1) Snorkeling and scuba diving. The number of coral reefs and ancient shipwrecks in the south Florida area makes it easy to find a charter in Miami that will take you out onto the open ocean and let you see the treasures of the sea.

2) Hiking around the Everglades. Located only about half an hour from the city center of Miami, this national park is the only rainforest in the entire United States and contains some of the most beautiful examples of wildlife the country has to offer. Keep on the lookout for alligators as well as saltwater crocodiles.

3) Charter a fishing boat. Challenge yourself against the trophy fish of the open ocean like marlins, tarpon, grouper, and tuna. Get out onto the waves and see if you can get sharks or true trophies.

4) Go salsa dancing. As the epicenter of hispanic culture in the US, Miami lets you get down to the zesty beats of Central and South American music. Sweat away your tensions on the dance floor and impress everyone around you.

5) Take in a game. There are many professional sports teams in Miami, including the championship Heat and resurgent Dolphins. If you want to cool down a bit, go to a Panthers ice hockey game. On a cool, calm day, relax at the ballpark with the Marlins baseball team.

7) Get a sports car. With highways that allow for top speeds of eighty miles an hour, investigating Miami and southern Florida yourself is never better than with an open-top sports car that can push seven thousand revolutions per minute.

8) Surf the surf. Though the waves are not as highly regarded as those in California, the tides in Miami routinely bring in large waves that surfers can test their skills against. Once you are done, comb the beaches for driftwood and seashells.

9) Try skydiving. If you are on vacation, why not do something totally out of the ordinary? Extreme sports like skydiving are quite popular in Miami due to the large population and the need to blow off steam. Drop out of a plane on a beautiful Florida day and drink in the scenery before you pull the chute.

10) Race around the block. Horse racing is becoming increasingly popular at Miami, with many different stadiums and racing tracks. The Cuban population of the city have long ties into horse racing with many families competing for the crown titles each year with their racing stallions and mares.

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Restoring and Preserving

I had the opportunity to visit Florida about eight years ago. I learned that it is an extremely beautiful state but that its weather can be brutal. Obviously there are hurricanes and other such natural disasters in the state; but even day-to-day, residents of Florida suffer through sometimes intolerable levels of humidity. Weather can greatly affect the integrity of historical buildings and sites, especially when these sites are exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.

The city of West Palm Beach alone has thirty-seven historical sites and about sixteen historical districts. Over the last several years, West Palm Beach residents and officials have begun to fight to restore and preserve these historic locations. This would be an extreme challenge due to the fact that Florida has such extreme weather throughout the year. There are many things that must be known and considered in order to restore and preserve any landmark.

1. Inspect the building/ location
2. Research the building/ location
3. Learn about the previous owners and the history of the building/ location
4. Determine if the building is part of an historic district or if it has been designated a historical building/ structure.

• This will help determine if you need approval to change the appearance of the property in any way.

Once the aforementioned list has been completed, the location is ready for restoration and preservation. One key thing to remember is that the building should be restored back to its previous original purpose and any original features should remain. Also, keep in mind that any structures are a result of the time period they originated from. Preservation is all about protecting and cherishing the heritage and history.

The Necessity

Extreme weather patterns have a way of affecting, mostly negatively, the integrity of old buildings. The humidity alone can contribute to water damage and mildew growth. In order to properly restore historic sites, one must take on the challenge of battling the water damage in West Palm Beach. The reason why this is a necessity is that water damage can have many underlying effects, especially when a location suffers from these damages repeatedly and they are not addressed. Problems such as compromised structural integrity, mildew, stench, and warped appearance are only a few that result from water damage. Restoring and preserving these wonderful historical sites is very difficult, and even more rewarding.

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In many parts of the United States, hard water is a problem – from Florida to North Dakota and points in between, you may have excessive minerals in your tap water that can cause problems over time.

1.     Sub-par showers

If you feel like your hair is limp and lifeless, the problem could be hard water. The minerals in hard water can build-up in hair and make it heavy. They also make it more difficult to get a good lather with shampoo – and in turn, you may end up using more shampoo in an attempt to get your hair clean.

You may also find that your once-robust shower head has scaly deposits that reduce water pressure, making it harder to rinse all that shampoo out of your hair. The end result is a disappointing shower that leaves you feeling less than squeaky-clean.

2.     Soap scum

Hard water doesn’t just leave shampoo in your hair and a soapy film on your skin, it also causes unsightly rings or spots around your bathtub. These stains can be especially stubborn and difficult to get scrub away. Why do these spots settle in your bathroom? Hard water contains high amounts of magnesium, calcium and iron, and these substances act as a magnet for soap, making it cling to the tub or shower walls.

3.     Dingy clothes

If you have hard water, don’t expect your laundry to turn out fluffy and fresh. The magnesium and calcium in your water can sometimes leave yellowish discolorations, streaks, spotting and stains on your clothing. These minerals may also give your laundry a dingy appearance and create a stiff feel that is anything but pleasant.

4.     Dry, irritated skin

If your skin is constantly dry and irritated, your water might be the reason behind your beauty woes. When hard water leaves a soapy film on your body and hair after you bathe, it actually dries out your skin and makes it difficult for products to soak in and provide that much-needed moisture.

5.     Uneven water pressure

The minerals in hard water can accumulate over time in your pipes, significantly restricting the flow of water, and creating poor or uneven water pressure around your house. If you’ve noticed that the flow of water from your faucets has slowed to a sad drip, hard water buildup might be to blame.

Many homes around the United States struggle with problems caused by hard water, but water softener dealers nationwide understand the particular problems in your local water supply. A professional can recommend the best course of action for you – like whether you need a home filtration system or water softener.

If you’re tired of scrubbing scaly deposits around your home, find out what’s in your water and take steps to make it better.

Author: Casandra Lynne – Follow her on Google+.

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Anna Maria Island, Florida

This gorgeous destination remains void of excessive development. The island spans seven miles in length and lies off the eastern coast of Florida. Guests arriving on the island find approximately 60 percent of open beach property. While some come for the day, others prefer renting a condominium or home, which costs anywhere from $500.00 to $1000.00 for an entire week. Friends, couples and families visit Anna Maria Island to fish, kayak and snorkel in the amazingly clear waters. A free trolley offers transportation throughout the island. Venture to one of the three small communities, enjoy exploring the boutique shops and dine at the local restaurants. Two bridges connect the island with Florida, which lies around one hour from Tampa or St. Petersburg.

Cayo Costa Island

The island is also a state park and lies off the southwestern coast, approximately 12 miles west of Cape Coral. Traveling to the island requires a charter boat, private boat or the ferry service. The Tropic Star ferry stops at Pine Island before sailing on. Cayo Costa has bike rental facilities and a small gift shop but visitors should acquire food, water and other items before departure. The destination also offers primitive campsites. The island offers white sandy beaches bordering clear waters where dolphins and manatees frolic. Inland, rich vegetation covers the land and harbors tropical birds and small reptiles.

New Smyrna Beach

The historic community of New Smyrna Beach lies 18 miles past Dayton when going south on I-95. Though not a tourist hotspot, the town offers any amenity imaginable and suits all budgets. Here family and friends find 13 miles of white sandy beaches for enjoying any number of activities. National Geographic gave the location a world class rating for surfing and wave riders love the area. Stroll along the quiet beach, relax in the sun or go canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding. Besides the open sea, there are many estuaries ripe for exploration. Rent a boat or join a charter and spend the day fishing. Established in the early 1600s, the community also features at least 30 historical sites.

Bahia Honda Island

Also a state park, the island lies 37 miles from Key West in the lower Florida Keys. Accessible by vehicle, take the Florida Turnpike to the end, which turns into U.S. Highway 1. Just follow the road down to the island. The tropical paradise includes striking white, powder soft beaches and clear turquoise waters along with sand dunes, mangroves and hammock trees. The location attracts guests of all ages who spend the day fishing, kayaking, snorkeling or swimming. Marine life viewing is guaranteed, as tropical fish and rays frequent the waters. The island also serves as home to the rare Miami Blue Butterfly. A three and a half mile hard road spans the island and provides the perfect opportunity for hikes or bike riding. Visitors may bring provisions but a concession store offers beverages, snacks and gifts. Bahia Honda also offers camping at rustic tent sites or in local cabins.

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