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Fakahatchee ferns

Archives for April 2014

Buttonbush Marsh Overlook

Buttonbush Marsh

St. Andrews State Park  |  Panama City Beach
( 30.13258, -85.73453 )      0.1 miles

Less than a mile from the strumming waves of the Gulf of Mexico, Buttonbush Marsh provides an important habitat for wildlife at the end of the barrier island at Panama City Beach.

Chasing Rainbows: Florida Springs Protection

Submarine boat, April 1968 (Linda Friend)

April 3, 2014    Sandra Friend

April is Florida Springs Protection Month, according to our state agencies. A walk through Rainbow Springs State Park confirms that as beautiful as they look, the springs are not in good health.

Do not feed the bears

Bear in a trash can (Florida Fish & Wildlife)

April 23, 2014    Sandra Friend

“A fed bear is a dead bear,” says Florida Fish & Wildlife. It’s time to make homeowners responsible for keeping trash and food out of reach when they live in bear territory.

Epperson Park

Epperson Park

Williston      ( 29.388311,-82.440486 )      

Under the deep shade of mature live oak trees along US 27 in Williston, Epperson Park showcases two historical artifacts in a 1914-era park.

Gayle’s Trails

Gayle's Trails at Frank Brown Park trailhead

Panama City Beach      ( 30.23311, -85.87752 )      19.5 miles

A network of paved trails north of US 98, Gayle’s Trails connect two major parks in Panama City Beach with nearby neighborhoods.

In Bloom at Epcot

Garden houses in the butterfly garden

April 24, 2014    Sandra Friend

In March, we participated in the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival as invited speakers, talking about Florida hiking. It was delightful to reach a new audience who enjoys the outdoors.

Mountain House

The Mountain House meals we received to test

April 2, 2014    Sandra Friend

Can freeze-dried backpacker food make a decent meal on the trail? We try out a Mountain House gluten-free bacon & eggs for lunch on the Florida Trail to find out.

Nine more nights in Primrose

Primrose tucked into a space at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

April 1, 2014    John Keatley

With our first Primrose trip of 2014 behind us, we are starting to see how snowbird RVers live here in Florida. And it’s a bit different than those of us who prefer to have a little outdoors with our camping.

Primrose, the delivery wagon

Me and Steve in the front seats

April 4, 2014    John Keatley

One of the best parts of owning a VW camper van is how versatile it can be. When Primrose isn’t home, we make use of her as our delivery vehicle for various projects.

Sandy Point

Sandy Point, St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews State Park  |  Panama City Beach
( 30.128877, -85.723400 )      

One of the secrets of St. Andrews State Park is its gentle, sweeping beach along Sandy Point, a natural extension of the barrier island that divides Grand Lagoon from St. Andrews Bay.

Things that bite: Mosquitoes

Mosquito model

Florida Insects      ( Florida Species Identification )      

Mosquitoes make summer hiking a challenge in Florida. Here’s why they’re a problem and what you can do to fight back.

Things That Bite: Ticks and Chiggers

Tick (© Vitalii Hulai - stock.adobe.com)

Florida Insects      ( Florida Species Identification )      

Since they crawl on your skin and attach themselves to you to feed, ticks and chiggers are especially creepy. Unlike mosquitoes, you can’t just swat them away. Here’s the difference between them.

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