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Added by Alessandra S. on September 25, 2012.
Bourbon Street is a main attraction in New Orlensa, LA.
It’s time to take the away game traveling RV to the Gulf of Mexico, and drop off our beer cooler in New Orleans, LA and Tampa, FL.
Ahh, the NFC South. There is no shortage of excitement on the fields where these teams play. But what about their local stomping grounds? Let’s take our away game journey to the Gulf of Mexico and set down the travel-sized barbecue in New Orleans, LA and Tampa, FL.
New Orleans, LA is a city that has had severe tragedy, but has had enough heart to keep its spirit afloat. Apart from the obvious physical damage, Hurricane Katrina couldn’t touch the culture and vitality upon which NOLA is founded. With a nod to both its history and multicultural makeup, the architecture in New Orleans is enchanting and unique.
A wonderful example is the French Quarter, which has shopping, tours, music clubs and restaurants for the visiting team’s fans to explore and enjoy. The French Quarter is also home to the world famous Bourbon Street—no doubt contributing to Nawlins’ status as one of the top ten most visited U.S. cities.
Although often considered a wonderful Spring Break destination, NOLA actually has a lot to offer during the fall. For the thrill seeker with interest in the paranormal, New Orleans is considered the “Most Haunted City in America,” and is an ideal spot to check out during Halloween and other chillier months of the year. Plenty of tours and expeditions are offered for those with interest in being spooked or breaching the line to the other side. Not into ghosts? The Voodoo Music Festival, featuring Skrillex, Green Day and a multitude of local artists is October 26-28, and will feed even the most eclectic musical appetite. Fortunately, music events in NOLA can be found all year long.
Speaking of festivals, the Louisiana Seafood Festival is October 12-14 and it is a fantastic representation of NOLA culture and cuisine, with proceeds benefitting the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (LHF). What’s a trip to New Orleans without gumbo, po-boys, jambalaya and beignets? Without a doubt, visitors should be advised to bring their Thanksgiving Pants to binge comfortably and efficiently. Featuring all the wonderful southern culinary hospitality imaginable, the festival also attracts artist booths where jewelry, woodwork, textiles, hats, apparel and posters can all be browsed and purchased.
October 11-18 marks the New Orleans Film Festival, with full-length films, shorts, animation and music videos from local talent all being featured and viewed. The festivals fully characterize the culture, entertainment and art within New Orleans, and all those attractions can be found year-round and season long in the city. So pack your mardi gras beads and a few big belts, and let NOLA’s charm win you over.
The Big Cat Rescue is a must-see when visiting Tampa, Florida.
On the west coast of Florida is Tampa. A sports-centric city in beautiful weather, Tampa is certainly a desirable destination. Tampa, of course, proves to be a unique and vivacious city, and is also surprisingly similar to New Orleans in terms of attractions to the Gulf of Mexico.
The music buff will be pleased to know that there is no shortage of live music on Tampa’s side of the Gulf. Elton John, Florence & The Machine, Brad Paisley, Journey and Rascal Flatts all made tour stops in Tampa this fall. For the friend who can’t get enough of ghost stories or paranormal encounters, There are ghost tours of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, and many of the candlelight walking tours are accessible for all ages. Afraid that your younger companions will keep you up all night with ghostly night terrors? The Florida Aquarium has “Swim with the Fishes” and “Dive with the Sharks” programs, and also has penguins for those looking to be a little less hands-on.
Naturally, the ultimate vacationer will have an easy time finding a golf course for a few rounds once the tailgating-induced bodily aches and damages have begun to fade. Want to turn an away game into seriously epic vacation? Tampa is also a cruise port, and Carnival cruises are an affordable and liberating getaway that the whole family and/or group can enjoy. Just make sure you don’t lose your passport in the bleachers!
The Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay both offer a plethora of water sports, and there’s no shortage of waterskiing, jet skiis or sun for active and passive beachgoers alike (although there’s nothing passive about intently working on a seriously dark and even suntan.)
One of the most fascinating places to visit in Tampa is Big Cat Rescue. Established in 1992, it is the largest accredited sanctuary in the world dedicated to rescuing abandoned or abused big cats, all supported by their non-profit organization. All visitors partake in guided tours which are heavily informative and enlightening. Did you know that white tigers are a genetic mutation, and therefore are nearly non-existent in the wild, and are heavily inbred to draw in profit as a spectacle? Big Cat Rescue works diligently to inform visitors about facts that are withheld and hidden from the public, and its beautiful tenants (the cats) are without a doubt the most convincing element. Jaguars, Cougars, Lions, Bobcats, Tigers (including a white tiger resuced from a circus named Zabu) and many more types of Big Cats can be seen, and also helped. Donations and volunteers are always needed at Big Cat Rescue—why not turn your away game experience into something so much bigger and more meaningful? Surely volunteering for such a wonderful organization would be an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re a fan of the paranormal, a music buff, a foodie or looking for something you can’t get anywhere else—the Gulf of Mexico will certainly have something for you in either New Orleans, LA or Tampa, FL. So bring your suntan lotion, listening ear, ravenous appetite and adventure seeking drive—let these enchanting locations change up your vacation playbook, and enjoy the memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
Joe Exotic
September 30, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Carole puts a list of dead cats on the internet to raise money for their memorials. Here is a complete list of where they came from and our question is just how many more must die before someone raises questions?
Cats (and a few other exotics) that have died at Big Cat Rescue, many in the last few months alone.
Acacia Sand Cat: The sand cats were originally at BCR under a breeding contract.
Ace Bobcat: Not found. We found amur leopard cats Ace & Shalimar bought from Jan Giacinto from CA in 1995.
Adonnis Leopard: Came from Charlotte Williams of OK along with Venus and Bagheera, who was thought pregnant.
Agave Sand Cat: The sand cats were originally at BCR under a breeding contract.
Alpha Serval: Not found. See other servals bought, sold, bred, and traded at BCR.
Anastasia Siberian Lynx: Bought for $1500 from David Langham, Tx in 1994.
Aquarius Fishing Cat: Bought for breeding in 1998. Bred to Pisces who gave birth in 2001. Baskin denies this.
Argentina Cavy: Not found
Auroara Tigress: Traded for. Used for print ads in Magazines. Former owner disputes Baskin’s story.
Axel Tiger: Not found. Could be one of the retired circus tigers Baskin is paid to board.
Bagheera Leopard: Came from Charlotte Williams of OK. Baskin was told she was pregnant.
Black Mamba Jaguar: Not found. One volunteer recalls he was used to promote a car dealership.
Bobby Blue Rose Bobcat: Bought for $500 from Terry Dunlap, Idaho.
Boris Pallas Cat: Not found.
Boris LYNX was bought from fur farm for $750.
Buffy Tiger: Can’t find. May have been one of the retired circus tigers Baskin was paid to board.
Cachanga Caracal: Imported from Africa for breeding. Bred to Crackle. Father of litter born 3-28-97
Cachinga Caracal: Imported from Africa for breeding, Baskin: “they were needed to strengthen bloodlines”.
Callie Cougar: Used for breeding. Had cubs the same time as Glory.
Candy Caracal: Bought at auction in 1994.Casper Cougar: Came from Lion Country Safari in a deal that also included a lion cub.
Catera Bobcat: Born at BCR 7-24-97 of breeders Shiloh and Indian Summer.
Catrina Cougar: Bought for $650 and used for breeding. Bred with Hallelujah. Mother of Aspen.
Cha Cha Jungle Cat: Came to BCR in 1999 with Rambo. Former owner disputes story told by Baskin.
Champlaine Lynx: Bought from Tammy Thompson of S.C. in 1994.
Cheyenne Serval: Bought for breeding for $1000. Bred to Bongo & produced Serengeti and Kalahari.
Cleo-Cat-Tra Cougar: Not found. There were a SERVAL (born at BCR) a LYNX (sold) & a 2nd bobcat by this name.
CleoCatTra Bobcat: Born at BCR. Mother was Baskin’s pet Windsong who she claims she rescued (to breed?)
Cloe Snow Leopard: Bought along with Zoe from McCarthy Wildlife, Fl as a mate for Hercules.
Cloud Dancin’ Bobcat: Bought from a fur farm owned by Patricia Bodenstedt & husband along with 17 other cats.
Conan Tiger: Not found. May have been one of the retired circus tigers Baskin is paid to board.
Cookie Tigress: See above
Crackle Caracal: Bought as a breeder. Bred to Chachanga. Mother of litter born at BCR 3-28-97
Crazy Horse Bobcat: Bought 6-6-95 along with 9 other bobcats, and 6 lynx kittens. Many were quickly sold.
Crystal Jungle Cat: Not found. Two other jungle cats, Shaniqua and Tarzan were bought at auction for $450 and $200.
Czar Bobcat: Bought for breeding. Bred with Nakita. Father of Alexander and Des-purr-ado and Ninja.
Daisy Serval: Breeder bought for $2200 from John Aynes of OK on 9-30-94 Mother of Frosty.
Dances with Wolves Canada Lynx: Bought 1-23-93 for $450.
Despurrado Bobcat: Born at BCR in 1996. Littermates of Ninja and Des-purr-ado. Mother was Nakita.
Elsa Bobcat: Bought from auction.
Esmerelda Serval: Bought for $1200
Fleetwood Cougar: Born at BCR of breeders Glory and Cocoa. Embedded halter (neglect) required surgery.
Freckles Liger: Not found
Freddy Cougar: Not found
Gator Serval: Bought in 1994 for $1500 from Gator Land in Kissimee, Fl
Glory Glory Cougar: Bought at auction, used as breeder. Mother of Enya and Fleetwood.
Hallelujah Cougar: Bought for breeding. Father of Taboo and Tamou, who were born in 1995′ & sold in 1996.
Hercules Snow Leopard: Bought as cub from McCarthy Wildlife as a birthday gift for Carole Lewis Baskin.
Hunter Caracal: Bought. Used as a breeder. Father of Sassy
Huntress Caracal: Bought. Used as a breeder. Mother of Sassy
India Tigress: Not found. May have been one of the circus tigers Baskin is paid to board.
Indian Summer Bobcat: Bought with Shiloh in 1996. Bred and produced litter on 7-24-97 including Catera.
Jefferson Civet: Not found. A civet named Rashid was bought from Lolli Bros auction in 1994.
Kahlua Margay: Bought along with Andre’ for $2500 each in 1993 from Jim Anderson.
Katmandu Siberian Lynx: Bought from fur farm for $1000.Kennedy Bobcat: Not found
Kimba Caracal: Not found. A caracal named Kenya was bought from PA for $400 in 1995.
King Tiger: Not found. May have been one of the retired circus tigers Baskin is paid to board.
Kongo White Serval: Born at BCR. Parents were breeders Frosty and Nairobi. Brother is Tonga.
Lakota Bobcat: Born at BCR of breeders Takoma and Nikita.
Lola Leopard: Bought for breeding. Mother of Jumanji and Majik.
Lucky Serval: Baskin traded a “rescued” fur farm lynx kitten for Lucky Lady. Bred and had litters 4-95 and 6-96.
Maharajah Sand Cat: The sand cats were originally at BCR under a breeding contract.
Malachi Clouded Leopard: Boarded. Baskin, “We believe cats that are hand raised are much happier in captivity”.
Marco Geoffroy Cat: Bought from Wendy Wullf of Ohio in 1994. Another, Saratoga, was bought for $1200 from TX.Mau Tse Chow: HUH?
Maverick Siberian Lynx: Bought for $225 in 1995. Another by the same name was bought for $450 & sold for $1200.
Maya Lioness: Not found
Midnight Bobcat: Illegally obtained from Alabama, Died and claimed it was parvo just days after being turned in.
Missouri Cougar: One of 2 cougars Baskin had her staff search for to film a “rescue” for a TV show in 2000. Rescue?
Modnic Tigress: Not found. Believed to have come from Robert Baudy.
Mongo Serval: Not found. There was a Bongo serval bought from W.W.A.A. in Ohio in 1994 for $1500.
Morgan Puma: Cougar Morgan was on breeding loan. Delivered 4 cubs and was returned severely malnourished.
Mufasa white footed serval: Bought at auction for $2000. Used as breeder. Father of Frosty.
Nakita Bobcat: Breeder. Bred to Czar to produce litters which included Alexander, Des-purr-ado, and Ninja.
Nala Tigress: Not found. Found Nyla the LEOPARD, a breeder. Mother of Sundari born and declawed at BCR.
Narak Tiger: Not found. May have been one of the retired circus tigers Baskin is paid to board.
Nini Tigress: See aboveNinja Bobcat: Born at BCR. Mother was Nakita. Littermate Despurrado.
Oakey Ocelot: Breeder. Traded for $600 and one of Baskin’s lynx kittens which was malnourished and died in days.
Panama Jack Ocelot: Breeder loan. Ocelot Nirvana bought for $3600. Samantha traded for & bred. 2 cubs in 1996.
Pappa Bear Coatimundi: Bought in 1994 from auction. Female mate Honey Bear bought same place and date.
Peaches Serval: Bought in 1997 from animal broker.
Pisces Fishing Cat: Bought for breeding in 1998. Bred to Aquarius. Kitten born 2001. Baskin denies this.
Princess Tiger: Not found. May have been one of the retired circus cats Baskin is paid to board.
PurrSistance Ocelot: Born at BCR of breeders Samantha and Oakley. Littermate Purr-Fection.
Rain Bobcat: aka Raindance was bought from a fur farm 5-26-93 & used as a breeder. Kittens sold.
Rocky Bobcat: Not found.
Rufus Bobcat: Not found.
Rupa Caracal: Bought as a breeder and bred with Sierra. Father of a litter born 5-28-94.
Saber Tiger: Not found. LEOPARD by this name was a breeder. Father of Sundari, Jumanji, Majik.
Samantha Ocelot: Traded for from a pet shop in Frt Myers and used as a breeder. Two cubs born in 1996.
Sarabi Lioness: Not found.
Sarabi white-footed SERVAL was bought at auction for $2200.
Saratoga Geoffroy Cat: Bought from David Langham for 1200. (Also found a second “Saratoga”)
Saskwatch Canada Lynx: Bought at fur farm
Scratch Cougar: Bought for breeding. Bred to Catrina who produced 2 cubs.
Selena Bobcat: Bought from a fur farm along with 17 others. Baskin lies that she closed them down.
Shadow Cougar: Bought in 1995 from Deepwoods Exotics along with 5 others, some of who were then sold.
Shanda Bobcat: We found a bobcat by the same name who was sold in 1995. Was Shanda bought back?
Shanghai Leopard Cat: Bought for breeding hybrids.
Shaquille Leopard: Donated for breeding. Baskin claimed he was “beaten with a bat” to make him perform. Lies.
Shasta Serval: Not found. See many other servals bought, sold, bred, and traded.
Shatia Canada Lynx: Bought at auction in 1993 for $450 at just weeks old.
Sheera Bobcat: Born at BCR of breeders Shanda & Cerange’. Littermate Howling Moon.
Shiloh Bobcat: Breeder. Bred with Indian Summer and had a litter on 7-24-97 which included Catera.
Sierra Caracal: Breeder. Bred to Rupa. Mother of litter born 5-28-94.
Simba Tiger: Not found. There was a Simba LEOPARD bought illegally in 1994 from Tiger’s Eye Productions.
Skip Bobcat: Not found.
Snorkel Tiger: Not found. May have been one of the retired circus cat Baskin is paid to board.
Sophia Cougar: Not found.
Squeaker Cougar: Originally boarded at BCR.
Stalker Siberian Lynx: Bought at fur farm for $750.Stetson Civet: Not found. Civet named Rashid bought from auction in 1994.
Storm Bobcat: Illegally obtained from Alabama, Died and claimed it was parvo just days after being turned in.
Sugar Cougar: Bought in 1995 from Deepwoods Exotics along with Tobi, Lakota, Callie, Shadow, and Apache.
Sultan Ocelot: Not found. See other ocelots bought as breeders or born at BCR.
Sundance Bobcat: Bought from Dr Cathy Cranmore, DVM of TX
Sylvester Cougar: Not found. Cougar cubs born at BCR were declawed and rented out overnight to cabin guests.
Tabitha Ocelot: Not found. See other ocelots bought or born at BCR.
Takoma Bobcat: Bought in 1995 along with Divinity as kittens which were raised in Baskin’s home as pets.
Tarzan Jungle Cat: Traded for then bred to Shaniqua but did not produce offspring.
Thunder Jungle Cat: Not found. Other jungle cats were bought for breeding.
Trucha Tigress: Not found. May have been one of the retired circus cats Baskin is paid to board.
Two Toes Bobcat: Bought from fur farm along with 17 others. Lied that she ‘shut the farm down’. Owner says no.
Venus Leopard: Arrived in 1995 with hopes of breeding. Came with Adonnis and Bagheera, thought to be pregnant.
Windsong Bobcat:1st bobcat. Bought in 1992 as a pet. Used as a breeder. Mother of Windstar born in 1998.
Zander Bengal Cat: Not found. Other Bengals were bought from WI, CA, and Ontario.
Zazu Leopard Cat: Bought for $1750 along with Burma, a clouded leopard for $5500 from Jim Anderson.
Zoe Snow Leopard: Bought from McCarthy Wildlife, Fl as a mate for Hercules.Zoul Serval: Not found. See many other servals bought, sold, bred, and traded.
Zza Zza Ocelot: Born at BCR in 1997 of breeders Oakey and Samantha.
So our question is what will it take for the news to pick up on this and ask the so called leading expert why she has such a high death loss and why the news media keeps putting her on tv without asking these questions?
Fred Lulling
September 30, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Big Cat Rescue? Save your money and visit Busch Gardens! Much more to see and in a much more pleasant -and safe- atmosphere. Big parking lot, shuttles to the gates, knowledgeable guides, good food, and no worries about escaping animals or the stench of rendering coming from next door. Plus, they are honest about their mission and goals and where the animals came from. Plus, they do make good beer!
Lisa Lovelace
September 30, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Sports fans should do themselves a great service if they want to see animals in need, by visiting a true shelter/sanctuary, instead of visiting the roadside scamtuary calling itself big cat rescue these days.