Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Ray, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Ray and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Ray
- Astronomy & Satellites ...
- Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
- To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Ray:
- 28.052500, -82.221700
- Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
- The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Ray
- Bird Watching ...
- We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
- The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Hillsborough County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Hillsborough County
- Since Ray is near Pasco County and also Polk County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Pasco County
- eBird sighting report for Polk County
- Waymarking ...
- Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Ray ...
We found 26 communities that share the name Ray.
Within Florida, the name Ray is unique.
Beyond Florida, we know of another 26 communities that are located throughout in the United States.
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Alabama
- Baldwin County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Alabama community of Ray [Baldwin County].
- Coosa County
- This Ray is located in Coosa County and lies 403 miles [648.6 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Coosa County community of Ray.
- Arizona
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Carroll County
- This Ray is located in Carroll County and lies 890 miles [1,432.3 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Carroll County community of Ray.
- Steuben County
- This Ray is located in Steuben County and lies 958 miles [1,541.8 km] to the north of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Steuben County community of Ray.
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Pawnee County
- This Ray is located in Pawnee County and lies 1,191 miles [1,916.7 km]<2> to the northwest of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pawnee County community of Ray.
- Sumner County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Ray [Sumner County].
- Kentucky
- Lawrence County
- This Ray is located in Lawrence County and lies 681 miles [1,096 km]<2> to the north of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lawrence County community of Ray.
- Logan County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kentucky community of Ray [Logan County].
- Michigan
- Branch County
- This Ray is located in Branch County and lies 958 miles [1,541.8 km]<2> to the north of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Branch County community of Ray.
- Newaygo County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Ray [Newaygo County].
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Nye County
- This community is historic<3> and although located in Nye County, we don't know where within the county.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Nye County community of Ray.
- White Pine County
- This community is historic and although located in White Pine County, we don't know where within the county.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the White Pine County community of Ray.
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Ellis County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Ray [Ellis County].
- Grayson County
- This Ray is located in Grayson County and lies 936 miles [1,506.3 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Ray that is located in Hillsborough County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Grayson County community of Ray.
- Virginia
- Alabama
Curious and Interesting Names Near Ray ...
As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.
- All Green
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south) - Ancient Oak
(Less than 2 miles to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ancient Oak have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ancient Oak
- Ancient Oak is located in Hillsborough County
- Badgers Lair
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Badgers Lair have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Badgers Lair
- Badgers Lair is located in Hillsborough County
- Cedar Oaks
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cedar Oaks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Oaks
- Cedar Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
- Cooks Cove
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cooks Cove have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cooks Cove
- Cooks Cove is located in Hillsborough County
- Destinys Way
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Destinys Way have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Destinys Way
- Destinys Way is located in Hillsborough County
- Dickey
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest) - Flint Lake
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Flint Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flint Lake
- Flint Lake is located in Hillsborough County
- Flowers
(Less than 2 miles to the northeast) - Four Pine Estates
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Four Pine Estates have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Four Pine Estates
- Four Pine Estates is located in Hillsborough County
- Gator Trail
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gator Trail have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gator Trail
- Gator Trail is located in Hillsborough County
- Green Pastures
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Green Pastures have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Pastures
- Green Pastures is located in Hillsborough County
- Continue List (23 more) ...
- Hawk Woods
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hawk Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hawk Woods
- Hawk Woods is located in Hillsborough County
- Kenny
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest) - Lanes Corner
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lanes Corner have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lanes Corner
- Lanes Corner is located in Hillsborough County
- Lazy Oaks
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest) - Lone Pine
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south) - Long Fritzke
(Less than 2 miles to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Long Fritzke have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Fritzke
- Long Fritzke is located in Hillsborough County
- Lynn Oaks
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south) - Marcia Oaks
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marcia Oaks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marcia Oaks
- Marcia Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
- Mark Hall Acres
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mark Hall Acres have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mark Hall Acres
- Mark Hall Acres is located in Hillsborough County
- Martin Ranch
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Martin Ranch have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Martin Ranch
- Martin Ranch is located in Hillsborough County
- Marys Woods
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marys Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marys Woods
- Marys Woods is located in Hillsborough County
- Meadow Oaks
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Meadow Oaks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadow Oaks
- Meadow Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
- Michaelangelo
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Michaelangelo have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Michaelangelo
- Michaelangelo is located in Hillsborough County
- Pinker
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest) - Pondside Gardens
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pondside Gardens have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pondside Gardens
- Pondside Gardens is located in Hillsborough County
- Resting Place
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Resting Place have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Resting Place
- Resting Place is located in Hillsborough County
- Riverleaf
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest) - Serenity Oaks
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Serenity Oaks have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Serenity Oaks
- Serenity Oaks is located in Hillsborough County
- Shepherd
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast) - Stonelake Ranch
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stonelake Ranch have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonelake Ranch
- Stonelake Ranch is located in Hillsborough County
- Stoney Creek
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stoney Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoney Creek
- Stoney Creek is located in Hillsborough County
- Sunny Slopes
(Less than 2 miles to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sunny Slopes have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sunny Slopes
- Sunny Slopes is located in Hillsborough County
- Windcall
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
- Hawk Woods
How Far From Ray to ...
We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers & Almanacs that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Ray to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Ray and extending to:
- Tampa, which is the Seat of Hillsborough County, lies 15 miles [24.1 km]<2> to the west southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Ray to Tampa, with an average speed<5> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of a day to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take four to five hours.
- Tallahassee, which is the State Capital of Florida, lies 206 miles [331.5 km] to the northwest (NW). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take a little over three hours, a buggy would take 8 days and walking would take 12 days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 805 miles [1,295.5 km] to the north northeast (NNE). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 32 days and walking would take 46 days.
- The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,603 miles [10,626.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,272 miles [11,703.1 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,171 miles [8,321.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Ray. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Hillsborough County: www.hillsboroughcounty.org/
The official website for State of Florida: https://www.myflorida.com/
Footnotes ...
| <1> | If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer. Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock Creek is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name. Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time. Also keep in mind that Ray could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out. |
| <2> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Ray) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Ray. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 28.0525, Longitude: -82.2217 In this case, the coordinates for Ray have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <3> | We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Ray, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required. |
| <5> | While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day. |
| <6> | The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Ray to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East. |
| <7> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 310.711 degrees. |
| <8> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 305.104 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 309.794 degrees. |