PORT RICHEY, FL. -- Many times communities resting in the shadow of much larger municipalities become tourism orphans, but there are a few -- such as Port Richey/New Port Richey -- which have so much going for them they actually become viable destinations unto themselves.
Port Richey/New Port Richey and Pasco County are nestled practically signpost to signpost to Tampa, one of Florida’s most bustling cities.
But Tampa was never almost Hollywood, Tampa cannot offer the nature and ecological wonders of the Pasco area and Tampa cannot offer the outdoors paradise found here.
The Port Richey area and its beautiful Pithlachascotee River (known locally simply as The Cotee) provides a chance for visitors to get a look at how the real Florida has looked for many decades.
With its river, Gulf of Mexico bay, forestlands and grasslands the Pasco area offers numerous opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and waterway exploring unsurpassed in Florida.
The area was so attractive to movie moguls and film stars in the 1930s and 1940s that it almost preceded Hollywood as the film capital of America.
Superstars such as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Gypsy Rose Lee, and in recent years Johnny Cash -- and many producers/directors -- had luxury homes along the Cotee.
But the summer heat was too much of a deterrent and so Hollywood eventually became the locale of choice for film luminaries.
Visitors can get a look at the celebrity homes along The Cotee or the Gulf islands by taking a tour boat ride on The Miss Daisy II, a 42-passenger covered pontoon boat anchored at the Crab Shack Restaurant, 5430 Baylee Avenue. Boat Captain Ray Kelly has been plying the river and gulf waterways for decades and provides riders interesting stories along the way. Cost is $16 to $19 per rider. For info: 727-819-1754 or online at missdaisyboattours.com.
Another fantastic view of the Gulf and the Pasco area can be found as a passenger on one of the Big Red Balloons that provide daily high-flying trips.
Visitors get a great panoramic view of the Gulf and the pasturelands and forests of Pasco County as they glide peacefully along more than a thousand feet high, sometimes dipping to treetop level to view wildlife -- including a great variety of birdlife. Riders sail along silently over many lakes and ponds and can sometimes get a glimpse of alligators lazily moving along or deer scampering into the Spanish moss laced graceful large cypress and oak trees.
Former corporate jet plane pilot Phil Sekora and his wife, Melanie, operate the balloon business. Riders get to watch the hot air balloon inflate to over 6 1/2 stories high in less than 15 minutes. The firm has several balloons, carrying up to 10 passengers in the wicker basket at the base of the balloon.
The pricing schedule includes: The Adventure - (includes champagne toast and full sit-down breakfast): $185 per person (plus tax). The Sweetheart Flight - (guarantees that you will be the only two passengers flying with the pilot.): $500 per couple (plus tax). Children - (Between 5 and 10 years old): $160 per child (plus tax).
For balloon info: Telephone (813) 969-1518 or online at [email protected]
Visitors interested in boating or fishing have numerous options, including the Florida Backwaters Charters, which provide sightseeing or fishing for individuals or groups. A trip to Anclote Key Preserve State Park (727-469-5942) and a stroll along its driftwood-laced beach is an ecological delight for many, with lots of bird watching opportunities. Tours of the island lighthouse can also be arranged. The charters provide the fishing gear and bait. Redfish, spotted sea bass, Spanish mackerel, cobia, grouper, kingfish, snook and trout are among the numerous varieties of fish inhabiting the waters. There is even an occasional glimpse of a manatee or alligator.
And for the adventure fishermen Pasco offers some terrific tarpon fishing from April through September. Anglers say there is no greater thrill than to hook a 150-200 pound tarpon -- the Silver King of fish -- and see it jump 6-7 feet in the air.
The coastal water and climate are just right to draw the schools of tarpon that make Port Richey, Hudson and New Port Richey coastal area some of the best uncrowded waters for tarpon fishing.
Those who prefer flyfishing can find lots of largemouth bass, bream, gar, pickerel and catfish at Devil's Rock Yard, with its rocky minefield guarding the approach to Fillman Bayou.
Among the unique sightseeing spots is the bay area off Port Richey where people have built stilt frame homes hundreds of yards into the ocean, perched like little islands in the sea. About nine such cabin-like homes still exist, having survived hurricanes over the years.
There are many fishing and sightseeing charters (including backwater kayaking) available such as Barefoot Bandit Fishing Charters (Captain Randy Schoneman) Flats Fishing & Airboat Tours Hudson Beach 727-514-4642 or 727-863-6718 and Big Fish Florida Backwater Charters (Captain Curt Romanowski)
Specialty: Tarpon, Redfish, Snook and Trout. (727) 919-1221. Prices vary according to the number of passengers and extent of the trips.
The Pasco County area is a paradise for nature and ecology lovers.
One of the biggest inland nature areas available to visitors is the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, an 8,000-acre recreational area located in Western Pasco County at 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34655.
Facilities at the park include four handicap accessible restrooms, picnic shelters, bonfire fire pits, volleyball courts, an athletic field, a playground, equestrian trails, and a few water fountains. Recreational opportunities include hiking, camping, bird watching, fishing (license required), picnicking, inline skating, and bicycling.
Dogs are allowed in the day-use area of the park only if they are on a leash that is no longer than six feet.
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset. For shelter or cabin reservations call (727) 834-3247 or (727) 934-4198.
Another great chance for visitors to commune with nature is the Little Everglades Ranch near Dade City.
This ranch includes beautiful rolling acres, lakes and wooded areas and has become a center for steeplechase racing and major high school long distance running events each year.
And it recently was named as the site of a national athletic event: The Tough Mudder Florida, one of the most grueling obstacle course and endurance runs in the country. Tough Mudder Florida is scheduled for December 3 - 4, 2011, and it will challenge participant’s strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.
As described by Pasco Tourism: Tough Mudder is not just a run; it’s an event that challenges athletes with obstacles, both natural and man-made. Participants can compete as teams or individuals on the 12-mile course that is expected to take the toughest mudders two and a half hours to complete.
Each event is peppered with more than 20 military-style obstacles. Venues around the world offer Tough Mudders a slightly different challenge and incorporate varying features depending on the local terrain, so the Little Everglades Ranch will lend its own unique flavor with its rolling terrain, water hazards and a steeplechase hurdle. The event is projected to draw thousands of runners and spectators due to its festival like atmosphere. Tough Mudder expected 120,000 participants for their events in 2011 and more than 40,000 have registered to date.
For more information on the event go to www.toughmudder.com.
For more information on Little Everglades contact Bob or Sharon Blanchard at www.littleevergladesranch.com or 813-294-1004 or 813-244-0125 (or by mail at 38230 Jordan Road, Dade City Fl 33523).
Numerous excellent hotel accommodations service the Pasco/Port Richey area, including the Homewood Suites by Hilton at 11115 U. S. Highway 29, about 25 miles from the Tampa airport and near the Summertree Golf Course.
The four-story facility has two hotel pools, including a Conversational Activity Pool with cascading rain curtain or whirlpool. Guests can start the day with a complimentary Suite Start® hot breakfast served daily and unwind with a light meal and beverage during the complimentary Welcome Home™ reception Monday through Thursday evenings (local laws apply). The conference room can accommodate up to 100 attendees and the appointed courtyard is the perfect place for small gatherings. The spacious studios, one- and two-bedrooms, and hotel suites offer fully-equipped kitchens and 32-inch LCD TVs.
Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness facility. This 3.0 star property has a business center and offers business services. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include self parking.
Suites start at about $90 per day. For information: 800-230-4134.
There are many excellent restaurants serving the area, including several quaint facilities. These include Pappa’s Market Café, Café Kokopelli (Dade City), Havana Dreamer, Crab Shack, etc.
For more complete information contact the Pasco County Tourism Development Office at 727-847-8129 or www.visitpasco.net.
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Saddlebrook: An Affordable Golf/Tennis Haven





WESLEY CHAPEL, FL. -- There are many excellent resorts in Florida, featuring wonderful golf and tennis facilities, but the vast majority of them are ultra-expensive -- $500 and up per day, plus golf and/or tennis fees.

But Saddlebrook Resort, located off U. S. Highway 29 between Tampa and Port Richey, provides all the same kind of luxury suite amenities and great golf/tennis facilities for a much more affordable rate.

For example, here are the Saddlebrook rates June 30-July:

Deluxe Guest Room $109, 1 Bedroom Suite $129, 2 Bedroom Suite $169, 3 Bedroom Suite $278. Rates during other periods are only slightly higher.


Saddlebrook is the place where many professional athletes come to work on their training. They find the gated property provides them privacy and two excellently-manaicured Arnold Palmer signature golf courses; 45 tennis courts including every Grand Slam surface; world-renowned golf and tennis programs; a rejuvenating European-style spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and biking through our pristine, natural grounds prove to be ideal for anyone's needs.

The average golfer and tennis player can also enjoy these same advantages.

Saddlebrook is beautifully designed, with its circular layout providing easy access to all the sports facilities, hotel and half-million gallon pool and hot tub.



The 4th of July week holiday festivities feature merry-making balloon artists and historic tale-telling characters like Betsy Ross and George Washington autographing their "John Hancock" and posing in family pictures. The resprt's Independence Day Grand Finale Show pays tribute to America with patriotic songs and imagery of the people and places that make our country so great.

There is no shortage of food options at Saddlebrook as the facility offers seven award-winning restaurants, including barbeques and Floribbean dishes at the casual Poolside Café, popular fare at the Dempsey Steakhouse and the eclectic Tropics, around-the-clock room service, and The Deli which conveniently delivers groceries to you.

The deluxe guest room or spacious suites feature patios or balconies overlooking lush, manicured Florida landscape.

Stay and play longer! The resort offers a discount with their Fourth of July Weekend Package or their Saddlebrook Summer Special Package. Stay six nights and get the seventh night free. Call Reservations at 813.907.4401 for more details….

The Fourth of July Weekend Getaway package includes:

==Accommodations: hotel room, 1, 2, or 3 Bedroom Suites with early check-in and late check-out
==FREE golf and tennis clinics (as scheduled)
==Summer Golf Rate: $50 (greens fees & cart)
==Summer Spa Special
==Fitness Center admission and various fitness activities daily
==Kids Club fun & games (some events and services at a fee)
--Fourth of July festivities
--Poolside picnics at family-friendly rates
==Saturday Wine & Cheese Tasting, Children's Social, & Dive-In Movie
==10% off Food & Beverage (some exclusions)
==15% discount on Golf & Tennis Shops (non-sale merchandise)
==10% discount on Busch Gardens & Adventure Island tickets (sold at the resort)

For information or reservations call 800-729-8383 ext. 4401 or 813-907-4401.



*Call for reservations and pricing. Subject to Availability.



***Saddlebrook Amenities includes daily: Fitness Center admittance, various fitness activities, toll-free calls and local calls up to 30 minutes, high-speed wireless internet access in the sleeping rooms and public areas, in-room "self-serve" coffee and tea, and newspaper delivery.

Package Policies

An advance deposit equal to your nightly rate will be collected at the time reservations are confirmed. Deposits must be received to guarantee availability of accommodations. All cancellations of reservations must be received 24 hours prior to arrival to receive a complete deposit refund.

Rates are subject to availability and applicable taxes.
No room charge for children under 16 sharing with an adult.

Saddlebrook Specials & Packages are Not Available to Conference Groups


Saddlebrook Resort • Tampa • 5700 Saddlebrook Way • Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543 • 813.973.1111 • 800.729.8383 • Fax 813.973.1312

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Camel Rides, Up-Close Animal Views Highlight Ranch


DADE CITY -- There are the traditional zoos where sad-looking animals peer at visitors from behind barred cages, but there are a very few in which visitors get a real close-up look at animals in a natural habitat.
The Giraffe Ranch is one such rare facility.
Located in east Pasco County 45 minutes north of Tampa, Giraffe Ranch is on 47 acres of rolling countryside. With huge live oaks, native orchids and lush pastures and wetlands, the ranch is also a native wildlife preserve. Every night up to 200 sandhill cranes roost on the ranch grounds.

The ranch added a new twist in the spring of 2011: Guided camel tours of the property. Visitors can board five camels for a high view of the hundreds of animals at the ranch, including giraffes, zebras, lemurs, and many more.

Also, visitors may take a tour in a customized 4-WD safari tour vehicle, with a guide provide commentary. Each vehicle is fitted with shade canopies and stadium seating. Visitors can learn about native and exotic animals and their habitats from your safari guide and learn of the ranch's ongoing conservation efforts with endangered species and some that are extinct in the wild.

On safari visitors can feed giraffe, zebra and other animals from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Visitors can also see the ranch's working herd of Austrian Haflinger horses and tiny Irish Dexter cattle. Giraffe Ranch has one of the largest herds of these diminutive cattle in Florida.

Giraffe Ranch is not a zoo or theme park. It is a hands-on real working game farm and wildife preserve where animals have room to roam.
As one young visitor remarked: "This is absolutely the coolest place I have ever seen."

Family-owned and operated for over 10 years, Giraffe Ranch is open by reservation only. The ranch operates two tours per day, at 11 a.m. and 2 p. m. Tours are strictly limited in size and are designed to be fun, educational adventures.

Giraffe Ranch is accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) and licensed by USDA.

For information, visit the ranch website at girafferanch.com or call (813) 482-3400 for reservations.

This story was published on 28 May 2011.