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The Best Stuff As our prime hiking season fades into memory, the upside is that it becomes writing season for us. It's time to take that collected re
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As our prime hiking season fades into memory, the upside is that it becomes writing season for us. It's time to take that collected research from the past four months and turn it into something that will delight you.
We've started by posting detailed hiking information for "the best stuff" you'll find on the Florida Trail, beginning with our recent hikes in Northwest Florida. These will be a part of our long-awaited book, Florida Trail Hikes, which ended up delayed due to family issues and the need to produce a history book in time for the 50th anniversary of the Florida Trail last fall. You can follow along on this new web page, or on our Facebook page as we post each new hike.
Although our prime hiking season is over, don't let the heat, humidity, and insects deter you from the outdoors. Now's the time of year to enjoy Florida's many nature trails, especially in our state parks. Go early to beat the heat, and be sure to use insect repellent.
Cheers, Sandra & John
PS. Want a heads-up when this new full color book is available? Sign up here. |
 REI Winter Park |
Second Florida REI store opens May 12
Join the Grand Opening Celebration the weekend of May 12-14 at the new REI store along US 17/92 in Winter Park. We've driven by recently and were astounded by the sheer size of the store: it's a two-story standalone building just like the store we visited in Portland, Oregon. We look forward to sharing workshops with you there in the future! Learn more about the grand opening.
No bear hunt in 2017
Citing public opinion, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to table discussing any plans for another statewide bear hunt for the next two years. Read the article in the Tampa Bay Times.
Bicycle trail will soon wrap around Lake Monroe
That bike path that's been steadily growing out of the Sanford Riverwalk towards the zoo along US 17/92 and along SR 415 over the St. Johns River from Lake Mary Blvd towards Osteen has a goal of making a big loop around Lake Monroe by next year. Read the article in the Orlando Sentinel
University of Miami tries to clear path for Walmart in rare forest
There are very few pine rocklands remaining in Florida, as this karst-dependent habitat was one of the first to be destroyed for residences and farms as the Miami metro grew. The largest remaining privately owned pine rockland in the world is slated to be cleared for a Walmart, and UM sold it to the developer for that purpose. Public comment is requested. Read the article in the Miami Herald. |
Florida Trail, Aucilla River
Endearingly scenic, surprisingly rugged in places, and unlike any other piece of the Florida Trail statewide, this 9.3-mile trek along the Aucilla River showcases some of Florida’s top natural features in one hike. |
Florida Trail, Aucilla Sinks
Endearingly scenic, surprisingly rugged in places, and unlike any other piece of the Florida Trail statewide, this 9.3-mile trek along the Aucilla River showcases some of Florida’s top natural features in one hike. |
Florida Trail, Apalachee Bay
Hugging the Big Bend coastline, this 13.4 mile hike through Aucilla WMA and St. Marks NWR offers some of the most breathtaking panoramas you’ll find along the Florida Trail, and a profusion of wildlife. |
Florida Trail, Shepherd Spring
Hugging coastal swamps and marshes before plunging into them at the Cathedral of Palms, this popular 5.3 mile hike along the Florida Trail centers on Shepherd Spring, a natural treasure within St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. |
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy
This 8.9-mile segment of the Florida Trail gets your feet wet, figuratively and literally, with the often-soggy habitats found across the Apalachicola, the largest of Florida’s National Forests. |
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River
Following the gentle curves of its cypress-lined namesake, the 4.1-mile Sopchoppy River section of the Florida Trail is one of the most scenic segments of the trail statewide. |
Florida Trail, Bradwell Bay
You’re guaranteed to get wet on the roughest, wildest day hike on the Florida Trail: Bradwell Bay, a 12.3 mile hike with 7 miles of gnarly swamp to navigate through. |
Florida Trail, Econfina Creek
Surprisingly rugged and delightfully diverse, this 17.7 mile hike along Econfina Creek is one of the top segments of the Florida Trail for scenic beauty. |
Dry Tortugas National Park
Our friend Bob "TruckrBob" Finley shares his experience with planning, and reaching, the toughest park to visit in Florida: Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles offshore from Key West. |
The British are coming!
On April Fools Day, we visited the 33rd annual British Car Show at Mead Garden in Winter Park. It's held every spring, and is a must for sports car aficionados. |
An all-encompassing history and visual walk through of the Florida Trail, our coffee table book, The Florida Trail: Florida's National Scenic Trail, celebrates 50 years of our favorite trail and the people who made it happen. Learn more about this commemorative book here. |
OUR PRESENTATIONS
Oct 7: Myth-busting the Florida Trail, ALDHA Gathering, Abington VA
Oct 14: Florida Trail, Kissimmee River Section. FTA South Regional Conference, Tequesta
Feb 6, 2018: Botanically rich hikes along the Florida Trail. Florida Native Plant Society Tarflower Chapter, Leu Gardens, Orlando |
MAJOR HIKING & OUTDOOR EVENTS
May 12-14: REI Winter Park Grand Opening Celebration. Details.
May 22: The Florida Trail Association will hold its Annual Meeting and Elections on Saturday May 22 at Camp McConnell, Micanopy. The Annual Meeting starts at 9 AM EST. Check their website for details.
Jun 3: National Trails Day, nationwide
Oct 6-9: ALDHA Gathering, Abington VA
Oct 13-15: FTA South Regional Conference, Tequesta
Nov 10-12: FTA Northeast Regional Conference, Niceville
Know of other major events? Let us know and we'll add them! |
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