There’s always a crowd dockside at MacRae’s, making it a great place to people watch and take photos.  Sure, it’s a hotel, and there’s a tiki bar on the dock called “The Shed”, but it’s more than just that. It’s your classic river hangout.  Boats are always being launched, fisherman are busy cleaning fish, others [...]

First things first, I haven’t kayaked the Chassahowitzka River.  Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?  I think so, too.  The Chassahowitzka River is one of the nicest spring-fed rivers in Florida, and it’s close to home, but I’ve never gotten the chance to paddle here.  I’ll have to remedy that soon. 
Let me take a moment to side-step to [...]

To me, an early morning kayak trip near Hog Island always feels otherworldly. The corridor is narrow, laden with thick fog that silhouettes the massive cypresses along the edge. The rhythmic sound of a paddle gently entering and exiting the water coupled by the call of birds overhead are the only sounds you’ll [...]

Since I live just a few miles from the Hog Island Campground, and since I get a lot of traffic from people looking for information about this area, here’s a simple little video for you.  Hope it gives you an idea of what’s here.  It’s one of the best places in the Withlacoochee State Forest [...]

Ever been to Kelly Park in Apopka?  Go ahead and call in sick to work, dress in a manner in which you won’t be easily recognized by coworkers, and go hang out at Rock Springs.  Why?  Because, well, Rock Springs rocks.
The 355-acre property was donated to be used as a park and a wildlife preserve [...]

Situated on the site of an old rock mine, Tenoroc Fish Management Area offers visitors a lot of activities. Horseback riding, hiking, and fishing are very popular at Teneroc. The ridges along deep craters left over from years of phosphate mining offer hikers an elevated view of the 7,300 acre property, giving an almost Appalachian [...]

For 17 years the Florida Trail Association’s Loxahatchee Chapter has hosted the Big “O” Hike, a 9-day, 110-mile trek around Lake Okeechobee.  Held during Thanksgiving week, it’s a tradition for many people to hike around the lake, camp, and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family at the Clewiston Inn.
Over 100 hikers stood atop [...]

Here’s some video from a short hike at Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest.  Florida author Sandra Friend and Johnnie Pohlers led a group down the Lake George Trail, and then out to the Spring Boils Trail. Remember the book “The Yearling” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings? Jody’s Spring, as depicted in the [...]

I was over in Leesburg today and on my way home I thought I’d take a ride out to Flat Island Preserve and check things out.  I can’t pass a brown sign that proclaims “State Park 100yds.” or has that cool hiker-dude symbol on it without veering off course…
Anyway, here’s some video of Flat Island [...]

Situated on one of only three original stands of Royal Palms in Florida, the natural beauty of Collier-Seminole State Park is not to be missed.  Nature and history buffs alike will appreciate the park’s feel that seems more Caribbean than Florida. Collier-Seminole State Park is also home to the historic Bay City Walking Dredge, an engineering marvel which [...]

Man, have I been busy this year.  Outdoor events, hikes, runs, biking, kayaking, autograph sessions (well, maybe not) - I’ve been all over the place.  My blog posts and videos are stacking up, unfinished and sitting in limbo until I can squeeze in some time between work and events.  I’m not complaining, mind you, it’s [...]

Two firsts were celebrated out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on September 27th, one being the Inaugural Expedition Everest Challenge 5K, and the other was the fact that this was the first organized race that I have entered.  You heard me right, I crawled out of the woods, shaved, and ran alongside a couple of thousand [...]

Here’s a little video I took down at Travel Country Outdoors in between attending the Croom Crusher Adventure Race and Disney’s Expedition Everest Challenge 5K at Animal Kingdom. Last year, I got the flyer in the mail and thought I’d check it out. Being an outdoors guy, this is the best sale I’ve ever been [...]

The West Central Florida Adventure Racing Club (WeCeFAR) is known for putting on great events all over the state, and the 2008 Croom Crusher/Crumbler was no exception.  I’ve been lurking around at WeCeFAR’s races when they are in my neck of the woods for a few years now, and I’m thinking that perhaps next year I might [...]

October 11, 2008 - WeCeFAR does it again with another fanstastic outdoors event. This time I was out at my most frequented spot in the Withlacoochee State Forest, Tucker Hill, checking out the John Holmes 50K and 16-mile fun run. Well, honestly, I got there a minute or two before the 16 mile run [...]

October 17, 2008 - OK, this is my new favorite outdoors event in Florida. I’m embarrassed to say that before this past Labor Day weekend, I had never attended Clyde and Niki Butcher’s annual Muck-About. I’ve wanted to, but being a few hundred miles away it’s been one of those things that has gotten [...]

Another little video showcasing the rapids and trail along the river inside of Hillsborough River State Park.

Hiking through Marshall Swamp on the Cross Florida Greenway, I came across this wasp who was quite the character.  He looked like a little jet doing a test flight.  Then comes along Mr. Millipede who was just passing through on his way to who-knows-where.  Probably heading home after a hard day chomping on decaying leaves.. 
What’s [...]

Who the heck is Mr. Klabb? Nobody important to you, I’m sure. But he’s important to the Klabb family of Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. OK, enough of that nonsense. I got this gnarly new video camera a week or so ago, a Sony HDR-SR11. Great video camera, and now [...]

Definitely one of the finest examples of second magnitude springs found anywhere in Florida, Three Sisters Springs is a must-see on any trip to Crystal River. Hidden just off King’s Bay behind concrete pilings and surrounded by private property, this area is reachable only by kayak, canoe, or wading down the narrow corridor leading into [...]

Over the past few weeks I have had some interesting encounters with wildlife, especially deer.  Typically, deer will bolt at the faintest scent or sight of people, but not me.  They love me.

About three weeks ago I was on one of my regular runs through Whispering Pines Park in Inverness.  It had just finished raining, [...]

Braving the heat and humidity, scores of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts gathered at Whispering Pines Park in Inverness to take part in celebrating National Trails Day and to honor the City’s designation as a Florida Trail Gateway Community. City of Inverness Manager Frank DiGiovanni called the alliance with the Florida Trail Association “a match made [...]

What in the blue blazes does this have to do with hiking or camping or paddling, or any of that other stuff that you visit here for, you ask? Well, nothing really. The weather is treacherous right now, it’s so hot and muggy pretty much all day. Plus, it’s Memorial Day weekend and I’m taking [...]

It’s been super dry here in Central Florida, and we got our first rain in a long while just a couple of days ago.