Sunflowers on the St. Johns
For more than a decade, I've been chasing sunflower blooms in Florida wetlands in October. In 2021, it's a banner year for these showy beauties in Central Florida.
Biking Pine Island Conservation Area
Within sight of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, this ride to the Indian River Lagoon offers some of the best birding you'll do by bike.
Biking Scottsmoor Flatwoods East
At Scottsmoor Flatwoods Sanctuary, the trails are open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. But as we learned, off-road biking here can be more than a little challenging.
Big Cypress Backcountry Access
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 Southern Glades Trail
Taking a ride through the Everglades on one of Miami-Dade's most remote offroad bike trails made for "Bill and John's Most Excellent Adventure."
Connecting the Spring to Spring Trail
With a goal of connecting all three segments of the Spring to Spring Trail together using roads in between, John rides from Lake Monroe Park to De Leon Springs on a 25.6 mile route.
Snakes on a Trail
One week, three venomous snakes, and many harmless ones: all encountered on our early morning bike rides along paved trails on cool mornings.
Bioluminescent Paddling in Titusville
During the summer months, bioluminescence makes its appearance in the Indian River Lagoon and is especially strong along Merritt Island near Titusville. On my paddling trip, I saw the best glow I've ever seen.
Sawyer Micro Squeeze Field Test
On a field test along a long stretch of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail with no potable water sources, the Sawyer Micro Squeeze proves itself a worthy backup plan
Swapping a Mountain Bike for a Hybrid
When is it time to swap your ride? It all depends on your bike's reliability and how suitable it is for the terrain. With us staying close to home and the miles piling up on my mountain bike, it was time to consider a change.
Nature and Social Distancing on the C2C
Riding through Titusville to the Coast to Coast Trail, which terminates here, I can ship our books and get a good bit of exercise in while social distancing
Sunflower Season on the St. Johns River
In September, swamp sunflowers put on a colorful show along the St. Johns River between Sanford and Geneva, north of Orlando. Here's where to hike to photograph them.