Hi peoples! First off, I never intended to hijack the thread. I'm learning alot, and even maintaining my sense of humor with the maternal concerns that go along with any new hobby and the learning curve, lol. Barbara, thanks for the welcome to the AV forum. I'll be starting my own thread shortly, so as to monitor the responses, if that's ok. I'll try to not duplicate the same questions, so you kind folks don't feel put off for having to retype the same info ad nauseum, lol. Wow, that's a long stint in the San Juans! I am so glad to have had the year and a half I lived in WA. First we lived in Anacortes, had a house, with our boat in Olympia. Then DH changed jobs and we moved up to the San Juans, in Anacortes. One of the many high points of my time there was cruising past Orcas Island and ending up in a pod of Orca Whales! One breached (?) alongside our 30 foot boat with that awesome big eye staring me in the face! It was only a few months later we got a bigger boat, lololol. Another of the fun times was living next to Kenny G in Friday Harbor for a weekend. I absolutely loved Friday Harbor!! Now then, Vall3fam, you have me rolling on the floor in stitches this morning! What a wild sense of humor you have. I'm afraid your prices are a bit steep for me, though I'm sure you are well worth it! Maybe I can interest you in some a weekend onboard, in the master cabin with your own lexan hatch, with a view of the mast, moon, stars. Then hang a line over the transom and see what we can catch for dinner. Or perhaps next morning a sunrise cruise with champagne and orange juice mimosas, bagels and cream cheese, fresh air with a gentle breeze, beautiful palm trees for scenery... All this for maybe an hour or two of the two of us playing in the dirt with my baby mini AVs?! I realize you are in CA in a beautiful climate and don't need to come here for our sunshine and balmy winter weather, but if I could twist your potting arm just a little....hee hee. Fondly, Girlsaylor

I had the book out, so I looked this up in Garden Bulbs for the South by Scott Ogden. He says this species might be okay, but Ft. Lauderdale is so tropical that I wouldn't risk it. Society garlic would do well, tho. I see there are cheap used copies available of the Ogden book at Amazon, now out of print. Might want to buy one. Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Bulbs for the South

Thanks for answering. Yes, I've been to Tropiflora several times when I lived a little further North, but now its too far to drive, 3 hours each way. I'm looking for "tree Aloe" types now and they didn't carry too much in that area from what I remember. As for the phone book, many times I'm not prepared with exact names, I just wait until something catches my eye. Usually between asking here and on Craig's List, someone has gone through the hunt before and can recommend a place. Thanks again! Joss

I am currently building a house in fort pierce in meadowood golf and tennis club. We absolutely love it there. I am a retired elementary teacher from nj. I researched the area for 4 years. Here's what I know. Fort pierce is not a concrete jungle like all the towns to the south. The beaches are beautiful, especially inlet state park. There is great shopping and wonderful doctors in Vero, which is about 15 minutes north. The same for port st lucie 15 minutes to the south. There are lots of wild animals in the area because the place is old florida with lots of undeveloped land, especially where I live on Johnston rd. The people are very nice. If you want an active night life, you won't find it here. The downtown area is awesome. They have a farmers market every Saturday and great performances at the theater in town. Great restaurants are in that area and vero and port st lucie, just a short drive away. There are so many more good things to say, but you need to look in the area and see what you enjoy doing. Now for the bad part. There is a small area that's down right bad. You'll know it as soon as you see it. Here's the deal, just don't go there. Drive around that area. I literally just stay away. Every town has a bad neighborhood, and this is a bad one. Why they don't as a town get rid of that eye sore, I'll never know. Other than that area, it's a great place to live, retire, and simply relax in a slow paced quiet life style. If you want to step up the pace, get in your car and drive 15 minutes in either direction. Then come home to old florida to live. It's the best of both worlds. That's why we moved here.