My husband and I visited the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area near Christmas, Florida and found that hunting season was on. Hunters and other visitors got permits at the main gate; hunters checked in I think with hunting licenses , too but since it didn't apply to us we didn't stop. We didn't mind especially even if we hadn't taken safety vests along because it was raining. 

Part of the answer we found when we reached Lake Charlie  (see photograph) and found this license plate classic. In case you are interested in hunting in Florida, the answer to what, when, where, how is answered at the Florida Hunting and Fishing Wildlife Commission webpage where you find that alligator, deer, ducks and geese, dove, quail, turkey, small game (squirrels) and hog are hunted. The web page offers the correct information about safety, seasons, hunting outfitters and much more on the site, along with information for people with a felony conviction. 

For nonhunters, the site is good also, since you're less likely to prefer to stay in your car if you know that hunting season is over. Since it was our first visit, we didn't mind seeing people properly carry their weapons and saw a good variety of habitats on our drive along the loop round that goes through this area.  There's also good fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking in the area, along with over 50+ different species of butterflies.

Until I visited the Morse Museum of Art, I had no idea about how much Louis Comfort Tiffany contributed to glass work as an art, beautifying many homes, and employing many people in the production of his works.

Many examples of the fine work he did are found at the tiny museum in Winter Park, Florida, close to Orlando. Included in the exhibits are many glass windows, lamps, and sculptures along with exhibits showing how some of the items were manufactured. The museum offers handouts that explain each of the art works found inside. It took us about 2 hours to tour the museum. The gift store in itself is quite the treasure for finding gifts--I was able to stock up on my note cards.

You don't live in Florida long before you run into swimming pool culture and it may involve Pinch-a -Penny Pool Supplies. I couldn't resist snapping this colorful side of the building photograph because it tells just what Pinch-a-Penny cares about. They want us all to have wonderfully clean pools where we can float around on a inner tube all day long. Who would disagree?
There are other pool supplies stores. Our pool is pretty much operational year round, but after December until March or April, the pool and outside air can be a bit cool. We keep ours warm with a thermal blanket and solar heater.

My husband and I recently visited New Smyrna Beach, Florida and found a section of riverside waterfront filled with history. The marina was especially fun--showing they still take their pirates seriously, as did we.

The town offers more than what we saw in our short couple hour visit including a lunch at Blackbeard's restaurant where we had prime rib, french dip and raw oysters at the best price we've encountered.

War 1: 1777--Insurrection and Independence from Cruel Immigrant Settler Overseers

Citizens of the Smyrna Beach colony walked out of their indentured agreement to report the cruelty they'd received to the governor in St. Petersburg. An initial problem occurred when 425 settlers died during the crossing of the Atlantic ocean, then the remaining 1215 found that only 500 settlers were expected, so everyone went hungry. Many of the settlers were of Greek nationality, the origin of the colony name.

War 2: Civil War Found New Smyrna with the Bombing of a Local Hotel

There's more to the history of this former fort turned into a hotel, including local remains of the Timacuan people native to the area. 

I didn't realize that the Civil War impacted Florida much, but the hotel bombed by two Yankee ships shows differently.

War 3: World War I Veterans Memorial

This informative little memorial offers up evidence of some of the price paid by Americans in the First World War. There were many dead, many taken prisoner. Many famous battle sites are mentioned including Flanders Field. Each plaque lists different services played--chemical warfare, supplies, tanks, soldiers, etc. A quick add up of numbers quickly finds the people involved counts more than 100,000. Its worthy of a look or two.