Westy Rambles West
We're in the thick of our third road trip with Primrose, our 82 Westy, this time hiking the trails of Florida's Panhandle. It's a good bit different than home: hilly!
Articles & Destinations
Prepping Primrose for the Panhandle
Before taking a 1,000-mile journey across Florida to hike distant sections of the Florida Trail, we find it necessary to upgrade the tires on Primrose, our vintage VW camper van.
Watermelon Pond Preserve
With more than 4,200 acres in this FWC Wildlife Environmental Area, Watermelon Pond Preserve offers both solitude and scenery along a vast system of prairie habitats.
Camp WhereUWanna
More adventures in Primrose, our VW Westy, as we head for the Florida Trail Conference and discover that the speedometer isn't quite telling the truth.
Return to Big Tree Park
While The Senator is a charred stump, thanks to an arsonist, the grandeur of its surroundings at Big Tree Park - including a 2,000-year-old cypress - has reopened to the public.
Cherokee Sink Trail
A window into the watery world of the Woodville Karst Plain, Cherokee Sink is a large, deep water-filled sinkhole in a less-traveled section of Wakulla Springs State Park.
Welcoming REI to Florida
For backpacking gear, REI can't be beat, and so we're thrilled to welcome their first Florida store to Jacksonville, attending a pre-Grand Opening special event on Feb 28.
River Levels in North Florida
Cold weather and high water causes hypothermia, so play it safe. Before hiking in winter in North Florida and the Florida Panhandle, check these flood gauges.
A Twisted Valentine Tale
A planned Valentines Day hike on the Florida Trail morphs into something completely different as a chain of coincidences fall into place.
Off-roading, Westy-style
It's one bumpy ride as we tunnel our way through the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest with Primrose, our brand new vintage Westy, on a jeep road.
Walking the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
This week marks the 9th Annual Ocean to Lake Hike. It was a delight to learn last year that the 61-mile Ocean-to-Lake Trail is finally fully complete and open to the public. Last winter, John and I participated in the final three days of the six day group …
Home Sweet Camper
What's an upgrade from tent camping when you're hiking? A camper van! JK's history with VW camper vans led us to a Westphalia of our own to use as our base camp.