Tuesday Traveler - What is ‘The Florida Life?’ - November 29, 2016

I’ve often been asked and pondered this very question; ‘What is the Florida Life’.  After talking with lifelong and longtime Florida residents, as well as visitors to our state, here’s my conclusion.

Tuesday Traveler - The Migration Has Started - November 22, 2016

What do you think of when you hear ‘The migration has started’?  By definition, migration is the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.

Maybe you think of; migratory birds flying from the north to the south,or wildlife moving from the mountaintops to the valleys.




For those of us in warm weather states like Arizona, Florida, Texas, and others along the US Sun Belt, we often think the snowbirds (defined by WikiPedia) are coming.  These migratory creatures, mainly retirees, temporarily relocate from their permanent ‘home’ to their ‘winter home’.  

House/Pet Sitting in Retrospect - Puerto Rico, Vieques - September 2016

This is my third consecutive year of house/pet sitting on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico; does this make me an ‘island boy’?

When I tell people I’m going to Puerto Rico, they usually ask where and I tell them, Vieques or Isla Nena.  That’s only draws more questions like, some of which I’ll answer now.

Wikipedia – Vieques, Puerto Rico

Population: 9301 (2010)

Size:  21 miles (east to west) by 5 miles (north to south); 52 squares miles of land

Economy:  The island is attempting to redevelop the agricultural and tourism industry.  Since the US Navy closed the bombing range and departed the island in 2003, their clearance of unexploded ordinance has been the largest employer.

Geography:  About two-thirds of Vieques is comprised of a decommissioned US Naval bombing range which has been designated as the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.  The wildlife reserves are on the east and west ends of the island, with communities in the middle.  There are two major municipalities, Isabel Segunda on the north coast and Esperanza to the south.  The island is surrounded by beautiful, secluded, and not so secluded beaches.  Some of the beaches, along with hiking and four-wheel trails are located within the wildlife reserves. 

A WORD OF CAUTION; within the wildlife reserves the trails and beaches are marked with warning signs, PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS and STAY ON THE MARKED TRAILS.

Okay, if you’re interested in visiting Vieques, and I do recommend it, those facts should at least get you started in finding out more.

Now Let’s GO, and Travel Thru My Eyes to Vieques, Isla Nena, Puerto Rico.

HOUSE/PET SITTING in RETROSPECT - NAPLES FLORIDA – September 2016

Recently I completed another house/pet sitting assignment in Naples Florida for Jim and Cynthia, clients turned friends.  This is the third or fourth time I’ve cared for their pets and home, yet it was like visiting Napes for the first time.  Yes, I ‘revisited’ a couple places, but with so much to do in the area, there was are also many new places to explore.