Life on Paws and Wheels

Simba and I visited Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park in Jacksonville, Florida — a powerful historic site honoring brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson and the creation of one of the most important songs in American history. Located in Jacksonville's historic LaVilla neighborhood, the park occupies the land where the Johnson family home once stood. It was here that James Weldon Johnson and his younger brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, grew up before collaborating on "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a song that would eventually resonate far beyond Jacksonville and become widely known as the Black National Anthem. Today, the park celebrates the Johnson brothers while also preserving the story of LaVilla, a once-thriving center of Black culture, music, business, and entertainment sometimes called the "Harlem of the South." 🏠 The Childhood Home of the Johnson Brothers Long before their names became nationally known, James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johns...

Simba and I visited the Beastie Boys Mural in Jacksonville, Florida — a massive piece of street art honoring one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time. Located in Jacksonville's Brooklyn neighborhood, this enormous mural combines music history, public art, an ingenious 3D illusion, and a Guinness World Record into one unforgettable landmark. Featuring Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock alongside imagery inspired by the Beastie Boys, the mural stretches across nearly 2,000 square feet of wall. Its location also provides the perfect connection to one of the group's most famous songs: "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn." For Beastie Boys fans and street-art enthusiasts alike, this is one of Jacksonville's coolest hidden gems. 🎨 The Artist Behind the Mural The Beastie Boys Mural was created in 2018 by Jacksonville artist Jason Tetlak. Tetlak was searching for a wall large enough to attempt an ambitious world record when he discovered the perfect location in Jacksonville...

Simba and I visited and hiked the Hammock Hiking Nature Trail at Hontoon Island State Park near DeLand, Florida — a beautiful forest trail leading through some of Central Florida's most atmospheric natural habitats to an ancient Native American shell mound. Hontoon Island is already unusual before the hike even begins. Surrounded by the St. Johns River and Hontoon Dead River, the state park is accessible only by boat or the park's ferry. Once across the water, the Hammock Hiking Nature Trail leaves the riverfront behind and ventures deep into a shaded interior filled with towering palms, sprawling live oaks, pines, ferns, Spanish moss, and dense subtropical vegetation. At approximately three miles round trip, the hike combines natural beauty, solitude, wildlife habitat, and thousands of years of human history into one fascinating Central Florida adventure. ⛴️ An Island State Park Accessible Only by Water Part of what makes Hontoon Island State Park so special is its isolation. ...

Simba and I visited the Grave of Jeremiah M. Brewer near Paisley, Florida — a mysterious 19th-century burial site standing alone deep within Ocala National Forest. Hidden beneath towering longleaf pines and surrounded by miles of quiet wilderness, this solitary grave is one of Florida's most intriguing historic mysteries. Far from any cemetery, churchyard, or town, the weathered headstone marks the final resting place of a Union Civil War veteran whose life ended in the Florida wilderness under circumstances that remain unknown. Standing beside the grave, it's impossible not to wonder how a man born hundreds of miles away in Ohio came to be buried alone in one of Florida's largest national forests. 🇺🇸 A Union Soldier from Ohio Jeremiah Milton Brewer was born on January 12, 1844, in Clinton County, Ohio. During the final year of the Civil War, Brewer served in Company D of the 188th Ohio Infantry . Like thousands of other Union soldiers, he answered the call to serve durin...

Simba and I visited the Old Brick Road near Bunnell, Florida — one of the longest surviving sections of the original Dixie Highway and an incredible piece of early Florida transportation history. Hidden among the pine forests, wetlands, and rural countryside of Flagler County is a narrow roadway that looks almost frozen in time. Instead of asphalt, miles of the road remain covered with century-old vitrified bricks laid during the earliest days of automobile travel. Once part of an important route connecting communities across Northeast Florida, the Old Brick Road offers a rare opportunity to experience what driving through the state was like more than 100 years ago. 🚘 Florida Enters the Automobile Age During the early 1900s, automobiles were rapidly transforming transportation across the United States. Florida, however, still had relatively few dependable hard-surface roads. Many routes were little more than dirt or sand tracks that could become extremely difficult to travel after hea...

Simba and I visited the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park near Flagler Beach, Florida — the haunting remains of one of East Florida's largest and most prosperous sugar plantations of the early 1800s. Hidden beneath a dense canopy of trees are towering coquina walls, crumbling arches, old chimneys, and archaeological traces of a plantation once known as BulowVille. Nearly two centuries after the plantation was destroyed, the forest has reclaimed much of the landscape, leaving behind ruins that tell a complicated story of enormous wealth, enslaved labor, war, destruction, and dramatic change in early Florida. Walking through the property today offers a fascinating—and sobering—look into a chapter of Florida history that shaped the region long before the coastal communities we know today. 🌾 The Beginning of BulowVille The story of BulowVille began in 1821 when wealthy Charleston merchant Major Charles Wilhelm Bulow acquired more than 4,600 acres along a tidal creek that woul...

Simba and I visited the Riviera Hotel Arch Ruins in Ormond Beach, Florida — the fading remains of an extravagant Mediterranean-inspired resort development planned during Florida's booming 1920s land era. Hidden within a quiet neighborhood along Calle Grande, these weathered arches transport visitors back to a time when Florida was filled with ambitious dreams, lavish resort plans, and grand architectural visions. What now appears to be the remains of an ancient European ruin was actually built to look centuries old from the very beginning. Nearly 100 years later, time has transformed the illusion into reality. For history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and fans of forgotten places, the Riviera Hotel Arch Ruins offer one of the most fascinating hidden landmarks on Florida's east coast. 🌴 More Than Just the Riviera Hotel Despite their popular name, the arches were never actually part of the Riviera Hotel itself. Instead, they formed the grand entrance to Rio Vista on the Hal...

Simba and I visited the Holly Hill Gnome Tree in Holly Hill, Florida — a whimsical roadside attraction where hundreds of colorful gnomes have gathered beneath a huge oak tree overlooking the Halifax River. Hidden along Riverside Drive, this playful landmark transforms an ordinary oak tree into an ever-growing miniature village filled with tiny residents, imaginative scenes, and countless surprises. Every visit reveals something new, as visitors continue adding gnomes of every shape, size, and personality to this beloved community tradition. Whether you're searching for quirky roadside attractions, unique photo opportunities, or simply something guaranteed to make you smile, the Holly Hill Gnome Tree is one of Central Florida's most charming hidden gems. 🧙 A Tiny Village with Humble Beginnings The story of the Holly Hill Gnome Tree began in 2003. Local resident Virginia "Ms. Ginny" Morris placed just three small gnomes beneath the sprawling oak tree overlooking the Ha...

Simba and I visited the Brownie the Town Dog Memorial in Daytona Beach, Florida — a touching tribute to a homeless dog who became one of the city’s most beloved residents. Some landmarks commemorate famous people or historic events. Others celebrate remarkable animals whose stories continue to inspire generations. The Brownie the Town Dog Memorial is one of those special places. More than just a monument to a stray dog, it honors a community that came together to care for an animal who belonged to everyone and no one at the same time. Visiting this memorial with Simba made the experience especially meaningful, serving as a beautiful reminder of the extraordinary bond between dogs and the people who love them. 🐾 The Dog Who Was “Owned by No One, Loved by All” Brownie first appeared in downtown Daytona Beach around 1939. Rather than belonging to a single family, he quickly became part of the entire community. He spent much of his time near the intersection of Beach Street and Orange Ave...

Simba and I visited and hiked Ponce Preserve in Ponce Inlet, Florida — a beautiful coastal park protecting approximately 41 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and Halifax River. As the largest park in Ponce Inlet, Ponce Preserve offers a wonderful blend of scenic hiking trails, elevated boardwalks, rich wildlife habitat, and fascinating history. From shaded maritime forests to peaceful waterfront overlooks, every section of the preserve showcases a different side of Florida's barrier-island ecosystem. Whether you're looking for a relaxing nature walk, an opportunity to spot wildlife, or a chance to explore one of Florida's most significant archaeological sites, Ponce Preserve is an unforgettable destination. 🌳 Exploring Florida’s Barrier-Island Habitat One of the highlights of Ponce Preserve is the incredible diversity of landscapes packed into its 41 acres. As Simba and I explored the preserve, we walked through: - Maritime forest - Coastal hammock - Native Florida vegetati...

Simba and I visited and explored the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse in Ponce Inlet, Florida — a towering red-brick landmark that has guided mariners along Florida’s Atlantic Coast since 1887. Standing 175 feet above the surrounding coastline, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest masonry lighthouses in the United States. Its striking red-brick tower has become one of Florida's most recognizable landmarks, welcoming visitors while continuing to serve as an active aid to navigation more than a century after it first illuminated the Atlantic coastline. Whether you're fascinated by maritime history, historic architecture, sweeping coastal views, or the lives of lighthouse keepers, this National Historic Landmark offers one of the most rewarding experiences anywhere in the Sunshine State. 🏛️ A Lighthouse With More Than a Century of History Originally known as the Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse , the tower was first illuminated on ...

Simba and I visited the Grave of Charles Dummett in New Smyrna Beach, Florida — one of the state's most unusual and mysterious historic landmarks. Unlike almost any other gravesite in America, Charles Dummett's above-ground tomb sits in the middle of Canova Drive, where traffic quietly passes on both sides. At first glance, many visitors assume it's simply a landscaped traffic island. A closer look reveals something far more remarkable—a historic gravesite that has remained in its original location for more than 160 years. The story behind the tomb is one of family, tragedy, mystery, and preservation, making it one of Florida's most unforgettable roadside attractions. 👦 The Short Life of Charles Dummett Charles Dummett was born on August 18, 1844, to pioneer Douglas Dummett and Leandra "Anna" Fernandez, two members of a well-known Florida family. On April 23, 1860, Charles died at only 15 years of age. Although the exact circumstances surrounding his death re...