What Not To Do in Key West

The swaying palms and cawing gulls sound serene in the background. Islands can be so romantic and Florida boasts some of the best beaches in the world. When planning your trip to Key West, remember, do NOT go to the Conch Republic expecting to lounge in the sand and frolic in the waves.

Reason 1: The Sand
Key West has some of the roughest, sharpest, rockiest sand in the state. It will cut a toe off if you aren’t careful. Bring some sandals you intend to wear right to the shore line if you are brave enough to go barefoot.

Reason 2: The Coast Line
The coast of Key West includes some of the best diving you will find with very close reefs and oodles of ship wrecks to explore. Snorkeling and diving boats leave regularly and are the best way to visit the marine life surrounding the island.

Reason 3: The Culture on Land
There is so much to see and do on the 7.4 square miles of land. Visit the silly t-shirt shops, take a trip on the Conch Trolley and by all means visit the nightly Ghost Tour to learn the history of the strange island. Duval Street is an entertainment destination day or night. Then, just before sunset, head west to Mallory Square and take part in the festival of the sunset. Wire walkers, fire breathers, artisans and chefs all come out to entertain locals and tourists. With so much to do on dry land, you won’t want to miss a minute of it.

Reason 4: The Inhabitants
Should you ignore this blog and make your way to a stretch of sand for an afternoon of sun-soaked fun, you may find your perfect beach spot is currently occupied by one of the many drifters that call Key West home. Due to the mild weather and laid-back lifestyle that comes with the island, it has become a Mecca to those who are between homes, looking for a change, or just yearn for somewhere warm. Although the man outside the ice cream shop just outside of Mallory Square will tell you a hysterical dirty joke for $1. Another man residing outside a church on Duval holds a sign, “I won’t lie, I need a beer.” You have to love the honesty that’s only acceptable this far south.

All in all, there are so many beautiful pools and fun attractions, why bother with the beach in Key West. If you are looking for a sun and sand destination, aim north for Siesta Key, you won’t be sorry.

Tanger vs. Town Center: The Fort Myers Shopping War

Why oh why does Fort Myers get two shopping destinations within 30 minutes of each other?

Tanger Outlets boasts more than 43 name brand outlet shops in a yellow, open air mall set up that’s perfect for the balmy 80 degree weather of the west coast. The brand manufacturers cut out the middle man offering new items for up to 70% less than retail prices. Crocs and Coach, Nike and Polo; come to one center to make purchases for the whole family. Parking can be difficult, so come in early for prime positions.

Gulf Coast Town Center may not include “outlet” in the title but the mark downs are everywhere. With 103 current retailers included in one plaza, you can get groceries, pick up new shoes, grab lunch with a friend and get a manicure without leaving the compound. Bays include stores like Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ross, and Rue 21. Eateries offering foods sure to please even the pickiest and there is even a movie theater included in the plaza. The only drawback to Gulf Coast is the giant stores make for a lot of walking. The plaza has plenty of parking throughout but you will have to move your car on more than one occasion.

Bottom line, if you are shopping for name brand attire, shoes or luggage, visit Tanger Outlets. To get your toiletries, visit a shop or two and catch a movie before grabbing milk on your way home, Gulf Coast Town Center might be more your style. Get more information at www.tangeroutlet.com/fortmyers or www.gulfcoasttowncenter.com for more.

You need to read this blog - My Awesome Friday

In the name of spontaneity, Anthony, Jessica, Eitan and I ran away for a day of fun on Friday. We all called in sick/personal/braindead and went to Orlando to hit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It was no normal day though, we saw the Ellen DeGeneres Show being filmed.

I, being a huge Ellen fan, couldn't wait:

Anth decided (foolishly) to go along with the 3 hour drive there and back all on Friday.

I brought the idea of going to Jess and Eitan, they were thrilled:

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Ellen rocked and they sold shirts, of which I did not get, that said "I danced with Ellen, Orlando 2007"

Yup, that's as close as we got. Oh well, we did see Lynard Skynard perform.

They still rock, even if all the original band members are dead/incarcerated/quit. haha.

The Ellen show we were on is scheduled to air Monday at 4 (Broward), on NBC. We were in the middle of the crowd that Lynard Skynard performed in front of. Luckily Jess wore a bright salmon shirt, and Eitan a blue hat, so look for us!

Better yet, we renewed our annual passes as Easter gifts to each other. Yay! Anyone up for a day trip - let us know!

Cracking Bats this Break

With the kids out of school on Spring Break, it’s safe to assume you could use an afternoon out. Enjoy a sun-drenched day at the ballpark and still stay within your budget. Start the season early by catching our hometown Marlins or visiting Cardinals at their Spring Training Camp this week for a fun-filled spring break day of Americana.

Avoid the Miami traffic and aim north to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Tickets are economical, even for large groups, starting at just $8 a piece. The prices are low enough to leave change for ice cream in a tiny, upside down helmet. The games are daily through the end of March. Roger Dean Stadium is at 4751 Main Street in Jupiter. Call 561-775-1818 or visit www.rogerdeanstadium.com for more.

A million dreams -- and fun with pirates, too

By Marisa Beyerl

South Florida Parenting

Tinkerbell is tapping visitors on the shoulder throughout the Disney theme parks and giving them once-in-a-lifetime gifts as part of the Year of a Million Dreams. The campaign continues through the end of 2007, awarding families already in the park with experiences like lunch with a princess, a Disney Cruise or the coveted night in Cinderella's Castle. The encounters are money-can't-buy memories and include being official wildlife spotter on an Animal Kingdom safari, being a bellhop at the Tower of Terror or helping open a Disney park for the day.

"It kicked off in October when one lucky family stayed in the Magic Kingdom," says Michelle Baumann, a public relations representative at Walt Disney World. "Others get tapped on the shoulder and are handed a fast pass for the day or are taken to lunch with Cinderella."

Those with a funny bone should stop by the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club in the Magic Kingdom, where Mike Wazowski, the green, one-eyed monster from Monsters, Inc., leads the comedians and guests in a laugh-a-thon. Guests can use their cell phones to text in jokes for use in the show.

Another new resident is moving in: Two parks are boasting that orange fish with the lucky fin, Nemo. He has a new musical show at the formerly open-air Theater of the Wild, near Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom.

"It's a wonderful stage show that runs about 30 minutes," Baumann says. "Avenue Q composer Bobby Lopez and his wife Kristen wrote the score, because the movie was not musical."

The style of puppets looks similar to the Lion King. Michael Curry, the same artist, created them.

At Epcot, the Living Seas Pavilion also has Nemo as a new resident, along with Marlin, Dory and Crush. "It's a fun little attraction where you ride in a clam mobile," Baumann says. "You're going through a real tank, but it looks like the characters are swimming along the tank with the real fish."

If under the sea isn't your bag, 13 selected nights through March there are after-hours gatherings for pirates and princesses, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. "We encourage guests to wear their favorite pirate or princess costume to come to the park after closing, where they get a map," Baumann says. "They are on a quest for chocolate doubloons and necklaces throughout the park."

The Year of a Million Dreams continues through 2007. For the Pirate and Princess party schedule, visit www.disneyworld.disney.go.com