#Singles In Key West Florida

[roosterforme]

Feelings Involved | Rooster x Reader

Summary: After months of dancing around your feelings, you're about to leave San Diego and Bradley behind. But on your last night in California, you realize you're not the only one with your heart on the line.

Warnings: Angst, smut and swearing

Length: 2500 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

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"You're so lucky, Chaser. Naval Air Station in Key West? Damn, that sounds even better than San Diego."

It took you a beat to realize that Phoenix was talking to you, and you had to force your gaze away from the man sitting at the bar to focus on her and Hangman. "Oh. Yeah. It's fine," you told her, barely able to return her smile as she handed you a shot. 

But It wasn't fine. You didn't want to move to Key West. You didn't want to leave San Diego. Or him. But you had been here for nearly two years, and you'd never gone for it. You'd never made a move.

And neither had he. 

"Not a chance," Hangman drawled. "One hurricane and you'll be California dreamin'."

You rolled your eyes at him. "Give me a little credit. I can probably stomach two hurricanes." You tapped your shot glass to his and downed your drink. 

"You need a chaser, Chaser?" Rooster said from behind you.

The involuntary little shiver that you felt at the sound of his raspy voice made you realize that leaving for Florida in the morning was probably exactly what you needed. 

When you glanced at him over your shoulder, his brown eyes looked intense. Focused. "No, Rooster. I'm a big girl. Do you need one?"

His lips quirked into a soft smile. "Do I need a Chaser? Maybe."

His warmth at your back did nothing to coax the chill out of your body. You and he had been doing this for months, inching closer to each other, but instead of so much as a kiss, he always inevitably pulled back. Shut it down before it started. You'd see him with a fling. Or suddenly he'd have a new girlfriend. He'd leave you alone in your feelings every single time.

"Do you want me to get you a Coke from Penny? Maybe a Sprite?" you asked him sweetly. But instead of laughing it off or pulling away, you felt his hand on your lower back.

He dipped his head a little closer to yours, voice pitched for your ears only. "That's not the kind of Chaser I want tonight." 

Your lips parted slowly, drawing his eyes down to your mouth as you turned to face him. His hand stayed on your back, pulling you gently against him. Right in front of the others. 

"What are you doing, Rooster?"

"Fuck," he whispered, swallowing hard. "I don't know." He looked like he was on the verge of panicking, so you tried to pull yourself out of his grasp. "No, stay here. Just...I..."

But you shook your head and tried your best to want to move away from him. "You can't do this tonight," you told him, your voice small and vulnerable. Your personality was neither of those things, and he knew that as well as you did.

"I should have done it different with you," he said with a self-deprecating little laugh that had you all mixed up inside. 

"Bradley, why now? You're like a year too late to be doing this." Your heart swelled with hope at the same time tears started to prick your eyes. "It's not fair."

"You're not gone yet." And then you pulled yourself away from him, glaring over your shoulder as you walked past Phoenix and Hangman and toward the bar. But Bradley caught up to you right away. "I shouldn't have said that," he rasped, reaching for you again. "I'm sorry."

You pushed him away and stood up to your full height. "Fuck you, Rooster. I'm not fucking disposable."

"I know!" he said, getting in your face. "That's why I never told you how I feel."

A scathing retort was ready and waiting on your lips, but then his lips found their way there instead. His kiss was soft and tentative as you pushed him away with your palm on his chest, but almost instantly you gave in. Your fingers scrunched up the fabric of his tropical print shirt as you pulled him closer. 

When you could feel the rough denim of his jeans against your bare thighs, he released your lips, leaving you dizzy. Bradley gently took your chin between his thumb and index finger until you snapped out of your daze. And then he said, "I'd tell you how I feel, but I don't want to make this harder."

You nodded gently, and his thumb skimmed along your skin until it was pressed to your bottom lip. And you heard Bradley whimper as you kissed the tip of his thumb. "Oh, god," you gasped.

And then his lips were back on yours, unrelenting as he used his long fingers to tip your face up to his. You dropped your empty shot glass onto the bartop and dug your fingers into his wavy hair. He eased his other hand down along your body as you pressed yourself against him. You felt his fingers graze your leg just below your shorts before his hand settled back up at your waist. 

You wanted his hands everywhere. Was he even single? Did you even care?

When you pulled his bottom lip between yours, you could feel that he was getting hard, and you whined his name against his mouth. 

"Bradley," you moaned. "Aren't you still dating that girl?"

"No," he grunted. "And even if I was, I'd call her right now and end it if that's what it took."

"You would?" you asked, tipping your head to the side as his lips found your neck. "For one night?"

"Yes," he promised, running his nose along your earlobe and making you shiver. "It's my fault. I should have told you that you meant something. But I've never been with someone I really care about before."

He was breathing heavier now, and you were in the middle of the Hard Deck with your fingers at the back of his neck and your leg wrapped around his thigh. He cared about you. You had one night left.

"Meet me in the bathroom," you whispered, and then he was easing himself away from you with a sad look on his face.

"I'm not meeting you in the bathroom, Chaser. That's not what this is."

"Yeah..." you told him. "You're right. Take me home with you."

His eyes went a little wide. "Yeah? You sure? Because this is about to mean something to me."

You paused for a moment to consider his words. You might never see him again. But after all this time wanting, you knew you needed to let yourself have just this one opportunity with him. You'd regret leaving the bar by yourself too much. "It already means something to me. Take me home with you."

Bradley tossed some cash on the bar and laced his fingers with yours. "Let's go," he whispered, kissing your forehead. And once you were outside in the cool air under the flickering streetlight, he pulled you close again. "God, baby, I'm so fucking stupid," he whispered, kissing you a little harder. 

"Mmm," you moaned, sliding your arms around his neck and tasting the whiskey he had been sipping on. Your tongue teased his as he eased his hands up your shirt and spread his fingers along your back.

The two of you slowly made your way across the parking lot, stumbling and laughing softly, unwilling to let go of each other. "Can you forgive me?" he asked once he had you pushed up against his Bronco.

"Yeah," you told him, feeling tears in your eyes. He kissed your cheeks and your nose. "I can forgive you."

With one more soft kiss, he opened the door and helped you climb in. You scrambled across the seat and unlocked his door for him. And then he was inside with you, and you were kissing him as he started the engine. You weren't rushing this, and neither was he. He backed out of the parking spot and then took your hand in his as the radio filled the space with a song that was familiar to you. 

Neither of you said anything as you played with his fingers and pressed kisses to his palm. He didn't live too far from the Hard Deck; you'd been to his house many times before with the others. But when he hurried around the Bronco once he was parked in the driveway, you let him pull you down into his arms. He carried you inside the front door while you kissed the scars on his cheek and dug your fingers back into his gorgeous hair. 

As he carried you to his bedroom, you couldn't stop yourself. It was just the softest whisper, but you knew he heard you. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too, baby," he promised, setting you on his bed, never letting you go. You managed to kick your shoes off with his big body on top of yours. And then those kisses. He had been holding back before, you were sure of that now. "You feel so good," he whispered, running his fingers along your cheek and around the back of your neck.

You chased his lips as you unbuttoned his shirt, needing to feel his skin all over your body. When he removed your top, you arched your back to help him, and then his lips were on your chest. He tossed your bra aside as well, tasting you everywhere. The feel of his lips and mustache on your breasts had your fingers stalling on his buttons, so you just tugged it over his head instead. Then he yanked off his undershirt, and you pulled him down to you.

"You're so warm," you told him, melting into his touch as his lips found yours again. As your hands glided up his arms to his shoulders, you rubbed yourself up along his hard length. All the friction of denim on denim had your head tipping back.

"Are you really going to let me love you like this, Chaser? I've been thinking about it for so long." He unzipped your shorts slowly, the sound of it making you wild for him.

"Yes," you groaned, squeezing your eyes shut and memorizing the feel of his hands on your waist and then hips as he pulled your shorts and underwear off. When you reached for the front of his jeans, he was already between your thighs, kissing his way down from your belly button to your pussy.

"Oh, Rooster," you gasped, propping yourself up on your elbows, but he was already there. Lips on your clit and tongue everywhere. "Oh."

"You're making me crazy," he promised, looking up at you. You let him lick and tease you until you were both panting with need. The gentle roll of your hips and the rub of his facial hair were enough to get you softly clenching.

"Bradley," you gasped at that first squeeze. 

"Okay," he agreed, finally stripping off his jeans while you ran your fingers through his hair again. "Do I need a condom?"

"No." You pulled him on top of you as he pushed himself inside, and you moved along with his languid movements. He tipped your chin up, kissing your lips and swiping his tongue against yours. You body cradled him just right, and he was hitting every sweet spot inside as he rubbed along your clit. You held on as long as you could, looking up at his perfect face, but it felt like he knew exactly what to do. 

"Oh," you whined, face scrunched in pleasure as he sucked in a breath and worked himself a little faster. Your fingers were tight in his hair as you shook. You pulsed around him. "So good."

And then you were cumming hard, right leg wrapped tight around his hip as you jerked up against his body.

"Look at you," he groaned, watching you come undone beneath him. "Fucking perfection."

And then he fucked you so good as you whined for him, filling you over and over again before he spilled himself inside you. You kissed him as he whispered your name, getting softer like a prayer against your skin. And then you let that bittersweet feeling hit you square in the chest. 

You tried to hide your little sobs by turning away from him, but he knew. Bradley buried his face in the crook of your neck and kissed you there while your fingers drifted through his hair and down to his neck. You could feel the tears now as he said, "You're not disposable. You're special. I should have got over my fears so I could be with you." He kissed the tears away from your cheeks. "Please, please tell me you don't regret this."

"No," you told him, pulling his head down to your shoulder. "I don't regret it. I'm never going to regret it."

You were both quiet for a few minutes. He was still buried deep inside you, and you held your tears back as much as you could. "I've never done that with someone like you before," he whispered. "I've been too afraid to get close to someone and then leave them alone. I know I could lose myself in you, but you'd regret it if I didn't come back home from a deployment. Anyone would."

"Bradley-"

But he cut you off with his lips on yours, and then he said, "Will you stay with me? For the night? Longer?"

You nodded and sniffed. "I'll stay with you."

Your body fit perfectly with his, and he held you all night. When his hand came up to cup your cheek, he kissed your forehead. Every little movement of his body against yours had you scrambling to memorize the feel of him. And the way he smelled. And the way his sheets felt against your legs. Occasionally he would whisper your name, and you would kiss him before you both pretended you were going to sleep. And then he'd whisper for you again.

As the first early sunlight crept into his bedroom, Bradley pulled you closer to him as you shook your head. The urge to leave him before your tears fell kicked in, and you climbed out of his bed and started to gather your clothes and pull them on. 

"Chaser," he whispered miserably. But you could barely look at him. "Will you call me or text me? Something?"

You wanted to. You really wanted to. "Bradley." Your voice was hoarse, and you knew you needed to leave, but when he reached for you, it was hopeless. You were in his arms one last time. 

"Will you?" he asked, and you kissed him softly, savoring the feeling of your fingers threaded through his hair.

You met his eyes through your tears. "Maybe I'll see you again."

"Baby," he gasped as you pulled away from him.

And as he leaned back against his pillow with his palms pressed to his eyes, you whispered, "Goodbye, Rooster." And you ran from his room before you could turn back.

----------------------------

An angsty goodbye to what could have been. Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls.

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[rolandkaros]

i've been ruminating a lot on it because i think i'm bad at putting my thoughts into words but i need y'all to understand that while there are absolutely a lot of Not Good Things about the finals being held in saudi arabia for three years...the way people seem to treat is as morally black and white is shortsighted and unhelpful.

realistically the players traveling there will be protected. it may be uncomfortable, it's certainly not ideal, but they will travel there for a few weeks, play their tennis, then leave. there are a lot of women, a lot of queer people who actually live in saudi arabia who cannot just leave, who are actually subjected to laws and social climates...and to me it just seems very disrespectful to that actual lived experience, for everybody to sort of turn their noses up and get on their high horses. of course, if the players wish to opt out, that is their choice, but that is their choice to make. that's their judgement. not ours.

and then, what about a tournament like miami? florida is literally experiencing one of the worst active regressions that i've seen in the us (granted i'm young). things like critical race theory and lgbtq+ ed are being removed from curriculums, rights for trans youth, trans healthcare, etc. are going backwards. abortion rights? gun violence? and yes i know that the laws and climate in saudi arabia are different gravy, i understand that, but my point is, no one would ever DREAM of arguing against hosting a tournament in miami despite all of these issues. and we can extend this to a lot of other tournaments! i mean, all the outrage about fifa hosting a world cup in qatar, but we don't have any of these sentiments about doha? i've seen other people bring up that the finals were hosted in singapore when gay marriage was still illegal there. we've already talked about italy's fascist prime minister. and i could go on and on and on about the war crimes of countries like the us or the uk - is the us not participating actively in genocide right now? where is the standard? if you argue against hosting the finals in saudi arabia for the reason of human rights, to me it seems you have to uphold that standard for the location you do land on. and i can guarantee, you will not find a single country in the world with clean hands.

i want to be clear i am not arguing that hosting the finals in saudi arabia is a good thing, especially for three years, especially because it's definitely going there because of money, and not for any of the "good" reasons i think some people want us to believe about "improving the region" (which is very weirdly white savior-esque anyway). i don't really have an official "conclusion" to this discussion.

what i am arguing is that i think a lot of the protests against saudi arabiahosting the finals are more an example of implicit anti-arab bias and islamophobia, rather than genuine discussion. key word implicit: i don't think most people are purposefully trying to be anti-arab/islamophobic. or at least, i'd like to believe nobody is. but i also think, particularly in the west, there is already so much of this xenophobic sentiment ingrained. and this is why i think it's really really REALLY important to check ourselves when we talk about it instead of just jumping straight to the human rights conversation without a second thought.

i'll say it plainly: i don't think the finals should be held in saudi arabia. but for me, it has more to do with sportswashing, with the dangers of the way money is thrown around in sports, and because i think it's more evidence that the wta doesn't care about player welfare but rather about making a profit (what else is new). human rights are absolutely a concern of mine, but how is it fair to hold saudi arabia to a standard that we don't seem to care about for literally anybody else?

literally look at the us's ugly ugly history, past and present, and tell me why we deserve to host a tennis tournament.

[grottweiler]

important question what is the general location of grotts parking lot. dox that boy for me

Grott lives in the city of Flagler in southern Miami-Dade County, an amalgam of all the places I grew up, sandwiched between US-1 and the Turnpike. If I had to put it on the map, it's kinda sorta Florida City (34), Homestead (33), Leisure City (kk), Naranja (jj), with some bits of Kendall (u), Cutler Bay (32), Coral Gables (28), and a dash of Key Largo (not pictured; Monroe County) for flavor.

If you grew up down here, you're familiar with the name Henry Flagler, or at the very least the cult of personality all the politicians and businessowners have built up around him. The old Overseas Railroad that connected Key West to the mainland cuts Flagler right down the middle, and Grott literally lives on the wrong side of the tracks. The Miami Metropolitan Area is a congested hellhole, but it's HIS congested hellhole! Grott's official responsibilities as a rook-in-training begin and end within the boundaries of the vacant lot he calls home, but he has appointed himself the town and county's Tutelary Gargoyle, sworn preserver, protector, and defender of everything and everyone between the Evergaldes and Biscayne Bay.

The forces of evil are on the rise in Florida, and Grott faces them head on every single day!

[ofenigmas]

(Ana de Armas) [THE RETICENT]. Please welcome [MIRANA DIAZ (SHE/HER)] to Huntsville, WV. They are an [33]-year-old [VISITOR] who lives in [TOWN]. You may see them around working as a [ASSISTANT EDITOR AT HUNTSVILLE DAILY]. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive.

BASICS

NAME: mirana isabel diaz

BIRTH DATE + AGE: april 1, 1991

GENDER: female

PRONOUNS: she/her

ORIENTATION: bisexual heteroromantic?  

OCCUPATION: assistant editor at huntsville daily

BIRTHPLACE: new york city 

FAMILY: amara diaz née reyes - mother (alive??), martez diaz - father (alive??), julian diaz - older brother (presumed dead)

APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: ana de armas

EYE COLOR: hazel (golden)

HAIR: dark brown/copper.

HEIGHT: 5′6″

TATTOOS: a black cat (lower back, a drunken dare) sun and moon tattoo on left wrist (x).

SCARS/BIRTH MARKS: jagged line diagonally across her right forearm (from barbed wire fence), scar on upper right thigh from skiing accident

PERSONALITY

ZODIAC: aries sun, scorpio moon, sagittarius rising

MBTI: estp, the entrepreneur.

ENNEAGRAM: 7w8, the realist. sexual/self preservation subtype

ALIGNMENT: chaotic good/neutral

TEMPERAMENT: choleric

ARCHETYPE: the reticent / the defiant

ELEMENT: fire

ASSOCIATED CHARACTERS: april ludgate, megara from hercules, flynn rider, ron swanson, lois lane, han solo, georgia miller, cassandra gothel, rosa diaz.

AESTHETIC: crumpled newspapers, crimson, muffled laughter, ash- or ink- covered hands, rebellion, ruined dreams, the desire to stargaze on the roof, old history books, messy handwriting, irritatingly smug smiles, denim jackets, vodka, tight black dresses, broken champagne glasses, holding you an arm’s length away.

BIOGRAPHY TW: death (sibling and best friend), mention of skiing accident, illness (vague and in one line)

born in new york city, youngest of two children, daughter of a software developer and a history professor. 

always wanted to be an investigative journalist (a perfect outlet for someone with a penchant for never minding her own business) 

an extrovert, but her friendships seemed to follow her since birth. her family was incredibly close to the XXX and XXX families and she formed a tight-knit circle with their children, especially XXX and XXX. she’d never felt the need for more friends. 

despite an intense sibling rivalry, was very close to her brother Julian. 

got accepted into Columbia for Journalism, but soon after graduation her mother fell ill. after deferring a year mirana spent the first few years with only partial credit enrollment in order to stay at home until her mother recovered.

nearly twenty-one by the time she could go to university full time, mirana was forced to take a semester entirely off from a skiing accident. after all of that and a year-long internship, she graduated at twenty-six.

after a year of working her ass off at investmentnews, she finally got her life back on track for her original plan, landing a position at the new york times.

to make up for the college experience she felt she missed out on, mirana planned a week long ‘spring break’ trip in key west, florida to celebrate. the caravan ended up being her, her two best friends, her boyfriend, her brother julian, and julian's best friend.

after a particularly long night of drinks and fight over something so trivial she barely remembers, a drunken mirana broke up with her boyfriend. god, what a horrible start to spring break. it was fine. she’d sleep it off and they’d either make up or she could avoid him the rest of the trip. except... the trip never ended, as they never made it to florida, instead detouring into huntsville, west virginia. 

she tried every single day for a year to find a way to leave or communicate with the outside world. didn’t take it seriously at first, avoided any sort of relationship with anyone because ‘we’ll be back to our normal lives soon’ unless interrogating them on if they knew anything. 

after a year, julian (her brother who had agreed to be a hunter) never returned from his trip. that was the first time her resolve started to shatter. 

for two years, mirana lived in some sort of haze. maybe this wasn’t real, some sort of hallucination. what if she’d been in a coma from her skiing accident and never woke up? any absurd excuse to not accept her life falling apart, she was even more brash and impulsive than usual, only her best friends and now-roommates grounding her. except... then they watched soulless monsters destroy her best friend with their own eyes. 

since then (2 years ago), mirana has somewhat accepted that her life is ruined and she’s stuck in this living nightmare for the rest of time, and it’s all her fault. since she never wanted to make new friends before, she’s not been any better now. quite chatty and curious, but makes no effort to get close to anyone. 

works at the local newspaper as some sort of sick joke to herself. she's qualified, after all. 

math attempt tldr: 2019: arrived in huntsville on accident. 2020: julian presumably killed. 2022: best friend killed. early 2023: started working at the paper, got new roommates.

top 5 theme songs:

make it up as i go - mike shinoda, k.flay i keep on running backwards. i keep on losing faith. i thought i had the answers. i thought i knew the way. my brother said be patient. i don't know what i'm chasing. i don't know who i am. waking in the dead of night, i can't sleep. sleeping in the light of day for like weeks, reality was out of focus, i could be hopeless. instead i gritted my teeth.

we won’t - jaymes young, phoebe ryandon't go to war for me. i'm not the one that you want me to be. -- are we just gonna stay like this forever? floating, i'm serious, my heart is furious. -- don't waste your time convincing me that maybe someday we'll get it right.

when you break - bear’s den spoiled, selfish little child went out to play out in the wild. i found you shaking like a leaf underneath your family tree. you could never live out in the open, regretting every word you've spoken. when you break, it's too late for you to fall apart, and the blame that you claim is all your own fault.

crossroads - timefliesyou ever just go through the motions? it's like i'm stuck in a game, thinking it'll be different, then it just come up the same. man how the hell did i get here? not like i knew the way. just take me back to the start again, just one more time on the stage.

long story short - taylor swiftfatefully, i tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me. -- i was in the alley, surrounded on all sides. the knife cuts both ways. if the shoe fits, walk in it 'til your high heels break. -- and i fell from the pedestal, right down the rabbit hole. long story short, it was a bad time.

Her Pinterest board is here.

Her Spotify playlist is here.

FAMILIAL:

N/A (unless there’s a future way her brother could have survived in the woods for 4 years LMAO)

PLATONIC:

ROOMMATES - { 0 / 3 } - A BROKEN TRIO - { 0 / 1 } - - the one person mirana remains close to of the remaining survivors of their road trip and trio of best friends. only person she lets herself be vulnerable with. 

FRENEMIES - { 2 / 3 } - samuel ahn, rhys bennett - mirana is generally snarky to everyone, but especially to these few. the bad part ?? she actually misses days when they aren’t around to tease. not that she would admit that. 

BAD INFLUENCEE - { 0 / ? } - - mirana is far from ‘innocent’/’lawful good’, someone that she has no qualms about corrupting, perhaps even finds a small joy in dragging them to the bar or approving of what people would normally consider bad decisions.

GOOD INFLUENCE - { 1 / 2 } - wesley rivers - someone who has never given up on trying to befriend mirana. sort of a friendly “opposites attract” vibe in that they are more optimistic/sunshine-y/sillier than her in a way she begrudgingly finds she wants to be around. 

ACQUAINTANCES - { 0 / ? } - - maybe they frequent the bar together, are always at the diner for lunch at the same time and ended up sharing a table, etc. she often frequents the daily grind, bucky’s diner, the sasquatch, and the library.

CO-WORKERS - { 8 / 9 } - evelyn montgomery, stephanie barboza, samuel ahn, prudence wheaton, narcissa sakamoto, hudson cerulli, parker russo, [printer], katia lima - other people who work at huntsville daily - is probably generally friendly to them and likes them more than other people in town unless plotted otherwise 

NEIGHBORS - { 0 / idk 6? } - - people who live next door to her TRAINING PARTNERS - { 1 / 1 } - oakley muller - someone she went to for help learning to fight / defend herself after losing her best friend two years ago.

PROTECTIVE - { 1 / 1 } - elise byrne - someone younger than her that she has sort of accidentally adopted and is very protective over but acts like she isn't.

ANTAGONISTIC:

FORMER FRIENDLIES - { 0 / ? } - people who were warm and welcoming to her in the first year or so who did not receive the same treatment in return and eventually gave up on befriending her.

ENEMIES - { 0 / 3 } - a lawful good who can’t stand her chaotic good/neutral nature, someone who just can’t stand her snarky attitude, maybe she hates them simply bc they have a sunny disposition and don’t despise living in huntsville 

ALWAYS AVOIDANT - { 0 / 3 } -  • (roughly 2020) after losing her brother she decided to go after him in case he was alive and snuck out while her roommates were asleep to “monster hunt”, unsure if she had much intent to return without him. she nearly died and has a nice scar on her arm from getting caught on a barbed wire fence trying to escape one, but someone saved her and dragged her back to town. she generally avoids them and pretends it didn’t happen bc not good at saying thank you or acknowledging vulnerability.

• one of the people on the road trip was her brother julian's best friend. in their old lives, she didn’t like him for some mundane and probably immature reason: he wasn’t from her tight knit families or he and julian tried to do things without her as kids, etc. since julian's death 4 years ago, she’s generally cut him off, worried he’ll blame her for being stuck in huntsville (she didn’t even want him on the trip!!!) or for julian and bc he reminds her of the past. must be a “visitor” who arrived around 5 years ago on their road trip. lived in nyc anywhere from just for a master’s/new job for a few years up to his entire life. age: 30-40 • best friend's sibling - Her other best friend who was killed 2 years ago - their sibling has been looking for them for 5 years since they and their friends never returned from their trip - mira would avoid them, not wanting to dwell on the past long enough to explain what happened -  must be a “visitor” who just arrived. lived in nyc at least for their childhood. age: any (alt: this could also be the alive best friend's sibling if approved, her brother's significant other, her brother's best friend's sibling or significant other, etc!)

ROMANTIC:

* ✨  i do not plot out ships so none of these are meant to lead to an actual “romantic” ship unless it does on accident from chemistry! ✨ 

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN - { 0 / 3 } -  - people who are maybe antagonistic-leaning as a connection that she’s accidentally had a one night stand with due to poor impulse control. any gender. 

“THIS WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN” - { 0 / 1 } - - same as above except definitely antagonistic connection + she keeps reminding them that this will “absolutely never happen again” and would deny having any connection with them if anyone asked.  inspo: (x) (x) “WE CAN BE CASUAL” - { 0 / 1 } - they’re both attracted to each other, and get along quite well,  but whatever this is at least originated after a drunken/sleep-deprived conversation abt how they have no interest in a romantic future with anyone. maybe seem kind of romantic to others. 0-3 years. male. inspo: (x) (x) (x)

UNREQUITED - { 0 / 1 } - whether they’ve not actually indicated this interest/did and were turned down and are still trying or agreed to be friends, he has a romantic interest in mirana, which is rather difficult since she... pretends she doesn’t have feelings. anything from acquaintances to fwbs. probably deserves better than her.  inspo: (x) (x)

EX-BOYFRIEND - { 0 / 1 } - they dated anywhere from 6 months - 5 years and his feelings can be anywhere from was cheating on her/using her for family connections to was abt to propose, sky’s the limit. she broke up with him the night before they got stuck in huntsville (probably a silly drunken fight hiding general panic over starting a new life chapter) and even if one or both of them would have wanted to make up, they never got the chance. it’s been over 5 years now so it could be a he despises her for dumping and then trapping him here, exes w jealousy, a will they won’t they where they always back out last minute, he wants her back when he rly shouldn’t, only she has unresolved feelings, he just wants to be friends again, etc etc!  must be a “visitor” who arrived around 5 years ago on their road trip. lived in nyc anywhere from just for a master’s/new job for a few years up to his entire life. age: 30-40 inspo: (x) (x)

OTHER - feel free to hit me up with any other ideas you have as well ! please feel free to mix or match any of these from any category ! 

[chrisfoliage]

The Kapok Tree

Key West, Florida

This is a very unique tree that is sacred to the Mayan people. They can grow to hights of 130 feet, if not more, and can increase in hight by 10 feet in a single year. But look at those ROOTS! I'm in love!

[a-tale-never-told]

A Tale as old as time ( Start of arc)

August 31, 2043, Hinata- Nanami residence

?: Alright we are going live in 3, 2, 1! Roll it!.

Agent Murphy: So Hinata, I'm going to ask you a few questions, is that okay with you? You could take some time a bit before you answer.

Uh... No that's fine! Really. Just tell me what you want to tell me.

Agent Murphy: You're an easy guy to talk to, I like that. But anyway, let's get to the point. Hinata..., looking back on your activities during the early 2010s and looking at yourself now, what would you tell your son about what you did then?

Flashback sequence

*Soviet troops cross into Manchuria on August 9th. They reach the city of Harbin on August 21st. Crowds of liberated Chinese citizens cheer and congratulate their arrival in the city*.

*Representatives from both the United States and the Soviet Union sign the agreement on August 26, 1946. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur of the United States and Lieutenant General Kuzma Derevyanko of the Soviet Army signed the treaty along with the Japanese foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu. Macarthur and Emperor Hirohito take one for the cameras. The division areas are finalized*.

*Soviet T54 tanks march and open fire on student protesters and other rioters, first in Hungary in 1956 and in Prague in 1968. Several people were killed in both riots and thousands more were injured. A savage response, this would be a tactic that would be repeated again in the 1980s*.

"Those are not riots, but rebellions. People rebel because of oppression and conditions. Conditions that make it impossible to live, no matter if things get good or not. People are tired of this and when they get tired, they rebel. No rebellion is born out of violence, it's born out of the conditions" US Secretary of State Dean Rusk, December 1961.

*R12 MRBM missiles being shown at a red square parade. These missiles were used in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962,, the closest humanity has come to extinction. An American P2 Neptune patrol airplane shadows a Soviet cargo freighter carrying il 28 beagle bombers. Sh 3 sea kings fly over Key West, Florida. The Soviet submarine B 59 is being observed by a Seabat ( Variant of the Choctaw helicopter) off the coast of Cuba*.

"Una Revolución!" Fidel Castro, 1960.

*Communist guerillas raise their guns as a show of strength against the Sandinista government in Grenada sponsored by the United States. Meanwhile, Dutch protesters in Amsterdam march to protest the installment of more Minuteman missiles in Europe. US President Ronald Reagan sits with Margaret Thatcher at Camp David, Maryland in December 1984. Reagan and Thatcher would be vocal opponents of Communism*

*President George H. W. Bush Meets with several of his advisors in 1992 to discuss the growing issues in the Middle East and Asia, more specifically Japan. President Bill Clinton signs a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, much to the ire of Egypt. US Ambassador George W. Bush meets with Soviet Ambassador to the United Nations Vladimir Putin in Shanghai*.

"I believe that Communism is the new vanguard of the world, a Spread of freedom. A new world with freedom away from the capitalist oppressors and the corrupt. A new Japan for all Japanese Citizens, be they old or very young, even if it has to be fought with the sword and spear" Yuki Tateyama, General Secretary of the Communist party of Japan, November 2009

tape recording stops*

Cuts to the US Senate building and President John Mcain takes the stand. Mcain stands in front of Congress, facing a crowd of Republicans and Democrats

John Mcain: Global Communism, Marxism, Leninism, and the rest are THE single greatest to not only our National Security but to the security of the Free world. Worse than the Ku Klux Klan, worse than any hurricane, even worse than the Narco drug dealers and Mafia!. They have almost half of the Third World underneath their Iron Curtain! And no nation, I believe is more to blame for the spread than North Japan! Because of their support, half of the developing nations are socialist in nature and are allied with the Russians. Democracy is at stake! So I ask you all here, Republicans and Democrats, to put aside the grudges and work together in times that truly try men's souls.

end of flashback

Well... Let's just say that it wasn't really easy. I don't really think anyone can claim the fact that they just ended an era of conflict that went on for a century.

I didn't really expect to be a hero or a legend in my home country. I was just a person who wanted to be special, to feel like I was someone, to have a talent in something. I'm sure many of us can relate to having that feeling. That's why I signed up for Hope's Peak, despite the issues going on.

But... I honestly let that judgment get to me a bit. I didn't know what I was getting into, what I was about to see, what I was about to face, I had no idea how exactly bad things were over there. I suppose that maybe... my son does have a right to know what his dad did during that time, so he can try to learn and not be like me, to live a good and special life that my younger self wished he had.

So I will tell you because this has to be told, to let those know that things like this can never happen again. I just hope that the rest of the world is more calmer now and more safe than it was back then. So buckle up, this is going to get wild. It all started a few months ago...

[careerarm2-blog]

June 16 - Miami

This morning we drove 2 hours into Miami. We decided to go back to SD tomorrow as rain has been forecasted for the next few days. Last weeks parts of Miami flooded, major highways were closed and the airport had delays and cancellations. I hope it dies rain or I’m going to be made.

We are staying in Key Biscayne, which is really low key compared to Miami. It has mostly apartments and condos, I didn’t see any single family homes. I believe some people live here permanently but most are vacation rentals. We rented a one bedroom apartment, which is less than 5 minutes from the beach. It comes with kitchen utensils, stove, refrigerator, etc.

It was shocking to see the huge number of skyscrapers in Miami. To me it looked bigger than NY. Driving downtown is crazy and scary. I would not want to stay in those towers. The tallest building is 85 stories high, a mix of retail, condos and offices. LA doesn’t even rate compared to Miami.

We also drove by the Art Deco Diatrict which I had last seen 30 years ago. Unfortunately we couldn’t find parking. It is not want I remembered. Now it is full of stores and restaurants and the buildings can barely be seen. Very crazy, full of people.

We came back to Key Biscayne and drove to the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. It has an area for fishing, beaches, picnic tables, and a lighthouse. Today being Sunday, it was full of groups of people, barbecuing, fishing, etc. i heard every single Latin American dialect, but very little English.

In Key Biscayne alone I counted 3 Argentine restaurants and one Uruguayan. Talking about prices, we had a poke bowl for lunch for $22. In Cocoa Beach our favorite poke bowl, which was almost twice the size with tuna and shrimp and other goodies was $18. Gas here is $4.66, in other areas 3.25. Definitely expensive here.

We had Argentine empanadas for dinner, but mine are better. We brought home a chocotorta, haven’t tried yet. After dinner we walked to the beach to watch the sunset, but I forgot that we were facing East not West.

[waheelawhisperer]

@norondor asked me to do this so now you all get to learn things about me that you never wanted to know.

Tea, coffee, or soda?

It used to be soda, but then I realized I was getting fat, said "fuck that", and cut a crapton of sugar out of my diet. I stopped drinking soda/eating candy/eating ice cream etc., dropped 30 pounds of extra weight, and gained 2/3 of it back in the form of muscle. I'm now slightly above my ideal weight because my work has led me to start stress-eating and annoyed about it.

I do drink tea somewhat regularly and have for a very long time.

I don't drink coffee at all. I hate bitter drinks, one of the many reasons I almost never consume alcohol.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs, though I love cats as well. I really enjoy being around all kinds of animals and tend to get along well with them, but dogs are my number one choice. Also, I'm slightly allergic to cats, so I don't get to chill with them as much as I would like. I'm dying to have a pet at the moment, but I simply can't take care of one while I'm living in a smallish apartment and have to work long hours on a regular basis. It just wouldn't be the responsible thing to do.

Can you play an instrument?

Not a chance. I should not be allowed near any tool which can be used to make music. I used to really like working with clay and I tried to get into drawing and animation, but I'll be honest, my artistic talents lean more towards the written word.

First song lyrics that pop into your head?

This really varies depending on what I'm listening to at the moment but if you blanked my mind out and told me to just let you know what lyrics came to mind, it'd probably be the first verse of the first song I can ever remember hearing:

The first thing I remember knowin' Was a lonesome whistle blowin' And a young un's dream of growin' up to ride On a freight train leavin' town Not knowin' where I'm bound And no one could change my mind but Mama tried

(Mama Tried, by Merle Haggard)

Do you have any tattoos?

Nah, but I was thinking of getting a womb tattoo that says "Property of Yang Xiao Long" and a tramp stamp that reads "Margaret Nearl's Boytoy".

Favorite place you’ve traveled?

Probably either Hawaii or Key West in Florida. Young me believed that there were many benefits to being a marine biologist and enjoyed going snorkeling at both places (don't get on my ass about how tourism is bad for Hawaii, I was like ten or some shit and had no control over where my family went on vacation or what we did when we got there).

Germany is probably the runner-up. It's probably the one country in the world where people love trains as much as us God-fearing Americans do, so I had a lot of fun visiting various train museums. Regrettably, I didn't get to go to the big one in Berlin because we stayed mostly to the south and west. My family wanted to go to France (puke) at the end of the trip, but I was able to avert that tragedy.

Worst place I've visited: Lubbock. Nothing to do in that shithole besides fuck cows, fuck coeds, and be racist. I've gone there for football games twice and both times the populace has proven itself the worst group of people I've ever had the misfortune of encountering. Every friend I've had who's gone to school there hated it and transferred out, sometimes with new and exciting STDs. Fuck Lubbock and everyone who lives there.

College Station also sucks ass, but at least it's closer to anything that isn't awful than Lubbock. I could go into more detail about that awful town and its obnoxious cultists, but it would take me a week to enumerate every single reason why the world would be a better place if a meteor obliterated College Station tomorrow.

Honorable mention goes to Houston because it's hot and humid and everyone there drives like they're trying to secure their places in Valhalla via vehicular combat.

What’s the last movie you watched?

Bold of you to assume I have time to watch movies. I don't think I've actually sat down and watched one for months. Probably Glass Onion?

You can hang out with one fictional character for an hour… who do you choose?

The immediate answer is to choose one of The Wives, but I'm taking a longer view of things and want to get as much benefit as I can out of an opportunity this valuable, which means that instead of just chilling with someone who I think is cool, I'm gonna try to fundamentally restructure my life here. I'd need to do my research, but I'd want to pick an omnipotent or near-omnipotent being that I could realistically convince to not only help me with things like healing chronic health issues, improving physical stats, getting fat stacks of cash, exerting my will upon the cosmos, and all that fun shit, but do so without exacting what I consider an intolerable price for it. I'm sure there's some supernatural being out there that would be willing to lend me some aid.

Compliment yourself:

This is a dangerous thing to ask of me because my ego is overinflated enough as it is, but I have a big brain, a big heart, and big muscles.

[tacticalhimbo]

The Final Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Map Of 2022; Courtesy of Erin Reed (aka: ErinInTheMorn)

[Image ID: A color-coded map of the United States of America, with the states varying in colors. The map's key is titled 'Anti-trans Legislation Risk'.

States that are dark red are labeled 'Worst Active Anti-trans Laws', and include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

States that are red are labeled 'High Risk Within 2 Years', and include Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

States that are orange are labeled 'Moderate Risk Within 2 Years', and include Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

States that are light teal are labeled 'Low Risk Within 2 Years', and include Arizona, Delawarw, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

States that are teal are labeled 'Safest States With Protections', and include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington State, and Washington D.C. / END Image ID]

This map helps you determine the likelihood your state will pass anti-trans legislation in the next 2 years. If you are moving or looking to move, or make other decisions, please use this map!

More information below the cut, or on Erin's Substack (which can be accessed by clicking the headline/title of the post).

Comments from Erin Reed re. Information Collection

Methodology. The methodology I use is qualitative. I know the partisan breakdowns of the various states. I have watched hundreds of hours of hearings on anti-trans legislation and am fully aware of all of the players nationally as well as where they are making their pushes against trans rights. I have followed the vote count and talk to activists on the ground in each state. I also take into account election results - the last election shifted several states into lower risk due to Democratic victories at the state level. Lastly, I watch for statements by governors and bill drafts to see if the Republican party in various states seems to be pushing anti-trans legislation heavily - you can see many examples of such legislation on this Substack.

The Worst States

Alabama

Arkansas

Florida

Oklahoma

Tennessee

Texas

These states have passed the worst anti-transgender legislation or enforced existing laws against transgender already.

High-Risk States

Idaho

Indiana

Kentucky

Louisiana

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Ohio

South Carolina

South Dakota

Utah

Virginia

West Virginia

These states are all in line to join The Worst States. They’ve all proposed laws that states in the higher risk category have passed. Some states defeated many of their anti-transgender laws this year and still maintain a significant risk profile going into the next cycle.

Moderate-Risk States

Alaska

Georgia

Iowa

Kansas

Nebraska

New Hampshire

North Carolina

North Dakota

Wyoming

These states all have a moderate risk of advancing some of the worst anti-transgender legislation in the next two years. Most of these states defeated all or most of their anti-transgender legislation. Many of these states didn’t even see full floor votes of the worst anti-transgender legislation.

Low-Risk States

Arizona

Delaware

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

Rhode Island

Wisconsin

These states have a low risk of enacting extreme anti-transgender legislation within a single election cycle. Still, these states are unified by a lack of the strongest transgender protections.

Most Protective States

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Hawaii

Illinois

Massachusetts

New York

Oregon

Vermont

Washington

Washington, D.C.*

Transgender people in these states are better protected culturally and legally than in other states. Many maintain explicit transgender healthcare policies that cover surgeries that often go without coverage in other states.

Note: New Hampshire is listed on both low-risk and moderate-risk lists of states. This could be a minor error, or it could fit both criteria due to flipping policies. It isn't made clear why.

Many of the policies these states introduced are discussed by Erin on her Substack, so I seriously recommended subscribing (whether free via email or paid; Substack has both options) if you're trans* or consider yourself an ally. Erin puts incredible work into tracking legislation and helping the community stay informed.

I've posted materials from her before, and cannot recommend them enough.

[seabreeze2022]

2023 Bahama Cruise, Part 8. March 17. Summit Perry’s Peak, Lee Stocking Island

We summited Perry’s Peak!

At 127 feet high, it is one of the tallest hills in the Exumas. No base camp, no Oxygen bottles, no Sherpas. We just powered through in a single climb. The photo above is looking down the south side of the bank towards the settlement of Barretarre, Great Exuma. Our boat, Sea Breeze is in the far right of the frame.

Still floating!

Something you always check on after leaving your boat or dinghy. Is it still anchored in the same spot? Is it still floating? Get around the next hill or bend in the trail, and check again.

This is a view looking north on Lee Stocking Island, down island.

Nancy and I on the summit of Perry’s Peak.

Nancy is hiking back downhill, the view is towards the west. The tug and barge are on the horizon at the far left. Norman’s Pond Cay is at the horizon far right.

Sunrise at Lee Stocking Island, with Adventure Crews, YouTubers in the foreground. There had been a solo sailor leaving the anchorage this morning. His anchor was dragging in the water to wash off the sand. But being solo he forgot to raise and secure it. I hailed him multiple times with no answer. Cole from AdventureCrews YouTube channel explained, the guy leaving was a solo sailor and probably busy. I told Cole we had a photo of his boat at sunrise. So he said he would stop by later. He asked, “Which Catamaran are you on?”

Nancy and I laughed while I worked up the reply, “Sorry Cole, we are on the monohull directly astern of you”.

Our mentor Capt. Bill Cullen had met these new YouTubers when they first started out in Boca Grande, Fl. Small world!

So Cole and their dog, Dixie, stopped by for a chat on the way to the beach. Dixie is kind enough to only use the beach for her business.

I was able to raise the solo sailor before he got in the “Rage” at Adderly Cut with 5-7 ft. standing waves, while his anchor was swinging under the boat.

Safe travels, “Kojones”. ( means: Captain, Great, or Graceful)

Before we summited, I used an electric cutting wheel to cut off the top of the heavy conch to make a horn.

A distinctive land snail found throughout much of the Caribbean is Cerion. The genus name comes from the Latin “ceri-“ meaning “wax”, in reference to the beehive shape of shells in mid-ontogeny. These are thick on tree trunks on many islands but not very abundant on others. Originally in the Florida Keys, only Indian Key had populations of these. They have made their way to Key Largo and other islands of the Florida Keys now.

This is another tree snail on the island, sticking to the roots of an invasive Australian Pine.

There are groups of muzzles along the beach. Sorry Nancy they are only along about 3/8” long and not worth eating.

All along the beach, are Conch shells that were discarded after breaking a hole in the top and cutting the Conch out of the shell.

Here are old conch that have been on the rocks for years. They have turned black over the years. Now just part of the landscape.

Our dinghy floating off shore with two anchors holding it secure.

Unfortunately some thoughtless cruiser, left old conch shells on the beach where people land their inflatable dinghies and walk barefoot. Pulled these two conch up and threw them back in the bush line.

View while laying on a palm frond on the beach waiting for Nancy to come back from her “walk-about”. Yes I checked, no coconuts ready to fall.

She brought me back a live Scotch Bonnet. After a quick photo she returned it back to the ocean. Having helped release whales and porpoises into the ocean. I like to say, “That I have friends who live in the ocean”. This is a small friend, but still a friend. The Scotch bonnet, scientific name Semicassis granulata, is a medium-sized to large species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the subfamily Cassinae, the helmet shells and bonnet shells. The common name "Scotch bonnet" alludes to the general outline and color pattern of the shell, which vaguely resemble a tam o' shanter, a traditional Scottish bonnet or cap.

Nancy had crossed the island by trail, this is the beach looking south.

This is the Lee Stocking beach looking north.

Picture perfect end to the day. Nancy fixed pan seared filet mignon, mashed potatoes and the last of the salad. Sounding the Conch while the sun sets. Another sailor answers back with their Conch horn.

S/V Sea Breeze, Lee Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahama.

[strictlyfavorites]

Shel Silverstein, poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books, was born 91 years ago today

Silverstein grew up in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago and attended Roosevelt High School. Later, he went the University of Illinois before he was expelled. He then attended Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and Roosevelt University for three years, until 1953 when he was drafted into the Army. He served in Japan and Korea.

Silverstein began drawing at age seven by tracing the works of Al Capp. "When I was a kid — 12 to 14, around there — I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls, but I couldn't play ball. I couldn't dance. Luckily, the girls didn't want me. Not much I could do about that. So I started to draw and to write. I was also lucky that I didn't have anybody to copy, be impressed by,” he told Publisher’s Weekly.

“I had developed my own style. I was creating before I knew there was a Thurber, a Benchley, a Price and a Steinberg. I never saw their work till I was around 30. By the time I got to where I was attracting girls, I was already into work, and it was more important to me. Not that I wouldn't rather make love, but the work has become a habit."

After returning to Chicago, Silverstein began submitting cartoons to magazines while also selling hot dogs at Chicago ballparks. His cartoons began appearing in Look, Sports Illustrated and This Week.

In 1957, Silverstein became one of the leading cartoonists in Playboy, which sent him around the world to create an illustrated travel journal with reports from far-flung locales. During the 1950s and 1960s, he produced 23 installments called "Shel Silverstein Visits..." as a feature for Playboy.

Employing a sketchbook format with typewriter-styled captions, he documented his own experiences at such locations as a New Jersey nudist colony, the Chicago White Sox training camp, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, Fire Island, Mexico, London, Paris, Spain and Africa.

Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied briefly at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. His musical output included a large catalog of songs — a number of which were hits for other artists, most notably the rock group, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.

He wrote Tompall Glaser's highest-charting solo single "Put Another Log on the Fire," "One's on the Way" (a hit for Loretta Lynn) and "25 Minutes to Go," sung by Johnny Cash, about a man on Death Row with each line counting down one minute closer.

Silverstein also wrote one of Johnny Cash's best known hits, "A Boy Named Sue." Other songs co-written by Silverstein include "the Taker" by Waylon Jennings and "On Susan’s Floor” by Gordon Lightfoot and a sequel to "A Boy Named Sue" called: "Father of a Boy Named Sue" which is less known, but he performed the song on television on The Johnny Cash Show.

He also penned a song entitled "F*** 'em" which is lesser known and contained a reference to "f*** children."

Silverstein styled himself as Uncle Shelby in some works. Translated into more than 30 languages, his books have sold over 20 million copies.

On May 10, 1999, Silverstein died at age 68 of a massive heart attack in Key West, Florida.

[weather-usa]

A Visual Look at Milton’s Historic Impact Across Florida

Hurricane Milton struck Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday night as a formidable Category 3 storm. It triggered tornadoes, unleashed heavy rainfall across much of the state, left millions without power, and claimed at least 16 lives, including five in St. Lucie County.

As the storm moves into the Atlantic, around 10 million residents are still facing dangerous coastal conditions through Friday. Milton set a record for being the fastest Atlantic hurricane to intensify from a tropical depression to Category 5 status in just over 48 hours, according to NASA.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 35801 - Huntsville AL:

Milton’s sustained wind speeds reached a peak of 180 miles per hour on Monday before decreasing to around 120 mph as the storm made landfall near Siesta Key at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday—just under two weeks after Hurricane Helene hit the state as a Category 4 storm.

This marks the third hurricane to impact Florida this year, a rarity that has occurred only five times since 1871. No recorded hurricane season has seen more than three hurricanes strike Florida.

The extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico acted like rocket fuel for the hurricane, a phenomenon that has become hundreds of times more likely due to climate change, according to a recent analysis by the nonprofit research group Climate Central. Satellite data indicates that sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are currently 1 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term average from 1985 to 2012.

While Milton’s heavy rainfall is leading to significant flooding and causing rivers to reach historic highs in some areas, FEMA Director Deanne Criswell stated that Florida avoided the worst-case scenario. Ongoing relief efforts include the rescue of at least 135 individuals from an assisted living facility.

As of Thursday, nearly a dozen river gauges across the state are at major flood stage. The Hillsborough River has already risen to 15.46 feet, surpassing the previous record of 15.33 feet set in 1960.

Weather Forecast For 85205 Mesa AZ:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/202817339/Weather-Forecast-For-85205-Mesa-AZ

All of these gauges are anticipated to remain at moderate or higher flood stages throughout the weekend, with some not cresting until at least Sunday.

Many areas in Florida are also dealing with the aftermath of tornadoes “supercharged” by Milton’s heavy rainfall, according to National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan. On Wednesday, at least nine tornadoes struck St. Lucie County, including three in under 25 minutes.

“We’ve never seen anything like that before,” Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin told CNN’s Jim Acosta on Thursday. “In almost 20 years that I’ve lived here, I know I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

Statewide, over 30 tornadoes have been reported since Wednesday, with more than 125 warnings issued by the National Weather Service offices in Tampa Bay, Melbourne, and Miami. This marks the highest number of tornado warnings ever recorded in a single day in Florida’s history, surpassing the previous record of 69 set during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

As Floridians assess the damage, over 3 million people were without power as of Thursday morning. The most significant power outages were reported along Florida’s west coast, particularly in Hardee and Highlands counties.

As of Friday, over 2,200 gas stations—approximately 29%—in Florida were out of fuel, according to the gas price-tracking platform GasBuddy. In areas that were more heavily impacted, the numbers were even higher: nearly three-quarters of gas stations in the Tampa and St. Petersburg region had no fuel by mid-morning Friday, while 54% of stations in Sarasota were also dry.

Milton formed toward the end of a busy Atlantic hurricane season, becoming the fifth hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year. It follows Category 1 storms Beryl and Debby, Category 2 Francine, and Category 4 Helene. This year has seen more hurricanes make landfall in the U.S. than in the combined total from 2021 to 2023.

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-83274

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-83276

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-83277

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-83278

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-83281

[ofenigmas]

(Chloe Bennet) [THE DETACHED]. Please welcome [MARLANA ZHAO (SHE/HER)] to Huntsville, WV. They are an [29]-year-old [VISITOR] who lives in [TOWN]. You may see them around working as a [ASSISTANT EDITOR AT HUNTSVILLE DAILY]. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive.

BASICS

NAME: marlana ingrid zhao

BIRTH DATE + AGE: april 16, 1994 – 00:00

GENDER: female

PRONOUNS: she/her

ORIENTATION: heterosexual biromantic ? 

OCCUPATION: assistant editor at huntsville daily

BIRTHPLACE: new york city 

FAMILY: gisela zhao née schneider - mother (alive??), zhao haoyu - father (alive??), luca zhao - older brother (presumed dead)

APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: chloe bennet

EYE COLOR: dark brown

HAIR: naturally medium brown. frequently dyed. currently dark brown.

HEIGHT: 5′6″

TATTOOS: a bluebird (lower back, a drunken dare) sun and moon tattoo on left wrist (x).

SCARS/BIRTH MARKS: jagged line diagonally across her right forearm (from barbed wire fence)

PERSONALITY

ZODIAC: aries sun, gemini moon, sagittarius rising

MBTI: estp, the entrepreneur.

ENNEAGRAM: 7w8, the realist. sexual/self preservation subtype

ALIGNMENT: chaotic good/neutral

TEMPERAMENT: choleric

ARCHETYPE: the detached / the defiant

ELEMENT: fire

ASSOCIATED CHARACTERS: april ludgate, megara from hercules, flynn rider, ron swanson, lois lane, han solo, georgia miller (according to mbti/enneagram still need to watch lmao)

AESTHETIC: crumpled newspapers, crimson, muffled laughter, ash- or ink- covered hands, rebellion, ruined dreams, the desire to stargaze on the roof, old history books, messy handwriting, irritatingly smug smiles, denim jackets, vodka, tight black dresses, broken champagne glasses, holding you an arm’s length away.

BIOGRAPHY TW: death, mention of skiing accident (not the gwyneth paltrow one)

born in new york city, youngest of two children, daughter of a software developer and a history professor. 

hates her name, always introduces herself as lana.

always wanted to be an investigative journalist (a perfect outlet for someone with a penchant for never minding her own business) 

an extrovert, but her friendships seemed to follow her since birth. her family was incredibly close to the Vargas and XXX families and she formed a tight knit circle with their children, especially Nina and Dante. she’d never felt the need for more friends. 

despite an intense sibling rivalry, was very close to her brother Luca. 

got accepted into Columbia for Journalism. spent six years there due to being forced to take a semester off from a skiing accident and having a year long internship. 

planned a week long ‘spring break’ trip in key west, florida to celebrate finally graduating and landing a position at the new york times. the caravan ended up being her, her best friends nina and dante, her boyfriend, her brother luca, and luca’s best friend.

after a particularly long night of drinks and fight over something so trivial she barely remembers, a drunken lana broke up with her boyfriend. god, what a horrible start to spring break. it was fine. she’d sleep it off and they’d either make up or she could avoid him the rest of the trip. except... the trip never ended, as they never made it to florida, instead detouring into huntsville, west virginia. 

she tried every single day for a year to find a way to leave or communicate with the outside world. didn’t take it seriously at first, avoided any sort of relationship with anyone because ‘we’ll be back to our normal lives soon’ unless interrogating them on if they knew anything. 

after a year, luca (her brother who had agreed to be a hunter) never returned from his trip. that was the first time her resolve started to shatter. 

for two years, lana lived in some sort of haze. maybe this wasn’t real, some sort of hallucination. what if she’d been in a coma from her skiing accident and never woke up? any absurd excuse to not accept her life falling apart, she was even more brash and impulsive than usual, only her best friends and now-roommates dante and nina grounding her. except... then they watched soulless monsters destroy dante with their own eyes. 

since then (2 years ago), lana has somewhat accepted that her life is ruined and she’s stuck in this living nightmare for the rest of time, and it’s all her fault. since she never wanted to make new friends before, she’s not been any better now. quite chatty and curious, but makes no effort to get close to anyone. 

works at the local newspaper as some sort of sick joke to herself. she was qualified, after all. 

top 5 theme songs:

make it up as i go - mike shinoda, k.flay  i keep on running backwards. i keep on losing faith. i thought i had the answers. i thought i knew the way. my brother said be patient. i don't know what i'm chasing. i don't know who i am. waking in the dead of night, i can't sleep. sleeping in the light of day for like weeks, reality was out of focus, i could be hopeless. instead i gritted my teeth.

we won’t - jaymes young, phoebe ryan don't go to war for me. i'm not the one that you want me to be. -- are we just gonna stay like this forever? floating, i'm serious, my heart is furious. -- don't waste your time convincing me that maybe someday we'll get it right.

when you break - bear’s den  spoiled, selfish little child went out to play out in the wild. i found you shaking like a leaf underneath your family tree. you could never live out in the open, regretting every word you've spoken. when you break, it's too late for you to fall apart, and the blame that you claim is all your own fault.

crossroads - timeflies you ever just go through the motions? it's like i'm stuck in a game, thinking it'll be different, then it just come up the same. man how the hell did i get here? not like i knew the way. just take me back to the start again, just one more time on the stage.

long story short - taylor swift fatefully, i tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me. -- i was in the alley, surrounded on all sides. the knife cuts both ways. if the shoe fits, walk in it 'til your high heels break. -- and i fell from the pedestal, right down the rabbit hole. long story short, it was a bad time.

Her Pinterest board is here.

Her Spotify playlist is here.

FAMILIAL:

N/A (unless there’s a future way her brother could have survived in the woods for 4 years LMAO)

PLATONIC:

ROOMMATES - { 1 / 1 } - nina vargas A BROKEN TRIO - { 1 / 1 } - nina vargas - the one person marlana remains close to of the remaining survivors of their road trip and trio of best friends. only person she lets herself be vulnerable with. 

FRENEMIES - { 3 / 3 } - clara jones, morgan vovk, jace sinclair - marlana is generally snarky to everyone, but especially to these few. the bad part ?? she actually misses days when they aren’t around to tease. not that she would admit that. 

BAD INFLUENCEE - { 1 / ? } - calloway de la luna - marlana is far from ‘innocent’/’lawful good’, someone that she has no qualms about corrupting, perhaps even finds a small joy in dragging them to the bar or approving of what people would normally consider bad decisions.

GOOD INFLUENCE - { 1 / 2 } - mylene karimi - someone who has never given up on trying to befriend marlana. sort of a friendly “opposites attract” vibe in that they are more optimistic/sunshine-y/sillier than her in a way she begrudgingly finds she wants to be around. 

ACQUAINTANCES - { 1 / ? } - conrad greene - maybe they frequent the bar together, are always at the diner for lunch at the same time and ended up sharing a table, etc. she often frequents the daily grind, bucky’s diner, the sasquatch, and the library.

CO-WORKERS - { 3 / 4 } - evora kaplan, prudence wheaton, parker russo - other people who work at huntsville daily - is probably generally friendly to them and likes them more than other people in town unless plotted otherwise 

NEIGHBORS - { 4 / idk 6? } - tari park, avery cowling, rusty craven, genesis boone - people who live next door to her and nina TRAINING PARTNERS - { 1 / 1 } - morgan vovk - someone she went to for help learning to fight / defend herself after losing dante two years ago .

PROTECTIVE - { 1 / 1 } - parker russo - someone younger than her that she has sort of accidentally adopted and is very protective over. 25 or younger. 

ANTAGONISTIC:

FORMER FRIENDLIES - { 0 / ? } - people who were warm and welcoming to her in the first year or so who did not receive the same treatment in return and eventually gave up on befriending her.

ENEMIES - { 1 / 3 } -  zoë clark - a lawful good who can’t stand her chaotic good/neutral nature, someone who just can’t stand her snarky attitude, maybe she hates them simply bc they have a sunny disposition and don’t despise living in huntsville 

ALWAYS AVOIDANT - { 1 / 3 } -  • after losing her brother she decided to go after him in case he was alive and snuck out while nina was asleep to “monster hunt”, unsure if she had much intent to return without him. she nearly died and has a nice scar on her arm from getting caught on a barbed wire fence trying to escape one, but someone saved her and dragged her back to town. she generally avoids them and pretends it didn’t happen bc not good at saying thank you or acknowledging vulnerability. - eddie romero

• one of the people on the road trip was her brother luca’s best friend. in their old lives, she didn’t like him for some mundane and probably immature reason: he wasn’t from her tight knit families or he and luca tried to do things without her as kids, etc. since luca’s death 4 years ago, she’s generally cut him off, worried he’ll blame her for being stuck in huntsville (she didn’t even want him on the trip!!!) or for luca and bc he reminds her of the past. must be a “visitor” who arrived around 5 years ago on their road trip. lived in nyc anywhere from just for a master’s/new job for a few years up to his entire life. age: probably early 30s? • dante’s twin brother - dante was her other best friend who was killed 2 years ago - his twin has been looking for him for over 5 years since dante and his friends never returned from their trip - lana would avoid him, not wanting to dwell on the past long enough to explain what happened -  must be a “visitor” who just arrived. lived in nyc at least for his childhood. age: around 30

ROMANTIC:

* ✨  i do not plot out ships so none of these are meant to lead to an actual “romantic” ship unless it does on accident from chemistry! ✨ 

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN - { 3 / 3 } -  fletcher cole, cyan canne, riley saunders - people who are maybe antagonistic-leaning as a connection that she’s accidentally had a one night stand with due to poor impulse control. male/nonbinary. 

“THIS WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN” - { 1 / 1 } - duck romero - same as above except definitely antagonistic connection + she keeps reminding him that this will “absolutely never happen again” and would deny having any connection with him if anyone asked.  inspo: (x) (x) “WE CAN BE CASUAL” - { 0 / 1 } - they’re both attracted to each other, and get along quite well,  but whatever this is at least originated after a drunken/sleep-deprived conversation abt how they have no interest in a romantic future with anyone. maybe seem kind of romantic to others. 0-3 years. inspo: (x) (x) (x)

UNREQUITED - { 0 / 1 } - whether they’ve not actually indicated this interest/did and were turned down and are still trying or agreed to be friends, he has a romantic interest in marlana, which is rather difficult since she... pretends she doesn’t have feelings. anything from acquaintances to fwbs. probably deserves better than her.  inspo: (x) (x)

EX-BOYFRIEND - { 0 / 1 } - they dated anywhere from 6 months - 5 years and his feelings can be anywhere from was cheating on her/using her for family connections to was abt to propose, sky’s the limit. she broke up with him the night before they got stuck in huntsville (probably a silly drunken fight or general panic over starting a new life chapter) and even if one or both of them would have wanted to make up, they never got the chance. it’s been over 5 years now so it could be a he despises her for dumping and then trapping him here, exes w jealousy, a will they won’t they where they always back out last minute, he wants her back when he rly shouldn’t, only she has unresolved feelings, he just wants to be friends again, etc etc!  must be a “visitor” who arrived around 5 years ago on their road trip. lived in nyc anywhere from just for a master’s/new job for a few years up to his entire life. age: probably early 30s? inspo: (x) (x)

OTHER - feel free to hit me up with any other ideas you have as well ! please feel free to mix or match any of these from any category ! 

[kayemagistro]

Top Investment Properties In Florida: A Comprehensive Guide For 2024

In 2024, Florida remains a top investment properties in Florida investors due to its dynamic market and favorable conditions. Key investment properties include single-family homes, multi-family units, and vacation rentals. Single-family homes in rapidly growing areas like Orlando and Tampa offer stable rental income and the potential for property appreciation. Multi-family units in urban centers provide higher rental yields and diversified income streams. Vacation rentals in popular tourist destinations such as Miami Beach and Key West cater to seasonal tourists, offering lucrative short-term rental income. This guide delves into the best property types, current market trends, and areas with the highest potential for returns, helping investors identify and secure profitable investments.

Finding Profitable Investment Properties In Florida: Tips And Strategies

Finding profitable investment properties in Florida requires a strategic approach and thorough market research. Start by analyzing emerging neighborhoods with strong growth indicators, such as rising property values and low vacancy rates. Utilize data analytics and real estate platforms to identify high-demand areas and properties with potential for appreciation. Networking with local real estate agents and attending property auctions can provide access to off-market deals. Additionally, consider investing in properties with value-add opportunities, such as those needing renovations or in up-and-coming areas. Implementing these strategies will enhance your chances of finding lucrative investment properties and achieving significant returns.

Why Investment Properties In Florida Are A Smart Financial Move?

Investing in Florida’s real estate market is a sound financial decision due to several compelling factors. The state’s robust economy, fueled by tourism, technology, and healthcare industries, contributes to a stable and growing real investment properties in Florida market. Florida’s favorable tax environment, including no state income tax, enhances investment returns. The consistent influx of new residents and tourists drives demand for rental properties, creating opportunities for steady income. Furthermore, the state’s diverse property types and geographic appeal cater to various investment preferences, from luxury waterfront properties to affordable residential units. These attributes make Florida a prime location for profitable real estate investments.

Exploring The Best Investment Properties In Florida For High Returns

To achieve high returns on investment properties in Florida, focus on areas with strong rental demand and potential for property appreciation. Cities like Miami and Orlando are renowned for their thriving real estate markets and offer diverse investment opportunities. In Miami, luxury condos and vacation rentals attract high rental rates due to the city’s global appeal. Orlando’s expanding population and tourism industry make it ideal for multi-family properties and short-term rentals. Additionally, consider properties in emerging suburbs and revitalized urban areas, which may offer lower purchase prices and higher growth potential. Researching and investing in these prime locations can maximize your returns.

The Ultimate Checklist For Buying Investment Properties In Florida

When buying investment properties in Florida, a comprehensive checklist ensures a successful acquisition. Start by defining your investment goals, such as rental income, appreciation, or a combination of both. Research the local market to identify high-growth areas and understand property values. Inspect potential properties thoroughly, considering factors like location, condition, and potential for renovations. Evaluate the property’s rental income potential and analyze comparable rentals in the area. Review property management options and assess the costs associated with maintaining the property. Ensure all legal and financial aspects, such as taxes and insurance, are addressed. Following this checklist will streamline the buying process and optimize your investment.

Investment Properties In Florida: What To Look For In A Hot Market?

In a hot real estate market like Florida’s, identifying the right investment properties requires keen attention to several factors. Look for areas with strong economic growth, low unemployment rates, and increasing property values. High-demand investment properties in Florida with desirable amenities, such as good schools, transportation, and recreational facilities, often attract reliable tenants and offer better returns. Pay attention to market trends and property data, including vacancy rates and rental yields. Properties with potential for renovation or value appreciation can also provide substantial returns. By focusing on these elements, you can successfully navigate Florida’s competitive market and secure high-performing investment properties.

How To Evaluate Investment Properties In Florida: A Step-By-Step Approach

Evaluating investment properties in Florida involves a systematic approach to ensure you make informed decisions. Begin by analyzing the property’s location, including neighborhood trends, amenities, and proximity to employment centers. Assess the property’s condition and potential for improvements or renovations. Calculate the expected rental income and compare it with similar properties in the area to gauge profitability. Examine historical property values and market trends to estimate potential appreciation. Review legal and financial aspects, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Engaging with local real estate experts and using data-driven analysis will enhance your evaluation process and help you choose the best investment properties.

Maximizing Your Roi With Investment Properties In Florida

Maximizing ROI with investment properties in Florida involves strategic planning and effective property management. Begin by selecting properties in high-demand areas with strong rental markets and potential for appreciation. Implement cost-effective renovations or upgrades to enhance property value and attract higher rents. Optimize rental income by setting competitive rent prices and minimizing vacancy periods through effective marketing and tenant retention strategies. Consider leveraging property management services to handle day-to-day operations and maintenance efficiently. Additionally, stay informed about market trends and adjust your investment strategy accordingly. By employing these practices, you can maximize your return on investment and achieve long-term financial success in Florida’s real estate market.

Conclusion

Investing in Florida’s real estate market offers substantial opportunities for growth and profitability. By understanding the diverse property types, investment properties in Florida trends, and strategic approaches, investors can navigate this dynamic market effectively. From identifying top investment properties and utilizing proven strategies to evaluating opportunities and maximizing ROI, this guide provides essential insights for successful investments. Florida’s attractive economic conditions, favorable tax environment, and high rental demand make it a prime destination for real estate investments. With careful planning and informed decision-making, investors can capitalize on Florida’s real estate potential and achieve significant financial gains.

[petersappliancesandmore]

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Appliances in West Palm Beach: Why Peters Appliances and More is Your Best Choice in Florida

When it comes to upgrading your home with new appliances, finding the right store that offers both quality and affordability is crucial. In West Palm Beach, Florida, Peters Appliances and More stands out as a trusted source for top-tier home appliances. Whether you're looking to buy appliances for your kitchen, laundry room, or any other part of your home, this store has everything you need to make your life easier and more comfortable. Let’s dive into why Peters Appliances and More is the best appliance store in Florida and what to consider when buying home appliances.

Why Choose Peters Appliances and More?

Buying appliances is a significant investment, and it’s essential to choose a store that you can trust. Peters Appliances and More has earned a stellar reputation as the best appliance store in Florida for several reasons:

Wide Selection of Top-Quality Brands At Peters Appliances and More, you will find an extensive range of appliances from leading brands. Whether you need a high-end refrigerator, energy-efficient washer, or state-of-the-art oven, the store offers a diverse selection to meet your needs. Some of the well-known brands you can expect include GE, Samsung, Whirlpool, and LG, among others. Having access to multiple brands means you can compare options and choose the best appliances that fit your budget and lifestyle.

Competitive Pricing One of the biggest concerns for homeowners looking to buy home appliances is the cost. Peters Appliances and More offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality. The store often runs promotions and discounts, ensuring that customers get the best deals on appliances in West Palm Beach. Whether you're upgrading your entire kitchen or just looking for a single appliance, Peters Appliances and More provides affordable options for every budget.

Exceptional Customer Service Choosing the right appliance involves more than just selecting a brand or style; it also means understanding the features and benefits of each model. The knowledgeable staff at Peters Appliances and More are experts in the field and are always available to answer any questions. They can guide you through the decision-making process, helping you find appliances that suit your home and specific needs. This personalized service is one reason why the store is regarded as the best appliance store in Florida.

Convenient Location and Delivery Options Conveniently located in West Palm Beach, Peters Appliances and More serves not only the local area but also surrounding cities. They offer fast and reliable delivery services, ensuring that your new appliances are brought straight to your door without any hassle. In addition, their installation services mean you won’t have to worry about setting up your new appliances, as their expert team will handle it for you.

What to Consider When Buying Appliances in West Palm Beach

Before heading to Peters Appliances and More, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when buy appliances in West Palm Beach:

Energy Efficiency Energy-efficient appliances are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to save on utility costs while also being environmentally friendly. Look for appliances that carry the ENERGY STAR label, as they meet strict efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Peters Appliances and More carries a wide range of energy-efficient models, helping you reduce energy consumption and save money in the long run.

Size and Space Before buying any appliance, measure the space where you intend to place it. Whether it's a refrigerator, dishwasher, or washing machine, you’ll need to ensure that the appliance fits properly within your designated area. Peters Appliances and More offers a variety of sizes, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your home.

Features and Functionality Modern appliances come with a variety of features designed to make life easier. For instance, refrigerators may include built-in water dispensers, ice makers, or smart technology that allows you to control the temperature remotely. Washing machines might offer quick wash cycles or steam cleaning functions. When shopping at Peters Appliances and More, consider which features are essential for your lifestyle and which ones you can do without. Their staff will help you identify the best appliance based on your specific needs.

Warranty and After-Sales Support Buying an appliance is a long-term investment, so it’s important to consider warranty coverage and after-sales support. Peters Appliances and More provides excellent warranty options on all major appliances, ensuring that you're covered in case any issues arise. Their after-sales support is also exceptional, giving you peace of mind that any necessary repairs or maintenance will be handled promptly.

Why West Palm Beach Homeowners Trust Peters Appliances and More

West Palm Beach is known for its vibrant community, beautiful weather, and thriving economy. Homeowners in this area take pride in their homes and are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their living spaces. Peters Appliances and More has become a go-to destination for local residents because of its commitment to quality, affordability, and exceptional service.

Unlike big box stores that prioritize volume over customer care, Peters Appliances and More offers a personalized shopping experience. They understand that every home is different, and their staff works closely with customers to find appliances that match their specific requirements. Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen or outfitting a new home, you can trust Peters Appliances and More to provide appliances that will meet your needs for years to come.

Conclusion

If you're looking to buy appliances in West Palm Beach, there’s no better choice than Peters Appliances and More. With a wide range of top brands, competitive pricing, and a commitment to exceptional customer service, this store stands out as the best appliance store in Florida. Whether you need a new refrigerator, stove, washer, or any other appliance, Peters Appliances and More has everything you need to create a modern, functional home.

Visit their showroom today or explore their website to discover the perfect appliances for your home. With their expert guidance and unbeatable prices, you’ll be well on your way to making an investment that enhances both the value and comfort of your home.

[mikescoastalexpeditions]

Book Your Ultimate Kayaking Experience in Florida

Florida, with its diverse ecosystems and stunning waterways, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Among the many ways to explore the Sunshine State’s natural beauty, kayaking stands out as a top choice. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first-time adventurer, Florida offers countless opportunities to experience the water from a unique perspective. And with convenient kayak rentals available throughout the state, it's never been easier to embark on your ultimate kayaking experience.

Discover Florida’s Premier Kayaking Destinations

Florida’s landscape is a tapestry of rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastlines, each offering a distinct kayaking experience. For those who prefer calm waters and abundant wildlife, the mangrove-lined trails of the Everglades are a must-visit. Paddling through these serene channels allows you to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, where alligators, manatees, and a wide variety of birds are common sights.

If you’re seeking a more coastal adventure, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean provide endless opportunities for exploration. The crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys are perfect for kayaking, offering a chance to glide over vibrant coral reefs and observe marine life, including dolphins and sea turtles. Similarly, the barrier islands along Florida’s west coast, such as Sanibel and Captiva, offer idyllic settings for a peaceful day on the water.

For those who enjoy a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, the St. Johns River in northeast Florida is an excellent choice. This historic waterway is dotted with springs, old-growth forests, and charming riverside towns, providing a scenic and culturally enriching kayaking experience.

The Convenience of Kayak Rentals in Florida

One of the key benefits of exploring Florida by kayak is the accessibility of kayak rentals. Whether you’re in a major city or a remote coastal town, you’re likely to find a rental service nearby. Many rental providers offer a range of kayak types, including single and tandem kayaks, as well as specialized fishing kayaks for those looking to cast a line during their trip.

Kayak rentals in Florida are typically flexible, with options for hourly, half-day, full-day, or even multi-day rentals. This allows you to tailor your kayaking experience to fit your schedule and preferences. Additionally, most rental services provide all the necessary equipment, including paddles, life vests, and dry bags, ensuring that you’re well-prepared for your adventure.

For beginners or those unfamiliar with the area, many kayak rental providers also offer guided tours. These tours are led by experienced guides who can show you the best routes, share local knowledge, and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Whether you’re paddling through the mangroves, along the coast, or on one of Florida’s many rivers, a guided tour can enhance your experience and provide insights into the region’s natural and cultural history.

Tips for a Memorable Kayaking Experience

To make the most of your kayaking adventure in Florida, it’s important to plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Choose the Right Location: Consider your skill level and interests when selecting a kayaking destination. If you’re a beginner, start with calm, protected waters, such as those found in mangrove forests or sheltered bays.

Check the Weather: Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, especially during the summer months. Check the forecast before you go and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.

Pack Essentials: Even if you’re renting a kayak, bring essentials like sunscreen, water, snacks, and a hat. A waterproof bag for your phone or camera is also a good idea.

Respect Wildlife: Florida’s waterways are home to a variety of wildlife. Keep a respectful distance from animals, avoid feeding them, and follow any local guidelines to protect the environment.

Stay Safe: Always wear a life vest and familiarize yourself with basic paddling techniques. If you’re new to kayaking, consider starting with a guided tour or taking a lesson.

Conclusion

Booking your ultimate kayaking experience in Florida is easier than ever with the abundance of kayak rentals available across the state. Whether you’re exploring the mangroves of the Everglades, the coastal waters of the Keys, or the historic rivers of the northeast, Florida offers a kayaking adventure for everyone. By choosing the right location, preparing adequately, and respecting the natural environment, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience on the water. So, grab a paddle, rent a kayak, and set off to discover the diverse and beautiful waterways that make Florida a top destination for kayakers.