Here’s a new one for the blogroll: Florida Footpaths, a website celebrating the stories along the trails of the Ocala National Forest by actress Kim Crow. She and her husband have a home in Hog Valley, and they meander the byways and trails soaking up stories and sharing them via audio and video presentations. See the site!
It’s that time again! Labor Day Weekend is coming up fast and it’s time to sign up for the ever-popular swamp walks at Clyde Butcher’s Muck-A-Bout in the Big Cypress Swamp. This is where I met the fellow who is now my husband five years ago, and we’ve both continued to go back and volunteer year after year, leading hikes and assisting around the very busy and popular special event. Rob draws his famous caricatures for a donation. C’mon down to Big Cypress and get your feet wet in one of the most spectacular freshwater habitats in Florida, and see Niki Butcher’s full collection of hand-painted black and white photography as part of this year’s event. Hope to see you there! Sign up through Clyde Butcher’s website.
The Big Shoals Trail is certainly one of the most spectacular short hikes in Florida when you catch it at the right time of year: say hiking season, when the Class III whitewater appears as the Suwannee River rushes through limestone formations. Check out this armchair tour hike based on my visit this February. While the easiest in-and-out walk is only 2.2 miles, you can explore much more of the state park on a variety of multi-use trails and forest roads. It’s Hike #4 in 50 Hikes in North Florida, and you’ll find more information about the trail here.
North of the main portion of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and its hiking trails in Boynton Beach, a new 3-mile hiking and biking trail opened June 16 at Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West on CR 880, south of Southern Blvd (US 98) at Nine Mile Bend. The trail includes a 200-foot boardwalk and interpretive information about the restoration of this former farm to wetlands. For more information, see this story in the Sun-Sentinel.
Episode 002: Juniper Springs (7:53)
One of many delightful hikes in the Ocala National Forest, the 1.4-mile round-trip Juniper Run Nature Trail at Juniper Springs Recreation Area is the state’s best for showcasing springs. Along this trail, which connects Juniper Springs and Fern Hammock Springs, you’ll see everything from a deep cavernous outflow to tiny bubblers, underwater sandstorms, and bizarre pools of turquoise and gray that look like post-modern video screens. It’s an easy walk and well worth the stop on your trip through the Ocala National Forest.
Music included in this podcast:
“The River Bank” by Shaun Harris, RoyaltyFreeMusic.com
“Double Drift” by Kevin McCloud, Incompetech.com
Get details about and directions for the hike at http://www.floridahikes.com/junipersprings
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