Florida: A Hauntingly Good Time
By Gail Nettles
Florida is usually associated with sun and fun. Beaches, theme parks,
beautiful weather. You know - Paradise.
What many people don't realize is that Florida, or at least parts of it, have a
reputation for being a little on the ghostly side. Where are these spirited (so
to speak) places? Let's take a look at where you can have a spook-tacular time.
Key West
Most people don't realize that the city immortalized as "Margaritaville" has its
roots in salvage and even (dare I say it) piracy. Some residents swear that
spirits are indeed restless in certain parts of the city. After dark, you can
take a walking tour of Key West and hear tales such as a German count who dug up
the body of his one true love. If that wasn't bad enough, he is said to have
serenaded her for seven years! And let's not forget the haunted doll (no, his
name is not Chucky) who is said to be possessed by an evil spirit. What other
stories await? You'll just have to take the ghost tour and find out.
Grayton Beach
There is a little place called Camp Helen near Florida's Grayton Beach State
Park that is said to have a spirit named Rachel wandering about. Rachel was the
young daughter of the camp caretakers, and Rachel loved swimming in the nearby
lake. Unfortunately, one day she drowned, and is now said to be wandering
around, looking for her long-dead parents.
St. Augustine
Ghost walks also abound in Florida's (and indeed, the nation's) oldest city.
Tales of slaves, murder and restless spirits haunt this city, making it the
number one ghostly attraction (so to speak) in Florida. Take a walking tour
after dark and visit places like the old City Jail, where the activity is most
apparent, so I am told. Many say the hairs on the back of their neck rose while
on the ghost walk.

Do You Believe?
I believe that the ghost tours are a good time, and a chance to stretch your
legs. Visit parts of the cities you might not have ventured into. Enjoy the
stories and legends from the past. Do I believe in the ghosts? Let's just say
that I've heard at least one ghostly tale that I laughed so hard at that I
cried. Why? Because I know some of the people (as in elderly family members) who
would have had to have been involved if there were any apparitions. (Whoever
came up with the tale probably figured that people who would have been involved
were already ghosts.)
So while I don't believe in the ghosts themselves, I do believe that a
hauntingly good time can be had by all.
Gail Nettles is a Florida native who enjoys introducing the Sunshine State to
visitors. She also publishes the websites http://www.great-florida-vacations.com
and http://www.your-florida-keys-vacation.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Nettles
Florida is usually associated with sun and fun. Beaches, theme parks, beautiful
weather. You know - Paradise.
What many people don't realize is that Florida, or at least parts of it, have a
reputation for being a little on the ghostly side. Where are these spirited (so
to speak) places? Let's take a look at where you can have a spook-tacular time.
Key West
Most people don't realize that the city immortalized as "Margaritaville" has its
roots in salvage and even (dare I say it) piracy. Some residents swear that
spirits are indeed restless in certain parts of the city. After dark, you can
take a walking tour of Key West and hear tales such as a German count who dug up
the body of his one true love. If that wasn't bad enough, he is said to have
serenaded her for seven years! And let's not forget the haunted doll (no, his
name is not Chucky) who is said to be possessed by an evil spirit. What other
stories await? You'll just have to take the ghost tour and find out.
Grayton Beach
There is a little place called Camp Helen near Florida's Grayton Beach State
Park that is said to have a spirit named Rachel wandering about. Rachel was the
young daughter of the camp caretakers, and Rachel loved swimming in the nearby
lake. Unfortunately, one day she drowned, and is now said to be wandering
around, looking for her long-dead parents.
St. Augustine
Ghost walks also abound in Florida's (and indeed, the nation's) oldest city.
Tales of slaves, murder and restless spirits haunt this city, making it the
number one ghostly attraction (so to speak) in Florida. Take a walking tour
after dark and visit places like the old City Jail, where the activity is most
apparent, so I am told. Many say the hairs on the back of their neck rose while
on the ghost walk.
Do You Believe?
I believe that the ghost tours are a good time, and a chance to stretch your
legs. Visit parts of the cities you might not have ventured into. Enjoy the
stories and legends from the past. Do I believe in the ghosts? Let's just say
that I've heard at least one ghostly tale that I laughed so hard at that I
cried. Why? Because I know some of the people (as in elderly family members) who
would have had to have been involved if there were any apparitions. (Whoever
came up with the tale probably figured that people who would have been involved
were already ghosts.)
So while I don't believe in the ghosts themselves, I do believe that a
hauntingly good time can be had by all.
Gail Nettles is a Florida native who enjoys introducing the Sunshine State to
visitors. She also publishes the websites http://www.great-florida-vacations.com
and http://www.your-florida-keys-vacation.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Nettles