Busch Gardens - Tampa, FL

Over the Thanksgiving holiday we decided that we wanted to do something a little different so we got up early and drove to Tampa and spent the day at Busch Gardens.  We had been there once before in May for my son's birthday and received the buy one day come back the rest of the year passes so we figured what the heck let's go.  Neither my fiancee or son are real big roller coaster riders so there was only one that I really wanted to ride, since it was newly opened and that was the cheetah hunt.  It was an exciting ride with tons of twists and turns and I really enjoyed it. 



 

As Busch Gardens is a large theme park and I usually blog about the Unknown aspects I am going to show you some of the animals we saw walking around the park more so than the known things around. The rest of the day we spent wondering around checking out the animals.

In Walkabout Way you get to feed the Kangaroos - it costs between $3 & $5 for the food, but it is so worth it.  The Kangaroos are very friendly and so soft to touch. 

As Busch Gardens is a large theme park and I usually blog about the Unknown aspects I am going to show you some of the animals we saw walking around the park more so than the known things around.

If you would like to visit Busch Gardens yourself check out this link for more information - http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa

Salvador Dali Museum - St. Petersburg, FL

My fiancee Duane and I have been wanting to go to the Salvador Dali museum in St Pete for awhile now, but with work and the kids we just never had time.  In the past year the museum underwent a huge facelift and expanded from their previous 11,000 sq ft property to one that is almost 22,000 sq ft.  The building and the grounds themselves are beautiful before you even enter in the exhibit. 

side of building from theatre

interesting sculpture at front of entrance

there was a fountain with fish



this is a replica of when Salvador Dalie showed up at an event dressed in a scuba outfit



spiral staircase that runs up to the exhibits

view from out of the glass windows that run along the backside of the building

behind the museum

    

  

As cameras are not allowed in the exhibit I have added some shots of the items that are on display. The price was $21/each for adults with children being cheaper depending on their age. check out the times, prices and directions for yourself with this link - http://thedali.org/visit/overview.html.

The Persistence of Memory

Hallucinogenic Toreador

Telephone in a Dish with Three Grilled Sardines at the End of September

Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire

Crucifixion ('Hypercubic Body')

Below is my personal favorite painted by Salvador Dali.  Unfortunately I will never get to see it up close at is lives with a private collector.

   

Swans reflecting elephants

Showcase of Citrus - Clermont, FL

Our final stop on the "Clermont tour" lead us to the Showcase of Citrus or U Pick It Citrus on US 27.  They have hundreds of citrus trees growing so you can take the family and for a small fee wander around and pick citrus right off the vines.  The prices for the fruit are very reasonable and they provide bags and carts that you can pull through the fields so you don't have to carry the heavy fruit.  Not only do they sell fruit, but have a small market with all types of products.

It was a very pretty, serene and quite place that you could get lost in even without picking any fruit.  Next time you want to do something outdoors with the kids, give this place a try and introduce your child to some new tasty fruits right off the vine.

While there we saw they offer an eco-safari tour for $20/adults, $10/kids.  We didn't take the ride, but will visit again when our son is with us to check it out.  Check back later for another post on that adventure.

On the other side of the lot away from the trees there is a lake with a nice deck and a few benches.  We stood for a while and watched the wildlife. 

For more information, directions or just to take a look for yourself - take a look at their website at http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/