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Photo courtesy Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau
Waterfall at Kanapaha

Waterfall at Kanapaha

Photo by Joshua Wirth

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville, FL

Beauty abounds at the 2nd largest botanical garden in Florida!

by Tamara Herchel | January 21, 2012

I’m sitting in a rocking chair on the vast porch of Summer House at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Eyes closed, I feel the warm breeze blowing, and hear the creak of the rocker on the wooden porch slats. If I listen closely, there’s a distant sound of birds chirping and children’s laughter—gigglers enjoying the meditation labyrinth in their own way!

It’s days like this I love living in Florida, and more specifically Gainesville …


A lovely butterfly leads the way on your moonlight stroll!

A lovely butterfly leads the way on your moonlight stroll!

Photo by the Florida Museum of Natural History

Valentine’s Dinner at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL

Our hearts are aflutter for this Valentine's Day treat!

by Tamara Herchel | January 16, 2012

Gainesville has had some absolutely gorgeous weather the past few days—cool, crisp mornings followed by breezy, sunny afternoons! We spent the 3-day weekend enjoying many of our favorite area parks and attractions, including a relaxing afternoon at Butterfly Rainforest inside the Florida Museum of Natural History.

No visit to Gainesville is complete without a stroll through Butterfly Rainforest. This 60-foot screened atrium is home to over 200 species of butterflies …


Puppets work the crowd at Hoggtowne Medieval Faire

Puppets work the crowd at Hoggtowne Medieval Faire

Photo by David Dobbins

Hoggtowne Medieval Faire, Gainesville, FL

Fresh family fun at Ye Olde Faire!

by Tamara Herchel | January 10, 2012

Here ye, here ye! The 26th Annual Hoggtowne Medieval Faire is but a fortnight away!  Thou shalt come hither posthaste to enjoy ye olde entertainment that performers aplenty bequeath upon you! (Okay, I’ve used up all of my Olde English words. But you get the idea!)

I absolutely love the Hoggtowne Medieval Faire. Held each year the last weekend in January and first of February (January 28-29 and February 3-5 this year),  …


Me with my favorite hiking buddy, enjoying San Felasco!

Me with my favorite hiking buddy, enjoying San Felasco!

Photo by Mike Herchel

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, Gainesville, FL

Get outside and enjoy some gorgeous hiking!

by Tamara Herchel | January 03, 2012

For some places, winter activities center around piles of freshly fallen snow, glistening in the sunlight, inviting skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and serious snowman-building, but here in Gainesville (despite the current temp of 43 degrees) the average snowfall is less than an inch per decade, and our "winter" translates to beautiful clear days, with average temperatures in the 60-70's. With the added bonus of lower humidity and fewer pesky bugs out and about, our local …


Guests indulge in relaxing pedicures at Spa Royale

Guests indulge in relaxing pedicures at Spa Royale

Photo courtesy of Spa Royale

Spa Royale, Gainesville, FL

Relax and rejuvenate for the new year!

by Tamara Herchel | December 26, 2011

I don’t know about you, but as much as I lovelovelove the holidays, I can’t exactly say I’m sorry to see the back of them. Yes, my family had a wonderful Christmas, complete with adorable toddler tearing into gifties and strewing paper all about, delighting in all her new playthings as the adults indulged in a myriad of holiday goodies—lobster, prime rib, cupcakes, cookies, chocolates…. It’s no wonder that today I feel the holiday hangover …


The Downtown Festival and Art Show delights visitors of all ages!

The Downtown Festival and Art Show delights visitors of all ages!

Photo courtesy of Visit Gainesville

12 Months of Gainesville Adventure, Part 2, Gainesville, FL

A bucket list to look forward to in 2012!

by Tamara Herchel | December 24, 2011

12 Months of Gainesville Adventure-Part 2

The weather may be frightful in other parts of the world, but here in Gainesville it is absolutely beautiful today, a warm 73 degrees, and sun shining brightly. You'd never know it was December if you didn't spot a calendar! On the other hand, these gorgeous days are what the rest of the world experiences while our inland Florida town is brutally abused by sweltering heat during the …


Tamara Herchel's photo

Meet the Gainesville, FL Insider

Tamara Herchel

Tamara Herchel was born in Lewisburg, WV and loves caving, hiking, and brisk mountain air,… more





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