http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/florida/ Sat, 19 May 2012 19:11:46 +0000 43200 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/florida/west-palm-beach-fl-reviewed-by-sharon-watson-r37 In my travels across the USA I have seen many pretty places, but West Palm Beach is one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen! Travel across the USA and see for yourself.

Not only is it beautiful, but it also offers a lot of culture. A visit to the Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art will verify that. This art museum offers several rotating exhibits of art annually. There are 6,400 square feet of exhibition space filled with national as well as international artists works. I am quite the fan of art, since I can't quite write my own name legibly. I was fascinated by all the wondrous works of art on display there. A feast for the eyes! My travel across the USA has given me such great art museums to see, and this is one of the best. Travel across the USA and see if you don't agree with me.

On my visit here I really enjoyed playing a round of golf at the West Palm Beach Golf Course. On my travels across the USA I always enjoy visiting the various golf courses, seeing how challenging each of them are. This golf course did not disappoint, this 18 hole par 72 championship designed course gave me a run for my money! Elevated greens, and large variety of shade trees puts it in a league all it's own. Travel across the USA and my experience with other formidable golf courses, did not prepare me for the challenge.

West Palm Beach has a great zoo, and should be placed high on your list of places to see. It contains over 400 animals from Asia, Central and South America, Australia as well as Florida. What would travel across the USA be without a trip to the zoo. Several endangered species can be found here, you can see such species as the Bengal Tiger, Komodo Dragons, Jaguars, and the Florida Panther. A wonderful afternoon can be found at the zoo, I know I always enjoy one in my travels across the USA.]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:19:40 +0000 3988c7f88ebcb58c6ce932b957b6f332 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/florida/visit-beautiful-boca-raton-r36
Try Padrino's a little Cuban restaurant the black beans and rice are delicious, full of Cuban spices, a real treat. Seafood is one of my weaknesses, in my travel across the USA I have not found a better place for seafood than the Kee Grill. Once inside you will feel like you are on a tropical get-away, the restaurant is tastefully decorated to give that effect. My personal favorites are the crab cakes or the soy and sesame glazed swordfish, you can't go wrong with either. Restaurants are one of my favorite places to visit on my travel across the USA. You get a real feel for the area through their food offerings. Travel the USA and see for yourself or rather taste for yourself.

Another treat I found on my travel across the USA was the Loxahatchee Everglades Tours that I took. Words nor pictures can aptly describe all the natural beauty of the Everglades. You may think you have seen it through pictures, the movies, or someone's vacation slides, but I am telling you until you have seen for yourself you have not seen it. And have no idea of all the glorious wildlife, trees, and plants that await you there. Alligators lurking around the outer edges waiting for a bite to eat to arrive. The majestic water oak trees, hundreds of years old, the various lush green vegetation growing everywhere, and the stately looking Spanish moss draped over tree limbs. The tour is worth your time and effort, the air boats are exciting to ride on. On all you travel across the USA you will not see anything remotely like the Everglades. Travel the USA and see the Everglades.

For the sports enthusiast a trip to Sports Immortals Museum & Memorabilia Mart is in order Travel the USA and you will not find a more varied collection of sports memorabilia. Over one million pieces of memorabilia are on display there that once belonged to some of the world's most famous athletes. I have never found another such Museum in my travel across the USA. You will find World Series pins, racing helmets, autographed baseballs, and sports equipment used by the best. This country has so much for everyone to see, but make it a point to stop here on your travel across the USA.]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:16:51 +0000 42a0e188f5033bc65bf8d78622277c4e http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/florida/silver-springs-florida-the-largest-artesian-spring-on-earth-r35
As soon as we entered the Park, the boys spotted the glass bottom boats. The tour is fantastic and so we boarded. Our captain was a well mannered grandfatherly type who answered the boys’ questions with a smile and genuine interest. We visited the seven major springs of the area and saw a diverse variety of water creatures and plants. We had purchased food for the boys to feed the fish and they had a delightful time feeding a large turtle that followed the boat in hopes of snapping up all of the food before the fish could get it.

At the Fish Reception Hall, we saw clams, shrimp and crawfish. The captain drew the kids’ attention to a young alligator that was basking in the sun beside a log with a larger specimen of his species.

The boys enjoyed seeing the large calcium deposits that gives Silver Springs its name through the glass bottom boats. They loved watching all kinds of water creatures swim and skitter through the crystal clear water. The captain explained to them that this view of Silver Springs is much the same view they would experience if they donned scuba gear and explored the Springs from beneath the water’s surface. They were especially interested in the underwater caves.

Everyone enjoyed the Fort King River Cruise, which we took next. Our tour guide was a very nice lady who explained all about the Fort King Army stockade. We were able to see an authentic “Cracker” pioneer homestead with wash hanging on the line, an outhouse behind the cabin and various tools that were used when the homestead was in use. The boys had heard stories of the hardships that pioneers experienced and took in all that they saw.

The youngest boy would like to become an archaeologist, so he was especially interested in the dig site of the Seminole Indian Village. In fact, we all enjoyed learning about this historical site from a very friendly interpreter.

On the Lost River Voyage, we were transported back in time to a Florida of a thousand years ago. Giant cypress trees towered over the water and the tour guide explained that some are more than five hundred years old. We saw a blue heron nest, a variety of alligators and water birds and watched a hawk ride the wind currents looking for lunch; a variety of other wildlife kept the boys busy discovering the beauty of nature. They especially enjoyed the alligators and turtles.

The animal exhibits were exquisite. The Panther Prowl was enjoyed by all, as were the Kodiak and black bears. We watched a pair of black bear twins tumble, roll and swat in a game of roughhousing. The boys also enjoyed the Kritter Koral. A carousel with forty endangered animals in place of horses was a delight to the kids. The oldest boy chose a silverback gorilla and the younger one chose to ride on a cheetah.

Then it was off to hand feed the giraffes. The boys enjoyed this activity and learned that when giraffes eat, their tongues curl. Ross Allen Island was also a lot of fun. We saw otters, reptiles, spiders and turtles. Big Gator Lagoon was another great hit with the kids. They stood on the boardwalk and gazed in wonder at a sixteen foot alligator that the Park staff calls Sobek, after an Egyptian god that was half alligator, half human.

Other spectacular sights at Silver Springs included the Fantastic Fountain Show where spigots of water dance to beautiful music and laser light turns the water every hue of the rainbow, as well as the Birds of Prey Show and the Birds of the Rainforest Show.

If you are in the vicinity of Ocala, Florida, be sure to visit the natural wonder, Silver Springs. It’s a great way to spend a day of fun and learning with the entire family.

Silver Springs, which is located in Winter Haven, Florida, is the largest artesian spring on Earth. The natural beauty of the Springs surrounds the headwaters of the Silver River. The sights, sounds and fragrances within the Park will leave you breathless.]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:14:00 +0000 7f1de29e6da19d22b51c68001e7e0e54