Melissa asked:


Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

Learn about the culture of the unconquered Seminole Indians. Located on a 60-acre cypress hammock, more than one mile of boardwalk nature trails winds through ceremonial grounds and a living village.

Located 17 miles north of 1-75, exit 14. Big Cypress

Amelia Earhart Park

Explore 515 acres, including a freshwater lake, photo above, and the Bill Graham Farm Village (open 9a. m. to 4 p. m.), complete with a petting zoo and weekend pony and hayrides. The park also features Tom Sawyer’s Play Island, picnic pavilions, and bike and paddkboat rentals.

401 E. 65th St., Hialeah

Art Center - South Florida

Art Center provides work and exhibition space for more than 81 visual artists through its juried artists program. Art Studies in various media and artistic levels are available for all ages.

Galleries and studios are free to the public.

At 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road Miami Beach.

Art Deco District

Eight hundred classic buildings, photo above, from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s make up this historic area. Walking tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive) every Thursday and Saturday. Miami Beach (305) 672-2014.

Biscayne National Underwater Park

With 181.000 acres of marine habitat, the park offers prime sightseeing for snorkelers and divers, and glass-bottom boat rides. Fast end of SW 328th St., nine miles east of Homestead (305) 230-1100.

Butterfly World

Three acres of tropical gardens, photo below, house thousands of live, brilliantly colored butterflies. The natural habitat also includes a hummingbird aviary suspension bridge and museum. 3600 W Sample Road, Coconut Creek (954) 977-4400.

Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux

Dating from 1141 and exemplifying early Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the church was brought to America by William Randolph Hearst in 1925.

It remained in crates until 1952 when it was erected in North Miami Beach. 16711 W Dixie Hwy, N. Miami Beach (305) 945-1461

Coconut Grove

This trendy and sparkling area, photo below, is full of galleries, theaters, night- clubs, fine restaurants. CocoWalk and Mayfair Shops. Beautiful Peacock Park and Kenneth Myers Park are along the waterfront. Very romantic place.

On Biscayne Bay bounded by S. Dixie Hwy. (Hwy, 1), S. Bayshore Drive and Douglas Road Coconut Grove.

Coral Castle

This architectural curiosity of coral rock, built by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951, is a national historic site. Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 28655 S.

Dixie Hwy. Homestead

Coral Gables

Founded in the 1920s, Coral Gables features plazas, fountains. Roman-style arches and Cuban tile blended with lush foliage. The turreted Colonnade, Coral Gables Playhouse, University of Miami, exceptional dining, theaters and public golf courses make this a choice destination.

Bounded by Biccayne Bay Sunset Drive, Old Cutler Road Ponce de Leon and Red Road

Deering Estate at Cutler

Take a guided tour of more than 420 acres, including endangered natural areas and archaeological sites, with recreation facilities and a view of Biscaync Bay. The estate also boasts the historic Richmond Cottage, portions of which date back to 1896, and the Mediterranean Revival winter home of industrialist Charles Deering, completed in 1923.

Open daily from 10a. m. to 5 p. m. 16701 SW 72nd Ave. Miami

Everglades Alligator Farm

Airboat tours and shows featuring alligators, snakes and other wildlife educate visitors on the native land and species.

Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 40351 SW 192nd Ave

Everglades National Park

Covering 1.5 million acres of land and water, this habitat of tree islands, mangroves, coastal prairies and subtropical hammocks is fed by a 200-mile- long, 50-mile-wide river. Many native and endangered species call it home.

Fairchild Tropical Garden

This 83-acre paradise of tropical plants offers tram tours, miles of paths, a conservatory and museum. Open year round, 9:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables.

Flamingo Gardens

Everglades and wildlife adventures begin with a tour through botanical gardens featuring a 200- year-old live oak hammock and some of Florida’s largest champion trees. From a 1-1/2 - mile tram ride, view Everglades, rain forests and citrus groves, with flamingos, alligators, river otters and birds of prey.

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Russell

richard zook asked:


Over the past several years, outdoor living has become a huge part of our lifestyles. In fact, it is so prominent, that people are bringing the indoors outside (and vice versa), by turning their porches, decks, patios, and yards into outdoor living rooms, kitchens, and even bedrooms. This has greatly elevated the status of outdoor furniture, which plays a vital role in making these rooms of the wild cozy and comfortable.

To complement the wide range of motifs, today’s patio furniture has to be as stylish and versatile as anything found in the home. Fortunately, CedarStore.com offers such a collection; and if you’re planning some outdoor rooms of your own, here’s how the top ten pieces compare to their indoor counterparts.

1. Patio Chair - Starting with the living room, number one is, of course, the chair. Sure, there was a time when the patio chair bore no resemblance to the one in the living room. Often made with a flimsy aluminum frame and uncomfortable, woven plastic strips, it rarely lasted for more than one season.

2. Garden Bench - In the number two spot, there’s the sofa. In this comparison, the outdoor model comes out on top, because, instead of having only the option of getting a stationary outdoor sofa or garden bench, you can choose a rocking bench, porch swing, or glider.

3. Love Seat - After the sofa comes the loveseat, at number three; and, just like the outdoor sofa, it is available in gliding, rocking and swinging models, in all sizes, materials, and colors.

4. Rocking Chair - Number four is another favorite – the rocking chair. All the world loves a rocking chair. Inside or out, there’s something about it that just seems to give us a feeling of well-being. Almost everyone has a special one, and, in many cases, it belonged to a grandparent. CedarStore.com has rocking chairs of all kinds that are attractive enough to be used indoors, and durable enough to last for generations.

5. Chaise Lounge - At number five, there’s the lounge chair, which is just as much a staple in any outdoor furniture collection as it is in the living room. Although most models don’t have pop-up leg rests like the indoor ones, with their adjustable backs, wide armrests, and seats that are raised in the middle to keep knees elevated, they are just as comfortable.

6. Ottoman - Because having a place to put our feet up is so important, number six, the ottoman, is an absolute necessity. CedarStore.com has dozens of them in several styles, including Adirondack and rocking ottomans.

7. End Table - There, you’ll also find number seven, the end table, without which, no furniture group is complete, in cedar, pine, oak, cherry, teak, synthetic wicker, polywood, and aluminum. No indoor accent tables can beat ‘em.

8. Picnic Table - For number eight, we move to the kitchen. There’s no denying that, in most homes, the picnic table ranks right up there with the kitchen table. Furthermore, because it has undergone such impressive changes over the past several years, the choices in styles, sizes, colors, and shapes are just as numerous. So this one, too, is a wash.

9. Patio Dining Sets - Interestingly, the huge surge in outdoor living and entertaining that has taken place in recent years has actually produced a spin-off of the picnic table. Therefore, number nine is the outdoor dining table; and it is so advanced in looks, style, and elegance, that many models of it would be right at home in the fanciest indoor dining rooms.

10. Hammock - Now, we move to the bedroom, the ultimate place for relaxation, and name the hammock as number ten. No one has to tell you how wonderful this one is. Hammocks offer comfort that rivals the softest of beds.



Claudia

Slutty Pineapple asked:


and why? if you feel like it.

Erin

Devinder Patel asked:


Florida’s wildlife is fun to watch and there is white tailed deer, barred owls, raccoons, alligators and diamondback rattle snakes amongst many others.

A vast variety of trees can be found at Rock Springs Run State Reserve. In its 14,000 acres of land, it has trees that can be found throughout central Florida’s landscape.

Facilities here available here are camping, hiking, nature study, picnicking, biking, limited hunting and horseback riding. Vehicle entry to the park is also limited.

Walking, cycling and horseback riding is available at Gainesville-Howthorne State Trail. It is located quite near the city of Gainesville. This railroad got constructed in 1850 from Fernandina to Cedar Key. Parking is provided at the two trailheads, Bouleware Springs Park in Gainesville and in Hawthorne.

If you want to observe some wet marsh lands with mesic trees than come to San Felasco Hammock State Preserve. It is spread in 6,500 acres and extreme changes in elevations make it a beautiful landscape. Many species of hardwood trees can be found here like hydric hammock, sand hill, swamp etc. On request you can explore the interiors on a horseback, go group hiking or simply walk.

On Amelia Island where tourist places and residential buildings are fully developed, just a little South in this island you will find Amelia Island State Recreation Area. It is spread in 200 acres in undeveloped sea offering lots of recreations.

Original Florida can be seen here with its virgin beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests. Sea horse stables offer a ride on the horseback on these beaches. Other activities include fishing, hiking, bird watching and sunning.

Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area is a place for commercial fishing. Collecting live shells is prohibited, but still you can do swimming and excellent salt water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Picnicking, shelling in winter and swimming in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass are the other facilities offered.

In 1978, a bordering body of water Big Lagoon gave its name to Big Lagoon State Recreation Area. It is in 698 upland acres and beckons the visitors with recreational activities.

A boat ramp and dock makes it easy to the lagoon and water ways. A variety of fish are found here like red fish, blue fish, flounder and sea trout seasonally. Crabbing and castnetting are also popular here..

When sand bars created by the current of Apalachicola River blocked the Chipola Rive, it created Dead Lakes State Recreation Area. This process killed lots of trees, giving this place its name.

With a boat ramp, it offers boating, fishing, camping and nature study. John U. Lloyd State Recreation Area is a barrier between Atlantic Ocean and the Interacostal Waterways, Port Everglades on the North and Dania in the South.

On the Northern side of the park you can do fishing and watch the ships going and leaving Port Everglades. OK, lots to look at and enjoy in the state of Florida.



Marc

Nina Seidl asked:


When you’re renting an apartment, it’s always a challenge deciding what to do with the balcony – as a result, many people leave it bare or just use it as storage for bikes and milk crates. While it might seem difficult at first, even the smallest balcony can be turned into a cozy retreat with some simple seating, plants and a little imagination.

Here are a few easy balcony decorating tips to make the most out of your apartment rental:

Take a Seat

Without a doubt, the easiest way to make your apartment balcony more comfortable is to add a chair or two – once you have a place to sit and admire the view, the more often you’ll actually be inclined to use the balcony!

Balcony furniture can range from a couple of chairs and a side table to a porch swing or a chair hammock. Make sure that your furniture is durable, waterproof and easy-to-clean – you don’t want your balcony chairs to absorb every last drop of each summer shower. If you have a very small balcony and still need the space for other things, you might want to consider a multi-purpose storage bench. In the end, just be sure to plan the space according to what you will use it for.

A Touch of Green

Another easy way to spice up your apartment balcony is to add some plants. Even something as simple as a few potted plants in the corner of the balcony can make the area seem much more inviting. Be sure to choose the right plants for your apartment (you’ll want different plants depending on whether your balcony gets lots of shade or lots of sun) and can thrive well for a long time without constant care.

Be Creative

Above all, be creative! For example, if you really like the outdoors and wish you had a lawn, why not lay down some patches of turf to cover up the ugly concrete floor of the balcony? Express yourself and make the balcony your own – it’s your living space, after all.

Also, make sure to pick out accessories and modest decorations that won’t crack or fade in the sun and won’t get blown away by a sudden gust of wind – you could be liable for damages if anything falls off your balcony.

Check With Your Landlord First

Before you bust out the paintbrush or start drilling holes for the eyehooks that will hold up your hammock, check with your landlord or property manager first to see what is and isn’t allowed on your balcony. Many cities and apartment buildings have specific rules for what a tenant is allowed to do with their balcony – for example, most don’t allow grills or BBQs. Others might not allow the balcony to be used for sporting goods storage, while other might not permit satellite dishes to be installed.

As well, most apartments won’t let you put up any decorations that would make your unit an “eyesore” and really stand out from those around it, so choose your decorations modestly (in other words, don’t expect to be able to cover your balcony with hundreds of Christmas lights).

When in doubt, check your tenant agreement policy and ask your landlord before making any changes to your apartment balcony.



Bernice

Helen Burroughs asked:


When your little one first enters this world, kicking and screaming at the top of his lungs, he won’t be too happy about all the fresh air and bright light. After nine months tucked up in the womb close to your heartbeat, this place is bound to be a little intimidating. He’ll be looking to you to give him that comfy secure feeling again.

Conventional baby beds look so big and cold, so what do you do? Make use of a small baby bed - a home away from home for baby.

Types Of Small Baby Beds

Baby Bassinets

Baby bassinets are the perfect place to rest your baby while you sleep. Like baskets on a stand, baby bassinets usually have a hood and are decorated in the most beautiful, frilly fabrics imaginable. Perfect for your precious little prince or princess.

Baby Moses Baskets

Baby moses baskets are exactly what they imply - a small woven basket usually lined with pretty fabric. Most have handles for carrying from place to place and some have the added benefit of a hood and a stand.

As an added bonus, moses baskets are small enough to be placed in your baby crib to help in the transition from a small baby bed to the real thing - a big deal for your baby!

Baby Cradles

Baby cradles are basically tiny cribs on a rocker. They are made of wood or iron so are heavier than baby bassinets and moses baskets, making them less portable. They are often passed on as heirlooms and are a wonderful traditional baby furniture item.

Co-Sleepers

Also known as a bedside crib, this is a crib that attaches to the side of an adult bed. It allows your baby to remain close to you at night without actually being in your bed. Baby has the benefits of sleeping near you, without the risk of you rolling over on him or her.

Resembling a standard crib with one of the side rails removed, the open side is placed next to the adult bed, with the bedside mattress and adult bed mattress at the same level.

Amby Beds

The Amby baby hammock is a bed with a womb-like design. It provides baby with the natural elements of closeness and motion experienced during the nine months of pregnancy.

The hammock hangs on a spring. Every time baby stirs or moves in his sleep the bed is set in motion with a gentle up and down, side to side and back and forth movement. Exactly the same movement that your baby feels while cushioned in the amniotic fluid of the womb.



Connie

Dana B asked:


I am getting a ferret and its about $130.00……okay and my friend is buying me the cage….cause i dont really got money lol……..does anyone know how i can make a homeade ferret hammock NO SEWING PLEASE! i dont know how to im 13……..okay any websites,pictures,instructions would be good thanks!

Phillip

richard zook asked:


Even in an age where it seems that we have every conceivable convenience, people are constantly working to bring us more. No matter how many choices we already have, in everything from pet food, to outdoor furniture, to automobiles, and beyond, there’s always someone, somewhere, getting ready to offer us another great option.

Of course, this kind of thing has been going on since humans first appeared on the scene; that’s how we got to this point. The only difference is that, back then, it was a necessity. After all, when people were out in the middle of nowhere, struggling to survive, and having to somehow find shelter and food on their own, there was nothing else to do except to start inventing things.

These days, the closest we get to that situation is when we go camping, and even then, it’s really nowhere near the same thing, as that, too, has gone upscale. Many people drive luxury campers and mobile homes to parks, where they settle into a community of other people with similar vehicles, and they all “rough it” together.

Certainly, there are still those who prefer to camp in the woods; but they can bring all of the necessities with them, including tents that practically put themselves up. Sure, a lot of people do enjoy fishing and cooking the catch of the day for dinner, but many times, it’s on a portable grill, instead of over an open fire. Furthermore, they have it with the side dishes that they brought from home, along with a bottle of wine, and top it off with dessert.

Moreover, because the world has gone chiefly wireless, many spend the evenings just as they do at home, watching DVD’s, surfing the Internet, or chatting on the phone, instead of singing or telling ghost stories around the campfire (a lost art).

Indeed, it’s interesting to see how far things have progressed, and how they continue to advance. It’s especially fascinating when you consider certain things that seemed to have remained basically the same for years, then suddenly exploded with new varieties. Outdoor furniture is among the leaders in that category. As far back as many of us can remember, our only choices were cheap aluminum folding chairs with woven plastic backs and seats, splintery wooden porch swings, and rusty, squeaky gliders with uncomfortable plastic-covered cushions.

Fortunately, there have been several stunning improvements over the past several years, especially at CedarStore.com, where they’re always working to bring you more great options. Along with classic cedar, pine, oak, cherry, and teak, you’ll find beautiful aluminum, polywood, and vinyl furniture, that’s nearly indestructible. Best of all, there are dozens of comfortable folding chairs, lounges, hammocks, and hammock chairs, that are perfect for taking along on camping trips (to make living in the wilderness even cushier).



Charlotte

Galia Ivanova asked:


So, you have decided it is time to spruce up your backyard or porch and you want to purchase some elegant and comfy hammock chairs. Although this is not a life changing decision, it is important to you, so you should know the best way to go about this decision. Read on to learn some useful tips to aid you in finding the best way to choose the chairs for your backyard, porch or patio.

First, you need to look for some chairs that match the hammock you already have. If you have not decided on the hammock yet, then this is great time to coordinate your items. If your hammock has a certain design then you will want to get chair with the same design, or one that is very similar to it, or one from the same hammock brand. Also, try to get items that are the same in color or in matching colors. This will really be one of the best ways to pull your items together.

Second, or maybe this one should be first, set your budget for your hammock chair in advance. There is a huge market out there for backyard furniture and a huge difference in the pricing and quality you will see as well.

So, if you want a cheaper chair, then you can be prepared for much cheaper quality. You also should try to similar quality in the chairs that you got in the hammock. What I mean is that if you spent a lot of money on the hammock, then you certainly do not want to take away from that with cheap hammock chair. It is just not logical to do so.

Last but not least important tip is to be certain that you have a fairly good idea where you are going to place your new hammock chair. Although this may sound silly to some, it is very important. If you get a very large hammock chair and then go to place it and it turns out to be too large for the spot you have picked, then you have a problem.

So, in order to get the best fit, you must have a pretty good idea of what chairs will fit the space you have selected. This way you will not be disappointed and will save time when you go to place them.

Now, that you have got some useful tips on finding the best hammock chairs for your backyard, porch or patio you can easily start looking to complete your backyard design… With your hammock and hammock chair that are very nicely matching and are placed all in the right place, your outdoor area would be greatly enhanced and much more comfortable to spend valuable time resting, reading or having fun with your children.

Hammock chairs can look really great near your BBQ, your friends would love to hang around and enjoy your comfortable backyard furniture anytime you throw a BBQ party in your beautifully and comfortably enhanced backyard.



Andrew