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Florida
Palm Harbor
-- 1.. Where do you
live (give city, state/province, country, continent)? Palm Harbor, Florida.
This is an unincorporated area in Pinellas County and is located across Tampa Bay from
Tampa. We are about one-half mile from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. We are part of the
Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The
nations' 22nd largest metropolitan area, it is the second largest in the Southeast and
trails only Atlanta in size and wealth.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Tampa Bay region had the largest
percentage increase in employment of all the nation's big labor markets from September
1998 to September 1999.
2.. What interesting places are there to see near you? This area is noted for its beaches. Clearwater and its island beaches are one of Florida's most popular vacation spots. Because of our world-renowned beaches, our extensive recreational opportunities, including the largest recreational fishing fleet on the West Coast of Florida. We like to go to Honeymoon Island - a state park about 4 miles away. It is popular for swimming, collecting shells, and walking. We often see dolphins. Disney World and Sea World are about 90 minutes away. Busch Gardens is about 40 minutes away. The Toronto Blue Jays spring training facility is nearby. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in Raymond James Stadium, about 30 minutes away.
3.. What is the climate like where you live? (example: average rainfall, temperatures, variations in weather). The average yearly rainfall is 43.92 inches. So far this year we have had 11.76 inches and we should be at 17.81. We have been in drought conditions for a few years. Normal high temperature for this time of year is 89 degrees and normal low is 73 degrees. The average temperature in the spring is 72.2 degrees and the average high temperature is 81 degrees. In the winter, the temperature rarely gets low enough for frost to form. Being close to the Gulf of Mexico, there is usually a sea breeze in the afternoons in the spring and summer. The average yearly temperature is 73º F (23º C) and average water temperatures by season: Spring 73.7º F, Summer 84.7º F, Fall 76.7º F, Winter 63.7º F.
4.. What is the land like where you live? (example: mountains, plains, etc.) The land here does not vary much. It is almost all flat - a "hill" is rarely reaches a hundred feet. The entire area is very close to sea level. Almost all the land is sandy. Our yard is all sand.
5.. Are there any interesting plants or animals in your area? If so, please tell me about them. We live on a lake which has quite a few turtles in it. Several have come onto our back lawn to dig hole and lay eggs. Most, if not all, of these nests have been dug open by predators and the eggs destroyed. The lake has many fish in it. Usually you can see some or all of these: White Egrets, Great Blue Heron, Night Heron, Anhingas, Cormorants, Gulls of various types, Skimmers, and Roseate Spoonbills. Almost every yard has citrus trees and palm trees. Many folks grow mangos and papayas also figs and avocados. We have a huge live oak tree in our front yard. It starts losing its leaves in late January – and they fall during February, March, and April. The new leaves start growing immediately and so the tree is never bare.
6.. What items (foods, hi-tech, manufactured items, etc.) are produced in your area? Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of eight facilities in the United States, and the only one on the west coast of Florida, authorized to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals. This "hands on" attraction offers personal encounters with bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, river otters, sting rays, local fish and coral reefs. Sick and injured marine mammals recover here until they can be returned to their homes. The aquarium is home to Sunset Sam, a dolphin, world renowned for his painting. There are several high-tech companies in the Tampa area but not so many major manufacturing plants. Digital Lightwave makes test equipment for testing fiber-optic lines used by telephone companies and others. It is the major supplier of such equipment in the world.
7.. What natural resources are found in your area?
8.. Anything else you think might be of interest. Clearwater Beach is the Best
City Beach on the Gulf of Mexico according to Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr.
Beach"), a Florida International University professor who has been ranking America's
beaches for nine years. USATODAY.com readers ranked Clearwater Beach in their 2001 Top 10
list of Best Beaches from Maine to Hawaii. Caladesi Island and Sand Key beaches have been
named among the Best Natural Beaches in the United States. Caladesi Island State Park is
currently ranked sixth, primarily for its water quality, rustic charm, clean
beaches, on-site amenities and its emphasis on wildlife. Pinellas County is the only
Florida destination which can say it has two of the top 10 beaches (Fort DeSoto Park is
ranked seventh). Conde Nast Traveler has also recognized Clearwater Beach as the best city
beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Home to the largest fishing fleet on the West Coast of
Florida, the Clearwater Marina is a major component of the recreational core. Berthed in
the marina are boats that offer a myriad of activities: fishing, sightseeing, sailing,
speed, "hands on" marine life adventure, dining and dancing, parasailing and
more. Dolphin watching is very popular. We are approximately 90 minutes away from Orlando.
Also, we can see the space shuttle lift off, even though it is clear across the
state!
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