#florida'sadventurecoast

[naturecoaster]

Tin Can Tourists Invade Florida's Adventure Coast

Over the week of February 19-25, 2019, 200 vintage travel trailers and auto campers enjoyed a celebration of their heritage at Sertoma Youth Ranch. On Saturday, February 23, their open house entertained hundreds of visitors with their historic rigs, lively music and cheerful demeanor. “We filled the place,” said Forrest Bone, Exalted Royal Tin Can Opener. This fun-loving group was in Florida’s Nature Coast to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Tin Can Tourists organization. Members and guests came from around the U.S. to fraternize and celebrate one of America’s finest passions – traveling the open road. On February 22, NatureCoaster was able to attend the History Day in Desoto Park, celebrating 100 years of this energetic, eclectic organization.

From the Diary of Bill Austin in 1919...

“I woke up one morning and decided that I was not going to stay for another frigid winter in LaSalle Michigan again. This quiet farming community near the shore of Lake Erie was my home and I sure loved it… but with December’s average temperature of 21 degrees above zero in 1917, I just was not willing to do it again. It was early 1919, and my modern Ford Model T was calling my name. “Drive me away to a warm, sunny place, Bill.”

The roads in 1919 were disjointed and often washed out. Bill Austin would take 17 days to travel from Lasalle Michigan to Tampa Florida. Therefore I, Bill Austin, decided to pack up head to Florida. The roads were not really developed yet, but I began my journey south on a vehicle that averaged 12 mile per hour through a nation whose road system was built by individual Counties.

Model T on an old road in the early 1900s. When I crossed the Ohio River, it was exciting. At several places along the way, I had to pull my motor automobile across a river on a barge with a rope. I stopped at farms and parks along the way. Most farmers were hospitable, offering a meal or a drink of water. Most of the camps were dirty and could be a bit dangerous. Still I continued onward, making necessary repairs and paying exorbitant rates for gasoline at several places.

Highway 53 in 1919. After 17 days, I got to Desoto Park in Tampa, Florida, I found a paradise of sorts – at least for this Michigan kid. It was clean and the others there were congenial, so I set my tent up and made a camp of sorts from my canvas tent over my Model T. With the dirty camps and difficult stops along the way, I began to talk to the others at Desoto Park about a need for a group to unite auto campers with good moral values. There were 24 of us that year and we chartered the Tin Can Tourists as the name for our Association. In 1920, we received our Florida State charter.”

Tin Can Tourists Today

This slideshow requires JavaScript. Starting in 2012, the Winter Gathering began to be held at the Sertoma Youth Camp, 85 Myers Road in Brooksville. “The camp is perfect,” Forrest said, “It’s beautiful there and so clean. They treat us well.” For the 2019 Centennial Celebration, there were 200 vintage trailers on display, many with vintage tow vehicles. Membership in the club has grown to over 2,000, and the spirit of the group is still the same.

Forrest Bone, Exalted Royal Tin Can Opener, at the Centennial Celebration of Tin Can Tourists at Desoto Park in Tampa. Image by Diane Bedard. “Have fun, treat others how you would like to be treated, and be ready to sing the official theme song: “The More We Get Together” – The more we get together, the happier we’ll be. For your friends are my friends, and my friends are your friends. These are the important things,” Forrest shares.

On February 22 at Desoto Park in Tampa, the Tin Can Tourists had an historic presentation, where we heard from the diary of Bill Austin read by Alex Alexander. Image by Diane Bedard. Fast forward to Friday and the Centennial Celebration’s History Day, where NatureCoaster was privy to the story of the man who founded Tin Can Tourists in 1919 and able to gather with about a hundred and fifty members at the founding location of Desoto Park in Tampa. There were several vintage vehicles and campers, with their owners happy to discuss anything about them and general pleasantries.

Sidra and Herb Spies of Shalimar, Florida and their Model T Telescoping Apartment. Image by Diane Bedard. We were given in-depth tours of the Model T Telescoping Apartment by Sidra and Herb Spies of Shalimar, Florida. This camper was the first motor home with slide outs, invented and patented by Gustav De Brettesville in San Francisco in 1916. It is shown on a 1920 Model T Roadster in the popular black color. This camper included a kitchen, camp stove, lantern, pantry and kitchen sink for a price tag of about $100. Daniel Hershberger shared his 1927 Auto Kamp fold out tent trailer from Saginaw, Michigan. The Auto-Kamp company was one of the RV pioneers, beginning production in 1916. This huge canvas tent was advertised to be set up in 5 minutes. “It is advertised to be set up in five minutes,” Daniel shared, “as long as it’s not raining or windy. It’s more like an hour and a half.”

Daniel Hershberger at his 1927 Auto Kamp fold out tent trailer. Image by Diane Bedard. Daniel’s display is more than the vintage trailer and vehicle. There are the first “paper plates” on a vintage fold up table, camp stove with aluminum pan and a very solid folding camp chair added to the mix, enhancing the feeling of stepping into the times of yesteryear when life was simpler.

Early "paper plates" are part of Daniel's historic setup. Six for a Dime, they are made of thinly steamed and pressed wood. Image by Diane Bedard. After our history lesson and vintage camper tours at the Desoto Park, we visited the historic Columbia Restaurant for a fine meal and slide show presentation by Hunt Jones of the history of the Tin Can Tourists. Hunt said that this will be his last year doing the presentation and I can only hope that it is posted on the internet to share with the world because it was really in-depth and interesting. As soon as it is posted, I will link to it here.   The food was great! The company was better! Here is a photo of our group at the Columbia cheering the good life:

David and Marsha, Larry and Katerina, Tammy and Diane toast the Centennial of the Tin Can Tourists and the fun time we had at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Image by Diane Bedard. For more information on the Tin Can Tourists, please check out their website. Perhaps you want to join their organization or check out a rally before they leave the Sunshine State for summer gatherings in the north. You can sign up for their newsletter on the website and we will be sure to let you know when they come back next year to Sertoma Youth Ranch so you can check out all the rolling history that comes to Florida’s Nature Coast. The Tin Can Tourists Centennial Celebration was supported by Florida's Adventure Coast. Paraphrasing and interpretation of the journal of Bill Austin by author Diane Bedard, as shared with us at the 100-year Anniversary Rally of the Tin Can Tourists by Alex Alexander at Desoto Park in Tampa on Friday, February 22. Read the full article

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Florida Mermaid Trail Grand Opening

Live mermaids and live music will provide your send-off as you explore the Florida Mermaid Trail in Brooksville. We’re also holding a Best Mermaid Contest for both people and animals at 10:15 am. Don’t miss it!

What is The Florida Mermaid Trail?

The Florida Mermaid Trail includes two routes (1.1 miles and 2.2 miles) that include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., the Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave. Walkers will search for 20 bronze statues mounted on buildings along the trail. We anticipate lots of selfies, Instagram posts, and #flmermaidtrail hash-tagging! The goal is to get people walking and exploring the lovely City of Brooksville. Walkers can use an app or a full-color paper map. Keep up to date with the latest Florida Mermaid Trail information by following the Brooksville Main Street Facebook page, and visiting  www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com Read the full article

[naturecoaster]

Florida Mermaid Trail Grand Opening

Live mermaids and live music will provide your send-off as you explore the Florida Mermaid Trail in Brooksville. We’re also holding a Best Mermaid Contest for both people and animals at 10:15 am. Don’t miss it!

What is The Florida Mermaid Trail?

The Florida Mermaid Trail includes two routes (1.1 miles and 2.2 miles) that include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., the Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave. Walkers will search for 20 bronze statues mounted on buildings along the trail. We anticipate lots of selfies, Instagram posts, and #flmermaidtrail hash-tagging! The goal is to get people walking and exploring the lovely City of Brooksville. Walkers can use an app or a full-color paper map. Keep up to date with the latest Florida Mermaid Trail information by following the Brooksville Main Street Facebook page, and visiting  www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com Read the full article

[naturecoaster]

Florida Mermaid Trail Grand Opening

Live mermaids and live music will provide your send-off as you explore the Florida Mermaid Trail in Brooksville. We’re also holding a Best Mermaid Contest for both people and animals at 10:15 am. Don’t miss it!

What is The Florida Mermaid Trail?

The Florida Mermaid Trail includes two routes (1.1 miles and 2.2 miles) that include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., the Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave. Walkers will search for 20 bronze statues mounted on buildings along the trail. We anticipate lots of selfies, Instagram posts, and #flmermaidtrail hash-tagging! The goal is to get people walking and exploring the lovely City of Brooksville. Walkers can use an app or a full-color paper map. Keep up to date with the latest Florida Mermaid Trail information by following the Brooksville Main Street Facebook page, and visiting  www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com Read the full article

[naturecoaster]

Florida Mermaid Trail Grand Opening

Live mermaids and live music will provide your send-off as you explore the Florida Mermaid Trail in Brooksville. We’re also holding a Best Mermaid Contest for both people and animals at 10:15 am. Don’t miss it!

What is The Florida Mermaid Trail?

The Florida Mermaid Trail includes two routes (1.1 miles and 2.2 miles) that include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., the Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave. Walkers will search for 20 bronze statues mounted on buildings along the trail. We anticipate lots of selfies, Instagram posts, and #flmermaidtrail hash-tagging! The goal is to get people walking and exploring the lovely City of Brooksville. Walkers can use an app or a full-color paper map. Keep up to date with the latest Florida Mermaid Trail information by following the Brooksville Main Street Facebook page, and visiting  www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com Read the full article

[naturecoaster]

Florida Mermaid Trail Grand Opening

Live mermaids and live music will provide your send-off as you explore the Florida Mermaid Trail in Brooksville. We’re also holding a Best Mermaid Contest for both people and animals at 10:15 am. Don’t miss it!

What is The Florida Mermaid Trail?

The Florida Mermaid Trail includes two routes (1.1 miles and 2.2 miles) that include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., the Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave. Walkers will search for 20 bronze statues mounted on buildings along the trail. We anticipate lots of selfies, Instagram posts, and #flmermaidtrail hash-tagging! The goal is to get people walking and exploring the lovely City of Brooksville. Walkers can use an app or a full-color paper map. Keep up to date with the latest Florida Mermaid Trail information by following the Brooksville Main Street Facebook page, and visiting  www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com Read the full article

[naturecoaster]

Florida Mermaid Trail Grand Opening

Live mermaids and live music will provide your send-off as you explore the Florida Mermaid Trail in Brooksville. We’re also holding a Best Mermaid Contest for both people and animals at 10:15 am. Don’t miss it!

What is The Florida Mermaid Trail?

The Florida Mermaid Trail includes two routes (1.1 miles and 2.2 miles) that include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., the Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave. Walkers will search for 20 bronze statues mounted on buildings along the trail. We anticipate lots of selfies, Instagram posts, and #flmermaidtrail hash-tagging! The goal is to get people walking and exploring the lovely City of Brooksville. Walkers can use an app or a full-color paper map. Keep up to date with the latest Florida Mermaid Trail information by following the Brooksville Main Street Facebook page, and visiting  www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com Read the full article

[naturecoaster]

2018 Inaugural Good Neighbor Trail Ride is October 14, 2018

Eighteen years in the making, the Good Neighbor Trail rolls through fields and forests on its way to becoming part of the 220 mile Coast to Coast Trail. Pedal into Florida’s wild side on scenic bike trails designed for serious cycling. Visitors from near and far visit the Adventure Coast for some of the best biking found anywhere. This month the Brooksville Good Neighbor Trail eastward extension will now connect with the 46 mile Withlacoochee State Trail. In celebration of this momentous occasion, the Brooksville Main Street program is planning a 2018 Inaugural Ride is set for Sunday October 14, 2018. Walk-up registration and Check-in for pre-registered participants is from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Our ride begins and ends at the Historic Brooksville Train Depot located at 70 Russell Rd, Brooksville, Florida. The Good Neighbor Trail is a 10 mile stretch of paved trail that connects to the Withlacoochee State Trail, a paved, 46-mile long converted railroad track. You can determine your own ride distance. We are offering a 10 mile “Out and Back” family ride, a 20 mile ride (10 miles out to the Withlacoochee and back), a 35 mile ride and a 65 mile ride that will take riders up into Citrus County on the Withlacoochee and return to the start/finish at the Train Depot. All routes are on paved rail trails.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

The day begins with a Continental Breakfast from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM at the Train Depot Trailhead. Along the trail, we will have four SAG Stops with water, sports drinks and food. Restrooms will be available at all SAG Stops. A free catered lunch will be provided between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM at Coney Island Drive Inn. All pre-registered riders as of 3:45 PM, October 1st, will receive a T-Shirt.

REGISTRATION

Riders 12 years old + $40.00 Regular Rate - register between July 16th - Sept 30th $45.00 Late registration - between Oct 1st - Oct 13th $50.00 Event Day registration - October 14th

ONLINE REGISTRATION

To register online visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2018/18626/good-neighbor-trail-bike-ride Those riders who initiate an ONLINE registration after 3:00pm, Friday October 12th will not be included in the pre-registered listings and must register as a “WALK UP” the day of the ride.

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION

Submit the registration form along with your payment to Brooksville Main Street - GNT Trail Ride, P.O. Box 1323 Brooksville, FL 34605. Make all checks payable to the, “Brooksville Vision Foundation”. Mailed entries must be received by Friday October 12, 2018. This is a fundraising ride to benefit the Brooksville Main Street Program. The Brooksville Vision Foundation is a Florida 501(c)3 nonprofit and is a committed partner of Brooksville Main Street Program in partnership with the City of Brooksville and Hernando County. The Main Street Program has brought a positive impact to many cities in Florida and across the USA. The Brooksville Vision Foundation recognizes our community's desire to have a thriving urban core, one that supports an active business environment, a place to recreate and a place proud to call home. There are many events and activities planned this year, such as Brooksville “Christmas on Main Street”, Friday Night Live, and Un-Common-Ly Artsy: The Historic Downtown Brooksville Arts Market. Each helps bring our community together, as well as create a positive economic impact to our city as a whole. Brooksville Main Street is passionate about Brooksville and dedicated to seeing it grow and thrive.  To learn more, visit us at www.facebook.com/brooksvillemainstreet To contact Brooksville Main Street, write to Ryan A. Malloy, Executive Director, Brooksville Main Street, PO Box 1323, Brooksville, Florida 34605, or call 352-540-6409, or email info@brooksvillemainstreet.org. Read the full article

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Florida Outdoor Writers Association enjoys the Adventure Coast

Wednesday, September 12, professional outdoor writers from throughout Florida came to the Adventure Coast for our annual conference. We came to experience the best of Hernando County, rebranded as the Adventure Coast in 2015, with an emphasis on the natural adventures that abound throughout the area. We began our adventure with a visit to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where we enjoyed socializing and catching up with each other. We had hors d’ouevres, drinks and an underwater mermaid show in the Newton Perry Theatre. It was magical to say the least. If you have not seen the Weeki Wachee mermaids perform, you need to get there and experience it for yourself. The underwater ballet is so smooth and graceful that it enchants me every time I visit – as well as those who accompany.

Weeki Wachee mermaids perform their graceful aquatic ballet for the Florida Outdoor Writers. Renovations to the mermaid theatre as well as the park will temporarily stop the performances from November 26, 2018 through March 15, 2019, so you will want to plan your visit accordingly. Weeki Wachee mermaids are a unique breed, and they form a real bond as they entertain visitors from around the world. We were addressed by Vicki Smith, a former mermaid who returns to perform with her sisters of the deep once a month in the springs. Performances are scheduled for October 21 & 22, 27 & 28, as well as November 10 & 11, 2018 at 1:30 pm. Vicki is an energetic 79 years old. She told us she grew up in Brooksville and that when she graduated high school, “a young lady had 3 choices: get married, go to college or become a Weeki Wachee mermaid. I chose the latter.”

Vicki Smith, former mermaid who will turn 79 years young the next day, tells us about being part of the mermaid magic at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. She became a mermaid when she graduated high school. Vicki is truly an inspiration! Expect an interview and feature on this in the future.

Dancing, Dining and Mingling with Mermaids

Florida Outdoor Writers were treated to a fine meal, complete with bite size desserts. Scallops, chicken, fresh vegetables and more followed by mini cheesecakes, key lime pie and brownie bites made the bellies happy while we enjoyed the beautiful Adventure Coast sunset over the Underwater Theatre. We took pictures with mermaids, who had to be returned via wheelchair because they don’t move as well out of the water!

The sunset over the Newton Perry Underwater Theatre and Buccanneer Bay was something to remember. DJ tunes, energetic compatriots and an air of adventure mixed to make a night to remember.

Springs Fever 2018

Mallory Dimmitt, President of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, kicked off Springs Fever educational day for the Florida Outdoor Writers Association conference. Every FOWA Conference includes an education component, as professional outdoor writers who are committed to honing our craft should have continuing education. Anyone is welcome to attend this day of the conference, while the rest of the days are reserved for members and guests only. Dorothy Zimmerman, of Florida Sea Grant, plans this amazing resource for us each year. This year’s day began with Mallory Dimmitt, President of Florida Wildlife Corridor, updating us on what their organization is doing to create a corridor throughout the State to allow wildlife to safely cross. Next, we learned who is buying professional writing in today’s market from a panel of three outdoor publication editors. We learned about he legalities of digital content and how to protect the work we publish, how to use social media to grow our audience with a small budget. The details of a study of the financial impact of scalloping to our area was detailed for us by Brittany Hall-Scharf, our local Sea Grant agent, during lunch. This was all before 1pm!

Garmin's VIRB360 was amazing to learn about. I want one. On a lighter note, we got to touch and try the Garmin outdoor cameras, including their competitor to the GoPro and the GoPro 360. My biggest takeaways were that I want one and that you can turn them on and off with voice command. David Perry, Jr. of Hunter Springs Kayaks said that the ability to create a 360 video without having to use software was a big deal. He uses these types of cameras in his business, so I trust his opinion. The afternoon featured Public Information Officers from Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Gulf Fisheries Management Council, Duke Energy, and the Southwest Water Management District. These are the people who help writers get their facts straight, provide quotes and help develop stories.

Oh Florida! contains a lot of really weird and entertaining Florida stories. Then Craig Pittman, a longtime writer for the Tampa Bay Times and author of “Oh Florida!” entertained us with a myriad of stories of the strange and bizarre in our beautiful Sunshine State. The laughter was nearly continuous with Craig’s wit and subject matter. I highly recommend the book.

TJ Stallings Corporate/Tourism Showcase

We held this great event at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation. What a beautiful venue! The dining hall is large and open with a wide porch wrapping around ¾ of the building. Rocking chairs and a great view made for a delightful TJ Stallings Corporate/Tourism Showcase after the educational portion of our day. Destinations set up table top displays and give information about their activities and attractions. We talk about our market niches and see if there is a fit. Friends are made. Plans are made to visit the destinations and experience them – then write about it. It’s what outdoor writers do! We enjoyed learning about special lures and what makes them work better, a sunscreen company that makes reef safe sunscreen and why it’s a better way to protect your skin and the environment, more information on the organizations that help outdoor writers tell stories and more friendships are made.

The somewhat docile green heron on the Bayport Restaurant's deck. His counterpart was naughty. Thursday night was a night for us to get out and have a meal on our own. My friend, Sally White of Adventures of Mom, and I chose to visit the Bayport Inn and then a sunset at Pine Island park. Our food was good, but watching a huge crane steal a woman’s meal from her plate was the highlight of our visit. Everyone laughed. Apparently “Henry” has a reputation there and the restaurant was good about taking care of their guest. I will let the sunset and the views along the road to Pine Island speak for themselves.

On the way to Pine Island, we stopped to take a few shots of the natural beauty of Florida's Adventure Coast. Ahhhh...

As the sun was setting at Pine Island Park, we could hear the thunder and see the dark clouds rolling in from the south, but the sunset was gorgeous to the north, complete with dolphins swimming in the sea.

The thunder got more insistent and sun fell further down the horizon, so we took one more image from the beautiful new deck that Hernando County Parks and Rec recently installed before jumping into the truck and heading home. The next two days involve activities throughout the Adventure Coast. Stay tuned for more …   Read the full article