One of the things I didn’t expect when I published this book was how many people wanted to share their memories of Florida with me. I love these emails because it’s wonderful to know there are people in the world who love Florida as much as I do. Send me your memories here, and please feel free to include old photos — as long as I have permission to post them along with the letter.

“I was stationed at MacDill field, Tampa 57-59, and saw first-hand much of ‘old Florida.’ Saw the article about your book in Sunday paper and it brought back memories of Clearwater beach when all that was there was beach, no condos, only a small parking lot and beach. Also a place east of Tampa called Lithia Springs, beautiful fresh water spring in the middle of nowhere that we use to go to and play. But the first thought  was a road trip on 41. I had a Vespa motor scooter. I traveled down 41 into the great swamp area and camped overnight at a little island rest stop.

“Shortly after my setting up, a Trooper came by. He stopped and advised me of alligtators, bears and snakes and this might not be a good campsite. I pointed out my jungle hammock stretched up between two plams and showed him how I could climb in and raise it to about 20 feet above the ground. He laughed and said that might work, and left. Florida was fun then beause it was still not crowed.” — Warren A.

Thanks for getting in touch, Warren!