Florida Spectacular

Send us your Florida questions!

This week, fellow Florida-phile Craig Pittman joins Rick and Cathy to talk about Florida's most current "it" exotic invasive: the Burmese python. As usual, the podcast slithers all over the place, so expect some talk about frogs and iguanas, too. 

More about Craig

Craig Pittman is a native Floridian, an author, podcaster and an award-winning reporter. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him "the most destructive force on campus."
After 31 years at the Tampa Bay Times, he now writes a weekly column on environmental issues for the Florida Phoenix and is co-host of the popular podcast "Welcome to Florida."
He's the author of six non-fiction books about Florida, including the New York Times bestseller Oh, Florida: How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country. His most recent one, published in 2021, is The State You're In: Florida Men, Florida Women, and Other Wildlife.

Check out Craig's podcast (after you listen to ours, of course!) — especially his podcast about pythons and python hunting!

Links we mentioned

Some writing on the "Ladies of the 'Glades"

More about whether the python hunt works

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

Whether you want to know about Florida travel, history, gardening, or food, Rick and Cathy have a short list of websites you should bookmark and use to make life in Florida even better. 

Links We Mentioned

Authentic Florida

Visit Florida 

Florida Memory

Pinellas Memory

Water Atlas

Palmm collections

IFAS/ Extension

Fresh From Florida

Florida: A History in Pictures

Just for fun, or if you're in the Santa Fe area

Rum138

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

Cathy and Rick discuss their beloved Florida books — along with some they can do without. No matter what you love to read, there's something on this list for every Florida-phile.

Books We Suggest

Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer

The Mango Opera by Tom Corcoran

The Travis McGee Series by John D. MacDonald

Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen

Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen

Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth by Kristen Arnett

Sinkhole, by Davida Breier

Florida by Lauren Groff (check out this podcast with her as a guest)

The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files by Brad Bertelli

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Sunshine State by Sarah Gerard

Lay That Trumpet In Our Hands Susan Carol McCarthy

Islands of Cedars by Shana Smith

Lost in the Everglades by Lucy Salamanca (Also: Lost in the Everglades by Carolyn Keene)

Key West Food Critic Lucy Burdette

Secrets in the Shadows and Darkness at Fairwinds by Marina Malcolm (real name Charlotte Douglas)

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

After more than 100 episodes, Rick and Cathy talk about what the podcast is — and what it isn't. 

Links We Think You'll Like

Facebook page for Rick’s books

Florida nostalgia Facebook page

More Florida nostalgia

Rick’s blog

The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, by Michael Grunwald

Image credit: Rick Kilby

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

Florida's home to some truly horrible B movies. B movies so bad, they're amazing.  Rick and Cathy take a road trip around the state, using some of the best of the worst films made in Florida as a guide. 

St. Cloud: 2,000 Maniacs

Right next door to tourist-swollen Kissimmee, you'll find St. Cloud, where this delightfully bad film was made in 15 days. Stop by St. Cloud, an area with some fascinating history, and don't forget to eat at The Catfish Place.

Watch the trailer.

Green Cove Springs: ZAAT

Take one mad scientist, a catfish, and a human, and what do you get? ZAAT. Filmed in Green Cove Springs, a small town on the St. Johns River.
Watch the trailer.

Marianna Florida: Sharkansas Women's Prison's Massacre

Don't be fooled by the name — This film is all Florida. Check out the scenes filmed at the caves at Florida Caverns State Park. A Jim Wynorski classic.

Watch the trailer. 

 Everglades City: Devil Fish (Monster Shark)

A visit to Everglades City isn't complete without an airboat ride and a look inside the lobby at the Everglades Rod & Gun Club. Check out Joannie's Blue Crab down the street.

Watch the trailer.

Orlando: Miami Connection  

Watch the trailer

Santa Rosa Beach & DeFuniak Springs: Frogs  

Watch the trailer.

How to Stream Frogs

You need this Frogs t-shirt, you really, really do.

(Photo credit for newspaper ad for Frogs: American International Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

Pythons. Iguanas. Brazilian peppers. Florida's overflowing with tales of exotic invasives threatening paradise. But... not all exotic invasives are created equal. 

Join Rick and Cathy for a short foray into some of their favorite exotic invasives, which ones they wish would leave the state forever, and which ones are — believe it or not — the tastiest.

Meet the python hunters of the 'Glades

Watch Guardians of the Glades

Curious how python hunting works? The last half of this video has a simulated capture that almost went sideways.

Ethics and Maximum Good

Water Hyacinth

Combating Invasive Species in Florida

Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com.

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

This week, Rick and Cathy welcome Elizabeth Herryman Lasley, host of Keys Traveler podcast, as they talk about the things that make the Florida Keys special. (Find the Florida Keys podcast at the official Florida Keys website (they also have a newsletter, just in case you can't get enough of the Florida Keys.)

The trio starts the podcast with a pair of key deer wandering past Cathy, and from there they talk about the Turtle Hospital, Hemingway cats, and the best way to get to the Florida Keys.

Links We Mentioned

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

Where to Eat Lionfish

San Carlos Institute

Indian Key State Park

Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com.

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

Looking for a great weekend getaway, or something new to do in Central Florida? Rick and Cathy have some great places to see, things to do, and restaurants to try in Mount Dora. The small city's famous not only for its antiques; the downtown painted itself pink for a movie (which starred a waterskiing elephant and some fantastic Hollywood talent).

Also, Pat Frank set his apocalyptic novel, Alas Babylon, in Mount Dora. Here's where to go to see Mount Dora like an insider.

Links We Mentioned

Honky Tonk Freeway

Alas, Babylon

Things to Do

Mount Dora Sailing Regatta

Mount Dora special events calendar

Mount Dora Bicycle Festival

Antiques
Rennigers 

Places to Eat

1921
Pisces Rising
Goblin Market


Hotel
Lakeside Inn

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

This week, inspired by Cathy's recent travels to central Florida, Rick and Cathy talk about places they love in Lake County, some of the more surprising aspects of Lake County history, and why, even in the middle of The Villages, you can find hidden scraps of natural Florida. 

Helpful Links and Links We Mentioned

Visit Lake County travel website

Authentic Florida's Things to Do in Clermont

Citrus Tower (also has a Facebook page)

Lake Louisa State Park

Ferndale

Howey Mansion Official and RIck's blog about it

Fenney Springs at The Villages

Alexander Springs

Harris Chain of Lakes

History of Lake Apopka

Lake Griffin State Park

Green Isle Gardens

Annie Oakley in Lake County

Devil in the Grove

Redwing Restaurant

Things to Do in Astor

Drifter's Riverfront Restaurant

Paisley

Disney's parents first couple wed in Lake County

Yalaha Bakery

Seaplane Rides

Leesburg history

Green Mountain Scenic Overlook

Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com.

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Send us your Florida questions!

Join Cathy and Rick as they venture through Ocala, making virtual stops at their favorite restaurants, natural areas, and roadside attractions. 

Along the way, discover (or re-discover) a central Florida Elvis movie, learn about the "wild west" in Florida, and find out which one of the podcast hosts is kin to Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Links We Mentioned

Appleton Museum

Barberville Produce

Carney Island Recreation Area

Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott's "Welcome to Florida" podcast

Florida Trust for Historic Preservation/ Preservation on Main Street 

Follow That Dream

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop

Harriet Beecher Stowe's Palmetto Leaves

La Cuisine French Restaurant

Lorito's Italian Kitchen

The Ma Barker House (Florida's first dumb criminals—who, of course, were not from Florida)

Marion Theater

Old Crow BBQ

Ray’s Wayside Park

Silver River Museum

Silver Springs

Silver Spring Camping

Six-Gun Territory weekend

Sonny's BBQ started in Gainesville

Sun Plaza Motel

Find Rick on Twitter @OldFLA and online at RickKilby.com.

Support the show

Question or comment? Email us at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.

Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).

NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!