Florida Spectacular

Cathy Salustri & Rick Kilby
  • 4.6 (18)
  • Places & Travel
  • Weekly

Take a weekly trip across Florida with authors Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby and discover a side of Florida you never knew existed. From the scallops in Panhandle bays to the Hemingway cats in Key West, every week's a Florida adventure.  Get more Florida goodness with greatfloridaroadtrip.com and rickkilby.com.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 281: Monarchs, Mushrooms, and Milkweed (and a Bunch of Other Stuff)

    Send us your Florida questions! Chelsea Folmar, Director of Land Protection, with Conservation Florida, joins the podcast to talk about monarch butterflies.  Links We Mentioned Atala butterflies Florida Spectacular episode about milkweed for monarchs Source for native milkweed More about the coontie palm Florida Mycological Society Chelsea's Top Five Places To See Butterflies in Florida Amelia Island (fall/winter for monarchs) Jonathan Dickinson State Park (summertime/winter) St. George Island State Park (any time of year) Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (summertime) Lyonia (February-April for tarflower)  Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 281: Monarchs, Mushrooms, and Milkweed (and a Bunch of Other Stuff)

  2. Oct 28

    Episode 280: Best Places To Hike in Florida, Hiking Safety, and Alpha-gal

    Send us your Florida questions! Sandra Friend and Chris Stevens, authors of Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State, join the podcast to talk about their favorite Florida hikes, the best places to hike in Florida, and a nasty little tick wreaking havoc on hikers. Links We Mentioned Florida Hikes Green Mountain near Apopka Florida Madcaps Podcast Alpha-gal Sandra's Substack post about Alpha-gal  How to protect your hiking clothes with permetherin  Chris and Sandra's Best Hikes Best place to hike with small children: Orlando Wetlands Best place to hike for people who like to hike out west: Steephead ravines like those found at Goldhead Branch State Park and Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve Best beach hike: St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Best place to hike to view rarely seen wildlife: Lyonia Preserve for scrub jays Best place to hike if you're training to hike the AT for best elevation gain: Jennings State Forest or Teneroc (also hike: Alafaya River State Park)  Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 280: Best Places To Hike in Florida, Hiking Safety, and Alpha-gal

  3. Oct 21

    Episode 279: Why You Should Vote No on Amendment Three

    Send us your Florida questions! Jason Garcia joins the podcast to talk about the real cost of Amendment Three passing. Links We Mentioned Seeking Rents  Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 279: Why You Should Vote No on Amendment Three

  4. Oct 14

    Episode 278: Alligator Alcatraz history, Gators, and Mini-Lights

    Send us your Florida questions! Mark Barrow joins the podcast to talk about his new book, Gator!, available now.  Links We Mentioned Urban Legend of the Mini-Lights Mark's Substack: Wild History Alligator and Alligator Alcatraz Mark's Places To Gator-Watch Safely Myakka River State Park (drive to the bridge) Payne's Prairie State Preserve State Park  Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 278: Alligator Alcatraz history, Gators, and Mini-Lights

  5. Oct 7

    Episode 277: Men Painted Gold, Tom Petty, and Florida College Football

    Send us your Florida questions! Inspired by the cooler weather — well, cooler for Florida! — Rick and Cathy talk about Florida's passionate college football scene.  Links We Mentioned Servant of the Bones by Anne Rice Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fearsome Creatures of Florida University of Tampa football (historic) Rick and Cathy's Top Five Favorite Florida Sports Things Tom Petty played at UF games between 3rd and 4th quarterFSU's partnership with the Seminole Tribe of FloridaUCF Space WeekReitz UnionUSF Tampa architectureHonorary least-favorite Florida college sports thing: New College's Mighty Banyans Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 277: Men Painted Gold, Tom Petty, and Florida College Football

  6. Sep 30

    Episode 276: Voles, Bats, and Florida Adventures

    Send us your Florida questions! Steve Barlow, a former US Fish and Wildlife Services wildlife biologist pilot and co-host Palm and Pine podcast, joins the podcast to talk about one of the least-known Florida critters. Links We Mentioned Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen Florida salt marsh vole Florida bonneted bat Podcast about fossils near Suwannee Steve-Approved Bat House Want a bat house Steve built? Reach out to him at biologistbarlow@gmail.com or buy one here. Support the Palm and Pine on Patreon. Top Places To See Bats and Bat Houses in Florida Micanopy Post Office and ballfields Water Works Park in Tampa Newberry Road, west of Jonesville, at West End Animal Hospital University of Florida bat houses Image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 276: Voles, Bats, and Florida Adventures

  7. Sep 23

    Episode 275: Florida Spectacular: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Most Wanted

    Send us your Florida questions! Ryan Worthington grew up in Florida's State Parks and loves Florida's wild spaces. And he's the subject of an FWC investigation — but no one will tell him why. Links We Mentioned Craig Pittman's reporting on the secret investigation  Ryan Worthington on Instagram Ryan's Top Five Things To Do in and Near Green Cove Springs Ocala National Forest — Salt Springs, Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Glen Springs and othersSpring Park in Green Cove SpringsPayne's Prairie Preserve State Park — Rim Ramble Saturdays at 10 a.m. in cooler monthsBig Talbot Island State ParkSafe Harbor Seafood (Take the ferry)Odd Todd's Tacos in Salt Springs Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 275: Florida Spectacular: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Most Wanted

  8. Sep 16

    Episode 274: Hurricanes, Swamp Buggies, and Miami Stories with Jen Bannan

    Send us your Florida questions! Jen Bannan, author of Tamiami Trail: Miami Stories, joins the podcast to talk about her book, Miami, and the Taimiami Trail. Links We Mentioned Jen Bannan's website Monroe Station Buy Tamiami Trail: Miami Stories Support the podcast! Five Things To Do in Miami that are Less "Miami" Everglades National Park The Pit BBQ Vizcaya La Carreta Calle Ocho Coral Gables Miracle Mile The Biltmore Crandon Park  Support the show Question or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

    Episode 274: Hurricanes, Swamp Buggies, and Miami Stories with Jen Bannan
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4.6
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Take a weekly trip across Florida with authors Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby and discover a side of Florida you never knew existed. From the scallops in Panhandle bays to the Hemingway cats in Key West, every week's a Florida adventure.  Get more Florida goodness with greatfloridaroadtrip.com and rickkilby.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Cathy Salustri & Rick Kilby
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    306
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dreams Float LLC
  • Show Website
    Florida Spectacular

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