Linda Medeiros

The Florida Orchestra plays beautiful music. To me it is magical night out hearing all the instruments playing together and watching the maestro conducting these fine musicians.

We like taking our son and the two dogs to Al Lopez Park. The playground in next to dog park which make it easy to make everyone happy. Our 12 year old son seems to like climbing and swinging. In the big dog park they just put in new drinking fountains for dogs. All you have to do is step on button and it fills a bowl. If the water isn't laped up by dog it goes down drain. They also put in log seats and log tunnels for dogs to play in. Lots of balls around the feild to find. Watch out for the landmines. Some people just don't pick up after their pets. They have green bags for doodoos. They also have a small gated area for little dogs which is nice to put our 25lb aussie in when the big dogs get to much for him.

Pros: Free to get into park. Nice childrens playground next to big doggie park. Fresh water for dogs. Doggie park is big and has two sections: All dogs or small dog area. One picnic table to sit in each dog section and drinking fountains.

Cons: Other people not complining with code. People sometimes bring in dogs without licenses or shots. People not watching their pet and not picking up doodoo.

Been there about four times. The last time I went two weekends ago I couldn't even park at 11:00pm. The next parking lot now is not usable anymore for the LA Hangout unless you want to be towed away. I love the line up of local bands that play at the Hangout. The only thing I don't like is that it is in a closed room with a small bar that is so dark. The bands equipment meant for a bigger venue and blast your ears drums out. Can't hear yourself think or even talk to person in their ear clearly. I work for for venue that has heavy metal and other kinds of bands but you can talk and hear what people are saying around you while bands are playing. The other side of place has a beautiful open room with a big bar and pool tables, TV's and Trivia. Nice and bright.

Pros: Bathroom attendent on duty. Nice open bar that is retangler shape in the bigger bar area and well light. Openly inviting. Outside seating nice in the cooler months.

Cons: Not enough parking if a good band is playing. Could get your vehicle towed if you park in the far parking lot. Small bar and small room for a band to play in. People are elbow to elbow in the room with the entertainment. Easy to be stepped on like I have there.

Went camping for three nights on Hillsborough river State Park. Had to make reservations from cell phone weeks ahead. It was a nice camp site near the bathrooms. The bathrooms were kept clean. Fishing was close by our site. Our son liked to go to the playground near the store. The people at the gate were friendly and the ranger would check up on campers once in a while. We had to leave a day earlier and they wanted to know if it was a problem with our stay or if we had any complaints that they should know about. Just had a private concert that came up on radio we wanted to be at. A month later The Florida State Park gave a refund in the mail for the day we didn't stay. Thought that was nice of them to do that. They maybe did that because we had a discount handicap rate.

Pros: Clean kept campground with fishing, boating and swiming all in one park.

Cons: Abundance of flies in the month of May.