Hi Tony,
if you'd like to see flowers blooming now instead of waiting 3 months, I can send you some photos of the hybiscus blooming outside of my window here in Florida : )

On the other hand, I am indeed jealous of your location for most of the year. On the other hand, we have our own dramatic natural locations similar to the Grand Canyon (we call them sink holes) and your majestic mountain ranges (Mt Dora, just outside of Orlando is a dizzying 300 ft above sea level).

We're in the process of renovating and selling a home so I don't think we'll be visiting any of the major parks this year. But, we hope to get up your way sometime over the next few years.

And, if you're ever in Florida, give me a buzz. We'll show you the natural wildlife at Disney's Animal Kingdom : )

Jim