August 5, 2019

GALLERY NIGHT IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA

Gallery Night Each month during the year on the 3rd week of the month, the street along Palafox in downtown Pensacola, Florida becomes a party. The street is filled with people both young and old as vendors display their goods including all sorts of local artists showing off their work. Of course, you can find all sorts of food vendors too. Most of the downtown stores, pubs, and restaurants remain open during the event. And there are folks entertaining you along the street, from music to artists you hear or see it. Each month has a different theme.  The dates and themes for 2019: Jan. 18 — Lunar New Year,…

July 29, 2019

THE BULLS ON THE STREETS OF PENSACOLA

 THE Running Of The Bulls On the morning of Saturday July 20th,  it was The Pensacola Running of the Bulls time that took place through the streets of downtown Pensacola, Florida. This event is modeled after the world famous Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain. Even though it was a cloudy overcast morning with rain in sight, the event drew a large turnout. As the runners took off, The Bulls were not far behind. Of course, the runners must make it through the harsh The Gauntlet at the end of their run. Rules & Safety ( from https://pensabulls.com/about) Run at Your Own Risk Participants are not allowed to touch, push, kick,…

June 24, 2019

AMERICA’S OLDEST CITY: THE CHARMS OF HISTORIC ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

Stu and I attended the 2019 Florida Birding and Photo Fest in St. Augustine, Florida and were totally captivated by the birds, the city, the food and the residents of America’s oldest city!     The charms of historic St. Augustine, Florida will keep you enthralled, no matter what your interests! St. Augustine is America’s oldest city and has 400 years of history and culture to enjoy! This city dates from 1563!     Of course, we had heard of Juan Ponce de Leon, Sir Francis Drake, Henry Flagler and the Timucua Indians. What we didn’t know is that all are a part of the history of the coastline between…

May 7, 2019

A Visit To Calagaz Photo & Digital Imaging

Recently we had the opportunity to visit Galagaz Photo & Digital Imaging. The store is located in Pensacola, Florida. Now for full disclosure I do purchase most of my camera gear at Galagaz.  I sat down with Rob Kepko who is the Sales Manager for the store and chatted about photography in general. During our chat we discussed current and future digital cameras both DSLR and Mirrorless. We also discussed pre owned camera gear. Toward the end of the video we do a little tour of the store. It was a fun discussion that I hope you will enjoy. Remember if you have any camera related questions please use the…

March 18, 2019

50 GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIPS: THE BEST BACK ROAD BY STATE

We hope spring makes you want to get on the road! To help you decide where to go, we have a treasure trove of backroads information for you. Just where are the best back roads, by state? You already know we take back roads on every trip we take. Check out our blog post, “Take Backroads to Explore America” at: http://thetravelingseniors.com/back-roads-forever/ In that post, we share some of our favorite backroads.  As our friend, Scott of the blog, Take Back Roads, says, “America is home to countless back roads, side roads, and country roads… scenic routes, historic routes, and tourist routes… National Byways and Historic Highways…. and more road trip possibilities than…

March 9, 2019

42nd Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Prediction 5K Run

Saturday, March 9 was the 42nd  Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Prediction 5K Run taking place in Pensacola Florida.  Over ten thousand runners and walkers took part in this annual event. This was a 5K (3.1 miles) that started and finished at McGuire’s Irish Pub in downtown Pensacola, Florida.  McGuire’s Bagpipers https://youtu.be/vhEwtRJtI-Ehttps://youtu.be/Xv4GpCEULBY Off They Go And They Keep Coming

February 11, 2019

SAIL AWAY at TALL SHIP FESTIVALS

    Are you a romantic? Do you love pirate tales and swashbuckling movies?  How about Oceanographic Research? Sail away at Tall Ship Festivals, Races, Regattas, Challenges and Celebrations!               Stu and I spent three days exploring Tall Ships in Pensacola, Florida at the Tall Ships Festival.     There are Tall Ship events in North America each year as well as races and celebrations around the globe. One source for finding a Tall Ship Event near you is the Tall Ships Network.  C’mon senior travelers!     In 2019 alone, you can see Tall Ships in such American cities as:        …

February 4, 2019

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTLY: INDUSTRIAL SLAVERY AT ARCADIA MILL in MILTON, FLORIDA

We felt as if we were just walking through a nature park at Arcadia Mill in Milton, Florida. We were actually visiting Florida’s first and largest antebellum industrial complex! There is beauty in the Arcadia Mill woods but also the beastly in the Mill’s history. A large part of Arcadia Mill’s history is industrial slavery.   The Arcadia Mill site was a huge complex with various mills, a grist mill, a blackmithshop, a mule-drawn railroad and a sixteen-mile long log flume! The vast complex was built and operated with industrial slavery.   The industrial site began with a sawmill. It grew to have a second sawmill. Later, a textile mill was run…

January 28, 2019

6 PLACES TO SEE IN ONE OF FLORIDA’S OLDEST TOWNS: MILTON, FLORIDA

Tiny towns are not for everyone. Stu and I love them. Many times, they are a window into the lifestyles of yesteryear both architecturally and culturally. They just FEEL different! The vibe is laid-back and personal. Such towns have survived much longer than we, as visitors have and seem to boast a happy contentment that they will survive long after we are gone.    Milton, Florida is nothing special and yet, it is! Milton is “old-time” Florida and has blocks of historic homes and storefronts that lead to the Blackwater River waterfront. This is a sleepy town on the water where life is secure and peaceful. Milton can trace its history back to…

December 6, 2018

FLORA-BAMA

Flora-bama! Is it a state, a tv show or a town? It is none of the above!   Flora-Bama is a one-building lounge located in Perdido Key, Florida on the state line of Alabama and Florida! Known as a honky-tonk and roadhouse, Flora-Bama is on Alabama State Route 182 and was built in 1964. When it was established in Escambia County, Florida, the county was “wet” while across the state line, Baldwin County, Alabama, was “dry”. When you go, ask for the “Bushwacker” drink.   Before Hurricane Ivan, Flora-Bama had in the range of 20 bars on site and up to 4 live bands playing at once. Right on the Gulf…