Florida-Bound Groundhog Doesn't Care About His Shadow
TALLAHASSEE ? Groundhog Phil, famous for his interesting if not accurate weather predictions, saw his shadow last Groundhog Day, predicted more winter and departed for sunny Florida.
This year, with snow in every U.S. state but one, his beach bag is already packed.
?Enough snow, already,? Phil told Florida Live the week before Groundhog Day 2011, which is Feb. 2. ?Shadow or not, I want to head south and get some Florida sunshine.?
On Feb. 2, for 100-plus years, humans have looked to gifted groundhogs to signal by shadow analysis whether cold weather would continue for six weeks or end early.
?All I know is, this winter can?t end early enough to suit me,? Phil said. ?Florida is the only state in the Union that has been snow-free, and that?s where I?m heading.?
During a winter marked by epic snow storms that buried even Atlanta, forecasting groundhogs have been sighted this month thawing out on Florida?s sunny beaches. Groundhog Phil said he plans to lie in the sun for a few days, then hit some subtropical diving and fishing spots he discovered last winter, including coral reefs off the Florida Keys and pompano fishing in Sebastian. Then he?ll visit a hot new theme park and explore the Everglades by air boat.
?I love the feel of wind in my fur,? Phil said. And The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, new at Universal Orlando Resort, he said, explaining, ?I especially admire the work Hagrid is doing there.?
Phil said he planned his itinerary with the help of VisitFlorida, where wintertime deals for snow-weary travelers are piling up. The site offers hot deals, travel planning tools and tips from ?Insider? bloggers, all of which also are accessible on mobile devices.
Like last year, Phil plans to meet up with a few professional colleagues from Shubenacadie, Staten Island and other points north for R&R and shop talk before heading out to individual destinations, including the Daytona 500, historic Apalachicola, and the new Dal? Museum in St. Petersburg. Baseball spring training destinations are on alert, too, having heard that Phil is a fan.
Reflecting their diverse tastes and backgrounds, the nation?s top groundhogs did not agree last year (nor ever in 100-plus years) in their winter forecasting. In fact, a coin toss does a better job. They do, however, agree that it?s high time for a vacation to the Sunshine State, preparing for Daytona Speedweeks, Bike Week, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, spring training and a balmy, romantic Valentine?s Day.
?Florida?s warm and sunny, they?re offering great deals, and you can find everything you need to know through VISIT FLORIDA.com,? Phil said. ?So here?s my personal forecast: Sunny, sandy and cheerful. I?ll send postcards!?
Florida-Bound Groundhog Doesn't Care About His Shadow | Florida Vacation, Tourism, Travel & Entertainment Information - VISITFLORIDA.com
