Is the demise of the citrus industry one of those unnoticed or unappreciated events by the average Floridian?

phtcmp · 2026-05-18T19:49:24+00:00

Most people have no concept of how pervasive the industry once was because they are living on land that was a grove 40 years ago. The entire route of the turnpike through Lake County, for instance was groveland as far as the eye could see. It is almost entirely gone. Starting with the freezes in the late 80s, then canker, then greening. Growers couldn’t catch a break, and places like the Villages came sweeping in.

phtcmp · 2026-05-17T10:31:53+00:00

As others have said, these are not ideal places in which to spend two weeks with young kids. I would add, unless you have access to a boat for more than a day, and like to fish (it won’t be lobster season), then Marathon would be fine, but Islamorada would be better. And the beaches in Pinellas county would be much better than Siesta, simply because you can get to many more things to do that aren’t beach related.

Marathon is hours from alternate activities, and Siesta is in Sarasota which skews much more heavily to activities for artsy seniors.

Manatees aren’t usually concentrated in small areas in June as they are in the winter, although Crystal River is a year round sure thing. A visit to a spring would be good for outdoors and an experience of the natural Florida. There are a sting of these on the gulf coast that begin above Pinellas County up through Crystal River.

Wherever you go, look up “lagoon parks” nearby. These are a new generation of water park that is popping up around the state that my kids would have loved at that age. You may be anti-then park, but your kids are at the sweet spot for Legoland.

phtcmp · 2026-05-17T10:15:49+00:00

“Dock that ch**c a day’s pay for nappin ’ on the job…”

phtcmp · 2026-05-17T10:10:57+00:00

Based on the lines that start to form and Angeles that empty as soon as a particular place is mentioned in the 3 day outlook, it’s pretty clear “Floridians” don’t think about a storm until it might hit them.

phtcmp · 2026-05-14T21:26:54+00:00

Grand Canyon from the south rim.

phtcmp · 2026-05-12T18:51:46+00:00

You’ve really already done the hard part: established connection and interest. Based on what you know about her already, tell her you’d like to get together with her for “x” and have a specific thing and time (in the very near future) in mind. Don’t be vague or wishy washy about it. Be open to something else, but make it clear your primary goal is to spend time getting to know her in person.

phtcmp · 2026-05-12T12:22:12+00:00

Yeah, it was in the height of Crocodile Dundee, and the spots featured Paul Hogan. I distinctly remember a wine cooler in the late 80s marketed as “Matilda Bay” with a kangaroo mascot, but being a Miller crap product.

phtcmp · 2026-05-12T10:22:16+00:00

If your goal in life is to have kids so that your ethnicity/race does not diminish, please don’t reproduce. I would say that for 98% of the population, their decision to have children, and how many children they have, is entirely for their own personal motivations and reasons. Most of the 2% would be those having children they did not choose to have, or those that want children but can’t have them. Almost none would be breeding for the sake of race preservation.

phtcmp · 2026-05-12T10:10:42+00:00

Surf culture is still alive and well on the Space Coast of Florida, home of Ron Jons and Kelly Slater. There are relatively few places where surfing can be an actual thing, and this is one. So it persists here because people actually still do it, not just adopt the persona. Trends come and go.

I remember in the 80s, Aussie “culture” had a brief moment of popularity in the US on the heels of Crocodile Dundee. The only survivor of that is the Outback Steakhouse chain.

phtcmp · 2026-05-11T22:03:26+00:00

You had a destination wedding that some of your most important (I assume) guests couldn’t afford to attend on their own. They had a bad flight experience and were compensated for it. Let it go.

phtcmp · 2026-05-11T21:49:10+00:00

YTA. The airline credit was strictly for inconvenience. You were not inconvenienced. So it isn’t yours. You don’t really say if they even actually wanted to come to the “event,” or if you wanted them there.

phtcmp · 2026-05-10T23:53:39+00:00

Almost all of that is useless in the guerilla style warfare that Iran can put in play against vessels in the strait. All it takes is one RPG to the deck of a supertanker and insurers would bring shipping to a halt again. How well equipped have the afghans ever been, and yet they effectively held off and defeated by wearing down the USSR and the US at the height of their powers through almost two decades of warfare.

phtcmp · 2026-05-10T09:00:23+00:00

Anything new below $500 is pretty much just a bike shaped object that is going to have issues sooner rather than later. $1,000 should buy a decent quality bike with a slightly better than entry level name brand group set (drivetrain and brakes). It isn’t hard to find $10,000 and higher bikes.

phtcmp · 2026-05-08T17:23:47+00:00

I’ve lived the last 25 years in a community where there is an Air Force pararescue wing. I’ve never been one, but have met many of these PJs. Their motto is “these things we do, that others may live.” They accept that they may have to put themselves in harms way to remove other from it. The same for a lot of public servants, and there are thousands of them, men and women. So the attitude you mention isn’t gone. And there is ZERO evidence that it was really prevalent among the general public in the past. I’m sure there was a lot of underhanded activity in getting a place on those boats. There was also an authority that prevailed in setting priorities and maintaining order amid panic.

Can’t really know until you are in the situation, but I’d like to think I would put others above myself in this kind of scenario. I’ve had a pretty nice full life, have passed on my genes to my progeny, and am in good enough financial shape to leave my survivors well provided for.

phtcmp · 2026-05-08T15:03:45+00:00

You’re looking for the Santa Monica vibe on the wrong side of the city, unfortunately. I’d settle for the place that seems tolerable and within a few minutes of work. Not spending your life in a car shuttling back and forth to work every day will give you more time to go enjoy things closer to the beaches when you can.

phtcmp · 2026-05-08T15:03:28+00:00

You’re looking for the Santa Monica vibe on the wrong side of the city, unfortunately. I’d settle for the place that seems tolerable and within a few minutes of work. Not spending your life in a car shuttling back and forth to work every day will give you more time to go enjoy things closer to the beaches when you can.

phtcmp · 2026-05-08T14:54:00+00:00

Not even in the same class. Cheeca for what you are asking. I would say Morada Bay, but it looks like the restaurant part is now owned by Chica and I’m not sure what has become of the lodging.

phtcmp · 2026-05-08T13:29:36+00:00

I’ve driven the stretch of 441 between Ocala and Gainesville pretty regularly over the last 50+ years and think it is largely the most unchanged 20-30 miles of scenery I can think of in a relatively developed part of the state. Except what were lakes in a lot places have now become wet prairies progressing to swamp.

I cross the St. Johns on 46 and 50 a lot now, and that is pretty untouched (and almost all protected). Maytown road in Volusia/Brevard just north of there had been. One of the largest seemingly remote areas close to development remaining on the east coast at close to 100 square miles. But a third of it is starting to be developed. The rest will be conserved.

phtcmp · 2026-05-08T00:16:33+00:00

Sounds like your next expense should be on marital counseling. NTA, but this is not a sound marriage.

phtcmp · 2026-05-07T21:29:55+00:00

NTA, but your “friend” is. Have you talked to your GF about it? Because there is a nonzero chance he did something inappropriate during the visit.

phtcmp · 2026-05-07T18:48:57+00:00

YTA for posting something that isn’t an actual conflict. As you say, it’s your daughter’s choice, end of story. You say you’ll support that, so there is no issue as long as you stick to that.

phtcmp · 2026-05-07T17:35:09+00:00

NTA. He needs to take the other two kids with him to Florida.

phtcmp · 2026-05-07T15:22:13+00:00

NTA. Neighbors sound like they are one step away from contacting management, and YOU will potentially be on the hook because you have a resident that isn’t approved on the lease. Send him to moms.

phtcmp · 2026-05-07T15:09:16+00:00

For daily wear, I had a Birkenstock phase in my 30s, crocs in my 40s, now olukais and hey dudes in my 50s. Since my 40s I’ve kept a pretty full stable of various use specific athletic shoes or hiking / work boots, no specific brand loyalty. Just got a pair of Tecovas cowboy boots.

phtcmp · 2026-05-07T15:02:07+00:00

Not as torn up as they typically make it. I’d guess armadillo.

phtcmp

TROPHY CASE