT move to the Tampa Bay area.