Uncategorized – exploringtampaflorida.com

ETF #25 – Towers, Trails, Alligators and Tampa Population Growth

March 7, 2022 tywhitman Uncategorized

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today! We’re gonna expand on last month’s talk about observation towers in the Tampa area, and answer the question, “were they wrong about their stated heights”. We’re gonna share some absolutely incredible facts about alligators. We’re gonna have a conversation about population growth in the Tampa area with “everyone moving here”. Then, we are going to review three, popular biking and hiking trails: The Upper Tampa Bay Trail, The Ream Wilson Trail, and the Oldsmar Trail.

ETF #24 – The Florida Conservation and Technology Center

January 15, 2022 tywhitman Uncategorized

Many people may have heard of the Manatee Viewing Center, but today we are going to talk about The Florida Conservation and Technology Center, a new co-op between Tampa Electric, The Florida Aquarium, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the University of Florida, which includes the Manatee Viewing Center. They are doing a lot of awesome things there. It’s fun! It’s educational. They’ve got some great hiking trails. They’ve got an awesome observation tower… and it’s all free! Also included… No winter in Tampa; Where’s the beef; Everyone needs a woman like this; Tampa Bay’s best observation towers; Parking HERE would be nice, and Am I trespassing again?

ETF #23 – Weedon Island, Sunken Gardens vs Florida Botanical Gardens, Gulf Beaches HIstory Museum, and Other Attractions Around the St. Petersburg Pier

November 23, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

Today we are going to have some fun in the St. Petersburg area. We will go hiking and kayaking at Weedon Island Preserve. We will visit Sunken Gardens and compare it with the Florida Botanical Garden. We will investigate some St. Pete Beach history by visiting the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum and the St. Petersburg Museum of History. We will have an awesome pizza on the pier at Spa Beach Bistro. We will be refused entry to both The Museum of Fine Arts and the Salvador Dali Museum, but we will bounce back quickly and check out the many awesome amenities at Vinoy Park and Elva Rouse Park.

ETF #22 – St. Petersburg

November 6, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

Today we are bringing Luke Rorech on the show to talk about St. Petersburg. Luke is a realtor who was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area, and whose office is located in St. Petersburg. We’re gonna talk about what makes it such a special place to live, and the best neighborhoods to buy in. We’re gonna talk about some of the best places to stay on vacation, as well as some attractions you can’t miss. We are even gonna talk about some of the best, little-known dives. Whether you are a vacationer, a local, or someone considering buying here, this episode will have something for you to love.

ETF #21 – Brooker Creek Preserve, Florida Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, and Clearwater Beach

October 10, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

The title pretty much says it all. Today we are going to briefly talk about some things going on in my life since the last episode. Then we will discuss adventures at the Brooker Creek Preserve, Florida Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, and a glorious evening walking down Clearwater Beach. Also included: I think they REALLY mean “no dogs”, the impossible tour to follow, I need a destination, don’t eat the fruit, overdressed, “You’re sick? Get away from me! …400 miles away!”, and embrace the tourist in you.

ETF #20 – Eleven Reasons NOT to Move to Tampa

August 8, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

I’ve lived in the Tampa Bay area for a year now and I think it’s an awesome place. I’m really happy that I moved here. However, just as anywhere does, it has it’s flaws. Although they may not be a deal breaker for me, they definitely could be for someone else. So, in the interest of giving anyone thinking about moving here a well rounded opinion, today we are going to cover my top eleven reasons why someone should NOT move to the Tampa Bay area.

ETF #19 – Tropical Storm Elsa, Lightning Win Back to Back Stanley Cups, and Tampa Riverwalk Attractions

July 12, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

The title pretty much says it all. Today we are going to talk about tropical storm Elsa and how the news totally blew it out of proportion, for the most part. We are going to talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning winning back to back Stanley Cups. We are going to talk about Amalie Arena and my first ever trip to Tampa, and along with that we are going to discuss a whole slew of things near the arena…. The American Victory Museum Ship, Sparkman Wharf, the Tampa Bay History Center, and best places to park.

ETF #18 – The Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Florida Aquarium

June 27, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

In this episode we are going to talk about the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Florida Aquarium, two huge visitor attractions in the Tampa area. I’ve got some good news and some bad news related to them. One is a “can’t miss” and the other is a definite “skip it”.

ETF #17 – Tampa Talk: Busch Gardens, Disk Golf Update, Moving to Florida, Drum Circles, and more…

June 5, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

Pam is joining me on the show today for a discussion about several things. We discuss our first trip to Busch Gardens, Tampa, an important disk golf update, her move to Florida, drum circles, and a lot of other really fun topics.

Also included: Crying while stalking Steven King, Don’t molest the alligators, Don’t tangle with a hyena, Roller coasters that make you feel old, Woodstock in Tampa, Crazy drivers driving up insurance, and much more.

ETF #16 – Tampa Area Zoos, and Animal Sanctuaries

May 13, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

Today we are going to take a detailed look at several of the area’s zoos and animal sanctuaries. We are going to review ZooTampa, the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, and the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. I’m going to talk about why I was not able to check out either Busch Gardens, or Big Cat Rescue. I’m also going to share a near deadly experience with a water moccasin and a super fun experience mini-golfing with gators.

ETF #15 – Tampa Disc Golf

April 21, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

Disc golf is an awesome way to get out of the house and spend a fun day in the sun, either with friends or zenning out by yourself, and it’s practically free to play. When I first moved here, I couldn’t help but notice that the Tampa area has A LOT of disc golf courses, so I set out a goal to play them all. Some were really good, and some were really bad. Today I will share that journey with you. We will discuss the worst three courses in the area, the top four, and some other ones which you should just have on your radar.

ETF #14 – Disney Parks Around the World

March 12, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

There are six locations for Disney parks around the world: Anaheim, Orlando (Not technically, but generally speaking… We cover that today.), Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Today, I am super excited to bring on Carol, a lifelong friend who has visited every Disneyland Park, and also every Disney theme park around the world. We have an awesome conversation, not just about the parks and their differences, but about the locations the parks are in as well. We also do a little Disney trivia, and just have an overall, really good time.

ETF #13 – Purchasing Real Estate in Tampa, Pt 2 – Sinkholes, Flooding, and Hurricanes

February 26, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

In this second part of our series on purchasing real estate in Tampa, we tackle the depressing but very serious subjects of sinkholes, floods and hurricanes. We will jump into how sinkholes are formed, why the area around Tampa has such a problem with them, and where some of the best and worst areas are located. We will then talk about insurance issues regarding sinkhole coverage, flood coverage, and “wind damage” coverage.

ETF #12 – Super Bowl 55 Comes to Tampa Bay

February 8, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55, and the big game is happening right here in Tampa. In this episode we are going to discuss the run up to the Super Bowl, the incredible fan experiences downtown, and all the pre-game excitement that has been buzzing around town this week. The bulk of the fan activities take place along the Tampa Riverwalk, so we are going to discuss that area as well. Even if you don’t care about football and hate sports, it’s an amazing place that everyone visiting here should check out, so there’s something for everyone in today’s show.

ETF #11 – Purchasing Real Estate in Tampa, Pt 1 – Where to Live

January 27, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

For anyone looking to purchase near Tampa or move into the area, this honest, non-selling conversation is a must listen. John and I bring two separate viewpoints to the table, one of a newcomer and one of a seasoned Tampa area vet, and we spend the show discussing the pros and cons of living in a multitude of different areas covering seven counties around the Tampa Bay area.

ETF #10 – Connie and Gerson, on Moving to Florida and Sarasota Beaches

January 12, 2021 tywhitman Uncategorized

Today we will talk with previous “Kauai Podcast” guests Connie and Gerson, about their move from Indiana to the Sarasota area, and why they ended up here over Hawaii. We will then spend the bulk of the show discussing several of their favorite places around Sarasota.

Also included: Best, little-known beaches in Sarasota, the WHITEST beach, or just the WIDEST, the Sarasota 20, searching for magical places, stalking celebrities, and amazing beachfront restaurants.

ETF #9 – Tampa Fun Facts

December 28, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

Today we are going to have some fun discussing several facts related to the Tampa area. We’ll also discuss some “facts” that aren’t true, and a few others that I wish weren’t. Don’t miss it! This show very possibly could be the best podcast episode in the world!

Included in the show: Team names that fit, Possibly the worst team name ever, Pirates as in “aaarrrgh”, Why I drove 40 minutes to look at a sidewalk, Famous people and not-so-famous movies, Is this bad review even real, and…. Where we stand in the nation.

ETF #8 – Five “Must See” Parks Near Clearwater (Pinellas County)

December 14, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

The title says five, but we are going to cover A LOT of parks today. Today we are going to review a whole slew of parks in Pinellas County, and while we do that I will highlight five as “must see” parks for visitors new to the area.

Also included: Drive to a tropical island, Is this elevator going down, Gators everywhere, If this is the honeymoon, I want an annulment, Beware of flying golf balls, Beware of flying disks, Turtles all around, and Magical places.

ETF #7 – California vs Florida

December 1, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

This episode will wrap up our initial series of “Moving to Florida” episodes. Today I will briefly discuss my move to Florida, and how California tried to kill me to keep me there … like some kind of psycho, jilted lover. Then I will get into my initial impressions of Florida compared with California. Also included: Does anybody know how to drive? More license plates than people. How talking about water flow can be insulting. Too hot is too hot, anywhere. Living in a vacation destination. And, what the world is a “fifth third”?

ETF #6 – Cross Country To Tampa, Part 4 – Onward to New Orleans and Clearwater, Florida

November 23, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

This episode concludes our cross country adventure. Sarah and I travel from San Antonio to New Orleans where we spend some time exploring the French Quarter and taking a steamboat down the Mississippi River. We then continue on and complete our journey, ending at Clearwater Beach, Florida. Also included: Houston sucks, REALLY long bridges, don’t swim in Lake Pontchartrain, staying alert in the French Quarter, kicking some British ass, don’t swim in the Mississippi, be careful where you park in Tallahassee, and how all of that becomes an incredible time I will never forget.

ETF #5 – Cross Country To Tampa, Part 3 – Roswell, into the Carlsbad Caverns, and on to San Antonio, Texas

November 16, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

The title pretty much says it all. Also discussed, a true divine intervention that may have saved our lives, a torrential downpour in Albuquerque, aliens in Roswell, the UFO Museum, a 750 foot elevator into an amazing, underground world, I CAN drive 85, spirits of the Alamo, wait staff that are forced to wear ratings on their aprons, and the incredible San Antonio Riverwalk.

ETF #4 – Cross Country To Tampa, Part 2 – Kingman, Route 66, and on to the Grand Canyon

November 9, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

In Part Two of our cross-country adventure, Sarah and I travel along Route 66, into The Grand Canyon and onward towards Roswell, New Mexico. Also discussed, the man who should have bought a lottery ticket, how I got lost and couldn’t find the Grand Canyon even though I was only steps away, elusive deer, men who hate Chipotle, men who hate the Grand Canyon, and the beautiful mood music of Paul Simon.

ETF #3 – Cross Country To Tampa, Part 1 – Into Las Vegas and on to the Hoover Dam

November 2, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

In Part One of our cross country road trip to Tampa, Florida, we travel into Las Vegas, share some history and interesting information about the area, visit Ghost Adventures creator Zak Bagans’s Haunted Museum, catch a Criss Angel show, then move on towards the Hoover Dam.

Episode #2 – Introduction to Florida and the Tampa Area

October 26, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

In this episode, I tell the story of taking my daughter to Florida for the first time, to see if it was a place she might want to live. We walked on heavenly beaches in Clearwater, failed a Forest Gump quiz miserably in Daytona, drove through some neighborhoods that were awesome, and some that were not. We had a surprise meetup in Orlando, went on an alligator hunt in Myakka, flew through Pandora on a banshee, watched the perfect sunset in Venice, and found ourselves amidst a surprise drag show during an amazing lunch on Tampa Bay. Today I’m going to take you along for a recap of sorts, and share some stories while giving you some good information about the state and areas within it.

Episode #1 – Personal Introduction, and Florida vs Hawaii

October 11, 2020 tywhitman Uncategorized

I just moved from California to the Tampa area about 6 weeks ago, and I LOVE this area. It’s absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to get out and explore it, and learn more about it, and I’d like to invite you along on that journey with me.

In this first episode I am going to spend some time making some introductions, to myself as well as my goals with this show. I’m also going to explain how I got here, why I chose Tampa over Hawaii, and what you can expect with the next shows going forward.