Florida’s Top Outdoor Destinations
Exploring Florida's outdoors most of our lives, here are our favorite destinations. Spoiler alert: beaches aren't involved.
Following Juniper Creek
On the third day of the 2013 Panhandle Trace Hike, we followed the Juniper Creek section of the Florida Trail away from the wildfires that burned to the north, experiencing beauty and absurdity along the way.
Friends in the Forest
We met Ruth at the Florida Trail Association Conference in March and spent time hiking with her on the Panhandle Trace. At both events, she invited us to come hike in her backyard and visit. With five hikes left for Five Star Trails Gainesville and Ocala, …
Hiker Trash
When the title "Hiker Trash" gets bestowed on you by friends, it's an honor - if you love to hike. When it shows up next to your face at random on the Internet, it's kind of funny.
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.
Hiking can wait
Leaving the Florida Trail to chase down a lead on a new antique VW Westfalia camper, JK discovers it's well worth the detour - and brings it home to support future hiking trips.
Hiking Farles Prairie
Hiking along the Farles Prairie section of the Florida Trail adjoining Pine Castle Bombing Range, we get to experience both a bomb concussion and a charred "nightmare forest" after a dropped bomb.
Hiking the Cross Seminole Trail
A hike along the Cross Seminole Trail - which the Florida Trail follows - through Oviedo and Winter Springs means an introduction to suburbia in the Orlando metro.
Hiking the Hills of Hutton
Hiking the Florida Trail across the Hutton Unit of Blackwater River State Forest means you're in for a hilly walk, as we discovered while searching for pitcher plants and the high point of the Florida Trail.
Hiking the urban not-so-wilds of Central Florida
JK learns what it's like to hike the Florida Trail through the Orlando metro, following paved bike trails past McDonalds, over Interstate 4, and yes, even encountering deer.
Hiking to Marsh Point
At St. Marks NWR, Marsh Point captures the essence of Florida's Gulf coastline. But hikers are missing it because the bridges are out.
Hiking with Sandy
After a tough solo stretch, JK decides that hiking with a partner is preferable to hiking alone, and makes adjustments to his hiking plans to suit.