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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

Ocklawaha

Historic community on the north shore of Lake Weir, 1920s home of Ma Barker

Buffet on the Beach

Lemon Point, Carney Island Park

January 4, 2012    Sandra Friend

One of Marion County’s finest parks, Carney Island preserves a peninsula jutting out into Lake Weir near Ocklawaha. As I discovered by leading a hike there, the beach at Lemon Point is a destination not just for hikers but boaters too.

Carney Island Conservation Area

Carney Island

Ocklawaha      ( 29.014936, -81.964311 )      4.0 miles

As a peninsula in Lake Weir, parts of Carney Island Conservation Area are naturally air-conditioned. Walk 4 miles beneath ancient oaks and expect to see wildlife.

Farewell to my Cannondale

JK and his Cannondale

January 2, 2017    John Keatley

Requiem for a much-loved bicycle: in November, my vintage Cannondale Super V 1000 mountain bike made its final ride while we were doing trail research in Marion County.

Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area

Ocklawaha Prairie

Moss Bluff      ( 29.106041, -81.906031 )      1.6 miles

At Ocklawaha Prairie, east of Lake Weir and south of Marshall Swamp, trails lead to some of the best birding in the region from levees along the extensive marshes of the river basin.

Sunnyhill in the sunshine

Hiker on levee next to river

April 23, 2011    Sandra Friend

Today was my third visit to Sunnyhill Restoration Area, more than 4,400 acres managed by St. Johns Water Management District, and finally, I found the right entrance for a pleasant hike. There are so many entrances to this vast preserve!

Sunnyhill Levee Trail

Trail shelter with bike at marsh

Sunnyhill Restoration Area  |  Weirsdale
( 28.993687,-81.834440 )      7.5 miles

A linear path along the channelized Ocklawaha River, the Levee Trail at Sunnyhill Restoration Area stretches 7.5 miles from SR 42 north to Moss Bluff.

Sunnyhill Restoration Area

Expanse of marsh with blue skies above

Ocklawaha River  |  Weirsdale
( 28.993687,-81.834440 )      25.4 miles

Edging the eastern shore of the Ocklawaha River north of Lake Griffin, Sunnyhill Restoration Area protects the channelized river’s historic floodplain.

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