USA road trip 2013. First stop: Florida

It all started out with a wish from Mrs M to go to Nashville for a few days and after a few weeks of discussion, ended up in a full blown road trip. We did our first USA road trip back in 2010 and covered a few of the south western states (California, Nevada and Arizona), so it was decided to target the south east this time. And what an epic 3 weeks it proved to be.

Because of the sheer volume of places, experiences and photographs we got through in 20 days, I have split the posts up by State (the links will be active as I upload each post).

Part 1: Florida (this one)

Part 2: Louisiana

Part 3: Mississippi

Part 4: Tennessee

Part 5: South Carolina and Georgia

 

2013 USA road trip route..

 

"Anneli and Wayne - Roadt rip"

Here we go…..

 

As many of you know, Wildlife photography is my real passion and that usually involves some kind of travel to get to and from various sites. I have always loved the adventure (and romance) of travelling to other countries so the two photographic genres always compliment each other. I thought it pertinent to start the post with one of the few bird photos I did actually take. Not the best Osprey photo you will ever see but a representative of the many Ospreys that you do see in Florida . I will definitely be heading back to Florida for its bird life in the future, especially for the multiple Osprey nest sites that we managed to see.

" Osprey in Florida - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Lone Osprey

 

We flew into Tampa to start the journey off and spent 2 days driving up and down the coastal roads. One of our favourite places to visit was definitely St Pete’s Beach. Its a quaint area on a small peninsula with small streets and picturesque wooden beach houses. The next few photos are from that area as we waited for the sunset we heard could be spectacular.

 

"Sidewalk Decor at St Pete's Beach - Florida - Marinovich wildlife Photograph"

Side walk decor at St Pete’s Beach

"Shadracks at St Pete's Beach - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Shadracks at St Pete’s Beach

"Wall art at St Pete's Beach - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Wall art at St Pete’s Beach

"St Pete's Beach - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

St Pete’s Beach

"St Pete's Beach Palm trees- Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

St Pete’s Beach Palm trees

"Spanish Moss - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Spanish Moss

Spanish moss is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees, commonly the Southern Live Oak or Bald Cyprus in the south-eastern United States. I have long wanted to photograph this plant which is neither Spanish nor a moss. In fact, it was so named because it resembled the long beards of the sailors who came across from Europe..

"St Pete's Beach Palm trees- Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Palm tree silhouette

"Laughing Gull - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Laughing Gull

"Gulf of Mexico at sunset - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Gulf of Mexico at sunset

"Sunset - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Sunset

"St Pete's Beach - Marinovich Wildlife Photography

Maybe someday we can live here …..

"Sunset 2 - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Sunset 2

 

So we left the relative tranquillity of Tampa and the surrounding areas to drive south through the Everglades National park to the busy city of Miami. The next few photos are taken along the 4 hour journey we made.

 

"Florida Waterways - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Florida Waterways

"Spanish Moss 2 - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Spanish Moss 2

"A Sarasota beach - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Siesta beach, Sarasota

"Bridges and waterways - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Bridges and waterways

"Everglades expanse - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Everglades expanse

 

Miami. What a mental place. Loved the architecture, long beaches, good food and wine…and of course the colourful characters who call it home.

"Miami design - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Miami design

"Miami Evening - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Miami Evening

"Miami contours - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Miami contours

"Miami Design - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Miami Design

"Mustang City - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Mustang City

"Miami Towers - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Miami Towers

"Jerry's Famous Deli - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Jerry’s Famous Deli – open 24 hours

"Cameo Lights - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Cameo Lights

"Florida Bikes - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Florida Bike

"The Crown - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

The Crown

"Wall Beauty - Street art - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Wall Beauty

"Espanola way Florida - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Espanola way fashion

"Palms and Apartments - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Palms and Apartments

"Florida Decor 2 - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

1425

"Backstreet Miami - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Backstreet Miami

"South Miami Buildings - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

South Miami Buildings

"Cavalier South Miami - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Cavalier

"Audi South Miami - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Pimped Audi

"Orange - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Orange

"Palm tree south Miami - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Palm tree

"Cruisin South Miami - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Cruisin South Miami

"Miami Curves - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Miami Curves

"Free Wheelin - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Free wheelin

"Camaro South Miami - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Chev Camaro

"Boulevard Hotel - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Boulevard Hotel

"Dodge alley -Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Dodge alley

"South Miami scene - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

South Miami scene

"The Webster - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

The Webster

"Excess - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Excess cars

"Hotel Clifton - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Hotel Clifton

"Ocean Blue - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Ocean Blue

"Retro - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Retro

"Scooter 736 - Marinovich Wildlife Photography

Scooter 736

 

During the 4 days we were based in Miami, we took a day trip down Route 1 and island hopped all the way along the Florida Keys to Key West, going through some great places along the way, like Key Largo. In hindsight it would have been nice to spend a night or two there, so if you are ever in that part of the world, I recommend staying for a few days as the sights, food and pubs are terrific.

 

"Blue sky - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Blue Sky

"Key West House - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Key West House

"Old Houses - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Old Houses

"Dog walking Key West style - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Dog walking Key West style

"Waiting - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Waiting

"Key West house - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Key West house

"Indian motorcycle - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Indian motorcycle

"Strand Key West - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Strand Key West

"Key West Murial - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Key West Murial

 

"Shipwreck Museum Key West - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Shipwreck Museum Key West

"Key West Sunset - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Key West Sunset

After a long drive back to Miami, we spent our last night there drinking the largest cocktails I have ever seen. So the following morning, with a heavy head, we drove up the east coast of Florida to the Kennedy Space Centre on Merritt Island. We arrived close to closing time so sadly didn’t have a chance to go in.  I still managed to get some photos and did the tourist thing by buying a few useless trinkets at the gift shop.

"Kennedy Space Centre - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Kennedy Space Centre

"NASA  Florida - Marinovich Wildlife Photography

NASA

"Astronaut Hall of Fame - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Astronaut Hall of Fame

"Stars and Stripes - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Stars and Stripes

 

After a stormy night in Orlando, we headed toward Louisiana but first we had to make a stop at Rainbow Springs National Park. We were told it had crystal clear springs that you could swim in. So after a few hours drive we arrived in time to chat to some of the local swimmers before getting into the clear cold water. It certainly is a refreshing way to wake up – what with the cold water and alligators swimming around. There are also a few man made waterfalls along some of the short nature walks which made for some wonderful photography.

"Flower sunrise - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Flower sunrise

 

"Wayne Marinovich"

Yours truly

 

"Daily News - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Daily News

"Rainbow Springs - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Rainbow Springs

"Moss tree - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Moss tree

"Rainbow Springs Waterfall - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Rainbow Springs Waterfall

"Rainbow Springs Waterfall 2 - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Rainbow Springs Waterfall 2

" Rainbow Springs National Park - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Rainbow Springs National Park

"Palm Pattern - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Palm Pattern

"Luxury Living - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Luxury Living

 

In order to break up some of the driving we had to do, we spent a night in the lovely historic town of Pensacola to have dinner with some friends before the onslaught into New Orleans.

 

"Pensacola Brewery - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Pensacola Brewery – it was closed at the time…..

"The Square - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

The Square

"History rich Pensacola - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

History rich Pensacola

"Lamp - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Lamp

"Fast Eddies - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Fast Eddies

"The Tin Cow - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

The Tin Cow

 

Leaving Pensacola, we made our way inland. I will now fast forward a few weeks to our return from South Carolina as we wearily made our way back to Tampa to fly out to the UK. We drove down the coast to St Augustine’s and Daytona beach. I have always wanted to stand on the legendary beach which has hard packed sand allowing vehicles to drive upon it (and to race along in the old days). Now the racing is done at the Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500…

"St Augustine - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

St Augustine

"St Augustine beach - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

St Augustine

"Umbrella - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Lone Umbrella

"Daytona beach entrance - Marinovich Wildlife Photography"

Name says it all

"Florida storm - Marinovich Wildlife Photography

Daytona storm brewing…

 

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