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Bahia Honda Bridge

Articles on History

Florida’s outdoor recreation history and discussions of historic sites

Bart Smith’s Amazing Adventure

Fern Hammock Springs

October 1, 2008    Sandra Friend

National Trails photographer Bart Smith is poised to wrap up 16 years of hiking ALL of the National Scenic Trails in America, and with that feat, launch a new website to tell his story through his photos.

Big Cypress Backcountry Access

An obvious watery path through wetlands

December 4, 2020    Sandra Friend

By December 15, all public comments are due on the new Big Cypress Backcountry Access Plan. Here’s our analysis of it and our opinions, along with a discussion of backcountry and wilderness in Florida.

Biking the Good Neighbor Trail

Good Neighbor Trail

December 4, 2018    John Keatley

A morning of exploration allowed us to experience the not-quite-open-yet Good Neighbor Trail and its historic context during our visit to Brooksville this September.

Circling Central Florida on the Florida Trail

Canoe Creek Road Florida Trail

September 12, 2015    Sandra Friend

East vs. West: which is best? I hiked both as a loop, so here’s a rundown of how the two corridors of the Florida Trail compare through Central Florida – and a little trail history.

Closing the Florida Trail Big Bend Gap

Florida Trail closure notice

April 28, 2017    Sandra Friend

How do we close the gap in the Florida Trail between the Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers? Learn the history of how the trail was developed and routed through that region, the discussions going on now, and a potential solution for future protection of the trail corridor.

Cross Florida Greenway History | Bridge to the Future

Land Bridge ribbon cutting

November 28, 2011    Sandra Friend

The history of the Cross Florida Greenway’s birth and the building the Land Bridge – and the Florida Trail – across this new stretch of public land in Central Florida in 1999.

Cross Florida Greenway History | Finding a Route

December 17, 2012    Sandra Friend

A visit to the Barge Canal Diggings near I-75 after 13 years of the Florida Trail on the Cross Florida Greenway reveals steady changes over the years, shown in a series of photos.

Cross Florida Greenway History | The Land Bridge

Entrance to the Land Bridge from Land Bridge Trailhead

December 22, 2012    Sandra Friend

A landmark along Interstate 75 near Ocala, the Land Bridge remains one of the more popular destinations for hikers, bikers, and equestrians on the Cross Florida Greenway.

Cuban chugs in Key West

Fishing boat

July 15, 2015    John Keatley

Sometimes we take history for granted. A walk through the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden led to a collection of Cuban chugs, which we didn’t know what they were until we learned their story.

Early Birds on the Greenway

Hiking the Land Bridge Loop

July 26, 2006    Sandra Friend

The Land Bridge section of the Florida Trail has a special place in my heart since I helped create it under the tutelage of Kenneth Smith, ‘Mr. Greenway,’ who retired last year from being a section leader.

Florida loses a trail icon: Wiley Dykes, Sr.

Wiley Dykes Sr (left) receives award for Lower Wekiva trail route (via Marguerite Dykes)

February 7, 2012    Sandra Friend

One person CAN make an enormous difference. Wiley Dykes, Sr., one of the strongest and most persistent trail builders of the past 40 years in the Orlando area, has died at the age of 81.

Florida Trail Southern Terminus marker installed

December 13, 2013    Sandra Friend

Since its debut on a hand cart this January during the thru-hiker season kickoff at Oasis Visitor Center, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the permanent placement of the Florida Trail Southern Terminus marker in Big Cypress National Preserve. The marker was put in place yesterday, December 12. Said Bob DeGross, Chief of Interpretation and Public Affairs …

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