Standing on a wooden treetop platform about 25 feet high, I am about to zip across the forest on a thin metal cable. Secure in my climbing harness and tethered to the tree by a double tweezle clip system, …
The Big Game Is On at the Big Game Club!
31 Jan 201112:54 AM
THE BIG GAME CLUB…THE BIG GAME…
BIG SCREENS…BIG PARTY!
Cross over to the legendary Big Game Club next weekend and watch two legendary teams square off for the biggest title in all of professional sports. Catch the game on any of the Club’s 8 flat screen TVs, and dive into our “Super Specials”:
* $11.95 BBQ Special at the Poolside Bar – your choice of chicken wings, ribs, or jerked pork, with peas and rice and corn on the cob.
* $4.00 Well Drinks
* $3.00 Kalik Gold and House Wines
* $2.00 Draft Kalik and Heineken
*$1.75 Chilled Mango and Banana Rum Shots
Two legendary teams, one legendary club and the biggest sporting event of the year – it’s a Super Party at the Bimini Big Game Club: 800-867-4764!
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 to double black diamond (most difficult). Instead of a guide clipping your cables and demonstrating each element, you do everything yourself. If you have a problem or a question, just call out to a staffer for advice or --if you're really too scared to swing through the trees--someone will climb up and escort you down.
Even though I stuck to the green and yellow courses during my visit, I found the experience exhilarating and fun. I could understand why a 12-year-old from the neighborhood who the staff calls an unpaid intern visits here twice a week for his three-hour workout.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Treehoppers3-e1492097028812.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4675" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Treehoppers3-e1492097028812.jpg" alt="" width="3264" height="2448" /></a>
After airborne exercise, I headed back to Tarpon Springs-- stopping en route for a little refreshment at the Florida Estate Winery in Land O'Lakes, not far from TreeHoppers. It's a popular waypoint for many wannabe Tarzans and Janes.
For more information about TreeHoppers, visit <a href="http://www.treehoppers.com">www.treehoppers.com</a> or call 813-381-5400.
On the day after my swing through TreeHoppers, I visited a very different kind of park--Key Vista Nature Park in tiny Holiday near Tarpon Springs. This quiet, 100-acre reserve of mostly sand pine uplands is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Rocky Creek, inviting visitors to fish, swim, hike, and picnic. I walked most of its 1 1/2 miles of trails and climbed the observation tower for a scenic view of the lighthouse at Anclote Key Preserve State Park.
Key Vista is best known for bird watching; with more than 220 documented species, it's a must-stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Save for a nesting osprey cheeping in the pines, I saw few birds on my afternoon walk, but I did get to eavesdrop on an amorous gopher tortoise trying to get lucky with its partner in the scrub.
For more information on Key Vista Nature Park, call 727-938-2598. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/a-tale-of-two-parks-near-tarpon-springs/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost to Host Fun Back Country Fishing Tournament&body=Once upon a time in Everglades National Park, one of the very few fishermen intrepid enough to explore the remote and mosquito-infested waters of Hells Bay was park ranger Herman Lucerne. His deep back country angling adventures overcoming extreme heat, hungry gators and venomous snakes reaped rich rewards, among them huge snook. And this induced other fishermen to muster their courage and follow in his wake-- chief among them Dr. Lloyd Wruble, a Miami oral surgeon.
Lucerne died in 1992 while working on his home after it was battered by ferocious Hurricane Andrew. In 2000, Wruble created the Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Tournament to honor his friend's memory and dedication to the park's abundant fisheries.
The Sept. 16-18 tournament, presented by Hells Bay Boatworks, is the largest back country fishing event in the Keys-- expecting 68 teams and 112 anglers based at the Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada. Anglers will catch, measure, photograph and release seven eligible species--tarpon, snook, sea trout, bonefish, snapper, and bass OR black drum. Top honors will go to the angler notching the greatest number of inches of all seven using bait, artificial lures or fly rod. Last year's grand champion was James Lytle fishing with captain Larry Sydnor.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Herman-Lucerne1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4237" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Herman-Lucerne1.jpg" alt="Herman Lucerne" width="720" height="480" /></a>
The tournament awards no prize money-- only original local artwork. But there are numerous prize categories and plenty of swag. Proceeds benefit projects at the park, which last year received $50,000.
Tournament coordinator Kellie Trotta says there are three main reasons for the tournament's continued success:
"Not only do we throw a great kick-off party and have a great ditty bag, but we welcome the kids and families. And it's for a great cause," she said.
The public is invited to attend the Sept. 16 kick-off party, raffle and auction and the Sept. 18 awards banquet for $75 per person for each event. The theme is Mardi Gras, with executive chef Andy Niedenthal serving up plenty of NOLA favorites.
Reservations for the parties close Sept. 9. Go <a href="https://hermanlucernememorial.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more information.
To make lodging reservations at the Islander, visit <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com" target="_blank">GuyHarveyOutpost.com</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-outpost-to-host-fun-back-country-fishing-tournament/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=LYC Commodore Sends Letter of Thanks for Successful 2010 Bimini Blast Event at the BBGC&body=The Commodore of the Lauderdale Yacht Club recently sent a letter to the staff of the <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> expressing his gratitude to the BBGC for hosting a sucessful "Bimini Blast", which is the LYC's annual gathering in Bimini:
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lyc-loving-letter1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-133 aligncenter" title="Letter from the Commodore of the LYC" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lyc-loving-letter1.jpg?w=788" alt="" width="567" height="737" /></a>
<a title="Bimini Blast 2010 at the Bimini Big Game Club" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13362&id=127094040665962&saved" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a photo album of the 2010 "Bimini Blast" event at the BBGC. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/lyc-commodore-sends-letter-of-thanks-for-successful-2010-bimini-blast-event-at-the-bbgc/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Dive Bimini Opens December 1st&body=Captains Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens Rejoin Neal Watson to Manage Dive Operations
BIMINI, THE BAHAMAS— NOVEMBER 18, 2010— <a title="Dive Bimini web page" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/dive-bimini.htm" target="_blank">Dive Bimini</a>, a top-of-class diving operation co-developed by celebrated artist, marine scientist and conservationist <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, along with diving pioneer, <a title="Neal Watson's web site" href="http://www.nealwatson.com" target="_blank">Neal Watson</a>, officially launches December 1st with the arrival of its new dive boat and operations team.
Dive Bimini will feature a virtual treasure trove of dive sites and theme dives reached aboard <a title="Bimini Blue dive boat" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=141470255895007&set=a.137293589646007.12989.127094040665962" target="_blank">Bimini Blue</a>, the largest dive boat in the <a title="Islands of the Bahamas web site" href="http://www.bahamas.com" target="_blank">Bahamas</a>—a glass bottom, double-decker certified for 100 passengers. Dive Bimini will also offer a wide variety of services and top-flight equipment including <a title="PADI web site" href="http://www.padi.com" target="_blank">PADI</a> and SCUBA certification, rentals and air fills and a Bauer compressor.
The dive operation will be managed by Captains Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens. The couple has extensive experience operating land-based and liveaboard dive operations throughout the Bahamas. Married since the mid-80’s, this seasoned dive couple is returning to <a title="Bimini web site" href="http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini" target="_blank">Bimini</a> where they started their dive career alongside Neal Watson. Captain Bruce will run the boat, with his wife, Captain Toye, having responsibility for diver services, operation of the <a title="The Outfitter Shop web page" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-outfitter-shop.htm" target="_blank">Outfitter Shop</a> and other watersport activities at the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bruce-robbins-and-toye-stevens.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-282" title="Dive Bimini's Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bruce-robbins-and-toye-stevens.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="215" /></a>
Located at the legendary Bimini Big Game Club in historic Alice Town, Dive Bimini is part of <a title="About Guy Harvey Outpost" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Guy Harvey’s Outpost Resorts</a> program that combines family-theme <a title="About Fishing at the BBGC" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/fishing.htm" target="_blank">fishing</a>, <a title="About Diving at the BBGC" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/diving.htm" target="_blank">diving</a> and <a title="About Adventure Sports at the BBGC" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-pursuits.htm" target="_blank">adventure sport activities</a> with marine and wildlife conservation, science and education. The Bimini Big Game Club is the first of several Guy Harvey Outposts planned throughout the region, of which diving will be a primary component.
“Bimini has no shortage of great dive sites: Reefs, Wrecks, Walls, Drift Dives and our famous Atlantis Road and Shark Dive Experience- you name it,” said Watson, known fondly as The Dive God within the scuba diving community.
Last month, <a title="Bimini's Atlantis Road - AOL Travel" href="http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/08/05/top-10-underwater-travel-experiences/" target="_blank">Bimini’s famed Atlantis Road was voted the top dive experience in the world by AOL users</a>.
“I personally prefer the wall dives and Bimini shark encounters,” noted Watson, while acknowledging the many varied experiences include swimming with wild spotted dolphin, which is a rarity in the scuba diving world.
“Suffice it to say, the number of amazing dive sites, the abundance of large animals, and Neal’s personal familiarity with Bimini, will all make for memorable diving that will bring you back time and time again,” said Dr. Harvey, who has spent much of his life diving. “In my travels on dive expeditions, it’s safety first, followed by experience and fun. With Neal, Bruce and Toye we have the complete package.”
The legendary Bimini Big Game Club officially re-opened this summer as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina following completion of a $3,500,000 renovation that included all guest rooms, the new <a title="BBGC's Big Game Bar & Grill" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10405&id=127094040665962" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill</a>, and the Outfitter Shop, a retail experience featuring sportswear, fishing supplies and gifts. For reservations and more information on Dive Bimini and the Big Game Club, please call 800-867-4764 or visit the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club web site</a>.
About Captains Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens
Married since 1986, Captains Bruce and Toye bring 30 years of diving experience to Dive Bimini, coming to Alice Town after spending most of the past twenty years in Key West, where they commanded a 120' live-aboard dive operation specializing in the Dry Tortugas, and most recently, a fleet of tournament sportfishing boats for a dedicated off-shore angler. In addition to their diving and fishing experience, during this time the couple enjoyed owing and operating a Key West based outfitter offering backcountry eco-tours though out the lower Florida Keys.
Both seasoned Bahamas divers, this dynamic dive couple started their careers as dive instructors right here in Bimini, working alongside Neal Watson, and later running Neal Watson Undersea Adventure dive operations in Andros and Chubb Cay. In between these two career stops, Captains Bruce and Toye owned and operated a 60' live-aboard charter sailboat, exploring all the top Bahamas dive destinations by specializing in all-inclusive Bahamian scuba dive trips.
The couple are both USCG Master 100 ton captains and fully licensed PADI Instructors. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/dive-bimini-opens-december-1st/){kind=link}
 or Facebook (www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost) with #OutpostAttitude and win a free Caribbean Mayan hammock from Natacha's Boutique.
String your hammock up in the backyard for a lazy afternoon of reading or snoozing, then check out Guy Harvey Outpost's best hammock getaways:
The Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada, has an array of summer scuba diving packages with Capt. Slate's Scuba Adventures. Dive with Slate's friendly moray eels and colorful tropical fish, explore sunken ships, and learn how to hunt for lobsters with your expert guide. If you prefer to stay on the surface, islanderwatersports.com offers boat and paddleboard rentals; guided personal watercraft tours; fishing charters; sailboat rentals and lessons; kayak and bicycle rentals; fishing rods; and beach umbrellas. For families with kids, the Islander conducts one-hour-long Marine Science Camps at 2p.m. on July 26; Aug. 2, 9, 30; and Sept. 13. Find out what it's like to be a marine scientist studying sharks, corals, fish and other creatures.
TradeWinds Beach Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost on St. Pete Beach, offers a Suite Summer Saver where you can save up to 35 percent (including resort fee) for a three-night stay until Aug. 31. While you're there, be sure to take the plunge in the 33,500-gallon aquarium at RumFish Grill featured on Animal Planet's popular show "TANKED". Snorkelers aged 8 and up can swim with 30 species of fish-- all equipment included-- for $35. Tours are conducted Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, visit swimwithourfish.com.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/special/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4140 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Summer-Blog-Image-St-Pete.jpg" alt="Summer Blog Image St Pete" width="600" height="300" /></a>
The Hotel Playa Media Luna and Keen M Bluewater Charters, a Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Lodge and Outfitter in Isla Mujeres, Mexico is conducting whale shark snorkeling trips through mid-September. You don't need to be a certified scuba diver to take the plunge with the world's largest --and perhaps gentlest-- fish in Mexico's warm Caribbean waters.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/special/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4141 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/summer-blog-image-mexico.jpg" alt="summer blog image mexico" width="600" height="261" /></a>
Isabela, the largest of the eastern Pacific's remote Galapagos Islands, is a wildlife wonderland, and the Iguana Crossing Hotel, a Guy Harvey Expedition Lodge, provides the base camp for your adventure with five-day, four-night packages. Observe numerous species of whales; scuba dive with sea lions and sea turtles; and watch giant land tortoises and penguins.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpost.com/special/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4142 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Summer-Blog-Image-Galapagos.jpg" alt="Summer Blog Image Galapagos" width="600" height="300" /></a>
To book your Summer Story, <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.Com/specials" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE</a> or call 1-800-513-5257.
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/swing-in-a-free-hammock-this-summer/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Brendal’s Dive Center, A Guy Harvey Outfitter & Green Turtle Cay’s Reef Sharks&body=If you want to dive in the northeastern Bahamas there is really only one man to see, Brendal Stevens. There are other dive operators but <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/adventures/diving.html">Brendal's Dive Center</a> stands above all the rest and the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/overview.html">Green Turtle Club </a>gets you right on top of some of the best and most exciting dives including a variety of big animals.<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2157 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg?w=660" alt="123" width="660" height="489" /></a>If you want to get certified to SCUBA dive Brendal can teach you from square one or handle your check out dives for PADI, NAUI, SSI or SDI. In 2006 the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism awarded Brendal with it's Cacique Award for Sustainable Tourism. This is the Bahamian "Oscar!" If you are ready for some big animals Brendal can put you with the "Silver King" tarpon, giant grouper, the island's name sake Green Turtles or those camera hogs with the big grins, Sharks! Nurse sharks are seen on many of Brendal's dives. If you want to see the "Sexy Stars" of the show, the Caribbean Reef Sharks then one of his Shark Observation Dives is the way to go. Shark Week may be coming to a close but our big animal "Stars" are available year round. Don't miss the show, call the Outpost Reservations Desk to find out more at (800) 513-5257. <a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/brendals-dec-5-2011-839.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-2158" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/brendals-dec-5-2011-839.jpg?w=660" alt="Photo: Brendal's Dive Center & Water Sports, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas" width="660" height="495" /></a>Photo: Brendal's Dive Center & Water Sports, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/brendals-dive-center-a-guy-harvey-outfitter-green-turtle-cays-reef-sharks/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=September Highlights for Ocean Lovers: Lionfish Safari and REEF Fest&body=Harvest, eat, win cash, and learn about exotic lionfish in the Lionfish Safari Sept. 9-11 at Guy Harvey Outpost, a Tradewinds Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. The Outpost, in conjunction with the non-profit Reef Monitoring, Inc., will award $600 for the most lionfish and $600 for the heaviest lionfish, plus other cash prizes in the weekend-long, family-friendly ocean bash.
The hunt for the exotic predators from the Indo Pacific will take place all day on Sept. 10, with no boundaries and no time limit. Entry fee is $35 per diver. Weigh-in festivities and a family fun day will follow on Sept. 11. Chefs from the Outpost's RumFish Grill will cook and serve the harvest on the beach after researchers from Reef Monitoring take samples for scientific research.
One of the teams to beat will be led by Captain Scott Crawford, owner/instructor at Rock Bottom Divers near Tarpon Springs. Crawford, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and eight other vets-- four of them amputees--will employ their formidable combat skills in the campaign to mow down the aquatic invaders.
For more information and to register, go <a href="http://www.reefmonitoring.org" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Guy Harvey Outpost will offer a Florida Resident Special rate during the tournament.
Then from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2, Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will host REEF Fest 2016 in Key Largo. This celebration of marine conservation in the Keys will feature educational seminars by scientists and diving greats, exploration dives and snorkeling with the experts, eco-adventures such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and glass-bottom boat tours, and evening social gatherings. For more information and registration, visit the <a href="http://www.reef.org/REEFFest" target="_blank">REEF web site</a>.
<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/dive-packages/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4200 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ad.jpg" alt="ad" width="737" height="301" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/september-highlights-for-ocean-lovers-lionfish-safari-and-reef-fest/){kind=link}
TRAVEL DESK : 800.513.5257
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