| Lauren Tjaden's Blog Archive |
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| Stomp Those Grapes! |
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| August 18, 2008 |
| “Maybe wearing white shorts wasn’t the most brilliant idea you ever had,” Paul said.
He had a point. Wearing a white shirt wasn’t a great idea, either.... more |
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| Is it Safe? |
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| August 11, 2008 |
| I am surprised that doctors are not required to stamp the bottom of newborns with the warning that parenthood may be a lot harder than you thought it would be, just so new moms and dads don’t sue them. Companies feel compelled to instruct you that you should not eat the little plastic thing that comes in your bottle of aspirin. The Styrofoam cup holding your coffee warns that its contents may be hot.... more |
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| Diving a Dream |
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| August 04, 2008 |
| Some people have bigger hills to climb than others. My hills– my challenges– look like mosquito bites compared to Matthew Johnston’s.
Matt is a quadriplegic, permanently hooked to a respirator.... more |
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| Hola from Pensacola! |
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| July 28, 2008 |
| I just visited the Pensacola area, a sun-bathed, nature-lover’s paradise that features white sand beaches where you can indulge in almost any water related activity. There is so much to do in the area that listing all of the possibilities is out of the question, but I’ll list some of my favorites.... more |
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| Final Flugtag Update |
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| July 25, 2008 |
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If you are one of the zillions of people who have been breathlessly reading my blog you will know that my friend Bobby Bailey designed a glider to fly in the Red Bull Flugtag held last weekend in Tampa. I had to post about it one more time because his glider won!
The team he designed it for, the Tampa Baywatch, took home top honors with a final distance of 109 feet. It would have flown further if Bobby was piloting it but it still trounced the others --the second place winner only snagged 32 feet.... more |
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| Awesome Adventures Unlimited |
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| July 10, 2008 |
| I had never been in front of the camera before I started as the Adventure Expert for VISIT FLORIDA. I still wince at some of my efforts, but as the year has rolled by I’ve gotten more relaxed about it. I can occasionally even sleep the night before a shoot -- which just goes to show you should never let down your guard.... more |
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| Fearless Flugtag Flyers Update |
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| July 10, 2008 |
| Check out the aluminum skeleton in the picture! My friend Bobby made this thing. It's going to be sporting wings and flying high –or maybe flying low, or maybe just plummeting into the ocean – in less than a week. Not only that, it will have changed into some exotic creature like a seal or a reindeer or maybe even a giant Oompa Loompa.... more |
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| Like to Bike? |
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| July 07, 2008 |
| Sure, maybe the first thing you’re thinking about Sunday morning is lazing in bed. The most strenuous activity on your mind might be lifting a pudding-filled pastry.
Da-da-da-duh! Adventure Woman is here to save you! (Are you grateful? Good.... more |
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| A Whole Lot of Bull |
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| July 01, 2008 |
| Ever been to a rodeo? The bronc riding is no sport for sissies, but it looks like knitting compared with bull riding.
Getting bucked off a horse is about as fun as a root canal, but after you’ve parted company with him, Mr. Horse doesn’t want to hurt you.... more |
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| Flying Angels |
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| June 26, 2008 |
| Flying an airplane upside down or spinning it can be a quick way to demolish it, and that goes for the pilot, as well. Nevertheless, I understand how a pilot could get addicted to extreme attitudes in an aircraft.
One of my most incredible memories is of the day I rocketed into the sky with Nancy Lynn in her fabulous Extra 500 stunt plane.... more |
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| Lobsters Beware! |
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| June 18, 2008 |
| Lobsters Beware! The time has almost arrived for Lobster Mini Season again, when no rock, reef, or ledge is safe for a crustacean. The hotels of Key West and the rest of south Florida will fill, the waters will swell with boats, and for 2 days, you will be fair game for the divers that want nothing more than to grab you up and eat you.
Yup, if you’re a lobster, the news isn’t good.... more |
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| Fearless Flugtag Flyers Flock to Florida |
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| June 13, 2008 |
| Bobby’s face wore a look as rapt as if he had just been introduced to Angelina Jolie. Only his gaze wasn’t directed towards a beautiful woman, but instead, towards a pile of aluminum tubing scattered across the floor of his hangar.
“What’s this?” I asked, gesturing at the pile.... more |
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| Marvelous Miami Adventures |
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| May 23, 2008 |
If you’re planning to be in the Miami area, I’ve put together a list of possible things to do. It includes not only famous, well-known attractions and adventures, but also a few that are off-the-beaten-path.
- Paddle into paradise at more
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| Awesome Orlando Adventures |
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| May 23, 2008 |
For those of you planning a trip to the Orlando area, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite adventures for you to consider. This list is by no means complete – but it will keep you occupied for at least the first week!
- Delight to dolphins. more
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| Hooray for Horses |
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| May 23, 2008 |
| Florida and horses go together like puppies and cuddling. The state’s year-round moderate climate, mineral-rich water and soil, coupled with its exceptional facilities and power-house support industries make it the perfect place for breeding, training, racing, horse shows, polo, rodeos and almost every other kind of equine activity.
In fact, with over 900 farms contained within its boundaries, Ocala/Marion County boasts more horses and ponies than any other county in the nation (according to the United States Department of Agriculture census).... more |
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| Daredevil Divers |
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| May 20, 2008 |
| “30 feet is about twice as high as the roof of our house! What was it like?” I asked.
“Scary as all-get-out,” Paul said. “It took all the courage I had.... more |
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| Turtle Trouble |
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| May 14, 2008 |
| The air is rich with the perfume of salt on this warm Florida evening. A smattering of stars adorns the sky. Waves play a rhythmic, peaceful song against the beach.... more |
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| Diving Delight |
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| May 07, 2008 |
The colors are what surprised me the most.
Whenever I have gazed into the ocean-- even when the water was clear, or only tinted with a wisp of turquoise-- the creatures and terrain that my eyes could pick out under the waves looked muddied. I would have told you the fish and rocks and coral were a fuzzy brown, grey or muted green.... more |
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| The Ultimate Adventure |
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| May 01, 2008 |
| I had been warned that when it happened, the ground would tremble. I had been told that the roar of the explosion would consume the sounds of the waves rhythmically slapping the sand, the cries of the gulls, and the chatter of the children playing. I knew the flame jolting out of the bottom of the rocket would look molten hot and far more intense than any television could convey.... more |
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| Skydiving with the Gladiator |
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| April 12, 2008 |
I never intended to be in the situation I found myself in last Sunday, perched on the edge of a plane’s open door at 2 miles above the earth, clipped to a strapping Italian man nicknamed “the Gladiator.”
I blame it on Linda, my boisterous, beautiful buddy. She has long, dark hair that swings close to her waist and a generous mouth that never lacks for a witty, smart comment.... more |
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| Disc-Connected Canines |
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| April 12, 2008 |
| Leapin’ Lassies! You’re invited to the canine social event of the year. The Mandarin High School in Jacksonville is going to host the high flying action on May 31st, when some of the world’s most talented canine Frisbee teams leap to the challenge at the 13th annual Florida State Canine Frisbee Championships.... more |
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| Action Overdose |
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| April 11, 2008 |
| About a week ago I began hoping for a rainy day, but fate was offering up nothing but perfect weather. Our refrigerator was empty except for a couple of bottles of water and a hunk of moldy cheese, litters of dust bunnies had taken up residence in our home, and I had about as much energy as a rock.
I’ve been having way too much fun.... more |
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| Giddyup, Iron Girl |
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| March 27, 2008 |
| It seems when I hear people talk about fitness what is most often emphasized is lifting, puffing and sweating your way into a hot bod. Well, hey, what gal wouldn’t want to look fabulous in a teensy-weensie bikini?
Nevertheless, I think we sometimes get so focused on appearance that we forget the real benefit of exercise; that is, to be healthy and to be able to participate in activities or sports that we want to. If you don’t feel good it’s hard to spring out of bed in the morning and want to celebrate another day of your life – and if you’re not healthy, it’s hard to feel good.... more |
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| It’s Raining Skydivers! |
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| March 14, 2008 |
| Okay, it won’t really be raining skydivers in Deland this weekend. It’s just going to seem like it. (I guess I didn’t need to tell you that.... more |
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| Super Softball |
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| March 06, 2008 |
| Here’s your chance to soak up the sun and watch some of the best women softball players in the world battle it out. The University of Southern Florida’s Under Armour Invitational and Showcase are rapidly arriving. These division/softball tournaments are the largest held east of the Mississippi River.... more |
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| Rollin’ with the Biker Babes |
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| March 02, 2008 |
| We were cleaning out the closet when Paul found it.
“What’s this?” he asked, dangling a handkerchief-size piece of cloth in front of me. I recognized it instantly.... more |
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| Batter Up! |
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| February 26, 2008 |
| Forget that ice storm battering your windows. Picture this, instead.
You’ve stripped down to a short sleeve shirt.... more |
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| Fun if by Land, More if by Sea |
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| February 25, 2008 |
| We glided across the water in our gleaming vessel, barely rippling the lake’s surface. The motor was running, but my impression was of silence. I snuggled deeper into my comfortable seat and checked out the sights.... more |
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| Weenie on a Wakeboard |
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| February 18, 2008 |
I floated in the lake and chewed on the insides on my mouth while I waited. “How do you stand up?” I asked for the umpteenth time, maneuvering the disobedient wakeboard strapped to my feet.
Paul yelled an answer from the back of the boat.... more |
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| Cool Classic Cars Coming |
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| February 12, 2008 |
Imagine it’s 1908. The automobile has barely been around for a decade, and driving one at all is thought to be radical. This unproven bit of technology may well leave you stranded, and most people -- sensible people -- believe that horses are a far more trustworthy means of everyday transportation.... more |
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| Countdown to the Daytona 500 |
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| February 06, 2008 |
In the Richard Petty Driving Experience, I got to pilot a NASCAR-style racecar around the Daytona International Speedway. I reached 146 mph -- wild stuff, for me.
I couldn’t sleep that night.... more |
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| Crocs and Gators and Airboats, Oh My! |
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| February 03, 2008 |
| Some primitive part of my brain that recognized danger reacted. I screamed and flew backwards, tripping over my own legs and nearly ending up on my backside. Emile might have screamed, too, but it’s hard to be certain since my voice drowned out all other noises in the western hemisphere.... more |
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| Two Almost-Anywhere Air Adventures |
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| January 28, 2008 |
| If you’re planning a trip to the Keys, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale or almost anywhere in Florida, here are two ideas for air adventures.
If you’re going to be close to the ocean – which you probably will be, since Florida boasts 1,197 statute miles of coastline, 2,276 statute miles of tidal shoreline, and 663 miles of beaches -- it’s a good betyou’ll also be close to a parasailing operation.
If you’re not used to being up in the air, except maybe when you’re safely encapsulated in a 747, parasailing may sound as radical as eating grasshoppers for breakfast.... more |
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| Swimming with the Manatees |
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| January 21, 2008 |
| I been lucky enough to have lots of wonderful adventures, but swimming with the manatees is near the top of my list. Citrus County, located on Florida’s west coast, is the only place in the world where you can have an experience like this. I have been out with Cap’n Mike’s more |
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| Make it Count |
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| January 19, 2008 |
| “Ouch,” I said, sitting in my office. “That hurts!”
Paul responded from the living room. “What hurts?”
“Oh, just this comment somebody called Jake sent in to the website.... more |
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| A Dangerous Game |
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| January 12, 2008 |
| I had no idea how dangerous the new game I was about to play was. After all, lots of people play it, even people that one could most politely refer to as geezers. Certainly, I should have been up to the challenge.... more |
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| Are You Ready to Be Petty? |
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| January 07, 2008 |
| My stomach pushed its way into my throat as the man helped me with my neck brace. “Here’s your HANS device,” he said. “I just need to clip it to your helmet.... more |
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| Horse Shows in the Sun |
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| December 30, 2007 |
| It’s nearly that time of year again. If you’re smart, you’ll nab the chance to watch some of the country’s best equine athletes and riders compete over awe-inspiring fences at Horse Shows in the Sun. The 2008 “HITS” Florida show series runs out of the 450 acre Post Time Farm in Ocala.... more |
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| Flying Without a Motor |
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| December 18, 2007 |
We were soaring high, high enough that the cars on Highway 33 looked like mere toys, high enough to see as many as 20 lakes at once, scattered across the countryside like jewels that had been dropped from the heavens, high enough the billowing clouds looked close enough to touch. The air was sharp and cool, but the sun spread across the plastic window above our heads and lent us some warmth. The white, blade-thin wings of our little plane cut through the sky silently.... more |
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| Living to See Dinner at Lake Louisa Park |
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| December 10, 2007 |
“You’d probably be okay,” Wylie said, indicating the windsurfing equipment next to the shore.
Right, I thought. My eyes involuntarily darted to the whitecaps on Lake Louisa.... more |
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| Trolling the Depths |
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| December 10, 2007 |
The sun became a fiery ball, bleeding pink into the clouds as it dipped closer to the horizon. Our boat glided silently across the tranquil lake. The evening was as relaxing as a double martini, and far healthier.... more |
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| The Horrible Hundred |
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| December 01, 2007 |
My back ached, but its whimpering was mild compared to the screams coming from my calves and butt. I blinked away the sweat that threatened to blind me, and concentrated on pedaling my bike up Sugarloaf Mountain. Why I – an older, decidedly recreational bike rider – had decided that entering the 37 mile section of the “more |
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| It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's me! |
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| November 12, 2007 |
This morning had that crisp feel that makes you throw open the windows and doors and invite the fresh air inside. I could see the bass striking the surface of the glassy lake behind our house – and they’re hungry enough even a hacker like me can catch them – but we decided to go hang gliding instead of fishing.
After a quick dip in the pool, my husband Paul and I drove to Quest, the small airport south of Groveland that we fly out of, only ten minutes away.... more |
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| Horses, mallets and golf carts |
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| November 01, 2007 |
I woke to another perfect day. Paul and I scrambled to get in a bicycle ride this morning. The nearby town of Clermont has a trail that winds around Lake Minneola; it links up with other trails and you can take it for literally forty miles.... more |
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