We’ve always had a special place in our hearts for the Florida Botanical Gardens, visiting countless times over the years with family and friends. After moving back to the area last year, I finally had the opportunity to give back by joining the volunteer program.
Now in my second year as a volunteer, it’s deeply rewarding to work alongside other volunteers who share the same passion and to watch the gardens flourish, knowing I’ve played a small part in their care. Each season brings new lessons—about plants, gardening techniques, and the quiet dedication required to keep this hidden gem thriving.
Walking through the gardens, you’ll encounter winding paths shaded by towering oaks, vibrant flower beds bursting with color, and serene waters reflecting the sky, teeming with wildlife. Hidden nooks and charming benches invite you to pause and soak in the beauty, while meandering trails reveal native plants, butterfly gardens, and fragrant herb beds. Every corner offers something new to discover, making each visit a fresh and enchanting experience.
Light Bulb Clerodendrum, a spectacular flowering shrub
Here are a few photos I took just days before a cold snap rolled in — 39°F this morning! I’m hoping the sudden chill didn’t cause too much damage to the plants and flowers.
Volunteers at work
Can you smell the lavender already?
Giant milkweed
Quintessential Florida scenery
The Florida Botanical Gardens is dog-friendly, so your leashed furry companions are welcome to explore and enjoy the gardens with you. This hidden gem is slowly being discovered—and it likely won’t stay hidden for long. Of course, being a “hidden gem” is a double-edged sword: you want others to experience its beauty, but not at the expense of crowded paths, trampled plants, or worse—the audacity of people stealing them!
Click here to see hours and upcoming events at the Florida Botanical Garden.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not much of a theme park person. But when a sibling came to visit with a 14-year-old in tow, the question quickly became: where could we take them that everyone would enjoy? Busch Gardens Tampa Bay immediately came to mind.
While it may not be as massive or elaborate as the Disney parks in Orlando, Busch Gardens has plenty of its own charm and the bonus of being much closer to home. The park offers a unique mix of thrilling roller coasters and memorable animal encounters, making it a great option for a group with different interests. Since none of us had visited before, it felt like the perfect place to explore together.
Located in Tampa, Florida, Busch Gardens is a thrill-seeker’s paradise, featuring adrenaline-pumping rides like SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt. Looking to cool off? Congo Rapids offers a fun, splash-filled adventure—so be sure to bring a towel or a change of clothes! With attractions for all ages, Busch Gardens is the perfect destination for both adventure lovers and families looking for fun.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is home to more than 12,000 animals, including kangaroos, flamingos, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos, just to name a few. One of the park’s highlights is the iconic Serengeti Plain, where guests can observe wildlife roaming across expansive, naturalistic habitats. Safari tours, up-close animal encounters, and a relaxing Skyride with bird’s-eye views of grazing animals highlight the park’s strong commitment to conservation and education.
Yep, penguins in sunny Florida!
Families will appreciate kid-friendly attractions like Sesame Street Safari of Fun, along with live shows, seasonal events, and a variety of dining options. Whether you’re planning a Florida vacation or a day trip, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers an ideal mix of excitement, education, and entertainment.
Kids had a blast feeding the colorful Lorikeets
and shows at Sesame Street
We visited twice between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and the holiday season was especially magical. The festive lights were spectacular, with a truly amazing light show at the Serengeti Overlook 😲🦁
We chose the Silver annual pass, and it turned out to be an excellent value. Complimentary parking and four guest tickets (two per quarter) helped the savings add up quickly—especially since holiday parking alone can cost $40. The Skyride is $5 per guest, and even with multiple visits, it took us three trips to experience everything the park has to offer. Overall, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an excellent option for repeat visits or travelers looking to maximize their time and budget.
Have you been to Busch Gardens? We’d love to hear about your favorite rides, animal encounters, or tips for making the most of a visit!
As one year ends and another begins, it’s impossible not to pause and reflect on the moments that shaped the past twelve months. From the highs to the lows, 2025 was certainly a year to remember.
We kicked off the year battling a stubborn cold that seemed to linger forever! It wasn’t the ideal start, but eventually, we shook it off. March brought a much-needed change of pace when my brother and his son came to visit us in Florida. We kayaked at the Dunedin Causeway, basking in the sunshine, and they even made it to a Toronto Blue Jays spring training game in Dunedin—complete with a baseball souvenir to take home. It was the perfect break from Calgary’s winter wonderland.
Kayaking at Dunedin Causeway
enjoying the Toronto Bluejays in Dunedin
We squeezed in a visit to Busch Gardens, the nearest theme park in the Tampa Bay area. While the number of rides was limited, the adults were more than happy to take on Cheetah Hunt. Beyond the rides, the park’s wildlife was a highlight—we saw flamingoes, elephants, zebras and the massive alligators.
view of the zebras from the cable car (Skyride)
The year also brought its share of bittersweet moments. One of the most heart-wrenching was the loss of my sister while we were in Boston, preparing to attend my husband’s college reunion—a gathering of friends, some of whom hadn’t seen one another in forty years or more.
Alums visiting North campus in Lowell
I flew to Edmonton for her celebration of life, surrounded by family and friends who shared stories, laughter, and tears. It’s hard to put into words the pain of such a loss, but I take comfort in the beautiful memories we created together. Although she’s no longer with us, she remains forever in our hearts.
With fewer ties holding us in place, we traveled a bit more this year. From trips to Maine and Hilton Head to an unforgettable adventure in Japan, 2025 offered countless opportunities for new experiences and lasting memories.
Despite the ups and downs, 2025 was filled with moments of joy. Friends and family came to visit, and we spent time swimming and beachcombing at Sand Key and Honeymoon Island (our first visit there).
Honeymoon Island State Park
Our annual Thanksgiving dinner brought the family together once again, filled with good food, laughter, and gratitude. It’s always a meaningful reminder of how important it is to cherish time with the people we hold dear.
We closed out the year with a return trip to Busch Gardens, taking in the absolutely outstanding Holiday Lights, and shared our final post of the year on Holiday Rituals —a festive and fitting way to wrap up the year
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re filled with hope and excitement. Here’s to a year of health, happiness, and continued growth. Happy New Year!
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