A visit with Authentic Florida...

1. WHY DID YOU START YOUR AUTHENTIC FLORIDA BLOG?

Growing up in Florida, I traveled with my family all over the state – to Central Florida’s crystal clear springs, to the hills and rivers of the Panhandle, to wide endless ribbons of Atlantic beaches, to coral reefs in the Florida Keys, through the saw grass and cypress of the Everglades, and to mom-and-pop motels in many small towns. All of these places and experiences made an indelible mark on my soul, creating a passion and love for Florida. In 2011, I created Authentic Florida as an avenue to my past and a pathway for discovering new treasures. Authentic Florida is designed to highlight the “simple and delightful pleasures for Florida living” through featured blogs, an E-Newsletter and via social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Google+.

2. IN GENERAL, WHAT MAKES FLORIDA SPECIAL?

Oh my! I couldn’t even begin to name the incredible treasures we have – let’s just begin with our Florida birds, this is an ideal time to be birding with the winter flyover! But our Florida State Parks (there are around 160) are so authentic and special – and overflow with “real” Florida. Add our weather, our seafood, our miles of coastline and the waterways. I could go on for days!

3. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FLORIDA VACATION SPOTS?

I just wrote a blog on Six Authentic Destinations for 2015, that shares some interesting places every Floridian should visit: http://bit.ly/1HC9nee

4. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR LARGEST INFLUENCERS IN FLORIDA (AUTHORS, EXPERTS, ETC..)

There are many. But one of the most influential individuals in my work is Clyde Butcher, the amazing black & white photographer who photographs natural Florida. Many of our environmentalists are increasingly more influential and are striving to preserve our state. Here’s a blog I wrote listing Florida’s environmental avengers: http://bit.ly/1Ay8CAV

5. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FLORIDA RESTAURANTS?

I am very partial to locally owned restaurants especially seafood restaurants that source food from Florida. I also appreciated it when a restaurant using products and produce grown in Florida. I have many favorites, but if I had to name one it would be Singleton Seafood Shack in Mayport (outside Jacksonville).

Go to my home page: www.AuthenticFlorida.com and sign up for my Free E-News. Every week I feature unique Florida including some great recipes, gardening ideas, books and artists to watch.