Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some women, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give women a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men and women are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
HRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
As women age, their hormones begin to go through changes that affect their day-to-day lives. For women, hormone deficiency and imbalance usually occur during menopause and can cause chronic fatigue, hot flashes, and mood swings, among other issues. Hormone replacement therapy helps correct hormone imbalances in women, helping them feel more vibrant and virile as they age.
Often, HRT treatments give patients enhanced quality of life that they didn't think was possible - even in their 60's and beyond.
The benefits for women are numerous and are available today through Global Life Rejuvenation.
As women age, their bodies begin to go through significant changes that affect their quality of life. This change is called menopause and marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and reproduction ability. Though there is no specific age when this change occurs, the average age of menopause onset is 51 years old. However, according to doctors, menopause officially starts 12 months after a woman's final period. During the transition to menopause, women's estrogen and other hormones begin to deplete.
As that happens, many women experience severe symptoms. These symptoms include:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be concerning and scary for both women and their spouses. However, if you're getting older and notice some of these symptoms, there is reason to be hopeful. Hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine for women can correct imbalances that happen during menopause. These safe, effective treatments leave you feeling younger, healthier, and more vibrant.
The most common reason for menopause is the natural decline in a female's reproductive hormones. However, menopause can also result from the following situations:
Oophorectomy: This surgery, which removes a woman's ovaries, causes immediate menopause. Symptoms and signs of menopause in this situation can be severe, as the hormonal changes happen abruptly.
Chemotherapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can induce menopause quickly, causing symptoms to appear shortly after or even during treatment.
Ovarian Insufficiency: Also called premature ovarian failure, this condition is essentially premature menopause. It happens when a woman's ovaries quit functioning before the age of 40 and can stem from genetic factors and disease. Only 1% of women suffer from premature menopause, but HRT can help protect the heart, brain, and bones.
For many women, menopause is a trying time that can be filled with many hormonal hurdles to jump through. A little knowledge can go a long way, whether you're going through menopause now or are approaching "that" age.
Here are some of the most common issues that women experience during menopause:
If you're a woman going through menopause and find that you have become increasingly depressed, you're not alone. It's estimated that 15% of women experience depression to some degree while going through menopause. What many women don't know is that depression can start during perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, especially during perimenopause and menopause. However, if you notice the following signs, it might be time to speak with a physician:
Remember, if you're experiencing depression, you're not weak or broken - you're going through a very regular emotional experience. The good news is that with proper treatment from your doctor, depression isn't a death sentence. And with HRT and anti-aging treatment for women, depression could be the catalyst you need to enjoy a new lease on life.
Hot flashes - they're one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are intense, sudden feelings of heat across a woman's upper body. Some last second, while others last minutes, making them incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable for most women.
Symptoms of hot flashes include:
Typically, hot flashes are caused by a lack of estrogen. Low estrogen levels negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature and appetite. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to incorrectly assume the body is too hot, dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow. Luckily, most women don't have to settle for the uncomfortable feelings that hot flashes cause. HRT treatments for women often stabilize hormones, lessening the effects of hot flashes and menopause in general.
Mood swings are common occurrences for most people - quick shifts from happy to angry and back again, triggered by a specific event. And while many people experience mood swings, they are particularly common for women going through menopause. That's because, during menopause, the female's hormones are often imbalanced. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go hand-in-hand, resulting in frequent mood changes and even symptoms like insomnia.
The rate of production of estrogen, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, largely determines the rate of production the hormone serotonin, which regulates mood, causing mood swings.
Luckily, HRT and anti-aging treatments in Sarasota Springs, FL for women work wonders for mood swings by regulating hormone levels like estrogen. With normal hormone levels, women around the world are now learning that they don't have to settle for mood swings during menopause.
Staying fit and healthy is hard for anyone living in modern America. However, for women with hormone imbalances during perimenopause or menopause, weight gain is even more serious. Luckily, HRT treatments for women coupled with a physician-led diet can help keep weight in check. But which hormones need to be regulated?
Lowered sexual desire - three words most men and women hate to hear. Unfortunately, for many women in perimenopausal and menopausal states, it's just a reality of life. Thankfully, today, HRT and anti-aging treatments Sarasota Springs, FL can help women maintain a normal, healthy sex drive. But what causes low libido in women, especially as they get older?
The hormones responsible for low libido in women are progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, causing low sex drive in women. Lower progesterone production can also cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, and other symptoms. On the other hand, lower estrogen levels during menopause lead to vaginal dryness and even vaginal atrophy or loss of muscle tension.
Lastly, testosterone plays a role in lowered libido. And while testosterone is often grouped as a male hormone, it contributes to important health and regulatory functionality in women. A woman's testosterone serves to heighten sexual responses and enhances orgasms. When the ovaries are unable to produce sufficient levels of testosterone, it often results in a lowered sex drive.
Often uncomfortable and even painful, vaginal dryness is a serious problem for sexually active women. However, like hair loss in males, vaginal dryness is very common - almost 50% of women suffer from it during menopause.
Getting older is just a part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for the side effects. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women correct vaginal dryness by re-balancing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When supplemented with diet and healthy living, your vagina's secretions are normalized, causing discomfort to recede.
Uterine fibroids - they're perhaps the least-known symptom of menopause and hormone imbalances in women. That's because these growths on the uterus are often symptom-free. Unfortunately, these growths can be cancerous, presenting a danger for women as they age.
Many women will have fibroids at some point. Because they're symptomless, they're usually found during routine doctor exams. Some women only get one or two, while others may have large clusters of fibroids. Because fibroids are usually caused by hormone imbalances, hysterectomies have been used as a solution, forcing women into early menopause.
Advances in HRT and anti-aging medicine for women give females a safer, non-surgical option without having to experience menopause early. At Global Life Rejuvenation, our expert physicians will implement a customized HRT program to stabilize your hormones and reduce the risk of cancerous fibroid growth.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS, and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Xenoestrogen is a hormone that is very similar to estrogen. Too much xenoestrogen is thought to stimulate endometrial tissue growth. HRT for women helps balance these hormones and, when used with a custom nutrition program, can provide relief for women across the U.S.
Hormone stability is imperative for a healthy sex drive and for a normal, stress-free life during menopause. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women balance the hormones that your body has altered due to perimenopause or menopause.
HRT for women is a revolutionary step in helping women live their best lives, even as they grow older. However, at Global Life Rejuvenation, we know that no two patients are the same. That's why we specialize in holistic treatments that utilize HRT, combined with healthy nutrition, supplements, and fitness plans that maximize hormone replacement treatments.
If you've been suffering through menopause, is HRT the answer? That's hard to say without an examination by a trusted physician, but one thing's for sure. When a woman balances her hormone levels, she has a much better shot at living a regular life with limited depression, weight gain, mood swings, and hot flashes.
Here are just a few additional benefits of HRT and anti-aging treatments for females:
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with anti-aging treatments for women, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen supply, HRT can relieve symptoms from menopause and protect against osteoporosis. But that's just the start.
Global Life Rejuvenation's patients report many more benefits of HRT and anti-aging medicine for women:
If you're ready to feel better, look better, and recapture the vitality of your youth, it's time to contact Global Life Rejuvenation. It all starts with an in-depth consultation, where we will determine if HRT and anti-aging treatments for women are right for you. After all, every patient's body and hormone levels are different. Since all our treatment options are personalized, we do not have a single threshold for treatment. Instead, we look at our patient's hormone levels and analyze them on a case-by-case basis.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we help women rediscover their youth with HRT treatment for women. We like to think of ourselves as an anti-aging concierge service, guiding and connecting our patients to the most qualified HRT physicians available. With customized HRT treatment plan for women, our patients experience fewer menopausal symptoms, less perimenopause & menopause depression, and often enjoy a more youth-like appearance.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies. Ipamorelin can boost a patient's overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life.
When there is an increased concentration of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, there are positive benefits to the body. Some benefits include:
Whether you are considering our HRT and anti-aging treatments for women in Sarasota Springs, FL, we are here to help. The first step to reclaiming your life begins by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation. Our friendly, knowledgeable HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
973-587-8638
Sarasota is no stranger to being No. 1. Siesta Key is a perennial first placer in beach rankings, and just last year, U.S. News & World Report said Sarasota was the ...
Sarasota is no stranger to being No. 1. Siesta Key is a perennial first placer in beach rankings, and just last year, U.S. News & World Report said Sarasota was the best place to live in all of Florida. Now we can add another trophy to our mantle. Sarasota is the No. 1 worst city in Florida for allergies.
There are more than 60 million Americans who suffer from allergies, and the number is growing. This month, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America published a list of 2022’s U.S. “allergy capitals.” It’s is a comprehensive study of the most challenging places to live with allergies.
For those of you suffering through this season’s brutal oak pollen and red tide one-two punch, it’s probably no surprise that Sarasota is at the top of the list. The good news is that we aren’t the worst city overall. We are only No. 6 in the country, just behind Wichita, Dallas, Scranton and Tulsa. We rank particularly high because of our tree pollen. In fact, Sarasota is the No. 3 worst city for tree pollen overall.
Florida has seven of the top 20 cities in America with the worst allergies. Some of that is likely because of all the people moving down here, adding to the amount of people suffering from allergies, but there is another reason why allergies getting worse in the United States. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it’s climate change.
“Climate change has caused the growing seasons to get longer and warmer, leading to higher tree, grass, and weed pollen counts,” the report says. There are now some areas in the US that have pollen year-round. Air pollution is getting worse because of the heat trapped in urban areas. The South and Northeast had recording-breaking warmth this winter, causing spring leaves to appear 20 days earlier than usual. In fact, the South experienced its earliest spring in over four decades.
But hey, at least we are no longer the meanest city in America. That honor now belongs to Philadelphia.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker was right. When I interviewed him in January at the annual Braves Fest fan event at Truist Park, he looked me squarely in the eyes and said, “Sarasota/North Port is awesome. It’s a great place to bring your family. The beaches are really nice. There are good restaurants. Once you get down there and learn the area, it’s just sneaky good.”After scouting the region myself for a few days, I can’t help but echo his sentiment. The metro area of about 750,000 residents, 60 mi...
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker was right. When I interviewed him in January at the annual Braves Fest fan event at Truist Park, he looked me squarely in the eyes and said, “Sarasota/North Port is awesome. It’s a great place to bring your family. The beaches are really nice. There are good restaurants. Once you get down there and learn the area, it’s just sneaky good.”
After scouting the region myself for a few days, I can’t help but echo his sentiment. The metro area of about 750,000 residents, 60 miles south of Tampa, is quaint, fun, and crazy about baseball.
Before getting into details, though, let’s clear something up—the spring home of the five-time defending National League East champs isn’t technically in Sarasota. Yes, it’s in Sarasota County, but depending on whom you ask, they might tell you that it’s in North Port or Venice. City lines are blurry in these parts. And with a new planned community, Wellen Park, rising around the stadium, locations are only getting more confusing (though the mammoth development does promise more nearby restaurants and entertainment options for future fans).
One thing is obvious: CoolToday Park, which opened in 2019, will be the centerpiece of your Braves spring training weekend (last home game is March 27 against the Boston Red Sox). Even with the stadium crew still fixing tattered signs, dislodged pop-up bars, and other remnants of last September’s Hurricane Ian, it’s easy to see why the place puts a smile on Snit’s face. In terms of on-field dimensions and architectural quirks (like behind-the-fence seating in right field), it’s a lot like Truist Park—but there are only 15 rows of seats in the lower level, bringing fans much closer to the action. An open, 360-degree concourse provides drink rails and views from all vantage points. Also reminiscent of the team’s hometown venue, tributes to Braves history are everywhere, including murals, quotes, and a retired-number monument plaza.
While there isn’t a bad angle in the 8,000-seat venue, grab a spot by home plate for an early look at new Braves catcher Sean Murphy or claim one of the Adirondack chairs on the left-field hill for a laid-back perspective on the action. To get even closer, sign up for the Braves’ VIP Experience and watch pregame batting practice from behind home plate ($140, includes food and beverages at the LECOM Legends Club and premium parking). Regular tickets start at $35 and include parking.
Barbecue, seafood, tacos, and other food options abound, but I recommend the messy Kitchen Sink Nachos at Superior Pools Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill—an open-air, covered restaurant perched above left field, with bonus attractions of sunset views and live music.
Of course, you’re here for baseball, so convenience to the park is key. I stayed at the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites North Port. Opened in 2020, the hotel has pleasant, modern rooms, with enough USB ports for a robotics club. I can also recommend the tuna rolls at Fuji Sushi Hibachi Noodles and shrimp fried rice from IAsia. Or try your luck waiting in line at popular Mexican restaurant Blue Tequila—which is much less crowded at lunch.
If your travel companions want a break from the park, Sarasota County is also home to Siesta Key Beach, consistently one of the highest-rated beaches in America (though a good 45-minute drive from North Port). Blue waters and sugar-white sands will lull you to sleep at this aptly named barrier island, but good luck nabbing one of the free parking spots if you’re not there by 1 p.m.
For a taste of Old Florida, scoot over to downtown Venice. The center of town feels like a set from a wholesome ’50s sitcom. I’m talking adorable gazebos, drawbridges, and active seniors riding bikes along the sidewalk. Explore touristy shops like Island Gift Nook and Venice Olive Oil, or check out the lively arts scene, which this month includes “A Celtic Celebration” by the Venice Symphony.
Made in Italy is a friendly restaurant that’s essentially divided into three parts: an intimate side with a lengthy bar, a brighter section with a wood-fired pizza oven, and an outdoor seating area that’ll get you very close to the aforementioned cyclists. “Yeah, I’ve eaten there,” recalls Snitker, possibly reflecting on memories of a tasty chicken marsala or margherita pie. “It’s awesome.” Right again, Snit.
On your way home, make one last pit stop on the 2200 block of South Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. There you’ll find two Florida-grown eateries: Graze, a fun diner offering all-day breakfast, and PDQ, a Chick-fil-A–like spot that’s open on Sundays. If you can’t decide between them, don’t sweat it. You’re not trying out for the Braves’ 40-man roster—a few nibbles from both won’t hurt anything.
This article appears in our March 2023 issue.
Tyler Pack is a senior on the Sarasota High boys track and field team, participating in the high jump and triple jump. Pack is currently sixth in Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A high jump after jumping 6 feet, 2.75 inches at the 2023 IMG Spring Break Invitational, held March 18 at IMG Academy. Pack also played for the school's football team as a defensive back.When did you start doing track and field events?I started last year. In football I always had a high vertical, and my brothers did trac...
Tyler Pack is a senior on the Sarasota High boys track and field team, participating in the high jump and triple jump. Pack is currently sixth in Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A high jump after jumping 6 feet, 2.75 inches at the 2023 IMG Spring Break Invitational, held March 18 at IMG Academy. Pack also played for the school's football team as a defensive back.
When did you start doing track and field events?
I started last year. In football I always had a high vertical, and my brothers did track and field here, so I thought I should try it. The first time I jumped I hit 6 feet. From then on, I've been practicing and trying to get better.
What is the appeal to you?
Being in the air like that is so fun. People don't usually get to feel that. It's like you're stuck in the moment. It's amazing.
What is your favorite event?
For sure the high jump, because I'm better at it. (Laughs.)
What is your favorite memory?
Last year at the North Port Invitational. It was my second meet ever, and no one (outside of the program) thought I was going to do much. I jumped 6 feet, 3.5 inches in the high jump and won it. I was proud of myself.
What are your goals for the season?
I want to hit 7 feet in the high jump. That would be a school record and I want it.
What is the key to practicing high jump?
I do a lot of workouts on one leg to create explosiveness. That's the main thing in the high jump, not speed. Since you push off of one leg, it has to be strong.
What is your favorite food?
I love cheese pizza.
What is your favorite TV show?
I like "Family Guy," "Dragon Ball Z" and "Naruto."
What is your favorite school subject?
This year I like history a lot because my teacher is our basketball coach (BJ Ivey). He's my favorite teacher. We just have a good connection.
What are your hobbies?
I hang with my friends and play video games, a lot of "Fortnite" and Madden.
What is the best advice you have received?
Always stay humble. Keep working and keep your head down. As soon as you buy into the hype, that's when the downfall starts.
Finish this sentence: "Tyler Pack is … "
A funny person. But I get serious when it's game time.
Headliner for arts organization's new fundraising event is two-time Grammy Award-nominated electronic dance music artist and music producerSharon Kunkel, Local NonprofitThe Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is thrilled to present a brand-new event, intended to enthrall existing supporters as well as bring new fans into the fold while benefiting its youth education programs. WONDERBALL promises to be an epic concert experience, ...
Sharon Kunkel, Local Nonprofit
The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is thrilled to present a brand-new event, intended to enthrall existing supporters as well as bring new fans into the fold while benefiting its youth education programs. WONDERBALL promises to be an epic concert experience, featuring twice Grammy Award-nominated electronic dance music (EDM) artist and music producer, Steve Aoki. The event takes place on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 8 p.m., in the Sailor Circus Arena (2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota).
During Aoki’s set, professional aerial artists will perform high above the floor, while stilt walkers and other circus artists will weave among the guests.
Opening up for Aoki is DJ Peter DiCaro, who hails from New York. His favorite styles include House, Tech House, Tribal and EDM. During DJ DiCaro’s set, students from the CAC’s Sailor Circus Academy and Booker Middle School and Sarasota High School magnet programs will perform.
This is an all-ages welcome event; alcohol and bar service will be available to guests ages 21+ with proper ID. Guests can choose from several ticket levels, from tables/lounge pods for 10-12 to floor standing (dancing) only. The venue will be decorated and lighted to convey the ambience of an EDM show, with special circus touches as only the CAC can provide. Guests are encouraged to dress in their flashiest clubwear.
The CAC is excited to present this innovative artist in a multi-dimensional experience that will offer the opportunity for a new generation of supporters to be connected with its work. The CAC’s youth education programs include the world-renowned Sailor Circus Academy, the oldest youth circus in the U.S.; the magnet programs at Booker Middle School and Sarasota High School; spring break and summer camps; and the Arts Integrated (STEAM) Education Program, an in-school, kinesthetic learning experience that supplements elementary and middle school coursework.
“We are so thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Steve Aoki, who is such a huge name in the music industry internationally, to our Sailor Circus Arena,” said Jennifer Mitchell, executive vice president/COO of the CAC. “The magic of the circus arts combined with the energy and visual possibilities of EDM and the amenities and technology of our Sailor Circus Arena are sure to create an evening that is truly spectacular and unique in our community. We believe this will become a new signature event for the CAC and one of the area’s most anticipated social events of the year.”
Counting nearly 3 billion music streams to his name, “Multi-Hyphenate Innovator” Steve Aoki is a true visionary. Billboard described the two-time Grammy-nominated music producer, artist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, NFT futurist and Dim Mak Records founder as “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” A Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year,” Aoki has performed at nearly every top festival around the world, including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival.
As a globally successful cross-genre solo artist, Aoki has collaborated with an impressive list of varied artists, including BTS, Maluma, Snoop Dogg, Linkin Park, blink-182, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz and Daddy Yankee. He has also released three Platinum singles, six Gold singles, and over ten Top 10 radio records. After releasing four “Neon Future” albums, Aoki unveiled his highly-anticipated album “HiROQUEST: Genesis” in September 2022.
There will be a sponsor dinner at Michael’s On East prior to the party; the immersive concert experience begins in the Sailor Circus Arena at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $75/general admission; $500/floor standing in front of stage; and sponsorships that include premium table seating/preferred seating range from $10,000-$25,000.
Spearheading the effort is chair Donna Koffman and a small but mighty founding committee: Umbreen Khalidi, whose company, Umbreen Designs, will produce the event; Nathalie Michalowski of nkm design, who designed the event logo and built the event web page; and Melissa Morsli, a branding and messaging expert.
To inquire about sponsorship, contact Karen Misantone at 941-355-9335, ext. 311 or [email protected]. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit circusarts.org.
About Circus Arts ConservatoryThe mission of the Circus Arts Conservatory is to engage and educate students using unique and innovative learning programs; to measurably improve the quality of life for individuals in care facilities; and to advance the extraordinary legacy and heritage of the circus. The CAC is home to world-class performances, excellence in training the circus arts, and community-based education and humor therapy outreach programs. Visit CircusArts.org or call (941) 355-9335.
Florida’s Gulf Coast offers easy escapes, whether you’re craving lush resorts, preseason baseball, or natural retreats. Here are three itineraries to follow. —Edited by Betsy RileyIt’s not that I don’t like children. I actually have two of them, ages 11 and 13. It’s just that when I’m vacationing without my kids, I’m not a huge fan of other people’s children. And I totally understand if fellow adults feel likewise about my brood.Recently, my husband and I dropped ou...
Florida’s Gulf Coast offers easy escapes, whether you’re craving lush resorts, preseason baseball, or natural retreats. Here are three itineraries to follow. —Edited by Betsy Riley
It’s not that I don’t like children. I actually have two of them, ages 11 and 13. It’s just that when I’m vacationing without my kids, I’m not a huge fan of other people’s children. And I totally understand if fellow adults feel likewise about my brood.
Recently, my husband and I dropped our kiddos with their grandmother and set off by ourselves for Florida’s highway 30A—a series of 12 beachside neighborhoods along the 24-mile South Walton County road. We had planned our trip’s timing carefully: During March and April, the area is overrun by spring-breaking families from all over the South. Trying to drive down 30A without hitting one of the bazillion bike-riding tweens is like playing a high-stakes game of Frogger. The best times for a grown-up “spring break” here are late winter (when we went) or May—especially May 19–20 this year, when the Alys Beach neighborhood hosts its spectacular Digital Graffiti projection-arts festival. Keep reading
You could traipse through the Florida wilderness with hiking boots and binoculars, checking off species as you see them. But if you’re short on time and want to see a bunch of wildlife—as I did on a recent midwinter road trip down Florida’s Gulf Coast—you could also just drop by Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, a gorgeous subtropical campus beside the Homosassa River. Animals have a storied past on this property, which used to be a private concern called Nature’s Own Attraction, a tourist trap whose exotic holdings included trained animal actors. Nowadays, a better example of Old Florida is just down the highway at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which still offers mermaid shows—live mermaids!—twice a day. But linger awhile at Homosassa—it’s less gimmicky, more peaceful.
Today Homosassa Springs, about a third of the way down the Florida peninsula, serves as a refuge for rescued native creatures. A stroll through the park offers a one-stop opportunity to see pelicans swooping and flamingos grooming, a bobcat dozing in the sun, panthers, foxes, roseate spoonbills. Non-native species are few but notable: First, the retirees who live nearby—transplanted, no doubt, from the Ohio habitats of their birth—who spend their mornings power walking a paved path through the forest. (That part’s free; admission to the animal section costs $13.) Second, the oldest hippopotamus in the country, a retired performer named Lu. He’s in his 60s but has not lost his flair for showmanship: Lu has been known to use his tail to fling feces at visitors. Keep reading
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker was right. When I interviewed him in January at the annual Braves Fest fan event at Truist Park, he looked me squarely in the eyes and said, “Sarasota/North Port is awesome. It’s a great place to bring your family. The beaches are really nice. There are good restaurants. Once you get down there and learn the area, it’s just sneaky good.”
After scouting the region myself for a few days, I can’t help but echo his sentiment. The metro area of about 750,000 residents, 60 miles south of Tampa, is quaint, fun, and crazy about baseball. Keep reading
This article appears in our March 2023 issue.
