First up? We thought it appropriate to launch our adventure series with Florida's Adventure Coast. This is the region between the Gulf of Mexico and the Withlacoochee River, where major bike paths and the Florida Trail intersect near Brooksville. It includes Weeki Wachee, Bayport, Hernando Beach, Spring Hill, Ridge Manor, and Nobleton. While we still have more trails to add and more stories to tell, we think you can plan your own hiking, biking, and/or paddling adventure based on what we've added to the website about this region this past month. We've highlighted a few outdoor activities below, but you'll find many more online.

Cheers, Sandra & John

PS. On April 10, join us at the College of Central Florida in Ocala for two workshops - one on hiking, the other on outdoor writing - that Sandra will be leading for Library Week.

Destination: Adventure
Biking, paddling, and even a bit of hiking were in the plans as we explored Florida’s Adventure Coast – Hernando County – for activities we could enjoy during warm weather.

Florida Trail, Croom River Trail
A pleasant ramble on bluffs above the Withlacoochee River, the Croom River Trail segment of the Florida Trail tunnels through oak hammocks and slips around cypress swamps along its 6.3-mile journey.

Croom River Trail Loop
Croom Hiking Trail

Good Neighbor Trail
Following a former narrow gauge railroad corridor from Croom to a depot built in 1885 in Brooksville, the Good Neighbor Trail is a 10.1-mile linear paved path that is part of the Coast to Coast Trail.

Paddling the Weeki Wachee River
One of Florida's most beautiful paddling trips, the Weeki Wachee River rises from first magnitude Weeki Wachee Springs and winds through lush floodplain forests as it is fed by hundreds of smaller springs along this 5.5-mile paddling run.

Nature Coast Botanical Gardens
An oasis of serenity in Spring Hill, several acres of compact garden rooms make up the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens. Each delights the senses with an ever-changing array of blooms and colors.

How to prepare for a backpacking trip
What does a hiker need to spend a week, or a month, or three months on the trail? Here are trail-tested suggestions for backpacking in Florida for trips of a week or more

I Did A (Bit of) I Did-A-Hike
Despite pouring rain and thunderstorms, nearly 240 people showed up to tackle the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River for the annual I-Did-A-Hike, and it made for a memorable experience.