Author: Scott Le Roy

This hurricane season has been an eventful one! Tropical Storm Sally is now the 18th named storm of 2020. Sally has already brought heavy rain and wind to Florida this week, as she moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Flood watches are still in effect for much of Florida, including Bradenton, Fort Myers, and Tampa. As recently as Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center was tracking seven storms in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Paulette, Tropical Storm Teddy and Tropical Storm Vicky are currently on the radar. Tropical Depression Rene dissipated Monday, but she set a meteorological record: Since 1971, it was the first time that 5+ tropical cyclones have existed together in the Atlantic. Another tropical depression is predicted to form this week, which will be named Wilfred. This is the last available name of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Next, forecasters will use the Greek alphabet to name future storms.  Keep an eye on the weather forecast,...

Disney World is only an hour and a half away from Palmetto! Have you been thinking about visiting this fall? The holiday season is the most magical time to visit all four theme parks because they decorate with festive lights, seasonal treats, and Christmas trees galore. However, two major events have been cancelled this year, due to COVID-19 safety measures: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.  Fortunately, guests will still be able to enjoy the holiday festivities at Disney from November 6th to December 30th! Socially distant character sightings will be happening in all four theme parks, and Cinderella Castle will be transformed with a colorful, Christmas swear-inspired projection after dark. Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays is coming back, so guests will still be able to enjoy festive flavors from around the world. It’s important to carefully consider your travel plans this year, but rest assured that Disney is taking the pandemic seriously and has implemented...

There are few things more relaxing than dining on fresh seafood, in the warm sunshine, with a beautiful view of the ocean. If you’re down for a quick 20-minute drive, we’ve created a list of cozy outdoor dining locations in Cortez, a historic fishing village just nine miles from Bradenton. Founded in the 1880s, Cortez is one of the last commercial fishing villages in Florida. These five restaurants are fun, casual spots with a standard dress code.  1. Cortez Kitchen4528 119th St. W., Cortez; 941-798-9404; thecortezkitchen.comThis restaurant is a favorite amongst locals! Located right in the center of the historic waterfront, popular dishes at Cortez Kitchen include the buffalo grouper bites, seafood platter, and blackened mahi sandwich. 2. Annie’s Bait and Tackle4334 127th St. W., Cortez; 941-794-3580This bait shop doubles as a great place to dine on fresh seafood by the Cortez Bridge, which overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. Their menu features a “Famous Grouper Sandwich” and “Almost Authentic Cuban Sandwich”. One of...

Florida is not expected to weather an excessive amount of damage from Tropical Storms Laura and Marco as they move through the Gulf of Mexico this week. However, tropical storm activity off the coast is predicted to bring rain, wind, and waves to certain coastal regions of Florida. In Bradenton, scattered storms are expected all week, according to the National Weather Service. Residents are advised to stay indoors, if possible, and take extra precaution when going outside. Rain and wind will probably begin to increase today and throughout the week. Thunderstorms are likely each day. Residents of Manatee County should look out for flooding. Poor marine conditions and increased chance of rip currents are expected beginning today. Avoid boating until the tropical storms have passed. ...

We’re right smack dab in the middle of hurricane season, and although we recently touched on hurricane safety tips at home, we wanted to write a separate post about boat safety during severe, inclement weather. Florida boaters in hurricane-prone areas need to take several steps to keep their vessels safe from harm. Here are a few safety tips to follow. 1. Move the boat, if possible. If you can’t, secure it.If you’re able, use a trailer to haul your boat out of the water and move it to a safe location away from tidal waters and trees. Remove electronics onboard, and pull the drain plug. If you can’t move your boat from the marina, double all lines, rig-cross spring lines, and attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal surge. Make sure all attachment points are strong so your boat is safe and secure.  2. Don’t stay onboard.It might be tempting to stay with your beloved boat, but it’s not safe....

Most boaters eventually find themselves out on the water after dark. In this scenario, preparation is key. There’s some gear you need to have onboard and a few safety practices to utilize after sunset, but you’ve totally got this! There are three main rules you need to remember at night. Avoid hitting anything in the water.Avoid being hit by other boats.Make sure your crew doesn’t go overboard. If you’re able to safely follow those rules, boating at night can be a peaceful, magical experience. Safety Gear When it’s dark outside, it’s even more important to have safety gear onboard your boat. For example, everyone should wear a life jacket at all times. Here’s a quick checklist of safety tips to keep in mind. Keep your cell on hand, and alert someone on shore that you’re running late.Have a VHF radio, in case you need to call for help and lose cell service.Have an anchor, anchor rode, and anchor light in case you need to stay somewhere...

A growing number of Americans are looking towards the water during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is great news for the boat industry. From the East Coast to the West Coast, boat dealers are experiencing a record number of sales. There are also waiting lists for marina slips. A recent study showed that more than 70% of boat dealers are either out of boats or have very few left in stock because sales are at historic highs. Why is this? People are looking for outdoor activities to do while social distancing.  Boats come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can find a simple aluminum fishing boat with an outboard engine for $10k, while a luxury cruiser could cost up to $900k. This provides plenty of options for boaters who are interested in a variety of activities. From California to Florida, boat sales have increased dramatically over the past few months. Even people who have never driven a boat are looking to buy...

Hurricane season is a dangerous time for Florida residents. From June to November, it’s extremely important to be prepared for the elements. Now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, it’s even more vital to be ready for severe weather. Below are a few tips to keep you and your family safe during hurricane season.  Before the storm… Create an emergency plan, and review the plan with your family.Photograph the interior and exterior of your home for insurance purposes.Buy a backup power generator, or make arrangements to relocate if a storm warning is issued.Hire a professional to trim vegetation growing on or near any overhead power lines. Preparing for an approaching storm… Turn off and unplug unnecessary appliances.Turn off swimming pool pumps and filters.Crank your fridge and freezer down to their coldest settings, in case the power goes out.Unplug your TV before lowering a TV antenna or satellite dish.Have important documents and items on hand, such as insurance policies, health insurance cards, birth...

If you love to fish, you’ve probably been frustrated by COVID-19. Before you embark on your next fishing trip, review these guidelines in order to keep yourself and others safe. If you are sick or exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home. Continue social distancing, even when you’re outside and on the water. Stay 6 feet from others at all times.Wear a mask when you’re in public and when social distancing isn’t possible. This includes a quick run into the bait shop for fishing supplies.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Wash your hands as often as possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you and make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol.Only fish with your immediate family. Don’t bring anyone else aboard your boat, and kindly turn down invitations to fish with others. It might be difficult to say no, but it’s your safest bet.Avoid sharing gear with others. Make sure to have plenty of our own gear and supplies on hand when you’re...

Florida has a variety of delicious foods and cuisines. If you’re planning a visit in the near or distant future, don’t skip these Florida delicacies! 1. Stone CrabStone crab season runs from October to May. During this stretch of time, you can find crab festivals and a variety of restaurant specials in Florida. Stone crab claws are sweet and extremely delicious. Another interesting fact is, when the crabs are pulled out of the traps, only one claw is removed before they’re released back into the water. The claws take about a year to regenerate.2. ConchConch mostly comes from the Florida Keys. The shells contain thick sea snails, which are eaten in chowder, ceviche, and conch fritters. 3. GrouperGrouper is a state favorite. Order it “blackened”, and you won’t be disappointed. 4. AlligatorIf you want to try something different, alligator is a great option. The meat is usually chopped into small bites and fried. Many people claim it tastes just like chicken. 5. Cuban SandwichThis...