The Legendary Gasparilla of Tampa Bay

By William E. Males

Avast, ye mateys! It’s that time of year again for Tampa’s annual re-enactment of its famous historic pirate invasion with the Gasparilla Flotilla. For more than a century the festive people of Tampa have been faithfully celebrating this “last of the buccaneers” with a yearly celebration that takes weeks to exhaust the wind from her sails.  Arrrrgh, I tell ya me hearties, it’s a grand time to be a swashbuckling scallywag in these here warm Tampa Bay waters.

By the powers, come this Saturday at 11:30 that thar still- floating, war-waging 165 foot pirate vessel, the Jose Gasparilla, will once again sail up from the south of Hillsboro Bay laying siege upon the shores of Tampa City.

Florida Joins the Union

By William E. Males

Florida has been the lure of many throughout the country as the perfect environment to escape the bitter cold winters and to enjoy year round fun in the sun whether on sea or land. Even though this season we too have experienced some record breaking cold fronts, this southeastern peninsula of the country has long been a virtual paradise for many who have made it their home. Here in the Sunshine State throughout the whole year sports and outdoor activities are aggressively pursued and played hard. Funny thing, we even have Tampa’s very own Tampa Bay Lightning ice hockey team here.

Homossassa Springs Wildlife State Park

By William E. Males

If you’re visiting Florida, or even live here and limiting your weekend getaways to a full tank of gas, Homossassa Springs Wildlife State Park is definitely worth the visit. With fall in the air it’s a great time to visit. With cooling gulf waters, the manatees head back into the spring fed rivers where the temperature stays constant year round. The scenery is absolutely stunning; the park is naturally situated in a beautiful location at the Homossassa spring head and right where Hall’s river connects.

You can start your visit at the main entrance where they have a large lobby full of displays and information. From there take a leisurely pontoon boat ride down Pepper Creek to the wildlife park. Along the river there are many opportunities to see whooping cranes, ospreys nesting, limpkins, herons or egrets wading in the creek. Here on the river and in the park are wood ducks swimming along, turtles sunning on logs and fish and more fish.