Florida or Bust

FLoBust provides an adventurous spirit through multiple services and products, including photography Around the same time, I met my boyfriend, Scott.

1,500 Miles in Seven Days:

What started as a last ditch effort for a school project evolved into the passion I have for the state of Florida and travel today. The whole thing began in October of 2010, when I was completing a videography class in the photography program at Daytona State College. I was tasked with creating a 10-minute documentary on any topic. After weeks of debate, I finally settl

ed on an exploration of my native state of Texas. I planned to take a road trip with my cousin and traverse the state from top to bottom; an incredibly daunting task considering I could only take off one week from work. We had been dating for about a month when my Texan adventure plan fell through and the panic that comes along with school projects ensued. Now all of my research, reservations, planning and vacation time was useless, and I didn’t have a back-up plan. I came to Scott with my anxiety about failing the project and he made what could be considered an absolutely insane suggestion for a brand new couple. He agreed to do the road trip with me, as long as we stayed in Florida. For the next two weeks we laid out the plans to willingly trap ourselves in the car for seven days – a potential “make-or-break” situation for a relationship and an easy way to drive each other crazy. We studied travel books at Barnes and Noble for hours, searched the web and obsessively DVR’d Scott Fais’ Florida on a Tankful in search of destinations. Shortly before departing a friend lent us what would become our Florida “bible,” Charlie Carlson’s “Weird Florida.”

We decided to hit as many off-the-beaten-path and unusual non-corporate locations that we could find, along with a few popular spots, to show the true quirky nature of Florida from top to bottom. We jokingly called it Florida or Bust. We loaded up my orange Chevy HHR, dubbed the Magic School Bus, to the ceiling with everything we could possibly need for seven days, including camping gear. We spent the night before the trip began in Savannah, GA so we could cross the Florida state line as a symbolic kickoff. We were almost immediately greeted with the most memorable of the many offbeat characters that we would find along the way. The rather large news reporter-style cameras we were toting were pretty eye-catching, and we quickly found that we were attracting every outlandish personality like moths to a flame. After 1,500 miles in seven days, our trip would culminate in Key West for their 36-year long tradition of a Keys version of Mardi Gras called Fantasy Fest. Looking back, I still can’t believe we took this crazy ride through Florida. The Florida or Bust idea has since evolved into my senior thesis project at the University of Central Florida, and eventually into this column, allowing Scott and I to take these fun trips throughout the state each month. We met people we will never forget and experienced things we still talk about to this day. Traveling 1,500 miles in seven days not only brought us closer together, but it taught me that the love for your state isn’t always about where you are from, it’s about where you want to be. I continue my trips throughout Florida, and occasionally other states and countries, to tell the stories of incredible off-the-beaten path oddities you can find in your own backyard. You can find these tales and more of my photography in the monthly edition of the East Coast Current, based in Central Florida. FLoBust provides an adventurous spirit through multiple services and products, including photography, writing, event coverage and hand-crafted products.

05/31/2024

Last day as a kindergartner 🥹

03/10/2024

07/16/2023

Locals 🦀

07/16/2023

Summertime hack for kiddos - hit up Home Depot or Lowe’s and snag some paint chips! Attach some clips to a lightweight board of your choosing and select some of your fav colors for a nature scavenger hunt! We spent around 2 hours hiking the woods in FL to track down all the colors, and can change them out for next time. What will your most challenging color be? Ours was purple and teal!

04/16/2023

Pure. WONDER. You can find amazing experiences like this and get your kiddos truly inspired by nature at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, FL! Read all about it in the upcoming May issue of East Coast Current magazine. Find it throughout Volusia County, FL or visit ECCurrent.com to read online…

11/13/2022

Snuggle season to the max 🍁🥰

11/11/2021

She’s way too cool for me. 😎

11/07/2021

The is BACK! Yesterday’s rain caused them to take the day off today to recoup but the fair is back on again SUNDAY through November 14! Check the fair’s website for daily specials on tickets and more, plus livestock shows and live music schedules - www.VolusiaCountyFair.com

09/22/2021

Seeing as the hubs is a MAJOR train nerd (and the kiddo is one in the making) we had to make one of our first stops on our recent vacay a train ride! 🚂 offers 55 min rides through the beautiful scenery over a historic railway, including through a (TINY!) pre-Civil War era tunnel! Plus a tour and demos the whole fam will enjoy (even the non-nerds) 🤓

09/22/2021

09/15/2021

Only a bit longer left in u-pick muscadine season! Get to picking at before your time is up! Learn more @ eccurrentinfo.com/travel

09/08/2021

When the views are this incredible it helps to have a photo assistant on hand. 🦋

09/05/2021

Kicked off our Georgia trip with an excursion to the to finally meet the whale sharks and HOLY COW was it worth the trip just to come here! Avery was blown away by these gentle giants, we sat forever just watching them glide by

09/04/2021

We’re practically always on the road, but The Walters Fam is taking our first BIG trip in years - to a secluded mountain getaway! Follow along on our journey as we GEORGIA or Bust!

08/25/2021

You may recall earlier this year, our family visited Wild Florida, just south of Orlando. We had an amazing time there and were thrilled when we were invited back to try out the wildlife park’s newest experience, the VIP Safari Tour!

Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters You may recall earlier this year, our family visited Wild Florida, just south of Orlando. We had an amazing time there and were thrilled when we were invited b…

07/01/2021

Avery is thoroughly enjoying the spoils of the Discovery Map of Daytona & New Smyrna Beach giveaway for Dairy Queen of New Smyrna 🍦 She proudly ordered for herself and “paid” with her Blizzard token!

06/04/2021

The Reptile Discovery Center in DeLand just reopened after being closed for over a year due to COVID.

This hidden Volusia gem is a super fun visit for kids and grown-ups alike! You can tour tons of venomous 🐍 , local 🐢 and exotic species 🦎 of reptiles - and even meet some of the *safe* residents!

Avery and I held Sunflower, an albino ball python. You can read all about our adventure in the new June issue of East Coast Current - out now!

05/09/2021

Guess what? East Coast Current has teamed up with Discovery Map of Daytona & New Smyrna Beach to bring you even MORE local content!

In addition to our tons of monthly content, find deets on local spots in ECC’s Spotted Around Town and ECC Told Me sections and grab a Discovery Map while you’re out to find all the cool spots around town!

05/08/2021

Girls just wanna have fun 🤩

04/26/2021

Ever find yourself feeling... bite sized? We had a MEGA-good time exploring the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota.

Be sure to grab the upcoming May issue of East Coast Current to chomp down on the story of our visit!

04/20/2021

It’s blueberry season again! Pick your own FRI-SUN from 9 AM - 2 PM at Ever After Farms U-Pick Blueberry Farm in Mims! $6 per pound, plus $3 petting zoo, fresh cut farm sunflowers, blueberry lemonade/ice cream/you name it! 😋 🫐

04/11/2021

04/02/2021

Can’t you just see yourself swinging the day away here?! Read more about this incredibly relaxing spot, , in the new April issue of East Coast Current coming out next week!

03/22/2021

Can you believe this view exists in FL🍊RIDA?!

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is so much more than a garden, it’s like taking a step into a whole other world!

02/22/2021

Where can you catch an airboat ride on the Everglades, feed gators and giraffes and cruise by wild animals in your own car of safari??

Wild Florida has it all! Read more here:

Photos by Kelsey & Scott Walters Florida is home to a number of wild creatures. Although animals like alligators, bobcats and the elusive Florida panther may be plentiful in our state, th…

02/20/2021

Getting a little family exploration in while we have some glorious weather! McKee Botanical Garden has 100+ gorgeous spots to take your next Insta 📸, stroll through or just sit, relax and take it all in.

02/09/2021

Our latest adventure brought us to Kenansville, home of ! We spent the day gator spotting 🐊 on an airboat ride, a wildlife safari right from our car 🚙 and a stroll through the Gator Park full of incredible creatures! Plus, topped it all off with a little stop for giraffe snackies. Check out the latest Florida or Bust article in this month’s issue of - out now in Volusia County and online at eccurrent.com

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Port Orange, FL
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Website

https://www.ECCurrent.com/Travel

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Videos

She’s way too cool for me. 😎

The @volusiacountyfair is BACK! Yesterday’s rain caused them to take the day off today to recoup but the fair is back on again SUNDAY through November 14! Check the fair’s website for daily specials on tickets and more, plus livestock shows and live music schedules - www.VolusiaCountyFair.com #countyfair #visitflorida #fallfair #carnival #fairfood #fairrides #volusiacounty #volusiacountyfair

Seeing as the hubs is a MAJOR train nerd (and the kiddo is one in the making) we had to make one of our first stops on our recent vacay a train ride! 🚂 @tenn_valley_rr offers 55 min rides through the beautiful scenery over a historic railway, including through a (TINY!) pre-Civil War era tunnel! Plus a tour and demos the whole fam will enjoy (even the non-nerds) 🤓 #tenn_valley_rr #seetennessee #seechattanooga #chattanooga #choochoo #trainride #familythingstodointennessee #havetoddlerwilltravel #waltersfamilytravels #tennessee #tennesseeorbust #chattanoogaorbust #travelblogger #travelphotography

Kicked off our Georgia trip with an excursion to the @georgiaaquarium to finally meet the whale sharks and HOLY COW was it worth the trip just to come here! Avery was blown away by these gentle giants, we sat forever just watching them glide by #visitgeorgia #visitatlanta #georgiaaquarium #georgiaorbust #havetoddlerwilltravel

We’re practically always on the road, but The Walters Fam is taking our first BIG trip in years - to a secluded mountain getaway! Follow along on our journey as we GEORGIA or Bust!

Toured Dudley Farm Historic State Park today with my very fav adventure buddy! (Sorry, Scott , you got demoted to second fav 🤷🏻‍♀️) You can read more about this unique FL state park in next month’s issue of East Coast Current 🗞 #ecctoldme

We spent the day hunting for fairies @ @leugardens ! Watch today’s story for a peek and read next month’s East Coast Current for all the deets! 🌸🍄🧚‍♀️