When I was driving out to the Ocala National Forest the other day, I heard a radio commercial for a new outfitter in town. Now I was saddened to see Brasington’s pull out of town some time ago, since they focused on gear for hiking and kayaking, so there has been a void in the …
Caracara at Bluff Hammock
This is one of those right place, right time stories. As usual, I was lagging at the tail end of our group of backpackers, taking photos and shooting video between Hickory Hammock and Bluff Hammock. Lori Burris, who led our group, stayed with me. After we descended the high bridge, most of the folks with …
Fisheating Creek: for hikers
Down in Glades County, in the wilds of South Central Florida, Fisheating Creek has always been a favorite for paddlers. It’s Florida as it once was (and still is here), winding through ancient cypress as it flows from the end of the Lake Wales Ridge to Lake Okeechobee. Thanks to the Florida Fish & Wildlife …
Grand opening of Conner Preserve
When I saw the billboards pop up in downtown Tampa a few years ago touting “Connerton, FL, ” with images of herons and trees, I thought … here we ago again. Create a city in the middle of a rural area and invite sprawl. Indeed, it was a development of regional impact, as they are …
Hiking Buckman Lock to Rodman Dam
Following the Florida Trail between Buckman Lock and the Rodman Recreation Area means walking down a levee along an orphaned section of the Cross Florida Barge Canal for most of the hike.
Jetboil Stoves
After trying an array of camp stoves over the years, from Whisperlite to Zip and Esbit, I found the Jetboil. Now I feel comfortable cooking in the woods again.
Kissimmee River Adventure
Backpacking the Florida Trail from Okee-tanie to Bluff Hammock along the Kissimmee River section for the first time.
Reopen Barley Barber Swamp?
I was surprised to see a Google alert pop up today about a rally going on at the Port Mayaca Florida Power & Light nuclear power plant. Back before September 11, 2001, the Barley Barber Swamp was open to the public for hiking tours led by a very knowledgable guide, who I had the pleasure …
Return to Juniper Prairie Wilderness
A return to the Juniper Prairie Wilderness seven years after my last hike finds things very different after wildfires scour across the landscape.
Update on Fisheating Creek
I was in search of the new interpretive trail at Fisheating Creek last Monday when time overtook me the first try, and dusk overtook me the second try. However, I managed to get some clarifications from folks who’ve been there and seen it. The interpretive trail starts from at the new FWC office along SR …