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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Fakahatchee ferns

Sandra Friend

Allen Altvater Trail

Pine cone resting on leaves

Highlands Hammock State Park  |  Sebring
( 27.4732, -81.5304 )      0.6 miles

A walk in the uplands of Highlands Hammock State Park, this 0.6-mile nature trail features dry habitat succession from flatwoods to scrub

Alligator Lake

Alligator Lake

Lake City      ( 30.169414, -82.615686 )      6.3 miles

In the city once called Alligator, first home of the University of Florida and named for a great chief of the Seminoles, Alligator Lake has long been a gathering place. Established as a park in 2002, hiking and bicycling are now its primary focus.

Alligators

American alligator

Wildlife Identification      ( Florida Species )      

Alligators are the number one fear that folks new to Florida have about playing in the outdoors. Here’s how to handle yourself when you’re in alligator territory.

Alligators Everywhere

La Chua gators

April 6, 2018    Sandra Friend

In spring, alligators become more active as the days warm up. It’s also mating season, so alligators are on the move. Expect to see them anywhere and everywhere along Florida’s trails.

Aloft

Chauncey Bay Okeechobee

November 18, 2012    Sandra Friend

It isn’t rare for winds to streak across the surface of Lake Okeechobee, picking up speed as they travel. But some mornings are windier than others, and this was one of them.

Along Hopkins Prairie

Sand cordgrass at Hopkins Prairie

February 19, 2009    Sandra Friend

Hiking around Hopkins Prairie for the third time, I have my first encounter with the Rainbow People and meet backpackers along this scenic stretch of the Florida Trail.

Along Lake Wauberg

You'll always see reptiles along Lake Wauberg

January 22, 2010    Sandra Friend

A wander along Lake Wauberg to the symphony of Archie Carr’s favorite frogs brought memories flooding back of gentler times.

America’s Great Hiking Trails

Americas Great Hiking Trails

December 3, 2014    Sandra Friend

Be inspired to get outdoors by America’s Great Hiking Trails, a coffee table book about our National Scenic Trail system, written by Karen Berger and photographed by Bart Smith.

American Beach

American Beach

Timucuan Preserve  |  Amelia Island
( 30.573332, -81.444297 )      

Home to the largest dune system on the Atlantic Coast in Florida, American Beach has a rich history as a vacation destination that served the African-American community during the days of segregation in the South.

Among the Palms

Taylor Creek Loop

December 18, 2011    Sandra Friend

Of all of Florida’s habitats, the one that truly sings “Florida” is the palm hammock, a richly textured riot of green and fronds, of mosses and lichens, of light and shadow perfectly balanced. Enjoy it on the Taylor Creek Loop.

An August Farewell

August and Stripper

August 21, 2012    Sandra Friend

Standing in the historic museum in downtown Palmerton, discussing zinc mining with the volunteer whose family had deep roots in the area, I thought I saw a ghost, a reflection in the front window. “It’s August!” John said, and I realized the apparition was a thru-hiker we’d met in Duncannon and several times thereafter. I …

An open letter to Hernando County

Ancient cypresses at Cypress Lakes Preserve

August 2, 2015    Sandra Friend

An open letter to the Hernando County Commission, who voted last week to dissolve the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands program several years before its review date

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