[sunrico90]

We have some of the favorite destinations - Daytona Beach, Florida Keys and Panama City Beach. Florida is, without doubt, one of the lower 48's most popular Spring Break hot spots. Endless beaches, sunny days and warm water bring student travelers to Florida in droves to hit the sand and surf in March and April.

[mhoward48]

Originally Posted by Suncoaster

AMEN! I tried to live up north for a couple of years - this was about 30 years ago - it was a fiasco. So dark and gloomy, and the winter days were so short I about lost my mind. Really. FL is terrific - not much seasonal change, for those of us who can do without that.

Pianogal mentioned the wonderful Tropical Gardens - we have such a treasure of botanical gardens especially, if you haven't seen them, GO! They are nothing short of amazing.

The National and State Parks. We have so many, and too many of them are still on my list to visit.

Closer to home, I never ever tire of driving through my own neighborhood staring at the wonderful tropicals in every yard. Even in my (very) modest neighborhood, people plant these beauties.

Other things I love, in no particular order:

The abundance of sunshine!

The variety - scrublands, wetlands, gulf and ocean views - what a rich diversity nature offers here.

Palms - my favorites of all the plants, these are the most beautiful. And cycads, the "living fossils" growing right in the yard.

Birds! Ibises, pelicans, anhinga, roseate spoonbills, herons - here in my neighborhood! Wild parrots that visit my feeders every morning - I love the screeching call of an joyous Nanday. But above all, the awesome grace of the great egret.

The wonderful sandy flatness - this is one of my favorite things. And the roads - yes, the roads! - so flat and straight that you can see for miles.

Sunsets. Surely they are God's art gallery and have you ever seen such a palette of color! Golds, scarlets, indigo. Amazing.

All the different cultures that meet here. Accents from everywhere.

The art and music festivals.

Lower taxes!

Being able to enjoy the outdoors every month of the year.

And the low rumble of distant thunder - for some reason, a reassuring sound.

There's more but I've run out of time. Sunrico, did you start this thread? I love it

You really have "Wild Parrots", come visit your yard? Where do you live at? I think that is wonderful, I use to get excited about all my humming birds in my yard. I would just love to see parrots coming to visit my yard!! I think that is awsome!

[Sunnydee]

1. The Florida sunshine is amazing. 360 days that are sunny or mostly sunny as opposed to 136 where I live.

2. The warmth is wonderful! I literally wear long underwear about seven months of the year just to stay warm and I work inside. In Florida I'm seldom cold.

3. The people in Florida are so nice. When I go into Publix I am always greeted with kind words and smiles. When I was in New England the store clerks acted like they were being inconvenienced when you wanted to check out.

4. The ability to be outdoors every single day and to be comfortable.

5. The beaches are simply beautiful.

6. Two for one happy hours, cheap restaurant prices, outdoor dining, and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a meal in and not feel rushed.

7. The natural beauty of the state is almost beyond comprehension.

8. Never having to scrape your windshield or shovel snow.

9. Never being more than four hours from the beach.

10. Beautiful clothing that you cannot buy in the Midwest. Whenever I wear my Florida clothes to work everyone wants to know where I got them. They are just cheerful looking clothes.

11. The helpfulness of strangers. I come to Florida a lot and get lost occasionally and there's always a stranger willing to help me find my way, tell me where to go for good food, or directing me to their favorite spots.

12. The relaxed pace of Florida.

[Journey2LS]

1. Abundant sunshine and colorful houses
2. Oak trees, Magnolias, and Spanish Moss in N. FL and Coconut trees and other tropical plants in So.Fl.
3. The beautiful crystal clear springs in North Central Florida.
4. Going caneoing and seeing manatees and alligators
5. Summertime thunderstorms to break up the day
6. Being able to take weekend trips to the Caribbean
7. The ability to wear shorts and sandals all year and not be cold
8. Being able to go to a Cuban bakery and order toasted Cuban bread pressed with butter and dipped into some cafe con leche
9. Driving down to the Keys and seeing water so beautiful you cant believe it's real
10. Great nightlife
11. Never having to walk down the sidewalk and slip in ice.....ouch
12. Going sailing down the intercoastal on a sunny 75 degree day in February
13. Great air quality and deep blue skies

[faithfulFrank]

Good to see a list like this again......There was one going a few months ago, but I could not find it. I posted many of them, and we were almost up to 100 reasons......

Next Tuesday we'll be back in Florida for 3 weeks !!!! Can't wait!!

Frank D.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

Good to see a list like this again......There was one going a few months ago, but I could not find it. I posted many of them, and we were almost up to 100 reasons......

Next Tuesday we'll be back in Florida for 3 weeks !!!! Can't wait!!

Frank D.

Have a safe trip and enjoy your time in Paradise....

[faithfulFrank]

thanks Sunrico90 !!

To post on the Florida forum, I have to be there at least a few times a year.... It really is paradise to me...

Frank D.