I didn’t see any moccasins, but I did see some big spiders. Moccasin Lake Park in Clearwater, Florida has a long trail running over several boardwalks and ending in a shelter surrounded by trees. Along the way it passes a beautiful little pond also surrounded by trees. The pond is full of turtles and birds and peacocks roam free on the trails.
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The nature center keeps and cares for many animals and birds. I saw an owl, a bald eagle, a vulture, turtles, a frog, a tarantula, and a scorpion. The owl walked right up to me. In many ways it is like McGough Park in Largo. Most of the birds are injured or have become accustomed to humans and are no longer suited to the wild. They also have taxidermy exhibits and a butterfly garden.

2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, Florida
​Visit Website

Written by Daniel Noe, ChampionOfTheGalaxy.com

​Whether you just want to sit on the porch in the shade of the trees with a coffee while you write your next novel, meet your friends for pesto chicken wraps in the cozy indoor nook, or wander from room to room enjoying the sculptures, pottery, glasswork, woodwork, jewelry, and paintings of local artists, at The Craftsman House in Saint Petersburg, you can do all three in the same day. At least, this is what I would do if I went again. Everything is for sale, including the stone-like salt shakers and the glass spheres decorating the dining room window. Where else can you find pasta salad (an amazing work of art itself), beer, wine, apple cider (cold, hot, or hard), roast beef sandwiches (haven’t tried them yet), and squash that looks like this?

​I would probably eat a lot more squash if it were always that pretty. On second thought, I’d probably break my teeth that way. Never mind. I also do not recommend eating the flowers, the lobster, or the gnomes – unless of course you have metal jaws like those guys below.

There is an open pottery studio on site and sometimes concerts. Check the website for hours, menu, and special events.

2955 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida
Craftsmanhousegallery.com

Written by Daniel Noe, ChampionOfTheGalaxy.com