Overview

In the 1930s, the Federal Writers' Project sent mostly anonymous writers into the depths of Florida to reveal its splendor to the world. The FWP and the State of Florida jointly published the results as Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State, which included twenty-two driving tours of the state's main roads. Retracing the original routes in the Guide, Cathy Salustri rekindles our notions of paradise by bringing a modern eye to the historic travelogues. Salustri's 5,000-mile road trip reveals a patchwork quilt of Florida cultures. The journey begins on US 98, heading west toward the Florida/Alabama state line, where coastal towns dot the roadway. Along US 17, she stops at Florida's oldest diner and visits a collection of springs interconnected by underwater mazes tumbling through white spongy limestone, before stopping in Arcadia, where men still bring cattle to auction. Woven through these journeys are nuggets of history, environmental debates about Florida's future, and a narrative that combines humor with a strong affection for an oft-maligned state. Today, Salustri urges, tourists need a new nudge to get off the interstates or away from Disney in order to discover the real Florida.

Full Product Details

9798228617322

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Cathy Salustri is the owner of The Gabber Newspaper, the oldest independent weekly newspaper in Florida, and the author of Backroads of Paradise: A Journey to Rediscover Old Florida. Salustri writes about her travels through Florida on her website, GreatFloridaRoadTrip.com, and is cohost of The Florida Spectacular podcast. She lives in Gulfport. As an actor, singer, and teacher, Cara Firestone has been giving voice to a wide variety of stories for decades. Her performing credits include opera, musical theater, and symphony guest artist appearances throughout the US and internationally. She teaches musical theater and voice at St. Edward's University. Cara began narrating audiobooks during Covid-19 when live performances were nonexistent, and it was love at first sentence. As an adopted Austinite, foodie, and wannabe sommelier, Cara can confirm that Franklin BBQ is worth standing in line for hours, breakfast tacos are a good idea, and there actually are good wines made in Texas. She was briefly a Pillsbury Bake-Off finalist before getting booted prior to the actual competition. It's a long story . . . As an actor, singer, and teacher, Cara Firestone has been giving voice to a wide variety of stories for decades. Her performing credits include opera, musical theater, and symphony guest artist appearances throughout the US and internationally. She teaches musical theater and voice at St. Edward's University. Cara began narrating audiobooks during Covid-19 when live performances were nonexistent, and it was love at first sentence. As an adopted Austinite, foodie, and wannabe sommelier, Cara can confirm that Franklin BBQ is worth standing in line for hours, breakfast tacos are a good idea, and there actually are good wines made in Texas. She was briefly a Pillsbury Bake-Off finalist before getting booted prior to the actual competition. It's a long story . . .

Tab Content 6

Countries Available