Article content When hurricane Milton made landfall on the coast of Florida, I received several messages from friends telling me that potential hurricane ‘Nadine’ was on path to hit Florida next. When I shared this news with my family, my daughter sent me a witty reply saying that that was a rude way for the news media to warn people that I was headed to Central Florida on a press trip. Jokes aside, it was with some trepidation that I packed my bags, not sure of what I’d find once I landed.
My worry was unfounded (as worries usually are), as the attractions were basically unscathed. Central Florida has some of the best kept secrets, which I’d like to make very un-secret, not to mention some very surprising attractions and accolades. Did you know that Florida has ranches? Or that Westgate River Ranch Resort has the longest running weekly rodeo in America? Personally, I would have thought that that honour would go to Texas.
Similarly, the area is called the home of the American cowboy, as that career originated in Central Florida and then moved west (according to the ranch hand who toured us around the property to the various luxury glamping options in tents, wagons, rail cars and teepees (which even had clawfoot tubs). I was thrilled to try trap shooting at the ranch, after an airboat ride to see adult and baby alligators. For architecture fans, were you aware that the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) structures is on Florida Southern College’s campus? .
