Florida Spectacular

"The rules are different here." Florida attracts all kinds, but often not the right types of people. This week Rick and Cathy talk about some notorious Florida men, starting with the earliest exploration narratives to more contemporary gentlemen (and they use that term loosely.) Links We Mentioned Governor Claude Kirk Governor Sidney Catts The biggest con man in Florida: Gregor MacGregor Jean Jacques LeMoyne (more plates here) Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues and Theodor de Bry's Images of Florida Indians Murph the Surf “Florida Man,” explained article by Kristen Arnett Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Bird is the word on today's episode of The Florida Spectacular! Hurricane Idalia brought more than storm surge to Florida — for the first time in a long time, flamingos stroll along our beaches. Although many people (including Cathy!) didn't realize this, flamingos are, indeed, Florida natives — or so says the FWC. Photo credit Beth Forys, for The Gabber Newspaper. Places to Bird in Florida Archbold Biological Station, Ding Darling, Disney Wilderness Preserve, Everglades National Park, Fort De Soto (Pinellas County on Tampa Bay), Lyonia Preserve, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Oscar Scherer State Park, Payne's Prairie Preserve State Park, Sweetwater Wetlands Park Links We Mentioned Atlas Obscura: "The Centuries-Old Mystery of How Florida Got Its Flamingos" Birdwatcher, or you want to be? Check out the Great Florida Birding Trail. Learning the Birds by Susan Fox Rogers Vultures strip mining cars in Everglades National Park Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

With Jimmy Buffett's death still sending waves of sadness through his immense fan community, Rick and Cathy turn to talk of Florida's music scene. Although Buffett wasn't a native Floridian, he spent his fair share of time in the Sunshine State — but he's far from the only great musician to make beautiful music in Florida. Join them as they talk about Tom Petty, Gamble Rogers, and other storied Florida musicians. Links We Mentioned Florida Folk Festival Southern Accents by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from the Runnin' Down A Dream documentary. Gamble Rogers: The Black Label Blues Tom Petty: Among The Wildflowers exhibit at the Cade Museum in Gainesville Tom Petty: Somewhere You Feel Free: the Making of Wildflowers documentary, 2021 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream documentary Return to Forever: Gainesville’s Great Southern Music Hall exhibit at the Matheson History Museum in Gainesville Figurehead: Music & Mayhem In Orlando’s Underground exhibition at the Orange County Regional History Center Gamble Rogers: A Troubadour's Life, by Bruce Horovitz Music Everywhere: The Rock and Roll Roots of a Southern Town, by Marty Jourard Play All Night! Duane Allman and the Journey To Fillmore East, by Bob Beatty Good Day Sunshine State: How the Beatles Rocked Florida By Bob Kealing Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

This week, Rick and Cathy welcome Joy Wallace Dickinson to talk about Florida's film history. From the silent film era, to the definitive film on aging gracefully (Cocoon), to more modern films, this episode's a walk down Florida's celluloid history. Find Joy’s old Florida mystery, Secrets of the Flamingo Cafe, on Amazon. Links We Mentioned Dave Barry's Big Trouble Why you can't watch Cocoon anywhere. Jacksonville’s Norman Studios Bouncing Baby, a 1916 silent comedy, that was filmed in Jacksonville and stars a young Oliver Hardy. A Florida Enchantment, 1914 silent comedy filmed partly in St. Augustine. Florida filmmaker Victor Munez Gal Young Un on Prime Elvis Presley’s Follow That Dream Ruby in Paradise on Prime starring Ashley Judd Trailer for Ulee’s Gold Theatrical trailer of Sunshine State by John Sayles 1981 trailer for Body Heat with Kathleen Turner and William Hurt 1948’s Key Largo (mostly not filmed in Florida) Trailer for Parenthood (1989) – much of which was filmed in Orlando Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

There's no denying Florida's dealing with its hottest summer in... well, as long as we've measured such things. It's tempting to feel like individuals cannot make a difference, but that's not the case. This week's episode goes over simple things everyone can do to help cool Florida — and the planet. Links we mentioned The Plastic Project FDEP's letter to the EPA Diane Roberts' brilliant opinion piece from the Florida Phoenix Map of Wakulla cave system (largest on the planet) Proposed 16-pump gas station above aforementioned cave system fails Florida Springs Council Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Florida education's making national news. This week, Cathy and Rick take a walk down memory lane to their own first days of school. They also talk about Florida school integration — which happened not that long ago — and how that created a ripple effect that still impacts where elementary school students attend school. Finally, they debate the merits of sending a child to a public Florida school knowing the state has revisionist history curriculum mandates. Links we mentioned School integration in Florida Florida school choice A fantastic history teacher from a Florida public school (read the comments under his obituary) Why Governor Ron DeSantis is a modern-day Claude Kirk (no, seriously) Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Ever heard the phrase, "you have to go north to get South"? That's not untrue. People often ask whether Florida is part of the South. The short answer: It's complicated. Yes... and no. Rick and Cathy talk about why that is, what they love about the South, and why it's such a complicated answer. Links We Mentioned Garden & Gun Magazine Burden of Southern History by C. Vann Woodward "Is Florida Part of the South?" Southern Storytellers on PBS The Liberal Rednecks and the Liberal Redneck Manifesto Our Favorite Southern Towns in Florida Welaka (To see: Welaka Fish Hatchery and Aquarium) Two-Egg History of the name Two-Egg Stump Jumper Cross Creek The Yearling Restaurant Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park Wood and Swink General Store Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

With unprecedented temps scorching the country, Florida may not seem like the place where you can stay cool in the summertime, but Cathy and Rick share how they stay cool, where they go, and what they do that make summertime in Florida delightful. Links We Mentioned North Florida Dry Air Caves at Florida Caverns State Park Apalachicola Chocolate & Coffee Company Up the Creek Raw Bar Boss Oyster — closed Kelly Park at Rock Springs John Gorrie Museum (He invented air conditioning!) Northeast Florida Flagler College Tour (formerly Ponce de Leon Hotel, built and owned by Henry Flagler) Lightner Museum Government House Museum Springs Park (Green Cove Springs) Lincolnville Museum Meehan Irish Pub Central Florida Orange County Regional History Center Orlando Science Center Blue Bamboo Arts Timucua Arts Foundation Disney Springs Boathouse (eat!) Drawn to Life (watch!) House of Blues (art! blues! food!) Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar (Indiana Jones, tacos, and the Fountain of Youth!) Rick's piece about Disney Springs Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

This week, fellow Florida-phile Craig Pittman joins Rick and Cathy to talk about Florida's most current "it" exotic invasive: the Burmese python. As usual, the podcast slithers all over the place, so expect some talk about frogs and iguanas, too. More about Craig Craig Pittman is a native Floridian, an author, podcaster and an award-winning reporter. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him "the most destructive force on campus." After 31 years at the Tampa Bay Times, he now writes a weekly column on environmental issues for the Florida Phoenix and is co-host of the popular podcast "Welcome to Florida." He's the author of six non-fiction books about Florida, including the New York Times bestseller Oh, Florida: How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country. His most recent one, published in 2021, is The State You're In: Florida Men, Florida Women, and Other Wildlife. Check out Craig's podcast (after you listen to ours, of course!) — especially his podcast about pythons and python hunting! Links we mentioned Some writing on the "Ladies of the 'Glades" More about whether the python hunt works Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Whether you want to know about Florida travel, history, gardening, or food, Rick and Cathy have a short list of websites you should bookmark and use to make life in Florida even better. Links We Mentioned Authentic Florida Visit Florida Florida Memory Pinellas Memory Water Atlas Palmm collections IFAS/ Extension Fresh From Florida Florida: A History in Pictures Just for fun, or if you're in the Santa Fe area Rum138 Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Cathy and Rick discuss their beloved Florida books — along with some they can do without. No matter what you love to read, there's something on this list for every Florida-phile. Books We Suggest Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer The Mango Opera by Tom Corcoran The Travis McGee Series by John D. MacDonald Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth by Kristen Arnett Sinkhole, by Davida Breier Florida by Lauren Groff (check out this podcast with her as a guest) The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files by Brad Bertelli Hoot by Carl Hiaasen Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Sunshine State by Sarah Gerard Lay That Trumpet In Our Hands Susan Carol McCarthy Islands of Cedars by Shana Smith Lost in the Everglades by Lucy Salamanca (Also: Lost in the Everglades by Carolyn Keene) Key West Food Critic Lucy Burdette Secrets in the Shadows and Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

After more than 100 episodes, Rick and Cathy talk about what the podcast is — and what it isn't. Links We Think You'll Like Facebook page for Rick’s books Florida nostalgia Facebook page More Florida nostalgia Rick’s blog The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, by Michael Grunwald Image credit: Rick Kilby Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Florida's home to some truly horrible B movies. B movies so bad, they're amazing. Rick and Cathy take a road trip around the state, using some of the best of the worst films made in Florida as a guide. St. Cloud: 2,000 Maniacs Right next door to tourist-swollen Kissimmee, you'll find St. Cloud, where this delightfully bad film was made in 15 days. Stop by St. Cloud, an area with some fascinating history, and don't forget to eat at The Catfish Place. Watch the trailer. Green Cove Springs: ZAAT Take one mad scientist, a catfish, and a human, and what do you get? ZAAT. Filmed in Green Cove Springs, a small town on the St. Johns River. Watch the trailer. Marianna Florida: Sharkansas Women's Prison's Massacre Don't be fooled by the name — This film is all Florida. Check out the scenes filmed at the caves at Florida Caverns State Park. A Jim Wynorski classic. Watch the trailer. Everglades City: Devil Fish (Monster Shark) A visit to Everglades City isn't complete without an airboat ride and a look inside the lobby at the Everglades Rod & Gun Club. Check out Joannie's Blue Crab down the street. Watch the trailer. Orlando: Miami Connection Watch the trailer Santa Rosa Beach & DeFuniak Springs: Frogs Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Pythons. Iguanas. Brazilian peppers. Florida's overflowing with tales of exotic invasives threatening paradise. But... not all exotic invasives are created equal. Join Rick and Cathy for a short foray into some of their favorite exotic invasives, which ones they wish would leave the state forever, and which ones are — believe it or not — the tastiest. Meet the python hunters of the 'Glades Watch Guardians of the Glades Curious how python hunting works? The last half of this video has a simulated capture that almost went sideways. Ethics and Maximum Good Water Hyacinth Combating Invasive Species in Florida Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com. Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

This week, Rick and Cathy welcome Elizabeth Herryman Lasley, host of Keys Traveler podcast, as they talk about the things that make the Florida Keys special. (Find the Florida Keys podcast at the official Florida Keys website (they also have a newsletter, just in case you can't get enough of the Florida Keys.) The trio starts the podcast with a pair of key deer wandering past Cathy, and from there they talk about the Turtle Hospital, Hemingway cats, and the best way to get to the Florida Keys. Links We Mentioned Florida Keys Wild Bird Center Where to Eat Lionfish San Carlos Institute Indian Key State Park Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com. Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Looking for a great weekend getaway, or something new to do in Central Florida? Rick and Cathy have some great places to see, things to do, and restaurants to try in Mount Dora. The small city's famous not only for its antiques; the downtown painted itself pink for a movie (which starred a waterskiing elephant and some fantastic Hollywood talent). Also, Pat Frank set his apocalyptic novel, Alas Babylon, in Mount Dora. Here's where to go to see Mount Dora like an insider. Links We Mentioned Honky Tonk Freeway Alas, Babylon Things to Do Mount Dora Sailing Regatta Mount Dora special events calendar Mount Dora Bicycle Festival Antiques Rennigers Places to Eat 1921 Pisces Rising Goblin Market Hotel Lakeside Inn Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

This week, inspired by Cathy's recent travels to central Florida, Rick and Cathy talk about places they love in Lake County, some of the more surprising aspects of Lake County history, and why, even in the middle of The Villages, you can find hidden scraps of natural Florida. Helpful Links and Links We Mentioned Visit Lake County travel website Authentic Florida's Things to Do in Clermont Citrus Tower (also has a Facebook page) Lake Louisa State Park Ferndale Howey Mansion Official and RIck's blog about it Fenney Springs at The Villages Alexander Springs Harris Chain of Lakes History of Lake Apopka Lake Griffin State Park Green Isle Gardens Annie Oakley in Lake County Devil in the Grove Redwing Restaurant Things to Do in Astor Drifter's Riverfront Restaurant Paisley Disney's parents first couple wed in Lake County Yalaha Bakery Seaplane Rides Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Join Cathy and Rick as they venture through Ocala, making virtual stops at their favorite restaurants, natural areas, and roadside attractions. Along the way, discover (or re-discover) a central Florida Elvis movie, learn about the "wild west" in Florida, and find out which one of the podcast hosts is kin to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Links We Mentioned Appleton Museum Barberville Produce Carney Island Recreation Area Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott's "Welcome to Florida" podcast Florida Trust for Historic Preservation/ Preservation on Main Street Follow That Dream Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop Harriet Beecher Stowe's Palmetto Leaves La Cuisine French Restaurant Lorito's Italian Kitchen The Ma Barker House (Florida's first dumb criminals—who, of course, were not from Florida) Marion Theater Old Crow BBQ Ray’s Wayside Park Silver River Museum Silver Springs Silver Spring Camping Six-Gun Territory weekend Sonny's BBQ started in Gainesville Sun Plaza Motel Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com. Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

Rick and Cathy welcome Melanie Lentz-Janney, of Authentic Florida fame, to the podcast. They spend the episode talking about some of their favorite Florida kitsch, the difference between Florida collectibles and Disneyana, and their favorite Florida roadside attractions. Links we mentioned Authentic Florida Presidents Hall of Fame (Clermont) Sarasota Jungle Gardens Boyett's Citrus Attraction (and Authentic Florida's day trip there) Signup link for Authentic Florida newsletter or follow Authentic Florida on Facebook Tupperware Museum Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com. Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).

This week "The Florida Spectacular" welcomes back Keys historian Brad Bertelli. Brad talks about some little-known Keys history (including a deserted island), but then he talks about where the locals eat in the Florida Keys. To wrap it all up, he talks about some of what he thinks are the most special places in the Keys (hint: get in or on the water!) Headed to the Keys soon? Stop by Robbie's Marina and have Brad mix up a rumrunner for you! Links We Mentioned Visit Indian Key (rent a kayak at Robbies if you don't have one of your own) Brad's Facebook group k Square Grouper (Brad says try the peanut butter dessert Try the conch salad at Geiger Key Marina Keys Fisheries in Key Largo MM100 El Siboney on Stock Island All Florida state parks here are amazing, but Brad suggests Dagny Johnson, and Windley Key; Cathy loves Bahia Honda and Long Key. Support the showWant more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy Twitter and Instagram: @CathySalustri Have a Florida question or comment? Love the show? Hate it? Let us know – email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/, and make sure to bookmark Old Florida with Rick Kilby (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/) and read through the archives. Connect with Rick on social media: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and Instagram (@ricklebee).