Archive for the 'Things To Do In Tampa' Category

Bigfoot Spotted in Seminole Heights

April 21st, 2008 categories: Tampa Real Estate, Seminole Heights Homes, Things To Do In Tampa

I use Google Earth quite a bit as a tool for property research. Users of Google Earth are allowed to upload content to the Google Earth Community, and this content can be shown as placemarks graphically within the application. So when I see these markers I like to click on them and see what valuable information has been uploaded by other users. One group that seems to upload quite a bit of content is the “Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization” (my application is pending).

These guys mark every darn place for which someone has ever reported a Bigfoot sighting. So as you would imagine, the map is loaded with BFRO markers. And make no mistake about it, these reports are highly entertaining. I was flying over Seminole Heights today and what do you know? There’s that unmistakable orange dot that I know marks a Bigfoot sighting. Yes, Seminole Heights had a Bigfoot sighting back in the 50’s it seems.

Here’s the Bigfoot report:

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | No Comments »

Another Great Palm For Tampa Home Landscapes

April 19th, 2008 categories: Tampa Real Estate, South Tampa, Things To Do In Tampa

Palms are all over Tampa, but what most folks see are the species that are so commonly planted, and the ones that are native to Florida, such as our state tree, the cabbage palm. But there are many others that do well in our sub-tropical climate. And south Tampa, being surrounded by water, has a little more protection from the cold as compared to other, more outlying areas. I collect palms, and previously posted about another great palm for providing a tropical feel here in Tampa, the Picabeen, or Bangalow palm.

Another in my inventory, and one of my favorites, is the Chambeyronia Macrocarpa, aka the Red Feather palm. The great characteristic of this palm, and the reason behind the common name, is the beautiful red coloring of the newly opened leaves. Mine opens a new leaf about twice each year, so when it does, it’s time for an impromptu celebration. That time is now. Here are some pics:

If you’re looking for something different, and something that will add a tropical feel to your Tampa home, keep this one in mind.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens, south of Miami, has a great collection of these palms. Here is a link:

http://palmguide.org/genus.php?family=ARECACEAE&genus=chambeyronia

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | 1 Comment »

Nothing But Roller Coasters!

December 19th, 2007 categories: Tampa Real Estate, Things To Do In Tampa

I’m a roller coaster enthusiast to the extent that I just love riding the darn things. I can’t say that I’ve ridden that many, but when the opportunity presents itself, I usually hop on for a ride.

So after a doctor’s appointment in Temple Terrace yesterday, I noticed the sign pointing the way to Busch Gardens. Being the week before Christmas, I had no other appointments for the day, and got to thinking about that Busch Gardens Fun Card in my wallet. I had been previously suckered in to the FLORIDA RESIDENTS: PAY FOR A DAY AND COME BACK ALL YEAR IN 2007! ad. So I decided, this was the time to go back.

I have always wanted to go and just ride all the coasters in the same day. My almost 9 year old son hasn’t really taken to riding them yet, so when we’re there as a family, the coasters don’t get much love. So, off I went for some adventure. Busch Gardens Tampa has to have one of the better coaster collections in the USA. And if you’re a coaster fan, you’ve got all you can handle within 100 miles of Tampa.

The parking lot was pretty empty relative to when I’m usually there in mid-summer. Great, no lines. First up, and just inside the gates was Gwazi, a double wooden roller coaster that will appeal to the traditionalists. Gwazi is a rough and tumble ride, what you’d expect from a wooden coaster. I rode solo in the front car, with no wait. Check out the Gwazi video.

Next up was Sheikra, a coaster that Busch Gardens claims was the nation’s first “dive-coaster”. And dive it did, twice in fact. Certainly the first coaster that’s ever given me that OH SH*#! feeling. Sheikra is like riding in a big 1975 Coupe De Ville, that gets to a cliff edge and hangs there before dropping 90 degrees straight down for 200 feet. It’s a smooth, fast ride, but on the short side time-wise. The floors disappear just before you take off, a new feature added summer of 2007. Rode this one twice, in the third (last) row. Check out Sheikra.

On to Kumba, my personal favorite and a Busch Gardens coaster since about 1995. Kumba seems to have more twist and loops (combined) than any of the others, and while I’m no physicist, the g-forces on this baby seem to beat all the others. I rode Kumba twice as well, with no wait.

Adjacent to The Congo, home of Kumba, is Timbuktu, home of Scorpion. Scorpion is a much smaller metal track coaster that is more geared to younger enthusiasts. But Scorpion does have a 60 foot drop and 360 degree loop that keeps things exciting. One ride on Scorpion and away I went.

The final coaster that I wanted to ride, one I’d never ridden, was Montu. Montu is isolated at the other side of the park near the entrance. A brief stop for my second complimentary Anheuser-Busch adult beverage, and I was off to the Egyptian themed area of the Park. But passing Gwazi again, I noticed there was no line, and I took a quick second ride on this one.

Off to Egypt. There was no line here either, and I hopped right on to the last row of Montu. Montu is one of those inverted coasters, with the track over your head, your feet dangling in the open space below. This was my least favorite of all the Busch Gardens coasters. The last row is not the place to be on this one. I like to see where I’m headed and all I could see were the backs of the individuals in the car ahead of me. It was a smooth ride with many loops, but this one was disappointing for me. Montu video.

After 8 rides, I figured enough is enough for a while. If you like roller coasters, Busch Gardens Tampa is a must see. If you’re visiting Tampa, and/or considering buying or selling residential real estate in Tampa, give us a call.

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | No Comments »

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